Basic Rulebook / Basic Set / Basic Rules

First 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 illustrations by Fangorn.  Both rulebook prints (First and Second UK) differ only in the color of the back, the writing color on the front, the cover finish, and the possible inclusion of an address label.  These prints consistently use "Hobbits" in references throughout.  Only the Basic Rulebook was released, not the set.

• Dark blue front cover; overall cover described as dull and hazy; back of rulebook is silver

• 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

• Some copies had an address label placed over the 1 Dalling Road address: GAMES WORKSHOP, 97 UXBRIDGE ROAD, LONDON W12 8NL

• 48 pages, including a pull-out sheet; Fangorn artwork replaces Sutherland and Wham artwork on pages 1, 3, 25, 26, 31, 33, 35, 37, 44, and 45

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

Second print (Dec 1977):

• Dark blue cover front and back; overall cover described as shiny and glossy; back of rulebook is blue

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

• Games Workshop Mickey Mouse logo on cover and first page; Lizard logo on first page

• Address label removed; address: GAMES WORKSHOP, 1 Dalling Road, Hammersmith, London W6

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

• 48 pages including pull-out sheet; Wandering Monster table (pg 10) has monsters not in the rulebook (as per the First-print US version)

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

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

• Blue box with red dragon artwork (Sutherland); box sides in solid black; Lizard logo lower left; "Games Workshop" in yellow script on box side; code upper right is "1001"

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

• 48-page rulebook contains references to Hobbits (pg 11); copyright page states "Second Edition, Nov 1978"; back-cover catalog has no prices

• B1 In Search of the Unknown (UK print, no shrinkwrap); five pre-colored dice in poly bag (no D10 or crayon)

• Thanks to Michael Deaton and Paul MacLean for this info

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

• Blue box with red dragon artwork; box sides in solid black; code upper right is "1001"

• 48-page rulebook: References to Hobbits now changed to Halflings; copyright page states "Second Edition, Nov 1978"; back-cover catalog has prices in pounds sterling

• B1 In Search of the Unknown (UK print); five pre-colored dice in poly bag; White Dwarf magazine subscription form

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

Fifth print (1986):  Same artwork as the Twelfth print US version, but consists of a single digest-sized booklet, 272 pages in length.  Published by TSR UK, 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 one booklet (British spellings, and fonts and layouts described as more professionally-rendered).  Interior artwork is different from the US version.  A section has been added to the beginning (pg 6): "How to Use this Book".  An added section to the end ("What Now") describes the differences between the B-series, X-series, and B/X module.  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 / Set 1: Basic Rules

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

A looseleaf sheet was recently acquired in an auction of the Australian rulebook, probably bundled under shrinkwrap.  It features the artwork from the first page of the rulebook.  Thanks to Michael Deaton for the scan.

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

Third print:  Identical to the Thirteenth print US version, with the exception of "Australian Edition" on the right front of the box, "Printed in Australia under license by the Jedko Games Co. Pty. Ltd" on the back, and module listing on the back showing 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 / Det Nye Dungeons & Dragons Spil

First print:  Thanks to Adrian Newman for the scan.

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 / Règles de Base - Boite 1

First print (Nov 1982):  Although copyrighted Nov 1982, this version was released in France in the spring of 1983, initially without a box.  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" on the 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.  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.  Thanks to Christophe Crevaux, Slaheddine Kefi, Géraud Gourjon, and Ciro Alessandro Sacco for help with this info, and to Géraud Gourjon for the scan.

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

Third print (1985):  Printed by TSR UK.  Rulebook states "Third Edition, revised, 1985".  Box color is slightly darker red than the Fourth print.  Copyright on box sides states "touts droits réservés" (misspelling).  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.

Fourth 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.

Basis Set / Das Neue Dungeons & Dragons Spiel

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, 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.

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, 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.

Third print:  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 / Classic D&D Game

First print:  Thanks to Adrian Newman for the scan.

Second print:  Contributor misterspock, who owns both prints of Hebrew Basic rulebooks, notes that there are 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.

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

Regole Base - Set 1 / Dungeons & Dragons - Il Gioco

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

Second print:  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.

Second through Seventeenth prints:  The Second print 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.

Fantasi Rollespill Grunnregler

This is a hardcover manual, printed by AEH Hobby in 1989.  Interior differences unknown.  Thanks to Barry Johnston for this info, and 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 / Combination Rulebook

First print:  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.

Second print:  This hardback rulebook combines (we assume directly) the information from the previous boxed set; unknown if the map is included as well.  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.