New to Tabletop Roleplaying

[Maxwell Luther]

Even though I myself started with D&D, I think a new TTRPG gamer would prefer to start off with something that is easier and less expensive than the current 4E.

For that reason, I cannot suggest Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay enough. It has many advantages including the fact that there is only one book you need to buy, the game is dead simple to grasp and there are a lot of folks conversant with the background setting, which in itself is extremely flavourful and for which there is a metric butt-load of info available. For more info, go to Fantasy Flight Games.

As a close second, I'd suggest Castles & Crusades. It is a much lighter version of D&D, the two books you need are only $20 a piece (cheaper online in places) and you can get a free quickstart version of the rules and an adventure on the Troll Lord's website to test them out. Remember, simple is best when you're starting out...

 

[Lizard]

It is hard to overstate the value of starting with the game with the largest network. Castles & Crusades appeals primarily to older D&D players on a nostalgia kick and is less likely to have the same resonance with a new player. WHFRP has a lot more potential if you're familiar with the IP from online or miniature games, but it still has a much, much, smaller playerbase.

 

[Maxwell Luther]

It is hard to overstate the value of starting with the game with the largest network. Castles & Crusades appeals primarily to older D&D players on a nostalgia kick and is less likely to have the same resonance with a new player. WHFRP has a lot more potential if you're familiar with the IP from online or miniature games, but it still has a much, much, smaller playerbase.

So what? He said he's playing with his friends, not some nebulous playerbase, so it really doesn't matter a gnat's whisker how widespread D&D is. What matters is how easy and affordable it will be to pick up.

And enough of this 'C&C is for tardy grognards on a nostalgia kick' crap. The game is a good game all on its own. It's easy to run and prepare for without the expense and unnecessary crunch of 4e, and the large playerbase is made up of many folks from many different age groups with many different backgrounds for precisley that reason...

 

[Lizard]

So what? He said he's playing with his friends, not some nebulous playerbase, so it really doesn't matter a gnat's whisker how widespread D&D is. What matters is how easy and affordable it will be to pick up.

Go on, tell me with a straight face that either C&C or WH are as "widespread" as D&D.

Which can you buy at your local Borders/B&N/etc?

In terms of cost, C&C is 40 dollars (at Amazon) for two thin, black and white books; the 4e rules are 66 dollars (also at Amazon) for three much larger, full color, books. Cost is more than equivalent.

Just because you begin playing with your friends doesn't mean you always will be; cutting yourself off from the largest community in gaming before you even know much about how the hobby works is foolish.

And enough of this 'C&C is for tardy grognards on a nostalgia kick' crap. The game is a good game all on its own.

No, it really isn't. There is no DMG equivalent, for example. A lot of the rules are written with the implicit understanding the people reading them are old hands. While there is a small "Castle Keeper's" section in the PHB, there is no "Example of Play" that I can see. As a tool for experienced players to introduce new players, C&C might work well; as a standalone game for a group which is entirely inexperienced, it does not.

 

[steenan]

I see many people here point to the D&D4 as the best starting system. I'm not sure it is. It is really rules-heavy, with lots of things to remember when creating characters and playing them and even more when running a game. It's very easy to get lost in it.

IMO a good game system to start with would be Polaris or Dogs in the Vineyard. Both are mechanically simple, both encourage players to actively take part in the narration and creation of a story.

 

[Asen_G]

That's not true. Eberron uses magic for industrial purposes - it doesn't have industrial technology.

You have been scooped by both another poster and my answer to him.

I see many people here point to the D&D4 as the best starting system. I'm not sure it is. It is really rules-heavy, with lots of things to remember when creating characters and playing them and even more when running a game. It's very easy to get lost in it.

IMO a good game system to start with would be Polaris or Dogs in the Vineyard. Both are mechanically simple, both encourage players to actively take part in the narration and creation of a story.

Which might be as much of a problem as an advantage, and I don't think the system of Dogs in the Vineyard is that simple. It is only simple compared to more crunchy games, and the OP likely does not know that this is "simple".
Plus, it has a really specific premise, and if you don't like it, you are not going to like the game. This might make a novice dislike RPGs in general, so I wouldn't advise using any Indie game.
OP, in the beginning, my advice is to start with a system that allows you to play any characters you want - you can always try more "specialised" games later.

 

[simontmn]

I always recommend taking a look at the free online (or you can buy a print copy) introductory RPGs, notably Basic Fantasy and/or Labyrinth Lord. These are based on D&D* and can really help you understand what D&D is all about. You can use them as their own games, or as support/introduction for getting into 4th edition Dungeons & Dragons.

*In particular the old Red Box versions of introductory D&D, which were the most successful at introducing new players to the hobby.

Basic Fantasy:
http://www.basicfantasy.org/

Labyrinth Lord:
http://www.goblinoidgames.com/labyrinthlord.htm

 

[Pandora Caitiff]

The other thing to do is once you've played your first game, come back here and tell us how it went.

We're always interested in new player's experieinces.

And if you had any problems or questions someone should be able to help.

 

[Murazor]

Ah, this brings back memories of the first time I tried to GM. It was MERP, in ... 1990, I think. We'd made characters and sat around the table, ready to play. I told the players their characters knocked on the door then ... total loss. I had no idea what to do or say. I desperately looked to my older friend who'd lent me the game book, and handed the reins over to him to GM the first session.

Guys, let's not completely overwhelm the poor OP with system details right at the beginning; there's a lot to take in. Whether he starts with D&D or Dogs in the Vineyard isn't terribly important, is it? As a start, I think it's best to pick one game and try it. And D&D4 is a fine choice; it has quite a bit of rule-stuff to get a grip on, but the gameplay is simple and straight-forward.
Definitely a good idea to be aware that there are others, but don't try reading them all before you've played one.

And remember: Don't take it too seriously, you're all there to have fun!

 

[Lizard]

I see many people here point to the D&D4 as the best starting system. I'm not sure it is. It is really rules-heavy, with lots of things to remember when creating characters and playing them and even more when running a game. It's very easy to get lost in it.

IMO a good game system to start with would be Polaris or Dogs in the Vineyard. Both are mechanically simple, both encourage players to actively take part in the narration and creation of a story.

Y'know, I was going to make a post about "How long will it be until someone decides to drag in some wacky Forgeite stuff that is utterly and completely unlike 99% of RPGs", and then I decided not to since I didn't want to contribute to yet more thread drift, and now...

Sigh.

I am going to make a guess, and the OP can correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm going to guess the OP is coming from an MMORPG, CCG, and/or videogame background (and I love and play all of those, so that's not a slight or a putdown), and has heard/realized/learned that tabletop RPGs are the ancestors of all of those, and wants to check them out, expecting an experience similar, though of course not identical, to other forms of entertainment.. and someone says "Oh, try 'Dogs In the Vineyard'!"

AUGH!!!!

This reminds me of things I've seen, really seen, with my own eyes, where younger kids... 10 to 12 or so... wander, for the first time, into a comic book store and want to buy X-Men or Spiderman because they've seen the movie/cartoons and heard they were based on something called "comic books", and, of course, the CBG behind the counter proceeds to berate him and discuss just how silly and lame superheroes are and recommend some incomprehensible indy rag which is this week's fanboy favorite and next week's bird cage liner. Bye-bye, potential comic fan.