Summary
The world of tabletop RPGs can be a little daunting, as now the market is flooded with different systems that all play differently, and follow their own distinct set of rules, whereas a few decades ago, players were more limited with their choice, which made it far easier to dive straight in.
These days, the market is saturated, which on the one hand is good, because plenty of variety means there is something for everyone out there. On the other hand, it can be a little off-putting for TTRPG noobs as they have far too much choice and might have no idea where to start. The following systems might just be what they need to kickstart their new hobby.
8Ten Candles
Very Little Prep Needed to Play
For groups who want less character building and set-up, and just want a solid, strong horror narrative withan unhappy ending,Ten Candlesmight just the the game for them. In this setting, end times have come, and the world has fallen into a state of disrepair, losing valuable sources such as electricity, and now they must rely on candles for light. The monsters, known as Them, stalk the darkness, so players know that once the last candle flickers out, they die.
It’s a unique premise that is very exciting, as players immerse themselves by actually playing by candlelight, burning their character’s sheet as they play. There are pre-written modules so the DM doesn’t have to worry about creating a scenario, and can instead run the doomed characters through a tale that everyone knows will end in tragedy. The lack of complex mechanics and complete removal of combat also means players won’t be bogged down by trying to recall rules and rifling through resource books, and can instead share and create a tragic narrative together until the last candle flickers out.
7Monster Of The Week
Players Can Easily Learn The Rules
Monster of the weekis the formula some TV shows follow, featuring a new threat the characters must face, and is the name aptly given to this specific TTRPG. It is one of the more relaxed systems, as players will find it very easy to grasp the main mechanics as they delve into a mystery to uncover the foe behind it, taking inspiration from shows such asBuffy the Vampire SlayerorSupernatural.
The core book also contains a generous number of pre-generated characters so players can even skip the character creation if they want, as they are sure to find a character they connect with. The GM also has an easier time, asMonster of the Weekworks better for one-shots or short campaigns, so no one needs to dedicate months or even years to complete the game. They can simply drop in, have a blast taking down a ghoul or vampire, and then drop out.
6Alien
One Of The Easier Systems To Run
The DMs haven’t been forgotten here either, as they are a player, and arguably the most important one in any TTRPG game. Learning the rules of tabletop systems from behind the DM screen is a whole different ball game, as they need to know not only player-centric ones, but rules for running the game too, which can easily be all too overwhelming. As such, first-time GMs might want to steer clear of “crunchy” systems, ones that involve lots of math.
And this is somethingAlientends to stay away from, giving the GM some breathing room so they can focus on what really matters in this style of game: scaring their players witless. A Xenomorph is nothing to sniff at after all, and having this feature in a TTRPG is just all too exciting. Even those who have not seen the film will have a good time here, so long as they don’t mind horror and sci-fi vibes.
5Call Of Cthulhu
The Starter Set Provides Everything Needed To Begin
Another TTRPG veteran,Call of Cthulhuhas been lurking in the waters since the 1980s,based on the works of H.P. Lovecraft, so one can expect cults, eldritch beings, forbidden arcane writings, and the very real possibility of mind-breaking sanity from confronting any of these horrors. All this can make it sound like a rather daunting tabletop game to start with, but it doesn’t have to be.
The starter set forCall of Cthulhucontains quite a wealth of material that the Lorekeeper and players need to delve into. The rules and character creation system can be a little tough for newcomers, but the handy pamphlet of rules that is included breaks it down, so players can finish their sheet in no time. Not to mention, the amount of Lovecraft works out there means there is a lot of inspiration to be found for both the GM and players.
4Ironsworn
No GM Required
When it comes to new groups, finding a DM can be a tough challenge, as who wants that level of responsibility when starting out? It is far more pressure than just being a player, and requires a lot more work, creating a world, stories, populating it with both friendly and hostile NPCs they will then have to control. If that is the case, one sure way to circumvent this is to find a system that doesn’t require a GM, such asIronsworn.
There are three different modes of play, which include guided, the traditional style of play featuring a GM, co-op, in which all players are responsible for shaping the game, and solo,just one person going it alone. These methods of play make it all too easy for a new group to join for their first adventure, and it certainly doesn’t hurt that the worldbuilding forIronswornis fun and unique.
3Vampire: the Masquerade
Storytelling Is The Focus
TheWorld of Darkness gameshave grown in popularity over the years, not quite reaching the same heights of fame asDungeons and Dragons, but coming close. Set in the real world,Vampire: the Masqueradeposits the concept that another world exists beneath the human one, as vampires come out to prey when night falls, which are the creatures the players design and play, rather than the hunters chasing down and killing the monsters.
Using a d10 system,VtMseems fairly complex at first glance, but is actually quite beginner-friendly should players take the time to familiarize themselves with the rules. The Player’s Guide helps to streamline the experience compared to the rather clunky previous handbook, giving players and the Storyteller the tools they need to run a game. Rather than forcing players to memorize complex game mechanics, the story and the characters are at the heart of this game. This might mean added pressure for the Storyteller, but for the players, they might find it easier to learn and play than more number-heavy games.
2Quest
Specifically Designed To Welcome Newcomers To The Hobby
It is rare for a tabletop game to make themselves specifically to be beginner-friendly, as they run the risk of alienating a large chunk of their audience who might favor more rules and number-heavy games, but this is exactly whatQuestsets out to do, simplifying everything to try and encourage new players to join the hobby, as the space can never have too many players.
Like most games, it is helmed by one player who is responsible for running it, known as the Guide, and a group of players who make up their adventurer.Queststreamlines this process by boiling it down to the essentials, as each role already comes with its set of abilities, and almost everything relies on a 20-sided dice, so players don’t need to haul around a bunch of equipment for in-person games, nor do they need to do much math. For those wanting a simple buthighly enjoyable fantasy role-playing game,Questis a better place than most to start.
Dungeons and Dragons
The most obvious choice is also the best:Dungeons and Dragons. Even those who have not dared to foray in the world of tabletop games have heard of this, as it became something of a cultural phenomenon, referenced in countless pieces of media,hundreds of games designed using the IP, and a hugely successful actual play over on YouTuber helmed by Matthew Mercer himself. It even got its own movie adaptation in 2023 (let’s not mention the 2000 adaptation).
Countless campaigns, supplementary books, and online resources makeD&Done of the most accessible games out there, as there is a Reddit thread for any issue players might run into while making their character or playing in their campaign. It has one of the simplest sets of rules to learn, and those that they are unsure about are easy to look up, not to mention just how many different genres and themes it encompasses, even in the pre-written campaigns. There is something for everyone here, so it really is the best place to start. The only problem is, once players do, they might never want to move on and try a different system!
