Though I'm not known as a super GURPS fan, in this category I'd say the GURPS Lite (3e) rules were great.

I have met more than one person who has said they prefer the simple Exalted quick-start to the complex finished game.

Quote from: Just Another Snake Cult;807329I have met more than one person who has said they prefer the simple Exalted quick-start to the complex finished game.

I felt that way about all the WoD quickstarts.

Was just looking at DC Heroes and the section using Batman as an example to explain all the attributes, APs, how to roll and use the charts, etc., is pretty thoroughly awesome.

I like a lot GURPS Lite and BRP Quickstart.

Quote from: RPGPundit;807326Though I'm not known as a super GURPS fan, in this category I'd say the GURPS Lite (3e) rules were great.

Is there any reason why the 3e lite rules were better than the 4e lite rules?

Quote from: RunningLaser;807608Is there any reason why the 3e lite rules were better than the 4e lite rules?

I felt they were more complete, from what I recall; mind you I haven't looked at either in ages.

GURPS Lite is great, both in 3e and 4e (I got this buying GURPS Vorkosigan). CoC Quickstart is excellent and sufficient to play the game.

The old Vampire: The Masquerade Quickstart is mind-blowingly good. I have known several persons that prefer it to the complete game, after I used it to run a short campaign.

Quote from: Imperator;808400GURPS Lite is great, both in 3e and 4e (I got this buying GURPS Vorkosigan). CoC Quickstart is excellent and sufficient to play the game.

The old Vampire: The Masquerade Quickstart is mind-blowingly good. I have known several persons that prefer it to the complete game, after I used it to run a short campaign.

Yeah, its very good. I still have all the oWoD quickstarts, this many long years after selling off the gamebooks.

I vote for Aeon Trinity and Exalted 1e free quickstart books. Why? I have been able to run short campaigns from both, repeatedly, and they both were truly great for convention play. For me, they did a great job introducing the world over the mechanics.

TRINITY is free on DriveThru
http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/86000/Trinity-RPG-Quickstart

EXALTED 1e is posted here (among other places)
http://kschnee.xepher.net/rpg/exalted/Exalted%20Starter%20Kit.pdf

Quote from: JonWake;806647What are the best quick start rules you've ever seen? What made them successful?

The 1983 BECMI Basic Set.

A solo adventure that allows you to experience the game immediately. (Literally open the book and start playing.)

Follow-up with character creation based around a series of straightforward choices that are meaningful even if you don't know all the mechanics.

Follow-up with a non-linear scenario for the GM. (The Basic Set does a lot of hand-holding on the assumption that it's got a large audience of people who have never played an RPG before. If you're not assuming that, you can do less hand-holding but you should still include the flexible, awesome scenario.)

Other important features:

- The rules are compatible with the full game. You play the Basic Set and then you simply continue playing. You don't have to reset with new characters.

- Including pregenerated characters is nice, but is no replacement for actual character creation.

Quote from: Justin Alexander;808902The 1983 BECMI Basic Set.

A solo adventure that allows you to experience the game immediately. (Literally open the book and start playing.)

...and be emotionally scarred for life because of motherf-ing Bargle. The bastard.

Quote from: Justin Alexander;808902The 1983 BECMI Basic Set.

Yup. Statistically you really can't argue with the sheer numbers of converts that set won.