First or Second Edition?

[xatnen]

Hi everyone,

I'm just getting into roleplaying, and I have a couple of friends who are interested in playing, but I have no rule books. I was wondering which rule book I should get now that second edition has been released. Both of the players aren't that interested in long rule explanations, so I don't know if traits would be of interest to them, but I think the focus might confuse them? I'm a bit lost on it! Any help is appreciated!

[olegrand]

Hello and welcome aboard!

Aug 29, 2021 0:19:48 GMT xatnen said:

Hi everyone,

I'm just getting into roleplaying, and I have a couple of friends who are interested in playing, but I have no rule books. I was wondering which rule book I should get now that second edition has been released. Both of the players aren't that interested in long rule explanations, so I don't know if traits would be of interest to them, but I think the focus might confuse them? I'm a bit lost on it! Any help is appreciated!

This is, of course, 100% subjective but IMHO you should go for the first edition. Far from complicating things, the Traits are actually a great way to inspire players when creating their characters, offering them a myriad of possibilities without burying them under overcomplicated or confusing rules.

Despite what has been written here and there, the first edition rules are NOT complex - not in the leas! They are based on a few simple principles and the only 'math' they involve are adding bonuses or difficulties when needed - something which anyone can be expected to master. The revised second edition resolution rules may seem quicker and more intuitive to some people... and, yes, less intuitive or 'logical' to others. Also note that some of the "more complex" (and I use this term very loosely) aspects of the system (such as Story points uses for NPCs, difference between "actions" and "reactions") have NOT been made simpler in the new edition, remaining virtually untouched so the whole "simpler, quicker and better" issue remains somewhat debatable...

But I'd also be tempted to advise you to base your decision on how you feel about the current era of the TV show itself. If you think the Thirteenth Doctor's tenure is The Best Ever, go for the Second Edition... but if you're more into "Classic", RTD or Moffat Who, then go for the first ed!

In the end, it all boils down to a matter of personal tastes and style - so I think you should definitely discuss this with your players-to-be.

[misterharry]

Olegrand's post is spot on. I'd also add that if you're thinking of buying any of the supplements or adventures, with the exception of The Einstein Engine, they're all currently written for first edition. It's claimed that second edition is backwards compatible, but if you have the second edition rulebook and try to use a first edition adventure, you're probably not going to understand what the traits do in order to know how to convert them to 2e properly.

Cubicle 7 have said they have plans for new supplements for 2e, so this may not be an issue for long. But there's so much stuff already out there for first edition, it's a consideration.

[xatnen]

Thank you for your input, the players like the sound of traits more so I think I'll be going with first edition!

[misterharry]

Aug 30, 2021 8:31:58 GMT xatnen said:

Thank you for your input, the players like the sound of traits more so I think I'll be going with first edition!

Don't know if you'll spot this in time, but there's a Bundle of Holding open for another few hours which will provide the first edition rulebook (Capaldi edition) and several of the sourcebooks (in pdf format) at a decent price:

Doctor Who RPG

[ninjaconor]

I see you've already made your decision, but I'm just popping in to third olegrand and misterharry's advice. First edition all the way!

[caffinatedd]

I'm assuming the new 13th Doctor Sourcebook is 2e. That's a problem if you prefer 1e, as described in this thread.