Starter material comes in several forms. A complete game contains everything needed for continued play. A quickstart or test drive usually provides enough rules, pre-generated characters and an adventure for a session or two. Basic rules, previews and playtests may require the game master to supply more of the adventure or supporting material.

The badges beside each link summarize what is available. “GM-ready” means the download includes enough material to run an introductory session, not that it contains the full game.

Complete Games (free)

• Ironsworn FreeComplete gameDark fantasyPDFSoloCo-opGuidedGM-ready - The complete dark-fantasy game, including a rulebook, play kit and printable asset cards. Supports guided play with a game master, cooperative play and solo play.

Quickstarts & Test Drives (free)

• Shadowdark FreeQuickstartFantasyPDFGM-ready - Player and game master guides, eight pre-made characters and an introductory adventure for levels 1–3.
• MUTANT: Year Zero FreeQuickstartPost-apocalypticPDFGM-ready - Basic rules, pre-generated characters and a post-apocalyptic introductory adventure.
• ICRPG FreeQuickstartMulti-genrePDFGM-ready - The Index Card RPG quickstart rules and material for getting a game running quickly.
• Savage Worlds FreeTest driveWeird westPDFGM-ready - A Weird West adventure that introduces the genre-neutral Savage Worlds rules.
• Fabula Ultima FreeQuickstartJRPG fantasyPDFGM-ready - Basic rules, pre-generated characters and an introductory JRPG-inspired adventure.
• MÖRK BORG FreeRules previewDark fantasyPDF - The free Bare Bones rules preview for the doom-metal dark-fantasy game. [Direct Google Drive link]
• Call of Cthulhu FreeQuickstartHorrorPDFGM-ready - Quickstart rules and the classic introductory adventure The Haunting.
• Daggerheart FreeQuickstartFantasyPDFWebGM-ready - The Sablewood Messengers adventure, five pre-generated characters and mechanical overviews. The same page links to the free system reference document for the complete rules.
• Dragonbane FreeQuickstartFantasyPDFGM-ready - The complete introductory adventure Riddermound and five pre-generated characters.
• Cyberpunk RED: Easy Mode FreeQuickstartCyberpunkPDFGM-ready - Introductory rules, five pre-generated characters, maps and the mission Getting Paid.

Basic Rules, Previews & Playtests (free)

• Nimble FreeBasic rulesFantasyPDFWeb - Quickstart basic rules, pre-made heroes and short how-to-play videos.
• Dungeons & Dragons FreeBasic rulesFantasyWeb - The 2024 Basic Rules. D&D Beyond also provides a character builder and introductory guidance.
• DC20 FreePlaytestFantasyPDF - Earlier playtest rules and a one-shot adventure. The current beta rules are a separate paid product.

Starter Box Sets (paid)

• D&D Heroes of the Borderlands PaidStarter setFantasyPhysicalDigitalGM-ready - A board-game-style introduction to D&D, available in physical and digital editions.
• Pathfinder Beginner Box PaidStarter setFantasyPhysicalGM-ready - Rules for players and game masters, a ready-to-run adventure, pre-made characters, dice and cardboard pawns.

Browse More Quickstarts

• Role maintains a large collection of free quickstart bundles for independent and major game systems.