Basic Rulebook

First UK print (Dec 1977).  Featuring completely different artwork from its US counterpart, this rulebook was released contemporaneously with the First print US version.  It features cover art by John Blanche and interior illos by Fangorn, which have a much darker, almost gothic quality that was something of a novelty in 1977 (and check out the troglodytes illustration on page 45... certainly more risqué than anything found in B3 Palace of the Silver Princess!).  Aside from the artwork, the text of the rulebook is identical to the U.S. version, right down to U.S. spellings.  We're not sure which print actually came first (this or the Second print below), as both rulebook prints differ only in the color of the back of the rulebook and the writing color on the front.  Also note that only the Basic Rulebook was released with this print, not the set.

• Dark blue cover (front and back) with a blue-and-silver picture of a dragon in combat with two adventurers (artwork by John Blanche).  Overall cover is described as shiny and glossy

• "*TM REG. APP. FOR" by-line next to the title on the front cover

• Writing on the bottom of the front cover is in red

• Games Workshop Mickey Mouse logo on the cover and first page

• Lizard logo on first page, next to the Mickey Mouse logo

• Printed by Pentagon Printing Group, Soho Square, London W1

• 48 pages, including a pull-out sheet in the back (quick-reference tables)

• The Wandering Monster table (pg 10) has monsters that aren't in the rulebook (as per the First-print US version)

• Fangorn artwork replaces Sutherland and Wham artwork on pages 1, 3, 25, 26, 31, 33, 35, 37, 44, and 45.  Trampier artwork on pages 16 and 18 untouched

• Page 45 is "Using the Dice" section and a 3/4 page Fangorn illustration (no "About the Editor" section). Page 46 is a full-page listing of products available from Games Workshop: mostly TSR items and a section for Judges Guild items

• Thanks to John Huckerby, Malcolm Lawrenson, Seb Boyd, Daniel Thingvold, and Bruce Robertson for help with this info, and to Bruce Robertson for the scan

Basic Rulebook

Second UK print (Dec 1977).  Most probably, released contemporaneously with the Second US print.  We're not sure which print actually came first (this or the First print above), as both rulebook prints differ only in the color of the back of the rulebook and the writing color on the front.  Also note that only the Basic Rulebook was released with this print, not the set.

• Dark blue front cover with a blue-and-silver picture of a dragon in combat with two adventurers (artwork by John Blanche).  Overall cover is described as dull and hazy

• Back of rulebook is silver

• "*TM REG. APP. FOR" by-line next to the title on the front cover

• Writing on the bottom of the front cover is in silver

• Games Workshop Mickey Mouse logo on the cover and first page

• Lizard logo on first page, next to the Mickey Mouse logo

• 48 pages, including a pull-out sheet in the back (quick-reference tables)

• Unknown if the Wandering Monster table (pg 10?) has monsters that aren't in the rulebook (see the First-print US version), or if this has been corrected

• Thanks to John Huckerby, Malcolm Lawrenson, and Bruce Robertson for help with this info, and to Richard Scott for the scan

Basic Set

Third UK print (Nov 1978).  Most closely matches the Fourth print US version, with some differences:

• Blue box with a picture of a red dragon (artwork by Sutherland).  Box sides are in solid black, not blue (continuation of the cover artwork) like the US version

• Lizard logo in lower left, "Games Workshop" in yellow script on box side

• Code in the upper right is "1001"

• Angled yellow banner in upper left says "Basic Set With Introductory Module"

• 48-page rulebook:  Lizard logo in lower left,  with "F116-R" in upper right and "*T.M. Reg. App. For" under the D&D logo; contains references to Hobbits (see bottom of page 11).  The copyright page states "Second Edition, Nov 1978", and has both the Lizard logo and Games Workshop logo at the bottom of the page.  Back-cover catalog does not have prices.

