In WFRP the characters progress through a number of careers. In order to do so, they must earn enough experience points, learn the correct skills and obtain the needed Trappings (equipment). Characters start weak, but can eventually become powerful after taking the advances from two or more Advance Schemes. The only thing you need to think about in preparation for character creation is race: human, dwarf, elf, halfling or gnome. There is very little possible min/maxing. Class (a generalization of several careers) will be chosen based upon how well you roll for characteristics. Your Starting Career is rolled randomly upon the appropriate Class table (Rogue, Warrior, Ranger and Academic).

Your most important numbers to remember are your characteristics. Here is a list of what they are, abbreviation, range and use:

    Movement-M. determines speed. Range is normally 1 to 10.
    Weapon Skill-WS. Used for melee attacks. Percentile based
    Ballistic Skill-BS. Used for missile weapons. Percentile.
    Strength-S. I bet you can guess. 1 to 10.
    Toughness-T. Ability to resist damage. It is deducted from damage inflicted. 1 to 10.
    Wounds-W. Hit Points. 1 or more. Average is 6.
    initiative. Who goes first. Percentile.
    Attacks-A. Number of attacks. 1+.
    Dexterity-Dex. Agility. Percentile.
    Leadership-Ld. Charisma, but more useful. Percentile.
    Intelligence-Int. Percentile.
    Cool-Cl. Can you keep your sanity in the face of madness? Percentile.
    Will Power-WP. It's will power folks. Percentile.
    Fellowship-Fel. Social skills, appearance, and ability to get on with people. Percentile.
 

The rules are based upon percentile skill checks which in turn are based upon the characteristics of the character. That's about all that is needed to be known.

The setting is of course based upon the world of Warhammer Fantasy Battles. It is a grim world. Chaos Beasts will tear out your throat, secret cults infest the cities, Skaven armies hide in plain sight. Magic is rare, and those who use are often hunted by witch hunters and burned at the steak. There is a definite Lovecraftian influence on the setting (hence I like it).

Players often learn a hard lesson about combat. Too often, they jump in all gung-ho from too many years of DnD. There characters end up missing limbs, insane and eventually dead. Combat is VERY nasty in WFRP. The smart player will use combat as a last resort. For those characters that don't die, there are insanity points. Collect too many and you go nuts.

Careful kids. It's a dangerous world out there.