DM's Guild has some things that come well recommended. I have done a little soloing but not tried any of the written modules.
DM Yourself is about how to play D&D by going through published modules. Elminster's Guide to Solo Adventuring is also for doing published modules.
The Solo Adventurer's Toolbox is about how to generate random quests, dungeons, wilderness areas, etc.
Then the guy who wrote the Toolbox also wrote a bunch of solo modules. The first is called Death Knight's Squire. I own it but have not played it yet, because it is for level 2 characters and I am starting at level 1. So I am using the Toolbox to generate random wilderness and such encounters. My character is on his way to Orlbar (the town of DKS) right now, and just encountered a hat with a piece of paper folded in it. I asked the "oracle" in the Toolbox if this was a map, and it was, and then asked if the map was to a dungeon nearby, and it is. (Basically with the Oracle, on d20, 1-6 = "no", 7-12 = "maybe/ask again" and 13-20 = "yes", and I got a nat 20 on the "is the map to a nearby dungeon?" question). So my level 1 Paladin is about to enter a dungeon and hopefully will get enough XP to be level 2 by the time he gets to Orlbar. If not I will do some random town encounters before starting.
But you don't have to do that of course. You can make up a level 2 PC and just start.
One major decision -- I would say the decision -- you need to make for soloing is how many characters you're going to do. You can play 1 character, a pair of characters, a party of 4, etc. Most written non-solo modules expect a party, so doing it with 1 or 2 is going to be rough (over and above any issues with reading spoilers as you go).
DM Yourself recommends you + 1 "sidekick" (Tahsa has rules for this). The DKS and other solo modules are for one PC. You can also do 1 PC + 3 SKs if you want, or 4 PCs, or 2 PCs, or however you like to do it. That is up to you.
I decided that, to start, I am going to just do 1 PC. Once I am done with the specifically solo adventures, I am probably going to do a starring PC, and 3 SKs, and try one of the written modules. The main thing I want to make sure is I don't do a written module that someone else might want to DM some time....
Thanks for the insight. Well, I purchased the first 5 books and played the first called Death Knight's Squire. To be honest, the mechanics were fun, the story flowed and I finished the adventure in about 2 hours. Although this was based on the directions and I took following the book guides, a roll of the dice etc. I feel if I explored another area it would have taken me another hour. Overall the experience was fun and I will give book 2 a chance next week when I have time. Only downside l thought was that there was no real interaction so my thoughts were simple and based on the outcome, while no crazy actor, I wouldn't mind some character to character interaction, to create some randomness.
I will keep you posted in this thread on Book two if you like?
Feel free, just try to avoid spoilers (like you did in your last post). I haven't gotten around to it yet because I've gotten sucked into playing a new Brute character in City of Heroes and am having a blast doing that, so I keep not getting back around to my solo D&D attempt.
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WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
Then the guy who wrote the Toolbox also wrote a bunch of solo modules. The first is called Death Knight's Squire. I own it but have not played it yet, because it is for level 2 characters and I am starting at level 1.
my son and I both really liked Death Knight's Squire. only issue was the file size, the pdfs are so large it bogs down even my newer laptop. the second one has some cool sound files, which were great the first you click them- but think they might not work as Adobe Flash goes away (even if they still work, not sure if they're worth the bloat tbh).
Completed Book 2: Great game although some parts were a little confusing, overall the length of the game was great the combat challenging and doable and situations were heaps of fun as the randomise of the dice roll provides heaps of challenge.
To be honest just jump in... I wanted to be a fighter and start at level 1. When I got the books I said ok. I am going to make a level 2 rogue and go for it.
I was played solo to test a combat scenes and optimize cr balance. So yes, it's not bad idea to play solo.
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"You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can drip and it can crash. Become like water my friend." ― Bruce Lee
To be honest just jump in... I wanted to be a fighter and start at level 1. When I got the books I said ok. I am going to make a level 2 rogue and go for it.
