Where to download AD&D PDFs for Free?

Finding books, modules, etc from old 1st Edition / 2nd Edition AD&D games can be quite tricky sometimes so many of us gamers resort to downloading the PDF version of the book / module. The original books were published in the 1970s, 1980s and early to mid 1990s. Thus, decades later finding a hard copy of many of these books is sometimes tricky.

Many people prefer to have an actual print copy whenever they can be found, especially if it is an important book they intend on using regularly. If there is only one thing in the book they need however many people justify downloading a PDF on the basis of not wanting to buy a whole book when all they need is the stats for that one item.

It is possible to sometimes finding old school gaming books on eBay or via websites like http://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/44/Wizards-of-the-Coast or http://www.dmsguild.com/. Sometimes the older books are even re-released with new covers, but with the original artwork on the inside.

Speaking for myself, I like reading adventure modules and then modifying them / borrowing ideas from them to suit my own game - which is set in the bronze age and I often have to adjust the availability of armour, weapons, magical items that are available during that point in the timeline. I also often swap out certain monsters or traps I feel are unsuitable or don't fit the genre / don't match the level of technology available. Thus for me PDFs are really a source of inspiration.

Below are several websites useful when downloading PDFs.

[Updated December 2016]

1st / 2nd Edition Edition AD&D Adventure Modules / Books
http://archmagev.com/1st_Ed/
or
http://www.deathranger.com/originaladventuresinpdfformat.html

Homebrew Adventure Modules (Fan Made PDFs)
http://www.dragonsfoot.org/ad/
or
http://www.dndadventure.com/dnda_adventures.html

1st Edition AD&D Core Rulebooks
http://archmagev.com/1st_Ed/Rulebooks/

1st Edition AD&D Accessories
http://archmagev.com/1st_Ed/Accessories/

Dragon Magazines
http://archmagev.com/1st_Ed/Dragon/
or
http://www.deathranger.com/dragon.html
or
https://dnd.rem.uz/Dragon%20Magazine/

Dungeon Magazines (Adventure Modules)
http://www.deathranger.com/dungeonmagazines.html
or
https://dnd.rem.uz/Dungeon%20Magazine/

2nd Edition AD&D Rulebooks
http://archmagev.com/2nd_Ed/
or
https://dnd.rem.uz/2e%20D%26D%20Books/

2nd Edition Online Monster Manual
http://www.padnd.com/monster_manual/mm00000.php
or
http://www.lomion.de/cmm/_contents.php

1st / 2nd Edition Errata and Reference Guides (+ A Few Modules, Maps and Essays)
https://www.acaeum.com/library/library.html

Unsorted 1st / 2nd Edition Books / Modules
https://dnd.rem.uz/Advanced%20D%26D%20%28unsorted%29/

1st Edition Wizard, Priest, Druid and Illusionist Spells
http://pandaria.rpgworlds.info/cant/rules/adnd_spells.htm
(Added March 12th 2016.)

2nd Edition Wizard and Priest Spells
http://atariusa.com/zoria_rpg_seite/shared/

OTHER

83 Free Wizards of the Coast 4th Edition Adventure Modules*
http://www.dungeonmastering.com/campaigns-adventures/83-free-dd-adventures
* You would need to convert them to 1st / 2nd Edition, but hey, free is free.

Free 5th Edition Materials / Adventures
5e Basic Rules for Players
5e Basic Rules for DM
Hoard of the Dragon Queen Online Supplement
Rise of Tiamat Online Supplement
Elemental Evil Player's Companion
Adventurer's League Player's Guide, Tyranny of Dragons
Adventurer's League Player's Guide, Elemenatl Evil Edition
Unearthed Arcana: Eberron
Unearthed Arcana: When Armies Clash (BattleSystem 5E)
Murder at Baldur's Gate
Legacy of the Crystal Shard


If you know of other websites that host PDFs for 1st or 2nd Edition AD&D please post the URL (not a spammy link!) in the comments below. You will note that none of the above list actually link to the pages in question. We don't want any outgoing links. Any comments containing links be considered spam. Only post the URL, don't link to it.

I may from time to time add links to 3rd, 4th and 5th edition items - like the Free 5th Edition "Basic Rules" listed above.

If any of the above links no longer work, please leave a comment below and I shall update the link(s) with new ones that do work.