Tabletop RPG’s: A Beginners Guide to Beginner Games

One of the biggest occurring trends that has come out of the pandemic is the TTRPG, or, Tabletop Role Playing Game. However, for most people just getting into the hobby, it can be quite the undertaking. Dungeons and Dragons handbooks are the size of entire school textbooks, and with the amount of rules that go into a game, it can be pretty hard.

I’m not writing this though to try and teach you Dungeons and Dragons. There are countless resources you yourself can research to help teach you. What I want to do is to try and introduce you to a number of much easier games for you and your friend to try out. Tabletop RPG’s don’t have to be a big production, it can be just as much fun as doing improv or karaoke at your local bar, or telling a dramatic story around a campfire in the woods!

RISUS: THE ANYTHING RPG by S. John Ross is one of the most simple RPG’s to start off with, being famous for its rules fitting onto a single flash card. It’s also genre-neutral, so if you want to play a Star Wars style space opera, or a gritty The Walking Dead zombie story, you can do that! It’s not the best system if you’re looking for a deep combat system, but it’s very good for beginners! All you need is 4 6-sided dice, and some flash cards.

FATE CONDENSED by Evil Hat Productions is the condensed, rules-light version of their larger “FATE: Core” system. Meant to streamline gameplay and rules, this one’s so easy that a child can learn it! Seriously, I played it with my 4 and 6 year old siblings once, and even they understood how to play. You may need to get some special dice for it, but normal 6-sided dice is a fine enough substitution.

MONSTER OF THE WEEK by Michael Sands (and published by Evil Hat Productions) is a game where the players hunt monsters, similar to X-Files or Supernatural. It’s based a lot more around in-the-moment improvisation than remembering a long list of spells or rules or abilities. It’s a great way to get that cheesy pseudo-horror fix, and it’s good for those who want a bit more rules and structure without wanting to pour through a game textbook to learn how to play. It’s also my personal favorite RPG, so you have my approval!

Tabletop RPG’s are a great way to have fun with friends and make some great memories. You don’t have to be a scholar of games or read through expensive game guides in order to learn, though. There’s plenty of resources and easy-to-learn games out there for you! So expand your imagination a little and kick back and tell some awesome stories. This is one hobby you won’t regret getting into.

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