"Entry level" tabletop games?

[shteev]

I just want something that we can get out 1 night and instantly have a blast as it were)

In which case I'd avoid D&D (or any any Role Playing Game), Warhammer, Magic, or Descent. These are not pick up and play games.

The Settlers of Catan, I think, is the quintessential gateway game into tabletop games. There's enough randomness in it to keep it unpredictable and fun, whilst still allowing strategic play. There's very little down time for players, because each player can receive resources and trade in every other player's turn. The game only progresses forwards (you can't destroy anything that another player had built) so there's very little 'politics' involved. And it speeds up towards it's conclusion rather than getting bogged down with complexity and slowing down.

 

[Vivi22]

I'd be remiss if I didn't recommend Puzzle Strike and Yomi:

http://www.sirlingames.com/collections/puzzle-strike
http://www.sirlingames.com/collections/yomi

Both are quite simple to learn compared to a lot of stuff out there, have tremendous competitive depth as well as being very well balanced, and they aren't a significant money sink. When you buy them, they come with everything you need to start playing (unless you don't buy the Yomi package with all of the decks). Puzzle Strike is coming out with a 3rd edition and expansion that doubles the number of playable characters in a few months so I'd probably hold off on that for a bit, but I'd definitely recommend Yomi right now. Being a competitive card game that doesn't rely on the business model of selling booster packs with random assortments of cards of varying rarity is a big plus from the consumer end.

 

[Johnny Impact]

These are the games I've had the most fun with.

Board games: Settlers of Catan, Munchkin, or Forbidden Island.

RPGs: I'd suggest Pathfinder. It's the ultimate evolution of classic D&D. Nothing wrong with 4th edition, but I've been playing D&D since Red Box, so I prefer the old school feel. If you can get hold of second or third edition White Wolf rulebooks (also known as "the version just before they fucked everything up") for Vampire, Werewolf, or Mage, their Storyteller system is great. I'm also a longtime devotee of 3rd edition Shadowrun, don't know any of the later editions.

Wargames: I prefer Warmachine. I played Warhammer 40,000 for a while, it's good. Warmachine plays better but the universe of 40k is several times more awesome than it has any right to be. Beware, this shit gets expensive. You can chip away at it, buying models a few at a time, but getting into model wargames is like adding another cable bill (or two) to your monthly cost of living.

 

[Chicago Ted]

RPGs: I'd suggest Pathfinder. It's the ultimate evolution of classic D&D. Nothing wrong with 4th edition, but I've been playing D&D since Red Box, so I prefer the old school feel. If you can get hold of second or third edition White Wolf rulebooks (also known as "the version just before they fucked everything up") for Vampire, Werewolf, or Mage, their Storyteller system is great. I'm also a longtime devotee of 3rd edition Shadowrun, don't know any of the later editions.

As much as I love Old World of Darkness, I would suggest avoiding that for starters unless you can find yourself an experienced GM for them. For both a beginner party, and a GM, I would highly recommend against starting with those, especially Mage, as it'd just overwhelm them.

That said, I would suggest looking up a standard, plain core book for New World of Darkness. While I know some call me out on heresy for suggesting them, let's face it, New World of Darkness has a number of advantages here.

1) The system is less complicated. I can normally run a new player through it in 15-20 minutes and have them have a full understanding of the mechanics and a good idea of what to expect. To date I haven't found a system that's as good for simply a pick up and play game as this.

2) You can acquire the books far more easy. The books you?re suggesting there are over a decade old and long since out of print. Simply getting an actual book for any of those will be one of your biggest problems. At my club in school, because of this, the only system we could actually acquire books for was New World. If we wanted Old World, we'd be stuck to the PDF's we had obtained, which did work fine, but there was something to be said about having the book in your hand. On top of that, you can have a couple players buy books, that way there's always an extra copy or two circulating around the table which people can refer to when they need it.

3) The expansion books work like actual expansions. Again, as much as I loved Old World, especially Vampire, one of the biggest problems was the books never really meshed the best with one another. New World ones do feel like they could have been tacked on to the end and still work decently enough with one another. Also going with the 'still in print' reasons again, it'd be far easier to obtain a copy of whichever one you'd like to branch off into (Whether it be Vampire, Werewolf, Mage, Promethean, etc. etc.) then it would be then have to attempt to hunt down specific copies of Old World books.

