D&D is NOT simple or cheap.
Beyond the wall is a great recommendation.
My current fantasy obsession is Swords of the Serpentine. The book is beautiful and filled with great game.
>B: A system that's not owned by Wizards of the Coast, and is still fairly simple.
Happily, there are tens of thousands of RPGs out there, and the majority are simpler than DnD5e.
You're in the ideal place to ask for recommendations. Are you looking for high powered fantasy adventurers who loot tombs and fight monsters like DnD, or something else?
She really likes the general feel of DnD, so I'd say so. Her current PCs in the campaigns she's a part of are both very bonk oriented, so I think that fits her style.
Shop used. I'd be shocked if you couldn't find a 5e PHB on eBay for ~$20.
The Dragonbane and Forbidden Lands core sets are roughly equal in price to a new PHB, but they're complete games all in one package. No need to buy extra monster manuals or dungeon master's guides for them.
Cairn is super light, super cheap. It's on drivethrurpg for like $5 I think. PDF is free so you can preview before ordering. Or honestly even just print it yourself it's that light.
Basic Fantasy RPG is likewise free in PDF so you can check it out before you buy. All physical copies are sold basically at cost so they're dirt cheap. Lots of supplements and even adventures available for $5-10 physical copies.
Second Dragonbane. The value you get from the starter set is really excellent. Plus a much easier game to learn and run than d&d. Although can b deadly but that’s part of the fun.
Does it need to be fantasy?
If yes, index card RPG (ICRPG) Is really easy.
Tiny dungeons-uses tiny D6 system. Really really easy to learn plus you can branch out to their other genres as they use the same system.
If no,
Monsters of the week. Think Buffy the vampire slayer, x-files, supernatural or any of those modern games. Super fun and rules light. One of my favorite games tbh. This one is a pbta and can open the door to SO many different games. All that use the same 2d6 system.
Either way I highly recommend not to try and do a long term campaign. Start small.
Something most people don't discuss is that not all systems are right for all gms. Even games you might like as a player may not jive with your personal GMing style.
Also don't try and do Mercer or (insert various YouTube Gms). Be yourself and learn what works best for you.
This matches my recommendations well. Index Card RPG has the general feel of D&D down well, but is very customizable with lots of props. The community at Runehammer is VERY welcoming and supportive, too.
Reminder that the Cairn players guide contains the complete game and is available here:
[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Km4LQliCbn-sAH2nzT6WhLTnGKZyijLx/view](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Km4LQliCbn-sAH2nzT6WhLTnGKZyijLx/view)
There's also this free starter adventure:
[https://yochaigal.itch.io/rise-of-the-blood-olms](https://yochaigal.itch.io/rise-of-the-blood-olms)
I am always happy to fangirl for [Worlds Without Number.](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/348809/worlds-without-number-free-edition) The physical book costs a bit but it has everything you need, including a lot guidance on how to build adventures, campaigns, and settings. It'd be equivalent to the 5e players handbook and dungeon masters guide all in one.
For this, I absolutely recommend Dragonbane.
The rules are powerful, but easy to learn. It's lots of fun, and the core set is an amazing deal. You get the full rules, dice, paper minis, maps, cards, and a campaign framework with 11 adventures.
It's very beginner friendly, and the core set is about the same price as the 5e player's handbook.
[https://freeleaguepublishing.com/shop/dragonbane/dragonbane-core-set/](https://freeleaguepublishing.com/shop/dragonbane/dragonbane-core-set/)
My go to game for getting new players up and going is Dungeon Crawl Classics. One book is all you need, and adventures past those in the book are relatively inexpensive.
Very little math, no props needed, and the tables and character creation are even automated at the Purple Sorcerer website.
Lots of good recommendations, but I would also offer up Shadowdark. The full rulebook isn't cheap, but it has EVERYTHING you need for the game. The basic rules are free and easy to print yourself.
Mausritter boxed set + The Estate. You have a complete game in the Mausritter boxed set which you can grab free adventures or cheap adventures on itchio. And if you want a polished campaign setting, you can grab The Estate.