If you want to do that, fine. *I* want to experience level 1 as well as level 2 so I am doing a random dungeon to level my character to level 2. I just haven't had time yet with the semester starting up soon.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
I've released a couple of solo D&D adventures: The Saint's Tomb, which is for level 1 and is more of a D&D tutorial, and A Miner Problem, which is 2nd level and is more extensive. Both are free and playable within your browser, no download needed. I recommend having one tab open with your D&D Beyond character sheet and one tab with the game. Have fun!
I've released a couple of solo D&D adventures: The Saint's Tomb, which is for level 1 and is more of a D&D tutorial, and A Miner Problem, which is 2nd level and is more extensive. Both are free and playable within your browser, no download needed. I recommend having one tab open with your D&D Beyond character sheet and one tab with the game. Have fun!
Nice, I always appreciate those browser based solo adventures.
If you want to play a solo adventure, you could try AI Dungeon. It's occasionally a little clunky, but I quite enjoy it for what it is. Here's a YouTube link to someone using it with another player, acting as the DM, without the player being too aware.
Hope this helps, although I'm aware it's not 5E specific.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“Hello! My name is Inigo Montoya. You did 2d6+4 damage to my father. Prepare to make a saving throw.”
I've released a couple of solo D&D adventures: The Saint's Tomb, which is for level 1 and is more of a D&D tutorial, and A Miner Problem, which is 2nd level and is more extensive. Both are free and playable within your browser, no download needed. I recommend having one tab open with your D&D Beyond character sheet and one tab with the game. Have fun!
Nice, I always appreciate those browser based solo adventures.
I just played through The Saint's Tomb, A Miner Problem, and The Death Knight's Squire-- all fantastic! Starting in on TDKS' sequel in a few minutes. Do you know of other browser based solo adventures for 5e Roscoeivan/anyone else?
there's a short 30 minute adventure in this just released pub - its a modification of a portion of the 1989 Knight of the Living Dead solo adventure (that part that occurs specifically in Dragon Tower). It can be played at any level.
Hi Guys,
Just while I waiting for my first DnD group session, I thought I would practice gameplay by completing a solo adventure.
What do you guys think? and any recommendations?
Dungeon masters guild has some solo stuff. Some are pay what you want. Just check the reviews to get ideas on how well each are written.
Dungeon masters guild Link
DM's Guild has some things that come well recommended. I have done a little soloing but not tried any of the written modules.
DM Yourself is about how to play D&D by going through published modules. Elminster's Guide to Solo Adventuring is also for doing published modules.
The Solo Adventurer's Toolbox is about how to generate random quests, dungeons, wilderness areas, etc.
Then the guy who wrote the Toolbox also wrote a bunch of solo modules. The first is called Death Knight's Squire. I own it but have not played it yet, because it is for level 2 characters and I am starting at level 1. So I am using the Toolbox to generate random wilderness and such encounters. My character is on his way to Orlbar (the town of DKS) right now, and just encountered a hat with a piece of paper folded in it. I asked the "oracle" in the Toolbox if this was a map, and it was, and then asked if the map was to a dungeon nearby, and it is. (Basically with the Oracle, on d20, 1-6 = "no", 7-12 = "maybe/ask again" and 13-20 = "yes", and I got a nat 20 on the "is the map to a nearby dungeon?" question). So my level 1 Paladin is about to enter a dungeon and hopefully will get enough XP to be level 2 by the time he gets to Orlbar. If not I will do some random town encounters before starting.
But you don't have to do that of course. You can make up a level 2 PC and just start.
One major decision -- I would say the decision -- you need to make for soloing is how many characters you're going to do. You can play 1 character, a pair of characters, a party of 4, etc. Most written non-solo modules expect a party, so doing it with 1 or 2 is going to be rough (over and above any issues with reading spoilers as you go).
DM Yourself recommends you + 1 "sidekick" (Tahsa has rules for this). The DKS and other solo modules are for one PC. You can also do 1 PC + 3 SKs if you want, or 4 PCs, or 2 PCs, or however you like to do it. That is up to you.
