3 Biggest Mistakes Solo RPG Gamers Make

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[@TisiphoneSeraph]

I'm an oracle fan personally. But I'm with you that I think a lot of people rely to heavily on yes/no oracles too much. I bounce between yes/no oracles and d100 inspiration tables and a handful of specific tables for NPCs and location generation. When I switch between them, it produces less strictly linear progressions and feels more explorative. The main reason I rely on oracles so much is that I don't enjoy roleplaying the whole world the way a GM would. I like focusing on my characters reaction. But there are definitely pros and cons to both and I think this video is a good case for trying different methods to find what actually works.

[@paperdicegames6585]

I love d100 random tables that work as “random encounters.” Like, if the rules say there is a 1/6 chance there is a space event in this system, and there is a “d100 space events” table, I al very happy.

[@Vukassin]

I definitely struggle playing as opposed to watching videos on solo roleplay and reading through system, but once I started with Freeform Universal and World of Dungeons, smaller systems I can't fiddle with forever, I was hooked. I enjoy rolling up things with oracle but what speeds things up is setting up "common knowledge" for the setting, so most cities, local area, anything that a person should know just by living in that world is pre rolled. That way a lot of common sense stuff is out of the way early, without the need to ask a bunch of questions.

[@paperdicegames6585]

Yeah getting some setting work done early cab be a huge help!

[@trevorharvey6928]

thank you, challenge accepted! I've been sitting on the idea of a solo RPG for ages, you gave me the prod I needed to get the paper, dice and character sheets out. 👍

[@paperdicegames6585]

Glad I could help! Have fun!

[@thrivingselfcarerenee]

The problem with telling some new solo rpg players to essentially "throw away the Oracle" is that assumes we have a good imagination and fully understand the HOW of role playing. I'm brand new to dipping my toe into rpgs and I'm starting solo due to a few factors. I'm an adult who hasn't used their imagination in a LONG time. So I NEED the Oracle to help me move the story along, to give me ideas about what could happen, at least for now, as I'm getting my imagination working again. It's an issue I've seen time and time again in "beginner" how to solo rpg videos. I'm basically told "well, then you just do it." How? "You just do it." I don't know how to, literally. So for some of us, the Oracles are a necessary part to playing, at least in the beginning. We don't know how it works, don't know how to do it, haven't used our imaginations in far too long, and then we're just told "Well, just do it." It doesn't always work like that, at least for some of us. That's been the frustrating part for me, getting into rpg's and solo rpg's.

[@MarceldeJong]

I'm in this situation too. I don't know where and how to start. I can use all the handholding I can get. Because it's what's preventing me from just starting.

[@thrivingselfcarerenee]

@@MarceldeJong Just thought I'd share a few things that are helping me. The solo game Loner (I think it's legitimately available for free or at least low cost, i did the pdf) really helped me start to understand the HOW of ttrpg and solo play. I got Mythic One Page on Drive Thru RPG for quite inexpensive and found it incredibly informative and helpful to figuring out some of the HOW process. I also ordered and am waiting to receive Mythic Game Master Emulator 2e. I watched some video reviews on it and I think it will be incredibly helpful for me. I got Madeline Hale's Table Fables 1 and 2, Table Fables Modern, Arcane Artifacts and Curious Curios, and A Traveler's Guide Inns and Taverns to have some basic Oracle charts on hand. The free game Quest I've found also helpful for some basics, though I haven't played it yet and it's way more simplified than something like DnD or Pathfinder. I also got some Story Dice, Rory's Story Cubes to play around with to maybe help me get started with some imagination and improv. I'm giving 9D6 Quest a try but I'm going to be doing some house rules for it. I'm also going to be starting Broken Cask and Broken Cask Society for some simple, chart based game play. I'll see how things go from there. 😊

[@TonyLS9A]

Try to link back to previous events in the game. That’ll give you a tightness and keep your focus. Too often oracles can widen a gameplay session too far and you’ll end up losing momentum. And as you become familiar with the game mechanics you’ll find it easier to utilize them (in his example the Luck save roll) to drive the game onward. As always, play the way you’re most comfortable. Best of luck.