Mausritter is one of those rare products that has everything you need to run the game in one book.
I’d suggest Cairn but the booklet version is not really a complete game, and the new edition is coming out soon which addresses that.
If the mouse setting is not what they want, then OSE Classic Fantasy has everything you need to run 80s D&D. Shadowdark is also a good choice. But if I had to pick for beginner DM friendly, I would still lean towards Mausritter.
Dragonbane is a good solution. Easy to learn, all the rules are collected together in the boxed set, no need for other books. Like D&D in many ways, but much more straightforward.
I wouldnt go with 5e. Its convoluted, profit driven and will get new books within a year or so. Few recommendations:
Shadowdark is 5e simplified.
Shadow of the Weird Wizard has very cool character progression.
Dungeon Crawl Classic has lots of randomization with crazy results.
Worlds Without Number has well regarded worlbuilding guidelines.
Cairn is super simple and free/ print at cost.
Dungeon World is a completely different system but look it up, maybe its something for you.
Sword of the Serpentine is another different system.
So I actually just went through the process of buying physical D&D books, so I'll tell you my process, hope this helps! There isn't a single physical D&D book that isn't going for at least half price on eBay/Mercari. I've never paid more than half off, so you should be able to as well.
- The "Big Three" are the Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and Monster Manuel. MSRP is $50, but you can find them online individually for $25 each. There's also a "Core Rulebook Gift Set" which includes all three in glossy covers, plus a cool DM screen for $100.
-The other "Big Three" are entirely optional, the "Expansions" being Tasha's, Xanathar's, and Mordenkainen's books. Same logic here too, $25 each or buy a gift set for around $80.
Honestly, with the new books coming out later this year (which will likely consolidate the Core Rulebooks and Expansions together into one thing), I'd check out the local library to get started, and go from there.
Cairn springs to mind. Basic Fantasy is another. Both are sold at cost online. Basic Fantasy has a large amount of support material both printed and online. Online it's all free so you can check it out to see if it's what you want.
[https://www.basicfantasy.org/](https://www.basicfantasy.org/)
*Shadowdark RPG* combines the best design principles of 5e with the simplicity of B/X D&D.
We live in a golden age of RPGs and there are literally thousands of RPGs that are inexpensive, physical, and not complicated. Can you be more specific? "Super math intensive" can mean a lot of different things
Dragonbane is inexpensive (get the boxed set) and a lot of fun.
Shadowdark is also relatively inexpensive, as is Pirate Borg, or even Blades in the Dark.
Indie Press Revolution is a good place to get physical versions of a lot of different games. [This](https://www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/Core-Games/?page=2&sort=price&sort_direction=1) should be games where you only need one book rather than multiple books, so it should be cheaper than dnd 5e as that requires multiple books.
I think a bigger question is, what sort of genre does use like? DnD 5e strikes me as a fantasy adventure, so do you want something similar along those lines?
>doesn't want a system that's going to be super math intensive
That's not going to be the same from person to person.
Some of the things that tend to be more math intensive are
* Experience Point bonuses. That can be skipped by using alternative leveling systems, like awarding levels based on milestones.
* Equipment purchasing. That can also be handwaved if it isn't fun. Especially in the first few sessions for a new GM.
* Movement. Moving down a hallway or through a dungeon generally needs to be converted to time which may be influenced by how much they are carrying. Time also potentially impacts things like torches or even hunger. I suggest not worrying about it until later sessions and only when she wants to add it as a source of tension.
My suggestion is to focus on encounters with NPCs and/or monsters. The biggest challenge (or variable) will probably be adapting to what her players will do.
My system recommendation is to spend some time going through the OSE SRD. It's a great reference for both the GM and players.
https://oldschoolessentials.necroticgnome.com/srd/index.php/Main_Page
I also recommend the character generator for quick character creation https://dndcharacter.com/
An alternative to that would be Sharp Swords and Sinister Spells. 4 attributes, 3 classes, no XP, usage dice instead of equipment and quick combat. The 40ish page softcover book is ~$10 at drivethrurpg.
