I am new to this forum and was looking for some information on how to run a very very basic campaign for my Son. He recently found Dungeons and Dragons through Youtube and asked me if we could play. He is young but clever for his age (8), so I said I would see what was out there. I purchased the starter set and the essentials kits but it looks like those campaigns require multiple players. I was thinking of having him play multiple characters but I think that would be too much for him. I then stumbled across this site, and it looks to be the future of playing. I have also watched a few recent D&D live events where DM's were using Tablets or Laptops and I can only assume they are running the Campaigns using D&D Beyond.
So my question is, is there a way to run a Solo Campaign for a character level 1 - 5? I would likely have him play a Cleric or another class that has some sustainability, but was wondering if there are any beginner friendly Campaigns I could run him through so we could get used to playing and then gradually start adding friends/family to our game.
Er - solo campaigns for a character level 1. Usually I would recommend lost mines of phandelvers which is free in this site in sources, but at least three players are needed for it. But I have no idea about any campaign for solo players.
Your not strictly speaking looking for SOLO play D&D that really would just be your son playing & running the Adventure by himself via a book/adventure written as such most likely with "turn to page X if you take the left fork turn to page Y if you take the right fork" style. The DM's Guild has lots to offer (at a price) less free stuff here is a link to a quick search I did for "SOLO" "5E" "free/pay what you want" -> DD-Solo-Adventure-The-Tortured-Land-Taster
As you have the starter set and the essentials kit and a D&D Beyond account (I think) you have the physical adventure DoIP (Dragon of Icespire Peak) the digital LMoP (lost Mines of Phandelver) adventure -> https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/lmop
Both of these are starter adventures for DM's and Players alike, can you play them with one DM and only one player? I think the answer to that is yes but it will require you the DM to adjust combat encounters and make some NPC's available to help your son's PC on his quest... this can be quite a fun thing for the DM as you get to do some in party role play banter and such though it comes with its pitfalls ie DM getting into a DMPC and stealing the limelight from the actual player exetra... but I think it's it definitely can be a load of fun for you and your son though it's arguably more work for you.
I ran LMoP (Lost Mines of Phandelver) for 2 players as my first D&D 5e and worried myself silly about "balance" and ran two accompanying fully rolled out DMPC's I really needn't have. one NPC and adjusting the encounters would have easily sufficed and still given me the DM the RP enjoyment and interaction in the adventuring party
*note when I say NPC I mean in the sense like Veteran or Scout or Knight
“It cannot be seen, cannot be felt, Cannot be heard, cannot be smelt, It lies behind stars and under hills, And empty holes it fills, It comes first and follows after, Ends life, kills laughter.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
I agree with having at least one NPC accompany him on his journey. You can make this sidekick whatever you want. Maybe a Warforged Fighter type who can't speak? Eliminates any help in social or puzzling encounters you face. As DM, you are in control, so stripping down a module for 3-4 should be workable. Fewer monsters, ignore any challenges/encounters/situations that are near to or entirely impossible for a solo and his sidekick.
You have a huge amount of control as DM, so using a pre written adventure as a guide and adjusting encounters to suit (you could even just lower HP and AC of enemies, making him feel super powerful) and keep the adventure rolling. Only you truly know the Dire Wolf that he just killed with an 8 point bonk from his mace, while down to 3 HP himself, had 24 left, right? DM determines what can and can't happen. Have fun with your son, I hope you both fall in love with D&D like the rest of us have.
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Talk to your Players.Talk to your DM. If more people used this advice, there would be 24.74% fewer threads on Tactics, Rules and DM discussions.
Wow. I didn't think I would get responses this fast! I would like to thank each of you personally. Yes, I am a long time fan of Dungeons & Dragons, although I haven't played since I was a teenager. I will take all of the info you just passed along to me and in turn pass the fun and adventure of D&D on to him. Thanks for all of your help!
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Greetings,
I am new to this forum and was looking for some information on how to run a very very basic campaign for my Son. He recently found Dungeons and Dragons through Youtube and asked me if we could play. He is young but clever for his age (8), so I said I would see what was out there. I purchased the starter set and the essentials kits but it looks like those campaigns require multiple players. I was thinking of having him play multiple characters but I think that would be too much for him. I then stumbled across this site, and it looks to be the future of playing. I have also watched a few recent D&D live events where DM's were using Tablets or Laptops and I can only assume they are running the Campaigns using D&D Beyond.
So my question is, is there a way to run a Solo Campaign for a character level 1 - 5? I would likely have him play a Cleric or another class that has some sustainability, but was wondering if there are any beginner friendly Campaigns I could run him through so we could get used to playing and then gradually start adding friends/family to our game.
Any help/guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Mordakane Madness
Er - solo campaigns for a character level 1. Usually I would recommend lost mines of phandelvers which is free in this site in sources, but at least three players are needed for it. But I have no idea about any campaign for solo players.
There are a number of videos in this series that can help you design your own campaign to suit your needs:
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Your not strictly speaking looking for SOLO play D&D that really would just be your son playing & running the Adventure by himself via a book/adventure written as such most likely with "turn to page X if you take the left fork turn to page Y if you take the right fork" style.
The DM's Guild has lots to offer (at a price) less free stuff here is a link to a quick search I did for "SOLO" "5E" "free/pay what you want" -> DD-Solo-Adventure-The-Tortured-Land-Taster
As you have the starter set and the essentials kit and a D&D Beyond account (I think) you have the physical adventure DoIP (Dragon of Icespire Peak) the digital LMoP (lost Mines of Phandelver) adventure -> https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/lmop
Both of these are starter adventures for DM's and Players alike, can you play them with one DM and only one player? I think the answer to that is yes but it will require you the DM to adjust combat encounters and make some NPC's available to help your son's PC on his quest... this can be quite a fun thing for the DM as you get to do some in party role play banter and such though it comes with its pitfalls ie DM getting into a DMPC and stealing the limelight from the actual player exetra... but I think it's it definitely can be a load of fun for you and your son though it's arguably more work for you.
I ran LMoP (Lost Mines of Phandelver) for 2 players as my first D&D 5e and worried myself silly about "balance" and ran two accompanying fully rolled out DMPC's I really needn't have. one NPC and adjusting the encounters would have easily sufficed and still given me the DM the RP enjoyment and interaction in the adventuring party
*note when I say NPC I mean in the sense like Veteran or Scout or Knight
As a starting DM I highly recommend Sly Flourish stuff I found and find it invaluable -> https://slyflourish.com/
Particularly relevant to your question -> balancing_combat_for_one_on_one and dials_of_monster_difficulty
Also this site will probably be very helpful -> https://dndduet.com/
I do hope that is helpful wishing you all the best
“It cannot be seen, cannot be felt, Cannot be heard, cannot be smelt, It lies behind stars and under hills, And empty holes it fills, It comes first and follows after, Ends life, kills laughter.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
I agree with having at least one NPC accompany him on his journey. You can make this sidekick whatever you want. Maybe a Warforged Fighter type who can't speak? Eliminates any help in social or puzzling encounters you face. As DM, you are in control, so stripping down a module for 3-4 should be workable. Fewer monsters, ignore any challenges/encounters/situations that are near to or entirely impossible for a solo and his sidekick.
You have a huge amount of control as DM, so using a pre written adventure as a guide and adjusting encounters to suit (you could even just lower HP and AC of enemies, making him feel super powerful) and keep the adventure rolling. Only you truly know the Dire Wolf that he just killed with an 8 point bonk from his mace, while down to 3 HP himself, had 24 left, right? DM determines what can and can't happen. Have fun with your son, I hope you both fall in love with D&D like the rest of us have.
Talk to your Players. Talk to your DM. If more people used this advice, there would be 24.74% fewer threads on Tactics, Rules and DM discussions.
Wow. I didn't think I would get responses this fast! I would like to thank each of you personally. Yes, I am a long time fan of Dungeons & Dragons, although I haven't played since I was a teenager. I will take all of the info you just passed along to me and in turn pass the fun and adventure of D&D on to him. Thanks for all of your help!