[@carolinelabbott2451]

I prefer to use themed random tables to the genre I'm playing in, rather than the game stopping yes/no option. It helps focus my imagination when I create a new event/social interaction/information gathering. Based upon what happens next or is discovered I then decide what would my character do. Let's say I'm playing in a Western Steampunk setting and I'm a Bounty hunter chasing down an Outlaw on horse back. The Outlaw tried shooting at my character and my character succeeded in themselves and their horse being shot. I roll to decide the Outlaws most likely next action to escape me. The options are kill, trap, evade. I roll and get trap. I then roll on a D100 themed word table twice and get Quicksand and Automaton. Based on the area we are running through I see the Outlaw turn down into a valley my character knows there is quicksand and only one safe path through it. Your character continues the pursuit knowing they are skilled enough to get through, but as your character enters the valley they see the Outlaw throw something onto the only safe path behind them as the Outlaw carries on through the deadly valley. The object powers up and expands into a steam powered Automoton blocking your path. Your character can either choose to tackle the Automaton or turn back to go the long way round and possibly end up losing the outlaws trail. What will your character choose to do? How about a detective noir setting. You are a Detective chasing down some Criminals in a car chase. Shots fired but missed, again you roll for the Criminals next actions which are kill, trap, evade. You roll trap, and the words Explosion and Blockade. Looking at where you are you see that the Criminals could turn onto the mainfreeway over the river, and you know there will be transport vehicles on that bridge. You decide there is an oil tanker on the freeway that the Criminals vehicle swerves past and shooting the tanker as they past they also throw a lighted bottle and it causes an exsplosion and subsequent vehicle crashes block the bridge. What will your character do, hit the breaks and turn around or dive out their car before it crashes into the fiery destruction? Themed rolling tables, the lore of the setting you are playing in, and the game mechanics you are using will help guide your imagination and narrow down the most likely outcomes to what happens next for your character to act/react/interact/discover in the solo rpg. Imagination can only work when you have the right input and limitations. Start with a world or genre you know, play what if to alter something that interests you more, pick a goal (opening prompt) and a character that best fits how uou want to play, and have your theme specific random tables to add the most logical possible events that can happen in this setting. The rest is purely practice and experience in what works for you. If you are not used to using your imagination, trying small single events/scene for your character to be involved in will help you get into practise of using your imagination. Pick a scene from a movie, TV episode, or story you like and start there. I hope that is helpful. Apologies for the long ramble.

[@thrivingselfcarerenee]

@TonyLS9A What does that even mean and how does that apply to even starting to play?

[@inkibusss]

I just started my first real game of a Solo RPG. The first one, d100 dungeon, I total bounced off of because it was confusing and a little too generic for my liking. I just started playtesting Astroprisma, and I'm very into it. It has a built in oracle, and I'm only using it about once an hour to find out motivations and important plot details, and it's going well so far. I think there is a healthy balance to be had.

[@paperdicegames6585]

Yeah for sure. Good luck with your games!

[@jayteepodcast]

After hearing about 1000 year vampire. I found that journaling your experience helps.

[@paperdicegames6585]

I journal sometimes - depends on the game though.

[@stephengilbert8166]

Absolutely agree.... Oracles should not replace the soliosts imagination, but is better served if it be used to augment some extra creativity that already should exist in the mind, and open new possibilities which should THEN create new potentials :-) I`ve been playing solo for my entire life (was playing rpgs since 1974.. and wargaming before that). I think your video is well said.

[@paperdicegames6585]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@YouTubdotCub]

These are all great tips!

[@paperdicegames6585]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@Tomashiwa]

I am a fan of oracles as well. The sensation of tying up ideas that were prompted by oracles is reason enough for me to keep them around. Letting oracles take the reins of stuff like what a NPC does during combat helps me remain immerse, instead of spending bandwidth on coming up the approach that NPC may take. However, the problem I have with oracles is when the prompts it gave (even with a few more rerolls) does not spark any idea for me or at worse, it points the story towards a direction I only found to dislike at later part of the campaign. Maybe this is more of a sign of my reliance on oracles than anything else. On the idea of "having an end in mind", that is something I agree as well. Too many of my solo campaigns have fizzled out for this very reason. Those campaigns that I actually completed were either one that is based on an existing campaign supplement or one that I had to forcefully steer the narrative to a conclusion.