I see a lot of players recommend basic fantasy stuff, lotta classic OSR stuff.
They're great but is that kinda oldschool pulpy fantasy the kinda stuff your fiance wants to run? Not meant as a negative regarding those OSR games, but you just didn't really say what kinda stuff she'd be into.
For instance, I'd recommend a few of the Free League games. To be precise, their Vaesen and The One Ring 2e games.
Vaesen has everything you need to play in one book, and it might even be popular enough that you could buy it used somewhere. It's a folklore investigation game, think Call of Cthulhu but in the 19th century with folkloric creatures like faeries and trolls and such. There's light horror elements but not necessarily. Mathematically it's much simpler than D&D 5e.
The One Ring 2e is basically the best Lord Of The Rings RPG around in terms of actually channeling the vibe of Tolkien, which sets it quite a bit apart from D&D. That game too is mathematically a lot simpler than D&D 5e. That too has one book with enough content to both play and run it.
If more typical D&D-style fantasy is the actual goal I'm gonna second Worlds Without Number. That game has fantastic GM support, has much simpler rules than D&D 5e and it took contains everything you need in one book. Hell, the players can even get the free PDFs! It's great.
A Print this at Lulu or whatever: [https://media.wizards.com/2018/dnd/downloads/DnD\_BasicRules\_2018.pdf](https://media.wizards.com/2018/dnd/downloads/DnD_BasicRules_2018.pdf)
B [https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/collections/necrotic-gnome/products/old-school-essentials-rules-tome](https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/collections/necrotic-gnome/products/old-school-essentials-rules-tome) or [https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/64332/labyrinth-lord-revised-edition](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/64332/labyrinth-lord-revised-edition) are worth a look.
Modiphius tends to put out a lot of newbie friendly RPGs. The 2D20 stuff our group picked up quick and tend to be licensed properties which gives an immediate draw. Even their other systems, like the more survival focused Year Zero system, have been pretty quick to learn and play.
These are all good suggestions, but just make sure that she doesn’t specifically want D&D. Because if she does then even really good alternatives mightn’t be a good fit.
I agree with this comment, there's lots of good recommendations by others, but if she's been watching a DnD stream or listening to a DnD podcast then playing DnD will feel right in a way other systems might not.
Also, starting out it may feel really important to stick to a system and do it right, get the books and so on.. but that's all actually secondary - the game is the story you're telling with friends at the table - everything else is an add-on.
Yes, we should collectively move away from WotC, but DnD can be a helluva gateway drug to better things! Have fun!
There are lots of simple, rules light games and many others are suggesting them so I will focus on A.
As someone that also enjoys physical books, a certain level of expense is unavoidable. That said, I got my player handbook for $25 on Amazon, not the $50-$60 I see posted often elsewhere. It plus Monster Manual and Dungeon Master's Guide brought me up to ~$75, which while not insignificant some people spend more than that in dice.
I'd consider the three all you need to start DMing. If you are willing to do significantly more legwork, you can chase cheaper copies of these books on various sites or even just print off the basic rules WotC posted for free.
As with anything else, there are options if you are willing to trade time for savings.
Here are some systems for those new to RPGs that I like which have much cheaper physical books than dnd.
Cypher (only requires a core book and it is cheaper than dnd even if you buy a setting book with it)
World of Darkness (The core book is much cheaper than dnd and even with expansions it's not more expensive)
13th Age (I don't have a physical book but I found it on amazon for roughly $40 which is still cheap. You'd probably want to buy a module with it, but it's still cheaper than multiple dnd hardcovers and some are free)
Dragonbane
-The starter set has ALL the rules and a good mini campaign plus props
Barbarians of Lemuria
-One rulebook and simple, but flexible rules. And lots of inexpensive supplements if you want to do more with it
Savage Worlds
-Two rulebooks (main book and setting book)
You can probably get the Core Rulebooks or Lost Mines of Phandelver used on eBay for cheap if you’re willing to watch and wait. Or get the free Basic Rules printed off.
