So, I am forming a group through work that, so far at least, consists of people completely new to tabletop rpgs. I am currently massively torn on what system to use. The ideal would be something that does not require me to read everything to get started, but has plenty of stuff to help keep my interest. Anyone have have any thoughts?
The next step is to decide the general themes of the campaign.
I find that RPGs can benefit hugely from a system that is in support of the campaign theme.
Is this sci-fi? Fantasy? Spycraft? Horror?
Do you prefer a tactical emphasis or a character emphasis? Both is also a possibility, but many games are inclined one way or the other.
The more you can tell us about the expectations of your party and yourself, the better we can guide you to the right choice.
Mutants and Masterminds is fairly simple (not like dirt simple or rules-light by any means, but fairly intuitive). I got everyone on board and mostly familiar with the rules in under a week while they were building their characters, and me being entirely new with it as well.
It's a d20 system, like Pathfinder, but has less fiddly bits to worry about. It's a decent primer if you ever want to play PF with them too, since many of the mechanics will look familiar to them one they look at the PF rules.
Bonus points: It has an SRD (d20herosrd.com) meaning you won't have to pay for the books if you don't like it.
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Though I think Green Ronins is less than happy with it existing.
A few systems from the top off my head:
- The Beginner's Box. Basically Pathfinder but very simplified. This has the advantage that you can transition to "real" Pathfinder at some point.
- Dungeonslayers. Pretty oldschool and simple - you roll a d20 to hit and deal damage at the same time, for example.
- Savage Worlds. They claim to be Fast! Furious! Fun! and I absolutly cannot deny the system has a very simple beauty to it. You basically need the core rules and if you want to you can buy one setting book which doubles as a campaign - though it's not as in-details as Paizo's modules or adventure paths. And the settings are great - you can play in a glowing sky with flying ships (Sundered Skies), monster hunters in Victorian Europe (Rippers), knights of a church fighting undead monsters IN SPACE (Necropolis 2350)... The worst thing? Initiative is determined via a poker deck - and the whole Spades-Hearts-Diamonds-Clubs-order is pretty hard to grasp for a German who is used to Spades-Clubs-Hearts-Diamonds from his German card games, believe me...
- Hyperborea! Just kidding. While the game is simple (and VERY random) it's not suited to lull someone into role playing games - "See, you play this barbarian who is told by his sword that he has to steal, murder and rape his way through the world...until he dies, then the next barbarian gets to be your player character!" No, just NOOOOO.
- Depending on your interests you might want to have a look into the Dragon Age- or Game of Thrones RPG. The former can be viewed in action here, the latter one should not be played with a mixed group - if everybody watches the series or read the books everything's dandy, but if some people know more than others things can get...spoilery and tears will be shed. ;)