If you’re willing to try pathfinder, you could go with Pathfinder Game Night: Dawn of the Frogs. It’s a 3 session adventure that comes with everything you need to run a game: maps, pregenerated characters, a set of dice, some standees for you and the enemies, and an adventure book explaining the rules and the adventure you’re on.
I haven’t played Pathfinder before (I used to do ADND(2.PF) how expandable is it without official materials? (I guess it doesn’t super matter, none of us have played a ttrpg in years)
All of the rules are actually freely and officially available online here https://2e.aonprd.com/Rules.aspx including every monster officially released, usually with a picture. You’d probably be better off buying at least the core rulebooks to actually read, though.
Also, Dawn of the Frogs only has 4 pregenerated characters, so if you have more friends than that it might get a little complicated.
So to actually answer your question, it depends on how much work you want to do and what your definition of “official materials” is.
Invite new folks who want to play ttrpgs specifically, let the typical folks know that there will be new folks, and see who sticks around after the shoe drops.
I haven’t played in 11 years 😭
How do I trojan horse Dnd into my game night? I’ll dm 🥹
If you’re willing to try pathfinder, you could go with Pathfinder Game Night: Dawn of the Frogs. It’s a 3 session adventure that comes with everything you need to run a game: maps, pregenerated characters, a set of dice, some standees for you and the enemies, and an adventure book explaining the rules and the adventure you’re on.
I haven’t played Pathfinder before (I used to do ADND(2.PF) how expandable is it without official materials? (I guess it doesn’t super matter, none of us have played a ttrpg in years)
All of the rules are actually freely and officially available online here https://2e.aonprd.com/Rules.aspx including every monster officially released, usually with a picture. You’d probably be better off buying at least the core rulebooks to actually read, though.
Also, Dawn of the Frogs only has 4 pregenerated characters, so if you have more friends than that it might get a little complicated.
So to actually answer your question, it depends on how much work you want to do and what your definition of “official materials” is.
Invite new folks who want to play ttrpgs specifically, let the typical folks know that there will be new folks, and see who sticks around after the shoe drops.
I’m in if you want a (mostly) noob. Could probably talk my partner into joining.