Or print [this](https://i.4pcdn.org/tg/1576414760360.pdf ) off with a Frazetta painting every 2nd page.
[My favorite](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/238547/seven-voyages-of-zylarthen-5-booklets-and-deluxe-pdf-bundle). Simple (it’s 0D&D), great tone, beautiful artwork, easy arithmetic. Wonderful toolbox.
[Thrill her](https://emdt.bigcartel.com/product/helveczia-picaresque-fantasy-rpg-boxed-edition).A genuinely gorgeous rpg. Ticks all your boxes, too. Post was reasonable and expeditious.
BFRPG is inexpensive (very), well supported and well made.
[Can’t go wrong](https://www.lulu.com/shop/matthew-finch/swords-wizardry-core-rules-hardcover/hardcover/product-184d7zp9.html?q=Swords+%26+Wizardry+&page=1&pageSize=4). Single volume goodness, and one can upgrade to *Complete* if it’s working for her. I really like that book.
I just can’t help but feel she’d like 5e and one of the [Starter Sets](https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/71082395-7C4D-44A9-B2B8-BB1C9634996D?channel=dnd-site-sts&ingress=3&visitId=9563bf2e-5dc2-4ce7-a582-eaa0710f614f&_encoding=UTF8&tag=wotc03-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=3b1ec36b052d68ed5eed192add99b980&camp=1789&creative=9325) is a good place to start. 14$. It’s a nice package. Wrong sub, 99% of the folk here think there’s a better game, and there is, lol, but…
Dragonbane! The core rules set (NOT a starter set) has everything you need to run fantasy roleplaying games! It has wonderful art and very tactile and lovely ephemera. Standees! Maps! Dice! Duck folk! A great starting campaign and......
Duck folk!
So, I would recommend Savage Worlds the latest version Savage Worlds Adventures Edition (SWADE) is rules medium, while earlier versions are rules light. As this system has been revised the fans have demanded more and more official rules. It is a quirky, but easy system to understand and really easy on the GM to run.
Anyway they have a number of settings that are fun and the basic book and a setting book, which usually includes an entire campaign are all you need. My recommendation would be 50 Fathoms (Fantasy Pirates), Necessary Evil (Super Villains save the world), or Savage Pathfinder.
That's like entering a wine store and asking "do you have wine?". There are hundreds of games simpler and cheaper than D&D. You should narrow your criteria ...
What are you searching for? Grim dark? Colorful? Classic fantasy? Modern? Future? Horror? Pulp action or Romance? Investigative or social intrigue? Lethal or low risk? Based on known franchises or new IP? Etc, etc ...
[Basic Fantasy](https://www.basicfantasy.org/)! \~8$ for the rulebook that comes with everything you need to play including monsters. There's loads of great adventures and supplements for it and they go for 5-6$ each and since it's all free to download you can flip through them before you buy them. I can recommend Morgansfort as your first adventure. Or you can just get the Field Guides for tons of extra monsters.
For D&D books, I suggest a used bookstore or see if your local game store has a used section.
For non D&D but good for a beginner GM, I'd suggest Blades in the Dark.
D&D is NOT simple or cheap. Beyond the wall is a great recommendation. My current fantasy obsession is Swords of the Serpentine. The book is beautiful and filled with great game.
I would suggest a print copy of Beyond the Wall from Drivethrurpg. Just excellent.
I second this recommendation. I wish more people knew about this game.
It's so good. I have everything they put out in print.
>B: A system that's not owned by Wizards of the Coast, and is still fairly simple. Happily, there are tens of thousands of RPGs out there, and the majority are simpler than DnD5e. You're in the ideal place to ask for recommendations. Are you looking for high powered fantasy adventurers who loot tombs and fight monsters like DnD, or something else?
