Experienced GM(LM) with TOR First session

[Shadrack]

Thought I would write my take on this system after just getting 6 players started with building characters.
Little about me, started roleplaying with the original DnD when it came in three small books in a small white box. This would have been about 1979.
Since then, I have played games such as the DnD Advanced up to version 4 where I finally got tired of the cash grab that is WOTC.
My favorite system from the past was Earthdawn, one that didn't get the notice it should have as the system itself was great fun to play, and I never had anything but raves from players. It still gave you the classic character types, but had a great dice system.
My background is in statistics so rules systems need to be more than just dice. I don't need anything complicated (remember Runequest anyone) but need to have a system that I can embrace and create change if I need to.

Being a fan of the books and movies that TOR is based on, this made it easier for me to get new players into a game where they knew the environment, and the archetypes that they would play.
I have owned the slipcase edition since release, as well as all products that have come out since. I now have the new edition hard cover and love the product both in presentation as well as the well done index.
I can see now, after helping six players build their characters, that there is some room for improvement in where things are placed in the book. There was a HUGE amount of page turning and looking for sections that applied throughout this process.

I will probably try to create a flowchart for this with page numbers, and suggestions as I spent a lot of time looking things up as well, which is to be expected with a new system.

A full example of character creation would help a bit as I always find structured examples the best way to teach and learn.

So far, the players are very excited, as anyone who has watched the latest movies knows where Lake Town is. That is where they will be starting, as we use the introductory adventure as a starting place.

Now the quality of the materials is fantastic. I had a problem with the slipcase pages breaking apart and Cubicle sent me a replacement set, though it seems to have the same problem.
Now easy to fix, but a 3 ring will work as well as taking the loose pages all to somewhere like a staples to have them bound also works.

I am sure I will have some questions as I go, but so far, I am very impressed with the system. I am not surprised though as I am one of the lucky ones to have the limited edition "War of the Ring" done by the same designer.

I can see us having a lot of fun with this one as the dice system caters to roleplaying more than tying you up with too many charts and tables.

Will add to this as we go, giving my opinion of the flow and ease of running this group of beginners. One of my players has been roleplaying with me since the late 80's so he will be great as a resource to get the other ones up to speed.

Now, a question about the screen.
Outside of the mistakes I have found on it, is there a need for a v2 of the screen with the new books release?

[Angelalex242]

Character creation is easy. You can, and should, do it online.

http://azrapse.es/tor/sheet.html

Nuff said.

[Deadmanwalking]

Character creation is easy. You can, and should, do it online.

http://azrapse.es/tor/sheet.html

Nuff said.

Gods, yes. I've seen several people who'd never played the game before make functional characters in about 15 minutes each with that thing. It's phenomenal.

A certain amount of GM advice in the vein of 'Take the Travel skill. No, really, take travel!' is still usually a good idea, but it mostly comes down to "Take Travel." and "If you're going to be an archer, there need to be two melee characters in the group per archer, and you should probably buy your bow skill to 3."

So...not particularly difficult advice to give or follow.