I'm new to DnD 5e and wanted to try getting into it along with my girlfriend. She doesn't have as much free-time as i do so finding a group to start a proper campaign with isn't an option for her atm so I was thinking that I would try being a DM and running a campaign where she is the PC. It would be just the two of us.
I know it's possible to have just 1 PC run a short campaign with the right DM, but I was wondering if I could make things more interesting by adding a "DMPC". To avoid some of the issues I've read about regarding DMPCs I've had the idea that the DMPC helping her would be some sort of magical familiar or intelligent animal companion that only her PC could communicate with instead of a full character that could make important decisions. I'd be essentially giving her a BG3 companion to help with combat but much less powerful.
What do you folks think about this idea?
If you like the idea, what animal, monster, or magical entity should I use? What restrictions should I put on the DMPC?
In terms of combat ability, I think you're better off with a full power player-character. Really, it's combat that you need the extra character for, and that means having a powerful one. You may not want one that eclipses her character, but I wouldn't go for a familiar or low level creature. We do full Player-Characters, but I don't really play them in the social encounters and my wife make the big decisions, deal with social encounters and so forth. I just mostly act as a meatshield, provide buffs and give some extra firepower.
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If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Just a suggestion on frames of mind - instead of running a DMPC think about it like a single player video game RPG story. You can run "Companions" who are useful, and add to the story.
If you want the animal companion idea to work, I'd suggest looking at the sidelick rules in Tashas, that can be applied to any creature to make a sidekick.
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'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
Great tips in this vid, especially the need for the DM to create some sort of "sounding board" for the player since the single player doesn't have other parties to deliberate with:
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Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
In terms of combat ability, I think you're better off with a full power player-character. Really, it's combat that you need the extra character for, and that means having a powerful one. You may not want one that eclipses her character, but I wouldn't go for a familiar or low level creature. We do full Player-Characters, but I don't really play them in the social encounters and my wife make the big decisions, deal with social encounters and so forth. I just mostly act as a meatshield, provide buffs and give some extra firepower.
What if I use a higher level monster or animal like an Owl Bear or Displacer Beast and then just scale it's power to always matcher her PC's power.
I feel like it would be really weird to have something like and Elf, Human, or even a goblin travel with her and never say a single thing to other characters. Unless the character is both mute and unwilling to socialize. That's why I figured it would be better to make the companion into an animal or monster.
I have had tons of fun playing a 2 person campaign with my SO. She does all the main talking to NPCs but likes to RP with me as I'm running a secondary character in the party, too. I've found these folks have some solid advice for a duet campaign:
I like the animal companion route. That way, you have a non-DM way of interacting with her character. And the more developed that animal companion is, the greater the potential from both a combat and RP perspective. That said, with a single person, she might burn through content fast, so plan for say, at least level 10, if not, there, to level 15. Maybe even have a planned sequel?
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Enjoy your slop. I'll be enjoying good products elsewhere.
Depending on how much inter party interaction you want to do either a sidekick (warrior) or a decent animal companion can work. The trick is really getting to about Level 3, then single hits generally don’t threaten death and the lead PC is starting to get solid AC, weapons/spells and can last thru more than one confrontation each day. Perhaps the best all around single character is a Fey wanderer ranger (focus on Dex, wis and charisma ) they can fight, cast spells ( starting at L2) and get persuasion or deception ( your choice) for charisma based interactions. Add a warrior sidekick that lets her do the talking ( or a solid combat animal) and your ready to go.
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Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
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Hey there,
I'm new to DnD 5e and wanted to try getting into it along with my girlfriend. She doesn't have as much free-time as i do so finding a group to start a proper campaign with isn't an option for her atm so I was thinking that I would try being a DM and running a campaign where she is the PC. It would be just the two of us.
I know it's possible to have just 1 PC run a short campaign with the right DM, but I was wondering if I could make things more interesting by adding a "DMPC". To avoid some of the issues I've read about regarding DMPCs I've had the idea that the DMPC helping her would be some sort of magical familiar or intelligent animal companion that only her PC could communicate with instead of a full character that could make important decisions. I'd be essentially giving her a BG3 companion to help with combat but much less powerful.
What do you folks think about this idea?
If you like the idea, what animal, monster, or magical entity should I use? What restrictions should I put on the DMPC?
In terms of combat ability, I think you're better off with a full power player-character. Really, it's combat that you need the extra character for, and that means having a powerful one. You may not want one that eclipses her character, but I wouldn't go for a familiar or low level creature. We do full Player-Characters, but I don't really play them in the social encounters and my wife make the big decisions, deal with social encounters and so forth. I just mostly act as a meatshield, provide buffs and give some extra firepower.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Just a suggestion on frames of mind - instead of running a DMPC think about it like a single player video game RPG story. You can run "Companions" who are useful, and add to the story.
Essentially, do what Baldur's Gate 3 is doing :)
If you want the animal companion idea to work, I'd suggest looking at the sidelick rules in Tashas, that can be applied to any creature to make a sidekick.
'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
I'll worldbuild for your DnD games!
Just a D&D enjoyer, check out my fiverr page if you need any worldbuilding done for ya!
Great tips in this vid, especially the need for the DM to create some sort of "sounding board" for the player since the single player doesn't have other parties to deliberate with:
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
What if I use a higher level monster or animal like an Owl Bear or Displacer Beast and then just scale it's power to always matcher her PC's power.
I feel like it would be really weird to have something like and Elf, Human, or even a goblin travel with her and never say a single thing to other characters. Unless the character is both mute and unwilling to socialize. That's why I figured it would be better to make the companion into an animal or monster.
I have had tons of fun playing a 2 person campaign with my SO. She does all the main talking to NPCs but likes to RP with me as I'm running a secondary character in the party, too. I've found these folks have some solid advice for a duet campaign:
https://dndduet.com/
I like the animal companion route. That way, you have a non-DM way of interacting with her character. And the more developed that animal companion is, the greater the potential from both a combat and RP perspective. That said, with a single person, she might burn through content fast, so plan for say, at least level 10, if not, there, to level 15. Maybe even have a planned sequel?
Enjoy your slop. I'll be enjoying good products elsewhere.
Depending on how much inter party interaction you want to do either a sidekick (warrior) or a decent animal companion can work. The trick is really getting to about Level 3, then single hits generally don’t threaten death and the lead PC is starting to get solid AC, weapons/spells and can last thru more than one confrontation each day. Perhaps the best all around single character is a Fey wanderer ranger (focus on Dex, wis and charisma ) they can fight, cast spells ( starting at L2) and get persuasion or deception ( your choice) for charisma based interactions. Add a warrior sidekick that lets her do the talking ( or a solid combat animal) and your ready to go.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.