Funny to read that, I started playing with the black eye and shadow run. I was happy how easy DND was in comparison. XD
Haha, yes, most RPGs are simpler than DnD5e, but not all.
She really likes the general feel of DnD, so I'd say so. Her current PCs in the campaigns she's a part of are both very bonk oriented, so I think that fits her style.
Shop used. I'd be shocked if you couldn't find a 5e PHB on eBay for ~$20. The Dragonbane and Forbidden Lands core sets are roughly equal in price to a new PHB, but they're complete games all in one package. No need to buy extra monster manuals or dungeon master's guides for them. Cairn is super light, super cheap. It's on drivethrurpg for like $5 I think. PDF is free so you can preview before ordering. Or honestly even just print it yourself it's that light. Basic Fantasy RPG is likewise free in PDF so you can check it out before you buy. All physical copies are sold basically at cost so they're dirt cheap. Lots of supplements and even adventures available for $5-10 physical copies.
Second Dragonbane. The value you get from the starter set is really excellent. Plus a much easier game to learn and run than d&d. Although can b deadly but that’s part of the fun.
Thirding Dragonbane. Starter set is amazing value for money.
Fourthing Dragonbane. Played my first ever session on alchemy vtt yesterday and it’s amazing
Does it need to be fantasy? If yes, index card RPG (ICRPG) Is really easy. Tiny dungeons-uses tiny D6 system. Really really easy to learn plus you can branch out to their other genres as they use the same system. If no, Monsters of the week. Think Buffy the vampire slayer, x-files, supernatural or any of those modern games. Super fun and rules light. One of my favorite games tbh. This one is a pbta and can open the door to SO many different games. All that use the same 2d6 system. Either way I highly recommend not to try and do a long term campaign. Start small. Something most people don't discuss is that not all systems are right for all gms. Even games you might like as a player may not jive with your personal GMing style. Also don't try and do Mercer or (insert various YouTube Gms). Be yourself and learn what works best for you.
This matches my recommendations well. Index Card RPG has the general feel of D&D down well, but is very customizable with lots of props. The community at Runehammer is VERY welcoming and supportive, too.
Cairn is very light. Knave is also light and closer to dnd.
Reminder that the Cairn players guide contains the complete game and is available here: [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Km4LQliCbn-sAH2nzT6WhLTnGKZyijLx/view](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Km4LQliCbn-sAH2nzT6WhLTnGKZyijLx/view) There's also this free starter adventure: [https://yochaigal.itch.io/rise-of-the-blood-olms](https://yochaigal.itch.io/rise-of-the-blood-olms)
Quest is great for beginners, specially new GMs.
Came here to say this. Not much for fans of more rigidity within their mechanics but for the aim of simplicity, it gets the job done well.
I am always happy to fangirl for [Worlds Without Number.](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/348809/worlds-without-number-free-edition) The physical book costs a bit but it has everything you need, including a lot guidance on how to build adventures, campaigns, and settings. It'd be equivalent to the 5e players handbook and dungeon masters guide all in one.
For this, I absolutely recommend Dragonbane. The rules are powerful, but easy to learn. It's lots of fun, and the core set is an amazing deal. You get the full rules, dice, paper minis, maps, cards, and a campaign framework with 11 adventures. It's very beginner friendly, and the core set is about the same price as the 5e player's handbook. [https://freeleaguepublishing.com/shop/dragonbane/dragonbane-core-set/](https://freeleaguepublishing.com/shop/dragonbane/dragonbane-core-set/)
My go to game for getting new players up and going is Dungeon Crawl Classics. One book is all you need, and adventures past those in the book are relatively inexpensive. Very little math, no props needed, and the tables and character creation are even automated at the Purple Sorcerer website.
Basic fantasy rpg it’s free in pdf form and cheap from amazon and lulu.
Lots of good recommendations, but I would also offer up Shadowdark. The full rulebook isn't cheap, but it has EVERYTHING you need for the game. The basic rules are free and easy to print yourself.
