The Best D&D edition for me.

[Gothmog]

If you're a new gamer, and never have DMed before, I'd definitely recommend 4th edition over the previous editions. I have played every edition so far, and greatly enjoyed 1st, 2nd, and Basic D&D (3.x D&D left me with a sour impression though). 4th edition is written with new players and DMs in mind, and gives tons of great advice on how to run a good game without being bogged down. 4th also makes it a joy to DM again- it doesn't get caught up in a lot of the rules minutiae that 3.x D&D did. I got really burned out on 3.x D&D because of the high prep time for the DM to make adventures, and there were just too many niggling little rules for my group's tastes. We are more into a fast, more freeform playstyle where we don't want hundreds of little rules to limit our playstyle.

Also, if you like feats, skills, rituals, etc- then 4th edition is again pretty much perfect for you. You have the ability to customize characters greatly with lots of neat powers and abilities at any level without elaborate prereq trees, and with a level of confidence that your player's choices won't result in an overpowered or sucky character (which could happen with 3.x D&D- in my experience it almost seemed like the 3.x system had some built in character design traps and uber-powergaming combos in it).

If it sounds like I'm a 4th edition fanboy, then I probably am. 4E brought me back to D&D, and its truly a joy to run and play (and I tend to run roleplay heavy, story oriented simulaitonist games- so don't believe the people who say you can't roleplay with 4E, you definitely can. The inability to roleplay with 4e is a limitation of the players and DM, not the system).

 

[S'mon]

Hmm, I think you should check out the Basic Fantasy RPG, a D&D clone* which appears to meet your criteria (simple to run, no THAC0/descending AC):

basicfantasy.org

It's free to download, and print copies are very reasonably priced. It's compatible with materials from older editions of D&D and with C&C, another 'clone'. Also with Labyrinth Lord, another clone and my personal favourite, but it uses attack tables so you might not like it.

*Using the Open Gaming License.

Edit: Because Basic Fantasy and Labyrinth Lord are both (a) free and (b) aimed at beginner GMs, they are ideal games to pick up and start running - create a dungeon, get a few players together, and run a one-off session or adventure of 2-3 sessions, and see if you like it. For more complexity, I suggest getting hold of a 4th edition D&D Players' Handbook, and see if you like it. Alternately, Keep on the Shadowfell is intended as an introduction to 4e that does not require any other books. Personally I find creating Player Characters in 4e far, far too complicated, with too many different options (and I've been GMing & playing D&D 24 years), but other people like it.

 

[smootrk]

I too endorse the Basic Fantasy RPG. While I really enjoy the old games, there have been some advances in the rules that should amend those games. I think the best attempt to get the feel of the old style, yet updated with the best new thinking is the BFRPG rules. It has meticulously been kept extremely 'basic' but that only enhances one's ability to mod the game to fit anyone's style.

Check out Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game for the site that hosts the free files, and Lulu (links are there) for access to the not-for-profit print versions. There are numerous supplements available there as well. There are discussion forums on dragonsfoot where even more material can be located... even I have crafted supplemental material for the game... thats how easy the game proves to be!!

 

[grodog]

I really want an edition with fun pre-made adventures with the least amount of combat, also easy rules, smooth game-play and the openness to create and expand.

Mythmere's Old School Primer may give you a good sense of whether or not OD&D or AD&D (or, in retro-clone forms, Swords & Wizardry or OSRIC) are right for you: it's free at Swords and Wizardry's Storefront - Lulu.com

 

[El Mahdi]

My preferred edition is 3.5E. That said, I would recommend 4E for someone starting because I think it is really easy to get your head around it. It's well laid out and will get good support.

I'll second this. I also prefer 3.5, but I think 4E is probably better for starting out. You may even decide that it's the system you end up wanting to stay with. I prefer 3.5 because I like it's complexity, but I can see where that complexity would be counterproductive to a new DM and new players. I'm not saying it's too hard for anyone, but something simpler like 4E may be an easier sell for new players. But, whatever edition you choose, I'll second reading the 4E DMG also. It has some of the best DM'ing advice I've seen in any edition.

As to being combat oriented, any edition is only going to be as combat oriented as you make it. In other words, how much your game is combat oriented depends on you as DM, rather than on the system or edition.

I don't know about the 3E starter set, I never tried it. But, from what I've read in posts here on ENWorld, it seems to be universally hated.



Cheers and Good Luck.

 

[RFisher]

I think Labyrinth Lord has a lot to recommend it:

• Based on my favorite edition
• Based on the edition I happen to think is the best starter edition
• All-in-one
• Free (well...OGL)
• PDF available for online searching
• You can have hardcopies printed and bound by taking the PDF to a local print shop
• You can order printed and bound copies from Lulu
• You can order printed and bound copies from brink-&-mortar bookstores like Barnes & Noble—just take the ISBN from the Lulu product page
• It’s, IMHO, easy to borrow things from other editions for it if you decide you want more

Starter module-wise, I can only recommend picking up a second-hand copy of B2. B1 is a good choice too, but I think it’s a good idea to have B2 also. I haven’t kept up with the retro-clone modules.

I also recommend that you take a look at RFisher's Classic D&D site, and perhaps my own musings on OD&D.

I hope it won’t be too much longer before I get a chance to clean-up and update that stuff.

 

[Newbznsn]

so far my top choices are Basic D&D ( i found a set on ebay), 3.5e and labyrinth lord. I still think 4th edition is too combat oriented. I want to be able to DM at first to get everyone excited, but maybe later ill be a player. 3.5e seems good but can someone tell me anything about the modules? also how easy is Basic D&D. i dont want it to be too easy, i like a little complexity. also what is labyrinth lord a clone of?

Thanks everyone for their input,

NIck

 

[bagger245]

For those fellas who say 4th ed can be played without a single combat, don't
you guys feel that the combat powers are wasted? Reading the rulebook that has a major
portion of it dedicated to combat gives a certain mentality to the game.
Anyway to the OP, based on the replies, you should be having your char gen session
with your friends by now, with whatever game system you chose.

 

[Goblinoid Games]

I think Labyrinth Lord has a lot to recommend it:

• You can order printed and bound copies from Lulu
• You can order printed and bound copies from brink-&-mortar bookstores like Barnes & Noble—just take the ISBN from the Lulu product page

Labyrinth Lord is starting to work its way through distribution channels, so it will begin popping up at your local hobby store soon as well.

 

[Newbznsn]

is Labyrinth Lord compatible with D&D modules? Also, to answer RK from the last page, yes i think clues and foreshadowing stuff like that is cool. Also, doing that while interacting with the environment.

Thanks


Nick