So, I'd recommend starting with New World of Darkness for you and your friends if you want a table top game to start out with. Once you play it for a while, get used to the idea of table top games rpgs and want to branch out more, immediately turn around and hunt down a copy of Old World Vampire, PDF or Book, and play that instead so you can realize how much more awesome everything is when you can take 5 actions a turn or grow shadow tentacles.

 

[Forgetitnow344]

The Battlestar Galactica boardgame is a really good semi co-op game (some players are secretly Cylons), but it might be a bit too much on the complex side (and it's best played with exactly 5 players).

I cannot second BSG enough. It's not THAT complex, especially if you start out with just the game itself. It gets a bit more confusing when you include some of the expansion pieces (particularly Trauma because the rules section for it is VERY poorly written), but you can decide if you like the premise before picking up the more intricate twists. If you can manage to figure the game out, it's by far my favorite board game.

In fact, there is a small community of online Battlestar players on this thing called Vassal. If you want to download the board game and look at all of its pieces and learn the basic premise on your own, just visit the Vassal website (which has everything you need) and start an offline game so that way you can play around with it.

But our community is always looking for more players if you're interested in that.

 

[IPunchWithMyFists]

So I've been thinking about buying some sort of tabletop game for me and my friends so we have something new and different to do every now and again. None of us really have any experience of them though, and I don't really want to buy the most complex of games to start off. Could anybody suggest any fun and easy to pick up tabletop games (if you can even class them like this - I'm just guessing) to introduce us to them?

(just want to add that I'm not afraid of any complexity, it makes it way more fun for me, but I don't want to scare anybody away from tabletop gaming by starting off with something that takes a lot of time to get into, I just want something that we can get out 1 night and instantly have a blast as it were)

Kobolds Ate My Baby! the Game. It's hysterical, REALLY simple, and will teach you the ropes.

 

[DoPo]

I recommend starting with some board game style stuff.

Order of the Stick

They have a board game? Can I have a link to look it up?

-Essentials-

Truth be told, I am not a very intrigued by Essentials. With that said, my experience with the line is pretty much holding the red box for a while - I bought it as a gift for a friend, so I don't really know how it plays. And I don't even play that much D&D, so I suppose it's wiser to to listen to you.

-snip-

Yeah, I agree with that. As awesome as oWoD is, the new one is vastly superior in terms of accessibility and comfort. Besides, at the end of the day you're still playing the same games. Does it matter if you roll Willpower or Resolve? And if you want something from oWoD, porting it over takes no actual time - just do it. Want Antediluvians? Do it. Want centuries old conspiracies? Do it. Want the Traditions and the Spheres in the game? Do it. I shudder at the thought that any WoD player would not be able to port cool ideas from one setting to the other. I mean, people have already done so much, like converted VtM to use Blood Potency[footnote]because it fucking makes more sense[/footnote] or ported Demon the Fallen into nWoD. Mechanics are a non-issue, which leaves only story elements and plot. And if you can't find use for plot outside of what's readily available for the setting, then I'd suggest finding a new hobby. I hear fishing is popular. Seriously, plot is plot, since it's mechanics neutral, so it's extremely easy to port over. Especially between new and old WoD, since it carries the same overall feel to itself - urban legends, local myths, actual weird stuff happening - does it need an exact "edition" to fit in? Let's see - you have a creepy ritualistic serial killer who has been running around lately and evidence suggests (to those "in the know") that there is something supernatural about them. Is that new or old WoD? Is he corrupted by the Wyrm or the Abyss? Is he a ghoul or perhaps something different? See, it's not only setting neutral but it's gameline neutral.

With that said, Vampire the Masquerade 20th Anniversary Edition is really awesome and if anybody ever want a vampire game, I'd recommend that. It has all the important information about VtM collected together - including more in-depth information on the Sabbat, on the antitribu, on other bloodlines, even extinct ones, pretty much all the Disciplines (not all all but all the major ones from even outside the core book) and more. It's probably the most useful oWoD book ever, I'd even drop the "o" and go for any World of Darkness, since it brings numerous supplements into itself and presents them nicely.

