I am finally getting the opportunity to try out EotE with my game group in a couple weeks. We're taking a break from our Ravenloft campaign this month, due to one player not being able to make it. I suggested we try out the SWRPG beginner games and they all wholeheartedly agreed. We typically have about 6 hours of solid gaming time, so my initial suggestion was to start with the EotE beginner game, and then if we have time try some of the others, I have all 4, to get a feel for each of the settings. However, after thinking about it I'm not sure that would be the best use of our time, for a couple of reasons. First off all the adventures in the beginner sets are pretty similar, so I can see us getting bored. Secondly, I bought all of them the EotE core rulebook for Christmas, so were pretty much guaranteed to be starting off with EotE when we start a campaign anyway.

So my question is, how long does the EotE beginner game typically take? Were all experienced D20 RPG players, but totally new to this system, which is why I want to start with the beginner game just to even see if we like it. So I figured maybe 2-3 hours? Is that accurate?

Also, if we decide to not try any of the other beginner games, and want to just keep going with EotE that night, what's the best adventure to proceed with? Keeping in mind we would probably just carry on with the pre-made characters in the beginner set rather than spin up new ones, and this would probably be the only night we play EotE until we start a normal campaign.

I know that Long Arm of the Hutt was designed for this? However, I prefer a printed format over digital. I did just pick up the DM screen. Is the included adventure in that a good alternative to continue play after the beginner game? I'm not opposed to running LaotH, but if the DM screen adventure is just as good, I would prefer that.

Or if anyone has any other recommendations for introducing this game to my group I'm all ears.

Thanks!

If you know the system, running the boxed set(s) doesnt take that long. If they don't wander off script too much, you could do it in 2 or 3 hours. Mind you, if they do (like mine did), it could take you three weeks worth of sessions.

**EDIT** Well, that will teach me to not read past the first paragraph. As far as canned games go, Long Arm isnt that bad. There's only one point that I re-wrote because it was kind of cludgy. Beyond that, it's a pretty solid game with loads of plot hooks.

I've never run through the beginning adventure myself so I couldn't give you a time line. If you're using the pregens in the box you could spend a good portion of the time after the module making characters (if they don't want to continue with the pregens). Making the characters together gives them (and you) a chance to create a group story and gives you a good idea for obligations and the like. If there is still time use one of the other small adventures to start off (the one in the gms screen works well)

I think if you're teaching the system AND doing the game then 4-5 hours you'll need. I found myself stopping down to teach system some. I don't think you'll need to play any of the others unless you just want to. My groups got it down after just a single beginner game and wanted to roll up their own dudes.

Thanks for the responses guys. We will all be learning the game together actually, I've never played it, only read through the beginner adventure and some of the rulebook, so maybe we will take up more time than I originally anticipated.

While I've been playing for almost a year, I recently sat in on a session of the EotE Beginner Game. We actually ended up with 8 (!) players plus the GM, 4 with 6-24 months' experience with the system, 4 with none. (While a large group, it actually worked well, as the experienced players took some of the "teaching" burden off of the GM's shoulders.) We managed to get through the box and Long Arm of the Hutt in about 4-5 hours.

As to preferring print to digital, that's understandable. You could always print out the PDF of LAotH; same with the two additional downloadable pregens. Debts To Pay (the GM Kit adventure) is a solid adventure. I've put the group I run through it. It could lend itself to following up the BG, but LAotH is designed specifically for that purpose, to the point that it assumes that it's being run as a follow-up still using the pregens.

Secondly, I bought all of them the EotE core rulebook for Christmas

Can I join your group?

Hey sounds like everyone else is giving you the same advice I would have. I know there is also a link to other SW resources somewhere on this forum that has other homemade adventures- you could consider that as well.

Thanks for the responses guys. We will all be learning the game together actually, I've never played it, only read through the beginner adventure and some of the rulebook, so maybe we will take up more time than I originally anticipated.

If you're learning the game, just book the whole night for the Beginners Box and dont really worry about blatantly railroading from one mechanic example to the next. Just treat it as the tutorial it is and you'll be fine.

Although, you might want to not use the Linked Fire for the final encounter with the TIEs. I haven't run it myself (well, at least not in 4 years now), but I'm given to understand that it's crazy out of balance in favor of the Empire.

In the meantime, do your best to study up on the main rulebook. You wont need it for the box, but if you break out Long Arm, you might - plus it might be good for you to figure out what the complete rules looks like, get an idea of the long term picture.

Thanks for the responses guys. We will all be learning the game together actually, I've never played it, only read through the beginner adventure and some of the rulebook, so maybe we will take up more time than I originally anticipated.

If you're learning the game, just book the whole night for the Beginners Box and dont really worry about blatantly railroading from one mechanic example to the next. Just treat it as the tutorial it is and you'll be fine.

Although, you might want to not use the Linked Fire for the final encounter with the TIEs. I haven't run it myself (well, at least not in 4 years now), but I'm given to understand that it's crazy out of balance in favor of the Empire.

In the meantime, do your best to study up on the main rulebook. You wont need it for the box, but if you break out Long Arm, you might - plus it might be good for you to figure out what the complete rules looks like, get an idea of the long term picture.

Sounds reasonable. Thanks!