I have been wanting to DM for a new group and have one player who is willing to play. Do you know of any adventures or have any tips to make this possible? I have run games for people of 5 or so but never this small.
The only tip I can offer is this: the lone player should control his/her character + three or four humanoid NPCs. This way the player controls a "surrogate" party, with minimum bookkeeping.
I feel this is very circumstantial. What story are you trying to tell? Sometimes it is easy to make a lone-wolf type campaign and not run into issues that you would otherwise encounter. If your idea is more tuned for a group, however, I would certainly agree with Filcat: think of how Baldur's Gate did it.
Be careful. A single CR 1/4 can easily kill a single 1st-level character. Just in case, write up a list of possible reasons for victorious enemies to leave the PC alive.
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"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
Have your player play 2 characters. An experienced player could probably handle more. As Dm you could play one or two characters, as well. In my old group, the DM would always have a character, in case we decided to switch up DMing duties.
My wife and I would play solo one shots back when 4e came out, And I run a simple beast hunt for my 5yo. Typically the DM makes a custom “5 room” dungeon and the player runs a PC and a tweaked companion, like a warforged or sutch. Something that’s equally strong as the player but lacking in options.
The one shots are simple and just silly fun, clear out a old keep were a lone goblin has been training nasty attack bats. You face some traps, maybe a puzzle, bats and other simple beasts, then face down the goblin and his giant bat.
Another option we use, both playing PC’s and share a tweaked monster. No DM, we use dice to randomly build the dungeon as we play. We have a few tables for rooms, room features, monsters/traps, and a final big bad (like a small dragon) that we decided on at the beginning. Not much for story if any but just a fun monster mash. We even did a ghostbusters run like this for a Halloween party once.
No DM, we use dice to randomly build the dungeon as we play. We have a tables for rooms, room features, monsters/traps, and a final big bad (like a small dragon) we decided on at the beginning.
I've been working on a random dragon generator for a while. I could probably write it up in Excel, if you're interested.
Not much for story if any but just a fun monster mash.
I want in on your games.
Are you familiar with the song Monster Mash?
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"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
I meant dungeon. Something that is quiet enough to allow a player to sneak inside. Perhaps with just traps left to protect it. Of course dragon could work as well assuming high sneak ability 😎
Hey,
I have been wanting to DM for a new group and have one player who is willing to play. Do you know of any adventures or have any tips to make this possible? I have run games for people of 5 or so but never this small.
My Characters:
Algog, Ketal
The only tip I can offer is this: the lone player should control his/her character + three or four humanoid NPCs. This way the player controls a "surrogate" party, with minimum bookkeeping.
I feel this is very circumstantial. What story are you trying to tell? Sometimes it is easy to make a lone-wolf type campaign and not run into issues that you would otherwise encounter. If your idea is more tuned for a group, however, I would certainly agree with Filcat: think of how Baldur's Gate did it.
Be careful. A single CR 1/4 can easily kill a single 1st-level character. Just in case, write up a list of possible reasons for victorious enemies to leave the PC alive.
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
Tooltips (Help/aid)
Have your player play 2 characters. An experienced player could probably handle more. As Dm you could play one or two characters, as well. In my old group, the DM would always have a character, in case we decided to switch up DMing duties.
My wife and I would play solo one shots back when 4e came out, And I run a simple beast hunt for my 5yo. Typically the DM makes a custom “5 room” dungeon and the player runs a PC and a tweaked companion, like a warforged or sutch. Something that’s equally strong as the player but lacking in options.
The one shots are simple and just silly fun, clear out a old keep were a lone goblin has been training nasty attack bats. You face some traps, maybe a puzzle, bats and other simple beasts, then face down the goblin and his giant bat.
Another option we use, both playing PC’s and share a tweaked monster. No DM, we use dice to randomly build the dungeon as we play. We have a few tables for rooms, room features, monsters/traps, and a final big bad (like a small dragon) that we decided on at the beginning. Not much for story if any but just a fun monster mash. We even did a ghostbusters run like this for a Halloween party once.
hope that helps.
5e is pretty flexible for this kind of thing.
I've been working on a random dragon generator for a while. I could probably write it up in Excel, if you're interested.
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
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Absolutely try this. Some of the best sessions I've had were with a single player.
I don't know about pre-made's but you could have some real fun with things like:
Daplunk's YouTube Channel: Realm Works and Hero Lab Videos / Campaign Cartographer 3+ Videos
Realm Works Facebook User Group
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
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Dungeon Master of Dungeons & Digressions
DungeonsAndDigressions on Twitch
Social:
Twitch: DMCobalt, Twitter: @kermitwithshoe
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"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
Tooltips (Help/aid)
I meant dungeon. Something that is quiet enough to allow a player to sneak inside. Perhaps with just traps left to protect it. Of course dragon could work as well assuming high sneak ability 😎
Daplunk's YouTube Channel: Realm Works and Hero Lab Videos / Campaign Cartographer 3+ Videos
Realm Works Facebook User Group
Dungeon Master of Dungeons & Digressions
DungeonsAndDigressions on Twitch
Social:
Twitch: DMCobalt, Twitter: @kermitwithshoe
Join our Discord?
>Insert Here<
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
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Dungeon Master of Dungeons & Digressions
DungeonsAndDigressions on Twitch
Social:
Twitch: DMCobalt, Twitter: @kermitwithshoe
Join our Discord?
>Insert Here<
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
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Dungeon Master of Dungeons & Digressions
DungeonsAndDigressions on Twitch
Social:
Twitch: DMCobalt, Twitter: @kermitwithshoe
Join our Discord?
>Insert Here<
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
Tooltips (Help/aid)
Dungeon Master of Dungeons & Digressions
DungeonsAndDigressions on Twitch
Social:
Twitch: DMCobalt, Twitter: @kermitwithshoe
Join our Discord?
>Insert Here<
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both" -- allegedly Benjamin Franklin
Tooltips (Help/aid)