 

[Matt King]

Spoiler: Warhammer 40K

Warhammer 40K; in my opinion the coolest tabletop game out there. The rules are simple to learn, and just look at those mini's. Assault on Black Reach is the starter set for two players, coming with a SPACE MARINE and Ork army, the rule book, and everything else you need to start playing. I think there's going to be a new edition of the rules very soon, with a new starter set, but I am not sure about this.

Spoiler: Warhammer Fantasy

Warhammer fantasy! Elves, dragons, evil ratmen, oh boy. This starter set is like the 40K one in that you can pick it up and play it right away (Some assembly required).

i love playing warhammer it is one of my favourite things to do, but dear got i hate the building and painting of the models, it's SO BORING
i wish i had a friend who liked painting so i could pay them to do it

 

[Johnny Impact]

snip

snip

Gotta dive into the deep end, man.

I'd love to see a group of all rookies playing Mage. I might cringe, but I'd still love to see it. I've never encountered a game that cracks players' skulls open anywhere near as often or as effectively as Mage.

Any game where players can be attacked by robot bears, get stuck in a pocket dimension where Asshole Them is the resident deity, accidentally become temporarily immune to the force of gravity (NOT as cool as it sounds), and speak with the ghost of Jimi Hendrix, all in a single session, is all right by me.

Also, I don't like to recommend products I've never used, hence editions I've actually played instead of glossy new stuff.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

Spoiler: Warhammer 40K

Warhammer 40K; in my opinion the coolest tabletop game out there. The rules are simple to learn, and just look at those mini's. Assault on Black Reach is the starter set for two players, coming with a SPACE MARINE and Ork army, the rule book, and everything else you need to start playing. I think there's going to be a new edition of the rules very soon, with a new starter set, but I am not sure about this.

Spoiler: Warhammer Fantasy

Warhammer fantasy! Elves, dragons, evil ratmen, oh boy. This starter set is like the 40K one in that you can pick it up and play it right away (Some assembly required).

Spoiler: Dystopian Wars

Dystopian Wars is a rather new game from Spartan Games, and it rocks. It's a.. steampunk setting, with big battleships, airships, aircraft and little resin tanks. It does not have a starter set, but it's cheaper to get into then a Games Workshop game, and the rules are really easy to learn.

Are you insane, sir? Your Number 6 avatar says otherwise, but... really, entry level? Those are all VERY complex, very advanced, and very expensive games to play. You can't even play Warhammer (either one) without dropping at least 500 dollars on miniatures.

Anyway...

OT: I'd say D&D 4E is good for entry level, particularly if you get it with some paper miniatures.

However, since that's been said, and since I prefer Pathfinder, I'll take that route.

Pathfinder RPG offers some printable paper miniatures and a great basic starter kit. They also offer pre-made adventures (really, really good ones) with pre-made characters to make getting started easier. Once you get used to the rules, you can try creating your own, but for learning the rules there is nothing better than pre-gen characters to run.

Also, the Pathfinder SRD (google it) provides ALL of the Pathfinder rules, for free, online, and is officially supported by paizo. If you want to try a game with no cost upfront, then Pathfinder is the best option.

(just want to add that I'm not afraid of any complexity, it makes it way more fun for me, but I don't want to scare anybody away from tabletop gaming by starting off with something that takes a lot of time to get into, I just want something that we can get out 1 night and instantly have a blast as it were)

One night? Then get one of the Pathfinder one-shot adventures. They come with pre-made characters so you don't need to spend any time on character generation. You can just sit down and play. All you'll need is dice and the adventure itself (which will run you between 10 and 20 bucks). You can reference all of the books and monsters online with the Pathfinder SRD.

 

[esperandote]

Conect 4x4

Its extra panel adds a lot of strategy and fun, really don't dissmis it if you don't like the regular one, It's a lot of fun for up to four players, with its block pieces and because players can't tell each other where to put their pieces even if they haven't realized another player is about to win.

Spoiler

 

[Colin Bagley]

I would contest that the Warhammer starter sets contain everything you need to start playing.
You also need the Army Books and Codex' for both armies in both sets. Adding at least £40 to each box for both books.

