(11-23-2015, 10:55 AM)FlyingMongoose Wrote: I have no experience GMing anything but Fantasy AGE (which is pretty much the same as Dragon Age RPG). But I'll play anything. The problem is, if we want to interest people who have NEVER played Pen & Paper, a smaller, less complex system, would be ideal.
Which means anything in the D&D mantra is out, including 5th and pathfinder.
It leaves only a few options one of them being the AGE system, there's also a couple of others I heard of but I have to look them up.

(12-10-2015, 01:35 PM)The Generic Name Wrote:

(11-23-2015, 10:55 AM)FlyingMongoose Wrote: I have no experience GMing anything but Fantasy AGE (which is pretty much the same as Dragon Age RPG). But I'll play anything. The problem is, if we want to interest people who have NEVER played Pen & Paper, a smaller, less complex system, would be ideal.
Which means anything in the D&D mantra is out, including 5th and pathfinder.
It leaves only a few options one of them being the AGE system, there's also a couple of others I heard of but I have to look them up.

Have you looked at 5th edition?  it is not that complex.  I think its wonderful for new and old players.  If you are dealing with new players, you need to understand that and adapt your way to that.  Be patient, and let them have fun.  Just because you only have experience in one Tabletop RPG system doesnt mean that other, more complex looking, systems are a poor choice.  Its the reason why I take notes to quickly remind me what something does if I dont think I'll remember it.  I've played 3.5, Pathfinder, Shadowrun, Fantasy Age, and Champions (Hero System).  I have found that the more freedom the game allows, the more difficult it is for new tabletop players to pick up on it.  Hell, I am actually going to be DMing a 5E module for some friends of mine and only one of them has actually played 5E before, and one has barely any experience playing tabletop games at all.

Does a system like DnD seem intimidating and rule cumbersome?  It can look that way, but looks can be deceiving.  Hell, the $20 (USD) D&D starter Kit  is a fantastic way to introduce new players to the game.  It contains two sets of dice, character sheets, a quick-start rule-book(for both the dm and players), and an adventure to take players from level 1-5. The adventure it contains accounts for common decisions that players could make, and gives the DM tips on what to do and how to entice the players in the right direction, constantly reminding the DM that the players tell the story, the DM makes the setting.  It even comes with pregenerated characters  for people to hop in and get involved.  

I find that if you ask around for interest, those that seem like they are on the fence just need the reassurance that you will help them.  Which means being patient, explaining the rules as simply as possible, and getting them involved in the story.    When it comes down to it, DnD really just comes down to how much you add or subtract from a dice roll. If you don't have a lot of experience as a GM, let them know ahead of time.  If you want players to be in character a lot of the time, let them know, but dont get angry if they slip up.  If you want the story to be on a bit of a railroad, let the players know ahead of time.  No matter what system you are playing, the players are playing to have fun.

Anyway, if the one shot goes well this Friday I will probably try to use roll20 to try to run a similar thing for brbuers interested in playing, so contact me if interested so we can figure out what time works well.  Yes its 5E, and I will probably only ask for 3 min-5 max.  I'm more than willing to help with character building too.  And I have the books available to send out if needed.