• B1 In Search of the Unknown (UK print, no shrinkwrap)

• Five pre-colored dice in a small poly bag (no D10 or dice crayon)

• Bottom of box shows rulebook, module B1 (US pre-production print), five dice, and has the Games Workshop logo

• Thanks to Michael Deaton and Paul MacLean for this info

Basic Set

Fourth UK print (1978?).  Most closely matches the Fourth print US version, with some differences:

• Blue box with a picture of a red dragon (artwork by Sutherland).  Box sides are in solid black, not blue (continuation of the cover artwork) like the US version

• Lizard logo in lower left, "Games Workshop" in yellow script on box side

• Code in the upper right is "1001"

• Angled yellow banner in upper left says "Basic Set With Introductory Module"

• 48-page rulebook:  Lizard logo in lower left,  with "F116-R" in upper right and "*T.M. Reg. App. For" under the D&D logo. References to Hobbits (see bottom of page 11) now changed to Halflings.  The copyright page states "Second Edition, Nov 1978", and has both the Lizard logo and Games Workshop logo at the bottom of the page.  Back-cover catalog is slightly expanded, and has prices in pounds sterling.

• B1 In Search of the Unknown (UK print, no shrinkwrap)

• Five pre-colored dice in a small poly bag (no D10 or dice crayon)

• White Dwarf magazine subscription form

• Bottom of box shows the US-version box (!), rulebook, module B1 (US pre-production print), five dice, and has the Games Workshop logo

• Thanks to Scott Cordiner, Michael Deaton, and Neville Ridley-Smith for this info

Basic Rules

Fifth UK print (1986).  Same artwork as the Twelfth print US version, but consists of a single digest-sized booklet, 272 pages in length (roughly the size of a paperback novel).  Published by TSR UK, but actually printed by Garden City Press.  Content is nearly identical to the Twelfth print US version, with the Players Manual and DM's Manual compiled into the one booklet (although it does feature British spellings, and the fonts and layouts have been described as more professionally-rendered).  Interior artwork is different from the US version.  A section has been added to the beginning (pg 6), entitled "How to Use this Book", which mentions all the D&D Sets, from Basic to Immortal.  An added section to the end ("What Now") describes the differences between the B-series, X-series, and B/X module, as well as the D&D Expert Set and the AD&D system.  Has the phrase "not for sale in Canada or the USA" on the back.  (Thanks to Adrian Newman, Ciro Alessandro Sacco, Rhea Shelley, and Jean-Philippe Suter for this info, and to Rhea Shelley for the scan).

Basic Rulebook

First Australian print.  Identical to the Fourth print US Basic Rulebook, with the exception that the cover is printed in blue and black only, instead of the blue, white, and black colors used on the cover of the US version.  (Thanks to John Huckerby for this info, and the scan).

A looseleaf sheet (depicted at right) was recently acquired in an auction of the Australian rulebook.  It's possible this was a "cover" sheet which was bundled with the rulebook, probably under shrinkwrap (similar to the Dungeon Module Pack).  It features the artwork from the first page of the rulebook.  (Thanks to Michael Deaton for the scan).

Set 1: Basic Rules

Second Australian print.  Identical to the Thirteenth print US version, with the exception of "Australian Edition" on the right front of the box, back of box states "Printed in Australia", and the listing of released modules on the back shows B1, B2, B3, and B5.  Additionally, on the back page of the Player's Manual, the address for Dragon magazine is Australian. (Thanks to Michael Deaton and Gabriel Meister for this info, and to Jesse Walker for the scan).

Set 1: Basic Rules

Third Australian print.  Identical to the Thirteenth print US version, with the exception of "Australian Edition" on the right front of the box, back of box states "Printed in Australia under license by the Jedko Games Co. Pty. Ltd", and the listing of released modules on the back shows B1-9, B10, B11, and B12.  (Thanks to Jesse Walker for this info and the scan).

D&D Game

Produced by Grow, who apparently only released this single item for D&D (two other D&D tabletop boardgames were released).  Thanks to Adrian Newman for this info, and the scan.

1. Saet: Basis Regler

First print.  Thanks to Adrian Newman for the scan.

Det Nye Dungeons & Dragons Spil

Second print.  Thanks to Adrian Newman for the scan.

