An RPG system is a way you traverse, combat, and do everything in a given TTRPG game. For example, DnD has one that is seen as reasonably complicated by beginners, and games such as Savage Worlds have a system that is easier for beginners to get into. That begs the question; what is the easiest TTRPG system to learn?
The easiest TTRPG system to learn is Roll for Shoes. It’s a mini-TTRPG that only consists of 6 simple rules and a bunch of pre-generated adventures. This game is technically a TTRPG, but the easiest system for a big TTRPG like DnD is the system for a game called Savage Worlds. The game was intentionally designed to be very easy to understand. Savage Worlds is enjoyed by a large player base worldwide.
Now that you know what the easiest RPG system to learn is, keep reading to find out precisely why. I will also go over multiple beginner-friendly TTRPGs and other related topics. Come along!
What Is The Easiest RPG System To Learn?
Roll for Shoes is as I mentioned previously, a very simple TTRPG with only six rules. Below I will present these rules for you, gathered from Roll for Shoes’ website:
- Say what you do and roll a number of D6s, determined by the level of relevant skill you have.
- If the sum of your roll is higher than the opposing roll, the thing you wanted to happen, happens.
- At the start, you have only one skill: Do Anything 1.
- If you roll all sixes, you get a new skill specific to the action, one level higher than the one you used.
- For every roll you fail, you get 1 XP.
- XP can be used to change a die into a 6 for advancement purposes only.
That’s all there is to it. Now, as I mentioned earlier, this game is technically a TTRPG, but if you’re looking for something with a bit more content, you should consider Savage Worlds.
Savage Worlds is a TTRPG not completely different from DnD, but with easier rules. DnD is high/low-fantasy, while Savage Worlds aims to hit all markers; fantasy, sci-fi, steampunk, modern-day, and so forth.
Savage Worlds has a neat thing called a “test drive“, which is like a trial for new players if they’re interested in the game. It comes with all the basic rules so players can get a feel for the game.
So, what’s the difference between Savage Worlds and other “more complicated” TTRPGs? Well, there are a few things. Savage Worlds doesn’t have classes, for example, so that can be helpful with the learning curve of a new player. Instead, Savage Worlds has an approach that’s more about absolute player choice.
Don’t get me wrong, Savage Worlds has rules and mechanics, but they don’t come in abundance which really helps new players focus and not get overwhelmed with information.
Another thing that new players generally appreciate is the fast setup/preparation time for Savage Worlds. A DnD session can take a really long time to prepare, while Savage Worlds doesn’t take as long. If you want more details on Savage Worlds and its system, you can check out the Savage Worlds adventure book here.
Ultimately, the best thing to find out whether this game is something for you or not is to play the test drive. It’s completely free and comes with a bunch of adventures.
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How Do You Play Tabletop RPGs As A Beginner?
Now that you know a couple of good options to get started as a TTRPGer, here are a couple of tips on things to think about when you start playing.
The first thing to pick up is a bunch of dice. Dice are really cheap and come in handy in basically every TTRPG out there, so it’s pretty important to have. Even if your group already has some dice, I would recommend getting your own, you never know when you need them.
I have some fantasy-themed dice myself, it’s pretty fun to collect and to have dice that really fit the theme of what you’re playing. Another thing that you can get is miniatures, a.k.a. minis. They’re small figurines of the characters you’re roleplaying as. This usually varies a bit from group to group, however, some use them and some don’t.
A recommendation I usually give to newer players is to choose shorter adventures in the beginning. This way, you can get the feel for a full adventure pretty fast and then progress on to the longer ones. There are plenty of TTRPGs that take an hour or so to complete.
If you don’t already have friends playing and you’re living in a city, there are almost always communities playing TTRPGs at local games stores and things like that. I have made a bunch of good friends playing at local shops.
If you do this, try to come somewhat informed. Of course, when you’re a beginner you’re not going to know every single detail about any given game, but it shows the effort that you know some things, and players usually appreciate it quite a bit.
If you’re playing at a friend’s house, why not bring something? This usually goes appreciated and serves as a thank you to the host for letting everyone play in his or her house. For some groups, this is etiquette, while others don’t have it in the least.
The last tip I have regarding this is to pay attention to players’ dialogue and the DM if there is one attending, and try to have fun!
How Do I Get Better At Tabletop RPGs?
When it comes to knowledge about a game, nothing beats playing it a lot. No one is going to know the full details about any given game as a beginner, and experienced players know this. Just go into it with an open mind.
Don’t make things all about you. Usually, TTRPGs are about how you and your party can do things most successfully. The DM is not the antagonist either, rather he or she is the narrator, and he is important, so don’t give the DM too much slack.
Ultimately, it comes down to common sense. Don’t be a dick, and play a lot. It’s a universal rule that usually works out.
What Is A One-Shot Session?
A One-Shot in TTRPGs is when you play something that can be completed within one session. Why play one-shots? Well, there a plenty of reasons to play one-shots.
Time constraints are one good reason to play one-shots. Want to play DnD, but there isn’t time to play for 6 hours? Play a shorter one-shot!
Another very common reason to play one-shots is with new players so that they can learn a new game and/or system. Of course, this goes for experienced players who want to try a new system as well.
Maybe you even have a main campaign running, and if you’re tired of that you can mix it up with a one-shot. It’s a wonderful concept!
The last reason why a one-shot can be a good idea is if you’re playing with a new group. Instead of committing to an entirely new, long, campaign, you can feel the group out with a one-shot instead.
What Is The Best RPG System?
As per usual with these questions, the answer is highly subjective – there isn’t a single system that is objectively the best, although there are systems that are more popular than others.
The DnD system is obviously very popular: it’s called a d20 system. Is it the best? Well, DnD is massively popular so a lot of people probably think so.
Other people are more inclined to like easier systems, like Dungeon World or Savage Worlds. As I said, it’s all very subjective.