[@paperdicegames6585]

Thanks for the reply! Yeah the biggest thing that has allowed me to game solo better has been “beginning we the end in mind.”

[@artistpoet5253]

I used to be pretty dependent on the oracle to sort out the action in my games. I found that the using the subject/verb prompts NPC reaction tables were far more rewarding and provided for more depth than just a yes/no response. I play Ironsworn mostly and have been using One Page Solo Engine for D&D.

[@paperdicegames6585]

Yeah I am a huge fan of random tables because it adds a lot of flavor to the reactions

[@09lonedrone]

Look forward to the solo Traveller videos . Really enjoy watching them already on another channel.

[@paperdicegames6585]

Thank you for the kind words! What other channel do you watch the solo traveller videos on?

[@09lonedrone]

@@paperdicegames6585 The Joy of Wargaming. Guy annoyed me at first but does good play.

[@devolutr]

I agree with all 3 of these. I even included these in the solo instructions for Plight RPG.

[@paperdicegames6585]

I’ll have to check Plight out!

[@TonyLS9A]

All excellent points. Oracles are a definite two-edged sword. Like any tool they can be useful, but not every challenge requires their use. Love the mechanic of calling back to previous sessions and character history. That helps keep a game focused. Bravo and thanks.

[@paperdicegames6585]

Two-edged sword is a good way to out it. Thanks for the kind words!

[@mslabo102s2]

The thumbnail didn't tell me anything because it was pointlessly pointing to a very random hand sign. What the hell?

[@derpz_]

le click bait

[@paperdicegames6585]

I appreciate the feedback - fixed

[@defaultidiot1684]

@Paper Dice Games - Not to put words in your mouth, but it sounds to me like you are saying, "Minimize the use of open-ended binary oracles by creating a 'potential scenario table' of specific likely outcomes to us as an oracle." (This is a great video and I fully agree with all three tips!)

[@paperdicegames6585]

Yeah that’s a good way of putting it! Thanks for the kind words!

[@norwolf01]

Good video, I think your 3 common issues are spot on. I recently did a brief video about how I don't use an oracle that much. I flip between being the player and being the game master to progress the story. I do believe that those that have not played a lot of RPGs or not been a game master may have a challenge with this mode of play.

[@paperdicegames6585]

Thanks for checking it out and for the kind words! I will check your video out!

[@Robofussin23]

Really good advice. I think the best one might be “you have to start!” Ha so many ideas and game systems bought, just to sit on the shelf. Just grab one and try it out.

[@paperdicegames6585]

Thanks for the kind words - have fun!

[@arcubal]

Love how you approach this hollistically: beginning, ending and playing. Especially the reliance on mechanical plot generation (in this case using an Oracle). I myself have been designing a new form of Solo RPGing that allows the player to, on the one hand, parse an exisitng adventure module and fill a table of actionable NPCs, locations and plot events, while, on the other hand, allowing the player's character to consult the table (with a growing deck of cards) and act upon the 'freed knowledge'. This method (called AMP - Adventure Module Parser) allows solo players to both enjoy the reading of a full adventure, one page at a time, while interacting with it using the preferred system's mechanisms and their own role-play skills.

[@paperdicegames6585]

Sounds cool - thanks for the kind words!