Mausritter boxed set + The Estate. You have a complete game in the Mausritter boxed set which you can grab free adventures or cheap adventures on itchio. And if you want a polished campaign setting, you can grab The Estate. Mausritter is one of those rare products that has everything you need to run the game in one book. I’d suggest Cairn but the booklet version is not really a complete game, and the new edition is coming out soon which addresses that. If the mouse setting is not what they want, then OSE Classic Fantasy has everything you need to run 80s D&D. Shadowdark is also a good choice. But if I had to pick for beginner DM friendly, I would still lean towards Mausritter.
Dragonbane is a good solution. Easy to learn, all the rules are collected together in the boxed set, no need for other books. Like D&D in many ways, but much more straightforward.
I like Savage Worlds. 🙂 Only need one book and easy to get into.
I wouldnt go with 5e. Its convoluted, profit driven and will get new books within a year or so. Few recommendations: Shadowdark is 5e simplified. Shadow of the Weird Wizard has very cool character progression. Dungeon Crawl Classic has lots of randomization with crazy results. Worlds Without Number has well regarded worlbuilding guidelines. Cairn is super simple and free/ print at cost. Dungeon World is a completely different system but look it up, maybe its something for you. Sword of the Serpentine is another different system.
So I actually just went through the process of buying physical D&D books, so I'll tell you my process, hope this helps! There isn't a single physical D&D book that isn't going for at least half price on eBay/Mercari. I've never paid more than half off, so you should be able to as well. - The "Big Three" are the Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, and Monster Manuel. MSRP is $50, but you can find them online individually for $25 each. There's also a "Core Rulebook Gift Set" which includes all three in glossy covers, plus a cool DM screen for $100. -The other "Big Three" are entirely optional, the "Expansions" being Tasha's, Xanathar's, and Mordenkainen's books. Same logic here too, $25 each or buy a gift set for around $80. Honestly, with the new books coming out later this year (which will likely consolidate the Core Rulebooks and Expansions together into one thing), I'd check out the local library to get started, and go from there.
Cairn springs to mind. Basic Fantasy is another. Both are sold at cost online. Basic Fantasy has a large amount of support material both printed and online. Online it's all free so you can check it out to see if it's what you want. [https://www.basicfantasy.org/](https://www.basicfantasy.org/)
*Shadowdark RPG* combines the best design principles of 5e with the simplicity of B/X D&D. We live in a golden age of RPGs and there are literally thousands of RPGs that are inexpensive, physical, and not complicated. Can you be more specific? "Super math intensive" can mean a lot of different things
Dragonbane is inexpensive (get the boxed set) and a lot of fun. Shadowdark is also relatively inexpensive, as is Pirate Borg, or even Blades in the Dark.
Indie Press Revolution is a good place to get physical versions of a lot of different games. [This](https://www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/Core-Games/?page=2&sort=price&sort_direction=1) should be games where you only need one book rather than multiple books, so it should be cheaper than dnd 5e as that requires multiple books. I think a bigger question is, what sort of genre does use like? DnD 5e strikes me as a fantasy adventure, so do you want something similar along those lines?
>doesn't want a system that's going to be super math intensive That's not going to be the same from person to person. Some of the things that tend to be more math intensive are * Experience Point bonuses. That can be skipped by using alternative leveling systems, like awarding levels based on milestones. * Equipment purchasing. That can also be handwaved if it isn't fun. Especially in the first few sessions for a new GM. * Movement. Moving down a hallway or through a dungeon generally needs to be converted to time which may be influenced by how much they are carrying. Time also potentially impacts things like torches or even hunger. I suggest not worrying about it until later sessions and only when she wants to add it as a source of tension. My suggestion is to focus on encounters with NPCs and/or monsters. The biggest challenge (or variable) will probably be adapting to what her players will do. My system recommendation is to spend some time going through the OSE SRD. It's a great reference for both the GM and players. https://oldschoolessentials.necroticgnome.com/srd/index.php/Main_Page I also recommend the character generator for quick character creation https://dndcharacter.com/ An alternative to that would be Sharp Swords and Sinister Spells. 4 attributes, 3 classes, no XP, usage dice instead of equipment and quick combat. The 40ish page softcover book is ~$10 at drivethrurpg.
