There's a pretty steep learning curve no matter how much you try to dumb it down. If you want to play pen and paper rather than CRPG there's no getting around the rule books. The most approachable way is the Red Box beginners set, it's going to be the best method to get the real spirit of the game in a format that newbies might be able to handle without getting frustrated.
http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/e5bf/
If you have daughters introducing them to D&D is a good way to make sure that they don't lose the V card until well into their twenties.
If you want to do pre made stuff without the hassle of making your DnD campaign you can get one of the D&D Board games. Look up Castle Ravenloft, Wrath of Ashardalon, and Legend of Drizzt. Buy the one which theme you think will most appeal to them. These board games don't have a DM though and you play coop vs the game. If you want to play the DM you can buy Descent 2nd edition and run through a whole campaign which is a bit more like D&D because the characters will level up over the course of the campaign, whereas in the D&D Board games the characters essentially reset while you go to the next level. I have both the Legend of Drizzt and Descent 2nd Edition. I would recommend Descent where you can run through the 20 level campaign where each level takes 1-2 hours to beat. If they totally dig it then you can justify the expense of getting into the real D&D and give you a taste of what D&D is like. These games also give you tons of mini's that you will be able to use in real D&D games later if you want.
I'm 29 years old and just started playing D&D for the first time with some buddies from work a few months ago. It can be a bit overwhelming, and I see all the work my DM puts into it which I personally would not be willing to do. For this reason when my kids get old enough I'm for sure going to play these games with them to give them the same kind of experience without all the work and expense.
Also, when you start playing D&D you'll have to figure out what version you want to play. There is 3.5 which a ton of people play, 4.0 which a lot of people play as well. There is also Pathfinder which is a modified version of 3.5 which is HUGELY popular to the hardcore crowd that backlashed when 4.0 came out (because 4.0 is much closer to a board game, kind of like the D&D board games I talked about above). Oh, and they're releasing a new version of D&D sometime later this year I believe. See what I mean about overwhelming?
2nd this. The DnD Boardgames are actually quite well done. Legend of Drizzt is my favorite.
sorry guys. DnD is dead. back when, DnD and then advanced had classes that were codependent. *new* DnD has everyone do everything, characters are OP, and anyone can tackle any situation.
If you have daughters introducing them to D&D is a good way to make sure that they don't lose the V card until well into their twenties.
I started playing World of Warcraft with my 13yo daughter recently. I'm hoping that will have the same effect. :sneaky:
Of course, it could backfire, and have the effect on me.
The dumbing down of 4.0 is a travesty. The entire concept of trying to make a pen and paper game geared towards the masses is laughable. Somewhere, some higher up thought that they could appeal to the common man and sell more copies. What they did not realize is that the common man is never going to buy a pen and paper game anymore. They will play their consoles or flash games or whatever and continue to look down on those who play board and role playing games.sorry guys. DnD is dead.
The last time I was GM, I ended up having players roll a bank of D20's that I put in a number list along with their current saving throws so I did not have to clue in players about possible things around them. I would just consult the chart every once in a while, players had no idea if it was a ruse or not, if I was doing a spot check, or a listen check, or a saving throw or whatever.
The dumbing down of 4.0 is a travesty. The entire concept of trying to make a pen and paper game geared towards the masses is laughable. Somewhere, some higher up thought that they could appeal to the common man and sell more copies. What they did not realize is that the common man is never going to buy a pen and paper game anymore. They will play their consoles or flash games or whatever and continue to look down on those who play board and role playing games.
There were always other things competing with people's time.That's where I think you are wrong. You can't compare this day and age to the 80's or early/mid 90's. It's just not the same. Online gaming, facebook, short attention spans, netflix, ect are all competing for people's time now. There's so much more to do than there was 20-25 years ago. Pen & Paper RPG's *had* to move to a more casual environment. Getting caught up in a pile of numbers and stats just really isn't that much fun to many people. Killing shit, and having your character do random feats of chaotic brilliance IS FUN. That's what pen and paper gaming is all about. Getting together and having fun. The rules should be there to set boundaries and steer direction, not be an oppressive dictator that squashes any enjoyment. If you want to keep bringing people to the format it needs to be more casual and enjoyable.
Let me preface this with: I have not played the expansions of Descent.May i slide the rule a different way and go down a different path and suggest Descent (second edition is what i have). I loves me some board games, but never got into D&D, so this is what i have evolved into after playing HeroQuest and Advanced HeroQuest when i was younger (the former of which my 5 and 8 year old love).
Its a good game. DM vs the Heroes. And i have heard good things of the D&D board games as well.
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/104162/descent-journeys-in-the-dark-second-edition