Shopping for an introductory game

[Jan van Leyden]

For years I've introduced new RPGers using either CoC or the D&D Rules Compendium. While CoC offers an easy to grasp system ("roll w% and try to get lower than the number on the sheet"), D&D is so easy that the game master can take off the system processing of the players. This lets the newcomers concentrate on the roleplaying aspects and forgetting about the system.

Over the last few years more and more people bring some knowledge of and experience with CRPGs to the table. These people are accustomed to a mechanical description of characters and tend to ask questions very early in their career. D&D leaves these people frowning as for the hodgepodge of subsystems which make D&D.

Additionally, today's newcomers are less than enthused when they see the old book.

So it's time to invest in a new newbie-friendly game. It should feature:

- a single system for task resolution using one die-rolling mechanism only.

- possibility to shift resolution work from the players to the GM

- limited selection of features for character creation and expanding selection of features for character advancement

- (fantasy) mainstream background

- visually appealing/stunning material

What do you think, folks? I'm looking forward to your suggestions!

 

[S'mon]

Why do you need a single task resolution system?

My recommendation would be Labyrinth Lord for the new shiny slickness while being very similar to but even simpler than RC/BECMI D&D.

But if you must have a unified task resolution mechanic, Castles & Crusades is good.

Edit: Not all LL/C&C classes have expanding advancement. Being OD&D based, spellcasters have many options while non-casters have none after chargen.

I kinda think you'd be best off with 3e, using the PHB starting packages new PCs are simple, but obviously there's tons of mechanical PC-building to do later. 4e is not suitable for having the GM run everything.

 

[fba827]

Disclaimer: I do NOT know the details on this. So it may or may not meet all your criteria.

It is my understanding that the Dragon Age RPG (based off the setting in the recent computer game of the same name) is a "simplified" starter-level type game. It either just came out or is about to come out soon. It's published by Geen Ronin (Green Ronin Publishing: Be Your Own Master - i think that's their website).

 

[Jhaelen]

Over the last few years more and more people bring some knowledge of and experience with CRPGs to the table. These people are accustomed to a mechanical description of characters and tend to ask questions very early in their career. D&D leaves these people frowning as for the hodgepodge of subsystems which make D&D.

Given this context, what's wrong about D&D 4e? Seems to fit the bill, imho.

 

[Jan van Leyden]

Given this context, what's wrong about D&D 4e? Seems to fit the bill, imho.

The same thing which makes 3e (nearly as) unsuitable, IMHO: Feeding the players a handful of powers, each with its own effect description, forces the players to concentrate on the character sheet (or power cards). I don't want to make the impression that RPGs are so complicated.

 

[Flobby]

I'd recommend Dragon Age too.

 

[scourger]

Savage Worlds. Try it free: http://www.peginc.com/Downloads/SWEX/TD06.pdf

 

[mach1.9pants]

Yeah Dragon Age: a slick and simple system. Straightforward mechanic. Opposed or vs TN: 3d6 + Attribute (normally around -2 to +4 or 5) + 2 if trained. One die is a different colour, the Dragon Die, which can mean different things dependant on it's number... adds a bit of depth. The world story is good too

 

[Umbran]

The same thing which makes 3e (nearly as) unsuitable, IMHO: Feeding the players a handful of powers, each with its own effect description, forces the players to concentrate on the character sheet (or power cards).

Well, hold on a second - you're talking about people who play CRPGs, right? They generally have a handful of things they can do at start too, no.

However, if you still think that's too much - start them with 4e, and limit them to at-will powers. Or one at will, and one Encounter power. Allow them to add the additional 1st level powers at points during 1st level.

 

[jdrakeh]

Mongoose Runequest. It's a simple, inexpensive, straight-forward system with a unified resolution mechanic. You can buy the Runequest I hardcover for $17 or $18 at Noble Knight, or snag the PDF for a similar price at RPGNow (go to Mongoose|Classic Runequest).