AIME and TOR: what’s easier to learn/teach?

[kdresser]

Hey, if someone wanted to start DMing in middle earth but didn’t know either the D&D 5e or TOR system, which would you recommend they get into as far as ease of learning and teaching goes?

[Geomtje]

Here’s my two cents, so take it as you will. I am playing TOR for a little less than half a year. It is the first table top RPG that I have ever played, so I have no previous experience. Neither has any of my group.

It been a lot of fun and not too difficult. Yes we had some hurdles, but that’s to be expected with any RPG I guess. It did help that we all read the books and helped each other, plus took inspiration from people who stream RPGs.

As far as I can tell, D&D 5e has a lot more options, which could be cool, but it also brings a lot more information that you have to process. Not to mention that you would then have to adapt the rules etc. to AiME. But it does give you the option to play D&D 5e, since you would have some familiarity with the system.

So I would personally go with TOR for a nice introduction into table top RPGs. However, if you would like to have the option to play ‘regular’ D&D, then go for AiME.

[Indur Dawndeath]

Hey, if someone wanted to start DMing in middle earth but didn’t know either the D&D 5e or TOR system, which would you recommend they get into as far as ease of learning and teaching goes?

When I started playing TOR, I read the books and then we started. None of the players have read the rules... Create the characters with Azrapse’s tool, and you’ll be playing in no time!

I’m not familiar with D&D 5e, I’m playing Conan in 3.5, but here you need to know lots of stuff as a player... And you can use a lot of time reading feats and combat maneuvers, trying to optimize your character.

I would say: Go for TOR

[Vladimir]

Being only familiar with TOR and D&D 3.5 (Pathfinder), I would also suggest TOR in terms of teaching simplicity. The core mechanics are few, simple and straightforward, and you can grab an adventure that also 'teaches' the rules gradually (like Zed's excellent 'Theft of the Moon') for ease of learning. Azrapse's online character sheet is also an excellent resource, as has already been stated, and there are a few journey calculators out there as well that can make the GM's life easier.

D&D is probably not much harder to learn/teach though, so in the end your choice could also depend on other factors.

[Majestic]

5th Edition is MUCH simpler (and easier to learn/teach) compared to 3.5, which is significantly more complex.

TOR is an excellent game for people who don't have a bunch of 'baggage' (i.e., preconceptions) of other role-playing games.

It's totally your call, but I'd say both games are about the same level of complexity. If anything, 5E/AME might be a little easier, but it's very much a different choice of styles. Both games are quite similar; the maps for instance are almost exactly the same. Both games emphasize the same three core pillars. AME is a little more simulationist, whereas TOR is a bit more narrative.

[Jussi Marttila]

TOR is an excellent game for people who don't have a bunch of 'baggage' (i.e., preconceptions) of other role-playing games.

This is extremely true. I've been able to teach people how to play TOR in about fifteen minutes or so. D&D, less so.

[kdresser]

Thanks guys! I think I'll stick with TOR