Bugs: Recent Topics Paging, Uploading Images & Preview (11 Dec 2020)
Recent Topics paging, uploading images and preview bugs require a patch which has not yet been released.
RPG recommendation for beginners
- Dr. Mabuse
- Topic Author
- Offline
- Ambassador of Truth
The short of it is, both my kids expressed interest in trying D&D. I don't want to shell out a shitload on this as my kids' track record with gaming in the past few years has been, well...nil.
I have zero experience with RPGs so any guidance would be great.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Posts: 1728
- Thank you received: 771
Theres quite a few free PDFs kicking around, and some RPGs go very cheap in the second hand market on ebay.
Labyrith Lord, and Dungeon Crawl Classics are both retro DnD clones but with the rules tightened up for the modern world. You can get free PDFs of both; Labyrinth Lord is available from The goblionoid games website, and DCC has its beta rules as a free download. DCC is slightly simpler than LL. LL keeps the same stat system as original DnD and uses a fancy table to flip the dice results around.
If you want an actual book copys of the original DnD box set (DnD Basic) come up on ebay at a fairly regular clip. Its not a complex game by all accounts (i have actually read the books though).
Copies of GURPS 3rd edition and 4th edition also regularly sell for under $10 (or even $5). The core rules of GURPS are very simple, theres just tonnes of crap you can layer on top. But you can easily ignore all but the basic stat tests and combat system. Personally i'd go with DnD though as generating a character using a class based system like that used in DnD is probably more fun.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Posts: 157
- Thank you received: 29
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Also, I think D&D Next is still free
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Here's a cheap one in ok shape:
I prefer the pink box with the Erol Otis cover:
(these are essentially the same games)
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
I tend to prefer the more modern boxed sets, as the actual old-style rules are often just a touch clumsy. But be wary because some more modern boxed sets cut and paste their rules from the "big book" too much and are unreadable as a result.
Runner Ups:
The two D&D 3.5 ed boxed sets with minis. They were very cheap, and the bits were gorgeous, but not as much actual game content.
The AD&D 2nd edition First Quest Boxed set. Three included adventures with full-size poster maps, and some nice character cards and minis. The second adventure exploring a haunted house is actually surprisingly thematic. ....And frankly I'm a sucker for the included CD of narration tracks. It is actually pretty awful, like a bad D&D radio play.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Posts: 108
- Thank you received: 29
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
D&D is the classic entrypoint for hack and slash but I've heard alot of interest in alternative themes like Mouse Guard. Whatever it is, I've always found themes and licenses that interest the players go a long to hooking them. If they like fantasy, scifi, etc., then go that direction. Star Wars, etc.
Keep the system-specific stuff to a minimal and just roll some dice. As a GM, feel free to cheat and just let them participate in making a fun story.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Posts: 781
- Thank you received: 284
Fate Core is excellent and there's a pay-what-you-will downloadable pdf version (the hard copy is not in print yet). You would need fudge dice to play. One great thing about Fate with first-timers is that you get to create the world together, tailoring it to the kind of game you want to play. You may have to get over some terminology hurdles, but once you grasp the way the game works, it's pretty great and will make your kids feel like heroes.
Jason Morningstar recommended a free no-prep game called Lady Blackbird to me a while back. I haven't tried it yet, but if your kids dig Miyazaki at all, it's supposed to be a cool little game along the lines of Nausicaä/Laputa that plays out over 1-3 sessions.
Tales of the Arabian Nights is a a boardgame, but it might be a fun RPG intro since it revolves around character decisionmaking.
I am really looking forward to trying Storm Hollow (formerly Story Realms) with my seven-year-old daughter, but it won't be out for a while, and does not qualify as cheap.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Posts: 642
- Thank you received: 205
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Posts: 642
- Thank you received: 205
Shellhead wrote: I'm sure that I could have started playing D&D at a younger age if someone had shown me the game and taught me how to play.
This audience is precisely what the Pathfinder box was intended. Kids can pick up the books and learn step by step without an experienced gamer there to hold their hands. I remember trying to learn D&D from the red box back in the mid 80s as someone new to RPGs and I was completely lost. That thing was not designed for a kid to pick it up and start running. The Pathfinder box is and it does an outstanding job in teaching the game in a fun manner. Hell, the introductory adventure is essentially modeled after the old choose your path books and is an awesome way to get young gamers interested in trying out a table top game.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- SuperflyPete
- Offline
- Salty AF
- SMH
- Posts: 10733
- Thank you received: 5119
Dr. Mabuse wrote: My kids were asking me about the Sherlock Holmes game I was playing (the old blue box) and the ensuing discussion led to the old D&D choose your own path books I read to them when they were younger.
The short of it is, both my kids expressed interest in trying D&D. I don't want to shell out a shitload on this as my kids' track record with gaming in the past few years has been, well...nil.
I have zero experience with RPGs so any guidance would be great.
I have the Dungeon Crawl Classics rulebook (big as fuck, but readable) and several modules. I spent like 100$ on it, but most of it was "free money" from Amazon CC points.
Let's work something out. I'll hook you up, you're one of the few F:ATties that won't punch me hard in the mouth on sight.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
You can pretty much do whatever you want with the system, it's about as flexible as a Circe du Soleil performer. You don't even have to use the established factions if you don't want to. Prior to Larry Correia licensing the Monster Hunter International books to become an actual RPG, I was using the FS system to imitate the world.
Check it out, it couldn't hurt
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.