THAC0

[Azzy]

I'm curious. Does anyone know the earliest product that used THAC0? I know that there were some modules that listed a creatures THAC0 before 2e when whole hog on it, I just don't know where it started.

 

[AlexofBarbaria]

The 1e DMG from 1979. I'd be very surprised if it appeared before that. The Monsters & Treasure Assortment sets published earlier actually use "THAC9" (called Attack Level there).

 

[Azzy]

The 1e DMG from 1979. I'd be very surprised if it appeared before that. The Monsters & Treasure Assortment sets published earlier actually use "THAC9" (called Attack Level there).

Thank you.

 

[el-remmen]

The first place I remember seeing it was in one of the UK modules and I adopted it right away, since I found (and still find) looking at a table onerous. Before that I was more likely to guess if a number was a hit as a DM then look at the actual chart.

 

[ezo]

Update:

The 1E DMG used "To Hit A.C. 0", not THAC0.

The first place I remember seeing it was in one of the UK modules and I adopted it right away, since I found (and still find) looking at a table onerous. Before that I was more likely to guess if a number was a hit as a DM then look at the actual chart.

I've heard that, but never seen it myself so can't verify it.

Module UK2 or something or other.

 

[ezo]

Found it in The Sentinel UK2 (1983):

 

[the Jester]

I don't recall it from the 1e DMG, although maybe it was in the big monster index in the back.

The first place I saw it was in Polyhedron Magazine, the official magazine of the RPGA, during the 1e era. 2e made it a thing in the PH.

 

[sevenbastard]

Module UK2

This was the first module I owned. Used the heck out of it. Guess that's why I love THAC0 so much.

 

[Thagdal]

the big monster index in the back.

Yep, that's exactly where it was, with about that level of explanation.

 

[Voadam]

1e DMG: