Starting Solo Campaign Tips?

I love DnD but can't get a group/party and don't like online. I have nothing but determination, cosplay, and dice. Have no idea where to start - have looked at articles but either I'm too mentally special to understand, or not enough 'tism to understand. HELP. All I want is to play DnD, and have fun without it giving me a mental breakdown encounter. I have little to no experience and don't have resources to spend any money - currently unemployed but trying to get a job that accommodates for my needs. Any advice would be great. 

I love DnD but can't get a group/party and don't like online. I have nothing but determination, cosplay, and dice. Have no idea where to start - have looked at articles but either I'm too mentally special to understand, or not enough 'tism to understand. HELP. All I want is to play DnD, and have fun without it giving me a mental breakdown encounter. I have little to no experience and don't have resources to spend any money - currently unemployed but trying to get a job that accommodates for my needs. Any advice would be great (please be very black or white/clear with advice, I'm a young adult with limited social skills just trying to have some fun that doesn't cost an arm and a leg)

If you're looking to learn the rules without having to start with basically a couple textbooks worth of reading, I'd recommend watching some actual play games on YouTube. Critical Role is the biggest name, but their average episode length is 4 hours and their campaigns sail past 100 episodes. They do have some good "how to play" videos from a few years ago in their Handbooker Helper playlist. For more bite-size content, watch the first few episodes of the Oxventurer's Guild (starring ever-suffering Johnny Chiodinni as they DM for the folks from Outside Xbox and Outside Xtra). If you tune in for their first adventure - the Spicy Rat Caper - you'll see four complete novices get acquainted with the game for the first time. Or jump forward to their newer Wyrdwood campaign to see them learn the updated rules for 2024.

If you're looking more for a "jump in and learn with other people" experience, check in with your local library. Many libraries host D&D groups that play at the library or have resources to get in touch with people in your community who play. Plus, it's a good excuse to get your library card renewed and take advantage of the other services they offer.

If you're bound and determined to play solo, there are resources out there for you. Off the top of my head I don't know of any solo play content in any of the official 5th Edition products, but you should be able to find solo content on DMs Guild (www.dmsguild.com), possibly even for the low low price of free.

Thank you so much. I will check out those youtube videos. And yes, I am determined to play Solo - It's not my first choice, but if i want to play DnD, it's my only choice for my foreseeable future), but I will check out my local library when I have the capacity to (unfortunately is not very often for me). 

I have no idea where to start. i just want to play dnd. i want: a dm to set up everything and I just play my part, to not have to spend any money and to not just play online somehow. is that too much to ask for? i have no friends. dont want to join groups because i want to stay anonymous and not have 'set play times' because i have difficult needs and im not predicable at all. i want to play a dnd campaign with at most, message/text form of communication. Im getting very overwhelmed and confused. im a young adult, unemployed, has many appointments a week, every week. i've always loved the idea of dnd. i have a set of dice. i enjoy anything creative and my day-to-day clothing is basically a low budget druid cosplay. im rambling, but i just need some clear, black and white information because I have no friends, no experience, and am losing my mind. sorry, but i have no money and just want to play DnD :(

What you're looking for doesn't sound insurmountable.

First, have a read through the basic rules. They have everything you need to get started, for free.

Second, I'd suggest looking in the Play-By-Post forum, which sounds a lot like what you're describing - no set times to play, no need to drop anonymity, and with a message & text-based means of doing so. The games are slower, so don't expect fast-paced action and immediate resolutions to what you're trying to do, but it will get you into the game, and they can run smoothly for a long time due to the lack of scheduling conflicts. Be aware that you'll need to use the in-built dice roller for them rather than real-life dice, as rolling dice and writing what you got is unfortunately too easily abused by people.

If you like what you see in the Play by Post forum, you can post an advert looking to join one in the Looking for Games forum, describing the sort of game you'd like to join, and then take it from there!

To be honest, I think you're going to have to ease up on some of your restrictions. If you're unwilling/unable to play online, and if you're wanting a DM to DM for you, then you'll have to find either a friend or a local group who can provide a DM to do it. Alternatively, you can play solo, which has a learning curve, or play online. 

Personally, I'd normally suggest a different ruleset that lends itself to solo play better, but that would normally cost money (TOR would cost about $25 total - for a PDF CRB and then a PDF booklet that gives you the tools to play it solo, generate your own adventures and spontaneous interactions - but that's still money, even though the ruleset is significantly easier to play solo). You also seem very married to the D&D IP, so I'm not sure TOR, being Lord of the Rings, would be a good match for you. There may be another game that is fairly close to D&D that's well suited to solo play, but I'm not aware of them.

So that leaves you four options:

1. Go to dmsguild.com as ApplePaladin suggests, get some solo adventures and play through those by yourself.

2. Find a local group or friends willing to play with you. I think you'll find it easier than you think to make friends with them, a lot of people have challenges and as a result are actually quite accepting. More than we give them credit for sometimes, I think.

3. Play online. You may have an aversion to it, but something has to give. There is a section here on this website that will help you find an online group. Link to "Looking for Games" forum on dndbeyond.com.

4. Join a "Play by Post" game, as ThorukDuckSlayer suggests. You use a forum similar to this and post your actions and narrative. If you join one, I'm sure you'll be taught exactly how it all works. I've never done it - the style wouldn't mesh with my personality - but I've heard a lot of good things from people who do enjoy them.

To be honest, those are the only feasible options. 

Play-by-Post honestly sounds perfect for what you want.

It’s text-based, anonymous, and there are no fixed play times, so you can reply whenever you have the energy. A DM still runs the story, and you only need to focus on your character.

I’d start there instead of true solo play, because it sounds much closer to the D&D experience you’re looking for.