I want to try and get more familiar with dming and get comfortable enough so that I can dm a campaign for some of my friends sometime soon. I also have a friend, I'll call Jake, who is new too dnd and doesnt really have a group to play with. The group I am in has a person who has a mutual disliking for Jake. So I was thinking it may be a good idea to do a small one on one campaign with Jake so we can both get more comfortable, so that then I can dm for a full party including Jake. I just wanted to know if this would be a smart idea as I know one on one dnd can be pretty different in some cases. If it is a good idea I would love any suggestions on things that would help.
It can be challenging to have only one player, yes. One issue is you need to keep the combats smaller, so the PCs don’t get overwhelmed by enemy numbers. Another is one character won’t have all the skills you need to run a well-rounded campaign. One way to help with that is the sidekick rules in Tasha’s, which can allow a second, lower-powered-but-still-effective PC. Ideally Jake could run it. 2 characters is still light, but way better than 1.
But if what you’re both looking for is a taste of D&D, sure, it can work. It won’t be the same as the full experience, but it can work.
Introducing Jake to the group that has a mutual dislike for Jake would be a bad idea. D&D only really works with friends (or soon-to-be friends). I'm unsure of whether that was your end goal, but I'd avoid it if it were.
If the purpose is to learn, I'd just jump in with a larger group. Not only are the dynamics different, but having other people to help you is very beneficial. By having only one player when both of you are new is a recipe for making mistakes (which everyone does) then reinforcing that because no one knows any better. It also takes pressure off of Jake to always be the one making decisions, roleplaying, etc. If you're anxious, a smaller group or even one-on-one might help with that, but if you're able, I'd just jump in a with a group.
If you can't play with a group from the start, then use Tasha's Sidekicks to bulk out your party. If you don't have Tasha's or the Essentials Kit (it at least used to come with some pregenerated sidekicks), then you can create full characters. It'll be harder to run, but you do need some extra firepower.
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I want to try and get more familiar with dming and get comfortable enough so that I can dm a campaign for some of my friends sometime soon. I also have a friend, I'll call Jake, who is new too dnd and doesnt really have a group to play with. The group I am in has a person who has a mutual disliking for Jake. So I was thinking it may be a good idea to do a small one on one campaign with Jake so we can both get more comfortable, so that then I can dm for a full party including Jake. I just wanted to know if this would be a smart idea as I know one on one dnd can be pretty different in some cases. If it is a good idea I would love any suggestions on things that would help.
It can be challenging to have only one player, yes. One issue is you need to keep the combats smaller, so the PCs don’t get overwhelmed by enemy numbers.
Another is one character won’t have all the skills you need to run a well-rounded campaign. One way to help with that is the sidekick rules in Tasha’s, which can allow a second, lower-powered-but-still-effective PC. Ideally Jake could run it.
2 characters is still light, but way better than 1.
But if what you’re both looking for is a taste of D&D, sure, it can work. It won’t be the same as the full experience, but it can work.
Introducing Jake to the group that has a mutual dislike for Jake would be a bad idea. D&D only really works with friends (or soon-to-be friends). I'm unsure of whether that was your end goal, but I'd avoid it if it were.
If the purpose is to learn, I'd just jump in with a larger group. Not only are the dynamics different, but having other people to help you is very beneficial. By having only one player when both of you are new is a recipe for making mistakes (which everyone does) then reinforcing that because no one knows any better. It also takes pressure off of Jake to always be the one making decisions, roleplaying, etc. If you're anxious, a smaller group or even one-on-one might help with that, but if you're able, I'd just jump in a with a group.
If you can't play with a group from the start, then use Tasha's Sidekicks to bulk out your party. If you don't have Tasha's or the Essentials Kit (it at least used to come with some pregenerated sidekicks), then you can create full characters. It'll be harder to run, but you do need 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.