Perussäännöt

Bundled with the Finnish B3 Palace of the Silver Princess and B6 Veiled Society (both modules combined into one book).  Otherwise identical to the US version. (Thanks to Mika Sutinen for this info, and to Nicolas Delzenne for the scan).

Niveau Dèbutant

First French print (Nov 1982).  Although copyrighted Nov 1982, this version was released in France in the spring of 1983, and (initially) without a box, due to supply problems.  Did not include dice or a pen even with the boxed version.  Rulebook states "First Print - Nov 1982" on the copyright page, and has "1982" ont he cover. It carries the distinction of the first D&D item translated into any foreign language.  Bears the Erol Otus cover artwork (from the Eighth - Eleventh US version) and has the TSR Face logo.  Has "Niveau Debutant" in the upper left.  Apparently, much of the interior artwork is different from any other version of the Basic Rulebook (US or foreign).  Contains a First print of module B2 Keep on the Borderlands.  Further differences unknown.  (Thanks to Christophe Crevaux, Slaheddine Kefi, Géraud Gourjon, and Ciro Alessandro Sacco for help with this info, and to Géraud Gourjon for the scan).

Niveau Dèbutant

Second French print (1983).  Rulebook states "First Print - Nov 1982" on the copyright page, but has "1983" on the cover.  This print was released only slightly after the First print above, and all copies came with a box.  Bears the Erol Otus artwork, has "Niveau Debutant" in the upper left of the box cover (though the rulebook is missing this), and has the Angled TSR logo.  Contains a Second print of module B2 Keep on the Borderlands, plus dice and a pen.  Further differences unknown.  (Thanks to Christophe Crevaux, Géraud Gourjon, and Slaheddine Kefi for help with this info, and to Géraud Gourjon for the scans).

Règles de Base - Boite 1

Third French print (1985).  Printed by TSR UK.  Rulebook states "Third Edition, revised, 1985".   Box color is slightly darker red than the Fourth print.  On each side of the box, the copyright states “touts droits réservés” (misspelling) instead of “tous droits reserves” (correct).  Titles of the rulebooks are not italicized.  Appears to otherwise mirror the Twelfth print US version; further differences unknown.  (Thanks to Géraud Gourjon for this info and the scan).

Box cover

Règles de Base - Boite 1

Fourth French print.  Printed by TSR UK.  Rulebook states "Third Edition, revised, 1985".   Box color is slightly lighter red than the Third print, and is constructed of heavy cardstock (not flimsy like previous prints).  Copyright misspelling has been corrected.  Titles of the rulebooks are italicized.  Appears to otherwise mirror the Twelfth print US version; further differences unknown.  (Thanks to Géraud Gourjon for this info and the scan).

Box cover

Basis Set

First print (1983).  Identical to the Twelfth print US version.  Box cover: no bar code on the left long side.  Box bottom: No pictures, product listing includes B1 "Vorstoß ins Ungewisse" (never published to our knowledge), some explaining text, the address is given as "Fasanenweg 3-5".  Contents: Spielerhandbuch, Handbuch für D&D-Master, six dice, crayon, small leaflet, brownish-orange paper with instructions for the dice, one-sided rulebook index sheet.  Spielerhandbuch: the sentence "Dieses Buch bitte zuerst lesen!" printed in white on top, "Spieler Handbuch" printed in white.  Handbuch für D&D-Master: No sentence printed on top, back cover blank.  Address "Fasanenweg 3-5" given on both books.  Thanks to Stefan Beate for this info, and the scan.

Basis Set

Second print (1984).  Identical to the Twelfth print US version, and the box cover is identical to the First print.  Box cover: bar code on the left long side.  Box bottom: Pictures of books and dice, explaining text without product listing, the address is given as "Fasanenweg 3".  Contents: Spielerhandbuch, Handbuch für D&D-Master, six dice, crayon, small leaflet, brownish paper with instructions for the dice.  May have included a folded full-color leaflet ad for AD&D plastic figurines.  Spielerhandbuch: the sentence "Dieses Buch bitte zuerst lesen!" printed in yellow on top, "Spieler Handbuch" printed in yellow.  Handbuch für D&D-Master: "Zuerst das Spieler-Handbuch lesen!" printed in white on top, back cover index for both books.  Address "Fasanenweg 3" given on both books.  Thanks to Stefan Beate for this info, and the scan.

