Where was the term THACO first used?

[Plane Sailing]

I've been prompted to look up some of my earliest fanzines (what, me throw something away?) and the earliest one that I can find is Underworld Oracle issue 3 Nov/Dec.

No, they didn't put the year anywhere in it! I do know from issue 2 that it predates AD&D though... that issue gives a listing of the rule books as "Books 1, 2 & 3, Greyhawk, Blackmoor, Eldritch Wizardry, Gods Demi-Gods & Heroes, Swords and Spells".

OK, so we are resolutely pre-AD&D here. Probably Nov/Dec 1976.

Now, back to UO issue 3. The DMs Forum on p3 has an article about hit probability tables, making the observation that because the tables are regular, you can calculate an increasing bonus for PCs as they go up in levels, written by Phil Alexander.

Second column has the following text

Another aid for those whose memory for AC is not so good, recently appeared in Trollcrusher. Gary Brittain noticed that if one adds +2 to the score needed to hit AC 2 (i.e. AC 0 which is 19 for 1st level), then when combat ensues, if the AC of the target is subtracted from this figure, one has the roll needed to hit.

So combining the above, if you use 19 to calculate a 1st level's chance to hit AC 0, modify this with level step bonus (as a subtraction) and also subtract the AC being attacked, you have the roll needed to hit without consulting the matrix (see examples below).

If mental calculations do not appeal to you, there are alternatives that are just as easy and fast. A sheet prepared before the game showing the characters hit probability for AC 0 with strength and level alterations already taken into account, and perhaps magic weapons as well. All the ref has to do iin the course of play is subtract the AC and adjust if weapons relationships are used. if your players roll their own dice, they might add on their own bonuses as the DM subtracts the AC from 19, saving him a bit of work.

So I submit to you that although this doesn't use the term THAC0, it is possibly the earliest point at which the concepts came together as a result of Gary Brittain and Phil Alexander.

Do I win?

 

[Melan]

You do - it is a fascinating bit of game history.

 

[BOZ]

i'll note also that Underworld Oracle apparently contributed the apparition, death dog, enveloper (heh), gibberling, and huecuva to the original Fiend Folio.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Death Dog was in issue 3, ; Issue 2 also has the 'eye of fear and flame' - I wonder if that led to the version which ultimately appeared in Book of Vile Darkness?

Just checked up on the creature catalogue, and it sure is! This is the monster stat block as originally created by Hugh Kernohan in Sep/Oct 1976


EYE OF FEAR AND FLAME
No. Appearing...1
AC..................2
Move..............9"
% in Lair....... -
Treasure Type -
Damage........... Special
Hit Dice........... 12
Magical Resistance...80%

A hooded, man sized, figure that stalks the dungeon. His face is always invisible due to his hood and the dark interior is seen only as an opaque, black screen. If he is attacked or his commands disobeyed, he will cast back his hood to reveal a bare skull with a red jewel in one socket and a black jewel in the other. The red gem unleashes a 12 die fireball (once every 3 melee rounds) and the black acts as a fear spell (every melee round).

If attacked, he will switch out of phase, returning only to use the Eyes.

Blindness and power word blind are reflected back on the unfortunate MU who attempts them.

Compare that with the Creature Catalogue and see how much has made the transition over the years!

http://www.enworld.org/cc/converted/outsider/eye_of_fear_and_flame.htm

I wonder if I should mention that the first appearance wasn't in the 1981 FF, but in Underworld Oracle issue 2?

 

[BOZ]

fascinating!

 

[Jim Inverness]

I'm fairly certain that THAC0 was used by Judges' guild prior to 1e. I distinctly remember playing OD&D (White Box) with some Judges' guild weapon cards and THAC0 tables in Spring/Summer of 1978.

I first heard and saw it in 1979. The DM had a judges guild DM's shield, and we traveled between CSIO and Thunderhold, and explored the upper levels of the Sunstone Caverns. The DM insisted all our character sheets had a THAC0 figure.

Also, I found this quote:

Lawrence SchickNovember 23, 2015 at 7:44 AM

I'm the one who added that monster summary table to the DMG with the "To Hit A.C. 0" column. I believe I first saw THAC0 used in a Judges Guild publication, and thought it was a useful mechanic.

http://playingattheworld.blogspot.com/2015/11/to-hit-armor-class-zero.html?m=1

 

[occam]

The first time I saw "THAC0" used was in one of the Tracy & Laura Hickman modules, so that would've been either Ravenloft (1983), Pharaoh (1982), or Dragons of Despair (1984). I'm pretty sure it was in the first Dragonlance module, but I'd have to check to be sure, and I don't have those with me at the moment. That may have been TSR's first use of the term.

With this thread raised from the dead, I took the opportunity to review my old modules. It turns out the first place I remember seeing THAC0 used by TSR was in DL3 Dragons of Hope (1984).