I know that this should all be done in a group setting for optimal enjoyment. However as I am still looking to join a group (returning player from 20-25 yr hiatus, Lol), is it OK to run through a campaign on your own, until you find group? Is this even possible? and if so how can I do this? Thank you in advance...
I know that this should all be done in a group setting for optimal enjoyment. However as I am still looking to join a group (returning player from 20-25 yr hiatus, Lol), is it OK to run through a campaign on your own, until you find group? Is this even possible? and if so how can I do this? Thank you in advance...
It will be hard, but possible
I would recommend looking for a new player friendly group that's kinda laid back on here or discord
Running a campaign by yourself is basically just writing a story.
To be fair? There's nothing wrong with that. Sit down, build a character, invent a story start, and write out what your character does. When they come to an action they should take, roll the appropriate check/save/attack/whatevs, note the result, and write that into your story. Use the rules and the dice to guide the tale you're writing and have some fun with it. Not only is it a decent way to pick up the basics and polish off some of that rust, it's a cool creative writing exercise, to boot.
I honestly don't know how a one-man run through a prewritten module would work. At that point you're reading the adventure as you play it and hoping to DM for yourself. Either you're reading the module and thus know how the story is designed to go and what all the secret twists and turns are, or you're not reading the module and...thus don't know what it is/how to use it.
I suppose at that point it's more like a choose-your-own-adventure book. Read the module until it says to make a roll, make the roll, see if that's enough. if yes, continue. if not, see if the module covers failure. if it does, do that instead. Not really much creativity or play involved, but maybe as you go along you'll find something cool in the method that I can't foresee.
I'm going to provide solo 5e adventures you run online, but I'm going to do a lot of things that are going to take a while before I can complete them lol.
i have NO idea how these work or if they work or If I am even sending you the right thing. But I went on DMsguild.com and just typed “solo” into the search bar. Might try one myself actually lol
I would think the real problem would be porting your solo character into someone else’s game. Assuming that’s not a worry, go nuts.
The reason I DM is that the process of writing has a lot of similarities with playing D&D by oneself. And at the end, I have something to share with friends.
The reason I DM is that the process of writing has a lot of similarities with playing D&D by oneself. And at the end, I have something to share with friends.
lol Tim I completely agree. Sometimes I have more fun just creating the adventure.
I actually do it to prepare to DM adventures. Read through the book, roll up a party, and lead yourself through it. You have to be careful not to metagame which is difficult, but it helps me realize stuff in the adventure I might not have picked up on during the read through.
I know that this should all be done in a group setting for optimal enjoyment. However as I am still looking to join a group (returning player from 20-25 yr hiatus, Lol), is it OK to run through a campaign on your own, until you find group? Is this even possible? and if so how can I do this? Thank you in advance...
For story, inspiration, and entertainment, read through any D&D books you have.
For actual play, there's at least a dozen or more absolutely amazing solo boardgames out there that will scratch your fantasy, geek, dragons itch. A solo game of Mage Knight can last hours and on occasion can be more fun than a 5 person D&D game. Look to boardgames if you're stuck to go it alone for the moment.
I just finished a solo run of The Lost Mines of Phandelver with a 3 PC party (using an oracle in the place of a DM)and it was a pretty awesome experience.
I definitely do "solo run-throughs" of encounters or adventures I am planning to run as a DM. It gives me practice with the monsters and the exact setting the encounter(s) will take place in. Not the same as "really" playing, but it's still fun and helps make me a better player and DM.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Lord Kilgore was last seen entering the Lost Caverns some years ago...
I just finished a solo run of The Lost Mines of Phandelver with a 3 PC party (using an oracle in the place of a DM)and it was a pretty awesome experience.
I'm looking through the site for ideas. What do you mean by using an oracle in place of a DM?
I played one of the solo adventures from dmsguild. They work like the books of "choose your own adeventure". You play with your DnD character and do the rolls as usual, you follow the text and make decisions and rolls that will lead you to different pages.
I find this works better than running a normal adventure solo, because you get the same feeling of not knowing what it will happe n next.
Somebody above recommended solo boardgames and this works even better. I own Sword&Sorcery and Tainted Grail and they are excellent solo experiences, this is the closest feeling to play RPG you will get playing alone.
I know that this should all be done in a group setting for optimal enjoyment. However as I am still looking to join a group (returning player from 20-25 yr hiatus, Lol), is it OK to run through a campaign on your own, until you find group? Is this even possible? and if so how can I do this? Thank you in advance...