I decided that, to start, I am going to just do 1 PC. Once I am done with the specifically solo adventures, I am probably going to do a starring PC, and 3 SKs, and try one of the written modules. The main thing I want to make sure is I don't do a written module that someone else might want to DM some time....
WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
Hey BioWizard,
Thanks for the insight. Well, I purchased the first 5 books and played the first called Death Knight's Squire. To be honest, the mechanics were fun, the story flowed and I finished the adventure in about 2 hours. Although this was based on the directions and I took following the book guides, a roll of the dice etc. I feel if I explored another area it would have taken me another hour. Overall the experience was fun and I will give book 2 a chance next week when I have time. Only downside l thought was that there was no real interaction so my thoughts were simple and based on the outcome, while no crazy actor, I wouldn't mind some character to character interaction, to create some randomness.
I will keep you posted in this thread on Book two if you like?
Feel free, just try to avoid spoilers (like you did in your last post). I haven't gotten around to it yet because I've gotten sucked into playing a new Brute character in City of Heroes and am having a blast doing that, so I keep not getting back around to my solo D&D attempt.
WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
my son and I both really liked Death Knight's Squire. only issue was the file size, the pdfs are so large it bogs down even my newer laptop. the second one has some cool sound files, which were great the first you click them- but think they might not work as Adobe Flash goes away (even if they still work, not sure if they're worth the bloat tbh).
Guide to the Five Factions (PWYW)
Deck of Decks
Sorry Mate.
WoW I am not finding that issue at all although the sound no longer works for me.
Completed Book 2: Great game although some parts were a little confusing, overall the length of the game was great the combat challenging and doable and situations were heaps of fun as the randomise of the dice roll provides heaps of challenge.
Overall Book 1 and 2 are great next week Book 3.
Thanks for updating. I am still not ready for the 1st book yet, since I want to earn level 1 and not just start there. ;)
WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
To be honest just jump in... I wanted to be a fighter and start at level 1. When I got the books I said ok. I am going to make a level 2 rogue and go for it.
Best thing ever
I was played solo to test a combat scenes and optimize cr balance. So yes, it's not bad idea to play solo.
"You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can drip and it can crash. Become like water my friend." ― Bruce Lee
If you want to do that, fine. *I* want to experience level 1 as well as level 2 so I am doing a random dungeon to level my character to level 2. I just haven't had time yet with the semester starting up soon.
WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
Hey BioWizard,
Just finished book 3 and I got to say the climax at the end is soooo worth it!!! Book 3 is way nicer to go through than book 2.
I'll let you know about book 4 later.
I've released a couple of solo D&D adventures: The Saint's Tomb, which is for level 1 and is more of a D&D tutorial, and A Miner Problem, which is 2nd level and is more extensive. Both are free and playable within your browser, no download needed. I recommend having one tab open with your D&D Beyond character sheet and one tab with the game. Have fun!
https://sayeth.itch.io/
Nice, I always appreciate those browser based solo adventures.
Awesome I am going to have a play. I send you some feedback in a private message.
If you want to play a solo adventure, you could try AI Dungeon. It's occasionally a little clunky, but I quite enjoy it for what it is.
Here's a YouTube link to someone using it with another player, acting as the DM, without the player being too aware.
Hope this helps, although I'm aware it's not 5E specific.
“Hello! My name is Inigo Montoya. You did 2d6+4 damage to my father. Prepare to make a saving throw.”
I just played through The Saint's Tomb, A Miner Problem, and The Death Knight's Squire-- all fantastic! Starting in on TDKS' sequel in a few minutes. Do you know of other browser based solo adventures for 5e Roscoeivan/anyone else?
there's a short 30 minute adventure in this just released pub - its a modification of a portion of the 1989 Knight of the Living Dead solo adventure (that part that occurs specifically in Dragon Tower). It can be played at any level.
https://www.dmsguild.com/product/373143/Dragons-of-Waterdeep
Guide to the Five Factions (PWYW)
Deck of Decks