However; I do agree that the starter boxes are relativly good value. I priced it up once a while ago, and I think the total for buying all the contents seperatly comes to about £160. Although I can't be sure of that number. It was ages ago and I didn't write it down. So £70 for each is pretty good.
However again; The army selections are limiting. (Not that it matters to new players).
Space Marines are good all rounders that tend to have the flexibility to work in most situations.
Orks... You should just charge everything forwards... All the time. Anything Else and you might as well not play Orks.
High Elves are just brilliant. Fast and Accurate with superiour numbers of attacks, with some of the best Magical support in the game. Only weakness: IF you can hit them, they tend to go squish.
Skaven have tonnes of personality and superior amounts of troops than most of the game. But lack quality. Not a great match against High Elves in my opinion. But then again, I am a bit of a rubbish Skaven player and my best mate is a brilliant High Elf player.

 

[David Bjur]

Personally I would recommend the game Atmosfear [http://www.amazon.com/Atmosfear-Interactive-Board-Game-DVD/dp/B0001CU1C4].
It's a really fun game that's easy to understand since you the DVD will explain the rules to you and everything before you start. The game is 1 hour or less long, and you can easily set it up for just one evening. Me and my friends love to play it, and with the lights off it gives the game a really creepy atmosfear.
Unluckily, the game costs a bit, and you will need 3 or more players to play it. But I still strongly recommend it if you have the cash for it.

 

[Skratt]

They have a board game? Can I have a link to look it up?

Order of The Stick Adventure Game: The Dungeon of Durokan Deluxe Edition

It's a board game that you build with cards. I've played it a few times and we've had a blast every time. It really follows in the vein of the comic, which is why the single review on amazon surprised me. The heroes in the comic bicker and back stab each other constantly even though they are supposed to be adventuring together. In the board game they can help each other but in the end the winner is the character with the highest score.

Check out http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/24157/order-of-the-stick-adventure-game-the-dungeon-of-d for a more accurate review. Looks like the opinions are mixed.

The one bad thing is that the Order of the Stick comic is essentially a big inside joke for D&D geeks. That can be a bad thing if you aren't one.

 

[Dreiko_v1legacy]

I am actually joining my very first RP game the day after tomorrow, it's a GURPS-based anime style adventure which I feel I'll do fine at since I know so much in the culture to be able to fit in and I do like memorizing rules about stuff.

 

[Sandernista]

I personally wouldn't touch WH40k with a ten-foot pole as it is quite the money sink.

I don't really like Magic: the gathering at all. This game is also a lot more expensive then miniature wargaming, even though it seems very cheap.

I played competitively on a $4 deck. ;]

It may seem like a money sink, but most cards run for about $1. It is not my favorite game, but it is by far one of the cheapest games around.

 

[renegade7]

Warhammer 40k is incredibly easy to get into, and also there are a lot of people playing it so you won't have much difficulty finding people to play/practice with.

 

[Chased]

If you want to play to the current edition of Dungeons & Dragons then read on!

I played D&D 3.5e briefly and recently started DMing a 4e campaign. First, I recommend purchasing the Red Box to see if you and your friends enjoy the game. If you do then look into Essentials. Essentials D&D is 4th Edition just with all of the up to date rules in a more streamlined and condensed package. If it looks like something you'd be interested in, then pick up either Heroes of the Fallen Lands or Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms (depending on what classes you or your friends want to play), the Rules Compendium and the Monster Vault. If you've never played D&D or a pen a paper RPG before then you might want to consider getting the DM Kit before the Rules Compendium. The DM Kit's book has a lot of overlap with the Rules Compendium and isn't as comprehensive as the RC but it contains a bit of advice for new DMs along with tokens and battle maps. If your looking into buying some of the 4e books that were released in '08, avoid the Monster Manual at all costs due to the absurd amount of revisions that WotC released for it.

You can also try out the game for free. Here's the Quick Start rules along with 4 pre-made characters.

www.wizards.com/dnd/files/quickstartrules.pdf

And here is an adventure to run the character's through.

www.wizards.com/dnd/files/h1.pdf

And here is a dice roller.

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/dice/dice.htm

Another game I recommend is Carcassonne. It's a fast paced tile building game.

 

[geK0]

Talisman or Descent are pretty easy games to just pick up and play