It will be hard, but possible
I would recommend looking for a new player friendly group that's kinda laid back on here or discord
Running a campaign by yourself is basically just writing a story.
To be fair? There's nothing wrong with that. Sit down, build a character, invent a story start, and write out what your character does. When they come to an action they should take, roll the appropriate check/save/attack/whatevs, note the result, and write that into your story. Use the rules and the dice to guide the tale you're writing and have some fun with it. Not only is it a decent way to pick up the basics and polish off some of that rust, it's a cool creative writing exercise, to boot.
Why you shouldn't start ANOTHER thread about DDB not giving away free redeems on your hardcopy book purchases.
Thinking of starting ANOTHER thread asking why Epic Boons haven't been implemented? Read this first to learn why you shouldn't!
Thanks...
What if I use one of the ready made adventures like the free 'Frozen Sick or Wildemount: Dark Star' ?
I honestly don't know how a one-man run through a prewritten module would work. At that point you're reading the adventure as you play it and hoping to DM for yourself. Either you're reading the module and thus know how the story is designed to go and what all the secret twists and turns are, or you're not reading the module and...thus don't know what it is/how to use it.
I suppose at that point it's more like a choose-your-own-adventure book. Read the module until it says to make a roll, make the roll, see if that's enough. if yes, continue. if not, see if the module covers failure. if it does, do that instead. Not really much creativity or play involved, but maybe as you go along you'll find something cool in the method that I can't foresee.
Why you shouldn't start ANOTHER thread about DDB not giving away free redeems on your hardcopy book purchases.
Thinking of starting ANOTHER thread asking why Epic Boons haven't been implemented? Read this first to learn why you shouldn't!
I'm going to provide solo 5e adventures you run online, but I'm going to do a lot of things that are going to take a while before I can complete them lol.
i have NO idea how these work or if they work or If I am even sending you the right thing. But I went on DMsguild.com and just typed “solo” into the search bar. Might try one myself actually lol
https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?filters=0_0_45393_0_0_0_0_0&keywords=Solo&src=fid45393
I would think the real problem would be porting your solo character into someone else’s game. Assuming that’s not a worry, go nuts.
The reason I DM is that the process of writing has a lot of similarities with playing D&D by oneself. And at the end, I have something to share with friends.
lol Tim I completely agree. Sometimes I have more fun just creating the adventure.
I agree with what you are all saying...Thanks (especially CozmoTheGrey for the cool website assist)...
I actually do it to prepare to DM adventures. Read through the book, roll up a party, and lead yourself through it. You have to be careful not to metagame which is difficult, but it helps me realize stuff in the adventure I might not have picked up on during the read through.
For story, inspiration, and entertainment, read through any D&D books you have.
For actual play, there's at least a dozen or more absolutely amazing solo boardgames out there that will scratch your fantasy, geek, dragons itch. A solo game of Mage Knight can last hours and on occasion can be more fun than a 5 person D&D game. Look to boardgames if you're stuck to go it alone for the moment.
All things Lich - DM tips, tricks, and other creative shenanigans
Good to know MayhemIsEverywhere...
Hadn't thought of actual board games, Thanks Jacked_Goblin...
The solo RPG community is actually pretty large. You can get help starting out here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Solo_Roleplaying/
I just finished a solo run of The Lost Mines of Phandelver with a 3 PC party (using an oracle in the place of a DM)and it was a pretty awesome experience.
I definitely do "solo run-throughs" of encounters or adventures I am planning to run as a DM. It gives me practice with the monsters and the exact setting the encounter(s) will take place in. Not the same as "really" playing, but it's still fun and helps make me a better player and DM.
Lord Kilgore was last seen entering the Lost Caverns some years ago...
I'm looking through the site for ideas. What do you mean by using an oracle in place of a DM?
I played one of the solo adventures from dmsguild. They work like the books of "choose your own adeventure". You play with your DnD character and do the rolls as usual, you follow the text and make decisions and rolls that will lead you to different pages.
I find this works better than running a normal adventure solo, because you get the same feeling of not knowing what it will happe n next.
Somebody above recommended solo boardgames and this works even better. I own Sword&Sorcery and Tainted Grail and they are excellent solo experiences, this is the closest feeling to play RPG you will get playing alone.
Playing with yourself can be fun sometimes. Try a Fighting Fantasy game book. They’re pretty cool.