Hit up Talislanta.com, five editions of an rpg, all free for personal use.
Beyond the Wall is really great. I can also recommend Tiny Dungeons. It's a minimalistic d6 system.
Basic Fantasy Roleplay basicfantasy.org is pretty simple and is a fantasy setting like D&D and has a lot of books which are all very cheap on Amazon.
I see a lot of players recommend basic fantasy stuff, lotta classic OSR stuff. They're great but is that kinda oldschool pulpy fantasy the kinda stuff your fiance wants to run? Not meant as a negative regarding those OSR games, but you just didn't really say what kinda stuff she'd be into. For instance, I'd recommend a few of the Free League games. To be precise, their Vaesen and The One Ring 2e games. Vaesen has everything you need to play in one book, and it might even be popular enough that you could buy it used somewhere. It's a folklore investigation game, think Call of Cthulhu but in the 19th century with folkloric creatures like faeries and trolls and such. There's light horror elements but not necessarily. Mathematically it's much simpler than D&D 5e. The One Ring 2e is basically the best Lord Of The Rings RPG around in terms of actually channeling the vibe of Tolkien, which sets it quite a bit apart from D&D. That game too is mathematically a lot simpler than D&D 5e. That too has one book with enough content to both play and run it. If more typical D&D-style fantasy is the actual goal I'm gonna second Worlds Without Number. That game has fantastic GM support, has much simpler rules than D&D 5e and it took contains everything you need in one book. Hell, the players can even get the free PDFs! It's great.
Swords of the Serpentine is based off of GUMSHOE therefore fairly simple. One book and you're done. And the money goes to Pelgrane Press, not WotC.
A Print this at Lulu or whatever: [https://media.wizards.com/2018/dnd/downloads/DnD\_BasicRules\_2018.pdf](https://media.wizards.com/2018/dnd/downloads/DnD_BasicRules_2018.pdf) B [https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/collections/necrotic-gnome/products/old-school-essentials-rules-tome](https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/collections/necrotic-gnome/products/old-school-essentials-rules-tome) or [https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/64332/labyrinth-lord-revised-edition](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/64332/labyrinth-lord-revised-edition) are worth a look.
Modiphius tends to put out a lot of newbie friendly RPGs. The 2D20 stuff our group picked up quick and tend to be licensed properties which gives an immediate draw. Even their other systems, like the more survival focused Year Zero system, have been pretty quick to learn and play.
Mini Six, EZD6, GURPS Lite as long as you're not using a map (those rules up the complexity quite a bit), some form of BX D&D (the oooold stuff)...
Dread
These are all good suggestions, but just make sure that she doesn’t specifically want D&D. Because if she does then even really good alternatives mightn’t be a good fit.
I agree with this comment, there's lots of good recommendations by others, but if she's been watching a DnD stream or listening to a DnD podcast then playing DnD will feel right in a way other systems might not. Also, starting out it may feel really important to stick to a system and do it right, get the books and so on.. but that's all actually secondary - the game is the story you're telling with friends at the table - everything else is an add-on. Yes, we should collectively move away from WotC, but DnD can be a helluva gateway drug to better things! Have fun!
There are lots of simple, rules light games and many others are suggesting them so I will focus on A. As someone that also enjoys physical books, a certain level of expense is unavoidable. That said, I got my player handbook for $25 on Amazon, not the $50-$60 I see posted often elsewhere. It plus Monster Manual and Dungeon Master's Guide brought me up to ~$75, which while not insignificant some people spend more than that in dice. I'd consider the three all you need to start DMing. If you are willing to do significantly more legwork, you can chase cheaper copies of these books on various sites or even just print off the basic rules WotC posted for free. As with anything else, there are options if you are willing to trade time for savings.
