Base game vs Timber, new players

[mqstout]

If you're just starting with it, I find still the original base game the best. Why? Because it has a couple of the fewest-moving-parts scenarios and fewer tempting advanced rules to lure you into using them right away.

That said, TP does streamline the writing of the rules a little bit (and brings one of the previously-scenario-specific-and-often-mis-understood optional rules and make it part of every game). If you can't find LNOE easily enough, go for TP and just train yourself to hold back on the advanced elements longer.