THAC0 - started turning up in 2nd edition...in 1st edition there were charts...attack matrices... THAC0
In that case why did they ever invent taco if it weren't a part of their larger war game of which DnD sprouted from, it seems like an odd way to determine hits
I had a character long time ago, he was "Lizardfolk" and his theme was being sneaky and poison (poison weapons, expert poisoner, black market poison-potions maker, etc). I think he was a rogue, but he might have been a druid too? I seem to remember he wound up with a raptor or monitor lizard buddy. I even drew a picture (that I can't find anymore), but I remember he looked pretty cool in a hooded-cowl and hooked skull-staff, like a scaley grim reaper. Ultimate goal was to give him a megaraptor, but that dream never came true.
The real fun was with players not getting the math sometimes, with those negative values for armor classes and such stuff. D&D3.0 (or better: 3.5) was much better then, mathematics-wise. Loved those rules. It has been 10 years since I played (DM'ed) and I could still sit down and just start playing. Lots of that system is carved into my brain.
3.0/3.5 was a much needed leap forward. While the math aspects of the game can be fun, THAC0 became unwieldy.
Played a Tskrang in Earthdawn....that was waaay back, when even the Slanns (and @Crowsfoot) were young...
It was the go to system for Mr and my friends as well. I haven't played it for a long time now, I'm switching much more between systems in these days and I also don't play as much as I used to. Getting a kid has that effect I still look through my 3.5 players, dungeon and monster manual from time to time