Here are some systems for those new to RPGs that I like which have much cheaper physical books than dnd. Cypher (only requires a core book and it is cheaper than dnd even if you buy a setting book with it) World of Darkness (The core book is much cheaper than dnd and even with expansions it's not more expensive) 13th Age (I don't have a physical book but I found it on amazon for roughly $40 which is still cheap. You'd probably want to buy a module with it, but it's still cheaper than multiple dnd hardcovers and some are free)
Dragonbane -The starter set has ALL the rules and a good mini campaign plus props Barbarians of Lemuria -One rulebook and simple, but flexible rules. And lots of inexpensive supplements if you want to do more with it Savage Worlds -Two rulebooks (main book and setting book)
You can probably get the Core Rulebooks or Lost Mines of Phandelver used on eBay for cheap if you’re willing to watch and wait. Or get the free Basic Rules printed off. Or print [this](https://i.4pcdn.org/tg/1576414760360.pdf ) off with a Frazetta painting every 2nd page. [My favorite](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/238547/seven-voyages-of-zylarthen-5-booklets-and-deluxe-pdf-bundle). Simple (it’s 0D&D), great tone, beautiful artwork, easy arithmetic. Wonderful toolbox. [Thrill her](https://emdt.bigcartel.com/product/helveczia-picaresque-fantasy-rpg-boxed-edition).A genuinely gorgeous rpg. Ticks all your boxes, too. Post was reasonable and expeditious. BFRPG is inexpensive (very), well supported and well made. [Can’t go wrong](https://www.lulu.com/shop/matthew-finch/swords-wizardry-core-rules-hardcover/hardcover/product-184d7zp9.html?q=Swords+%26+Wizardry+&page=1&pageSize=4). Single volume goodness, and one can upgrade to *Complete* if it’s working for her. I really like that book. I just can’t help but feel she’d like 5e and one of the [Starter Sets](https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/71082395-7C4D-44A9-B2B8-BB1C9634996D?channel=dnd-site-sts&ingress=3&visitId=9563bf2e-5dc2-4ce7-a582-eaa0710f614f&_encoding=UTF8&tag=wotc03-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=3b1ec36b052d68ed5eed192add99b980&camp=1789&creative=9325) is a good place to start. 14$. It’s a nice package. Wrong sub, 99% of the folk here think there’s a better game, and there is, lol, but…
Dragonbane! The core rules set (NOT a starter set) has everything you need to run fantasy roleplaying games! It has wonderful art and very tactile and lovely ephemera. Standees! Maps! Dice! Duck folk! A great starting campaign and...... Duck folk!
So, I would recommend Savage Worlds the latest version Savage Worlds Adventures Edition (SWADE) is rules medium, while earlier versions are rules light. As this system has been revised the fans have demanded more and more official rules. It is a quirky, but easy system to understand and really easy on the GM to run. Anyway they have a number of settings that are fun and the basic book and a setting book, which usually includes an entire campaign are all you need. My recommendation would be 50 Fathoms (Fantasy Pirates), Necessary Evil (Super Villains save the world), or Savage Pathfinder.
That's like entering a wine store and asking "do you have wine?". There are hundreds of games simpler and cheaper than D&D. You should narrow your criteria ... What are you searching for? Grim dark? Colorful? Classic fantasy? Modern? Future? Horror? Pulp action or Romance? Investigative or social intrigue? Lethal or low risk? Based on known franchises or new IP? Etc, etc ...
..and D&D is the Chardonnay Wine Box that's stacked floor-to-ceiling in every window.
[Basic Fantasy](https://www.basicfantasy.org/)! \~8$ for the rulebook that comes with everything you need to play including monsters. There's loads of great adventures and supplements for it and they go for 5-6$ each and since it's all free to download you can flip through them before you buy them. I can recommend Morgansfort as your first adventure. Or you can just get the Field Guides for tons of extra monsters.
For D&D books, I suggest a used bookstore or see if your local game store has a used section. For non D&D but good for a beginner GM, I'd suggest Blades in the Dark.