Das Neue Dungeons & Dragons Spiel

Matches the 16th U.S. print.  Interestingly, it states "Printed in the U.S.A." on the box bottom.  Thanks to Stefan Beate for this info, and the scan.

Set 1: Basic Rules

Identical to the Twelfth print US version, though it includes B3 Palace of the Silver Princess as well as a version of Your Personal Invitation to Adventure.  (Thanks to Raphael Wong for this info, and to Javier Murillo for the scan).

Set 1: Basic Rules

First print.  Thanks to Adrian Newman for the scan.

Set 1: Basic Rules

Second print.  Contributor misterspock, who owns both prints of Hebrew Basic rulebooks, notes that there's some advertisements that are different between the two prints; further differences, if any, are unknown.  Thanks to misterspock and Eyal Even-Chen for help with this info, and to Adrian Newman for the scan.

Classic D&D Game

Third print.  Cover matches the Fourteenth print US version.  Thanks to Or Lev for the scan.

Regole Base - Set 1

Identical to the Twelfth print US version.  (Thanks to Ciro Alessandro Sacco and Danilo Moretti for this info, and the scan).

Dungeons & Dragons - Il Gioco

Similar to the Fourteenth print US version.  Contains the Basic Rulebook ("Regolamento"), 48 Introduction cards in a container (to learn the rules step-by-step), map of Zanzer's Dungeon, 48 3-D cardboard game pieces, 1 DM's Screen, and a set of six dice.  The Instruction Sheets also now have a folio of their own, and the Basic Rulebook is described as having better graphics and more-readable fonts.  (Thanks to Emanuele Pallozzi for this info, and to Ciro Alessandro Sacco and Danilo Moretti for the scan -- scan is of the entire set).

Set 1: Basic Rules

First print.  Contains two errata sheets (one for the Player’s book and one for the DM’s book).  (Thanks to Adrian Newman for this info, and the scan).

Set 1: Basic Rules

Second - Seventeenth prints.  The Second print of this box set is still listed as the First print on book interiors although the errata has now been incorporated into the text.  It was reprinted at least 15 more times, per the printing info on the copyright page.  The front covers of these prints are identical.  (Thanks to Adrian Newman for this info, and the scan).

Basis Set

Identical to the Twelfth print US version, though it has a stretched box (to accommodate a black-plastic dice tray), and includes a third booklet containing a small (two page) introduction to the D&D game.  This booklet is stapled to a cardboard cover, bearing the same artwork as the cover of the Player's Guide.  (Thanks to Alex Erne for this info, and to Richard van Tol and Selecta for the scan).

Regras de Base: 1

Published by Sociedade Tipogràfica SA.  In the box are the two manuals, dice, and 3 advertisement leaflets.  Thanks to Nicolas Delzenne for this info, and the scan.

Beginner / Expert Combination Set

This set contains a Basic Players' Manual, a Basic Dungeon Master Rule Book, an Expert Rule Book (assumably combining the Players' and DM's booklets), and a small full-color campaign world map.  Differences with the U.S. version(s) are unknown.  (Thanks to Adrian Newman for this info, and to Adrian Newman and Javier Murillo for the scans).

Beginner / Expert Combination Rulebook

This hardback rulebook combines (we assume directly) the information from the previous boxed set; unknown if the map is included as well.  Again, differences in information from the U.S. version(s) are unknown.  (Thanks to Adrian Newman for this info, and for the scan).

Reglas Nivel Basico 1

Identical to the Twelfth print US version.  (Thanks to Javier Murillo for the scan).

Lada 1: Basregler

Identical to the Twelfth print US version, including being printed in US letter size (even though it was printed in Germany and specifically ordered as size A4).  (Thanks to Mikael Borjesson and Andreas Landt for this info, and to Daniel Schenström for the scan).