[@fallenswan1670]

Just my thought for #3, how to use oracle(s). Wilhelm is coming from the adventure, and stay in inn. Will that night have any important event? Since that dungeon was his first, and his story is early, maybe we do not want take too high chances? Let's say one of third chance (d100 is not only dice what can be used in such dice roll, d12 is good to - 12/2=6, 12/3=4, 12/4=3... but for 1/5 chance you need use d10, same as for 1/10 chance). If there is event, next question is, does it involve Wilhelm directly (1/3 chance), indirectly (1/3 chance) or not really at all (1/3). In case of first one, maybe it is about the case, that some one noticed his loot and is interested about it? In second case, maybe there been something happen in the town, and guards are searching something, and halts everyone and look their stuff. This may or may not cause troubles to Wilhelm. In third option, maybe beggar arrives to same inn asking food, but innkeeper does not give for free. If Wilhelm does not choice to involve situation, nothing happens (for Wilhelm), but maybe he choice to share his meal? Possibly opening new opportunities (or problems, or both of them)? (Now, I am interested to see, what happens if he share his food to the beggar..! And I cannot see that, since I just made up whole thing just to make point, that you can use oracles more imaginative ways. I think it was "CRGE - conjectural roleplaying gamemaster emulator", which showed for me, that oracles can be much more than just "yes/no" questions...?)

[@paperdicegames6585]

Great outline and example!

[@JohnStrain-eu6eu]

Good news. You are baccck!

[@paperdicegames6585]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@ImaginerImagines]

I am a long time game developer (Imagine Role Playing) and shortly I will be making a solo adventure by request. This video was very helpful. While I am going to make paper GM (oracle) I am going to caution it shouldn't be over used based on your feedback. Thank you.

[@paperdicegames6585]

Cool to hear! Be sure to share it when you complete it!

[@N0stalgicLeaf]

The oracle can definitely turn into a crutch. What I like to do is create more detail in the world, environment and NPCs so there are fewer questions to ask. Instead of asking "does the bartender come over" I will generate a bartender with OGAS (by hand or from some quick tables) and many questions immediately answer themselves. Yes the bartender enthusiastically tries to serve a new guest because he's generally hard working and also has some gambling debts he needs to settle. No dice roll needed.

[@paperdicegames6585]

Yeah that’s a good approach!!

[@Darthus]

These are GREAT suggestions. I am also not a huge fan of oracle tables, and when I see prompt based oracles in a solo RPG game centered prominently rather than context-sensitive event tables, I immediately lose interest. I agree that if I'm already having to think, "How likely is it that x or y is going to happen" I'm already 90% of the way there to just deciding if it makes sense within the story. Keeping the narrative going is, as you say, more about thinking "what is interesting?" rather than "how do I make sense of this vague table result". I agree they should be used sparingly, perhaps when you're stumped, or for people who aren't yet used to crafting narrative, but not as a main mechanic. What you are basically describing is basically switching in your mind from the player (playing Wilhem) to the DM (thinking of what might be interesting to happen to Wilhelm, and then using skill checks to determine when things aren't sure), which is much more natural. I do think though it requires the player to have the experience and confidence of doing that "self-DMing" and being able to separate the interests of their player from the DM role. I do find I enjoy solo RPG games more when they allow me to focus more on being the player, and be focused on creating that narrative, than also creating hte world and events (such as games like Five Leagues from the Borderlands or even Forbidden Lands or the boardgame Hexplore It: Klik's Madness) where the "world" and what happens in response to your players' actions is more automated and doesn't require self-DMing or vague oracles to drive things froward. In any case, love your content, you got a sub!

[@paperdicegames6585]

Thanks for the thoughtful response and kind words, and for checking out the channel’

[@interstellardave]

Way back in about 1980, at 14 years old, when I first got into Traveler, I didn’t know anyone who would play rpgs with me so I played solo and wrote it out as a story. Good times…!

[@paperdicegames6585]

Sounds fun!

[@Jeromy1986]

I want to solo D&D 5e partly to learn the system better and partly to play it my own way (using XP and counting resources) to kinda prove it can be done. My main issue is with having 4 characters (so combats are balanced) justifying them sticking together. I've done one or two sessions, but then I fell off for a bit.

[@paperdicegames6585]

I like playing solo to learn new systems as well! For keeping the party together, just go with the flow. Start with whatever excuse you can think of, and once they are past a combat or harrowing encounter, there can be a growing bond between them.

[@tomhassomethoughts]

Doesn't the Mythic Oracle have a whole thing about tracking factions? I feel like that's what I would really get a lot out of - - once *someone* notices me with my big bag of gold, we roll to see if it's just some rando or someone from a faction, then roll on the faction table to see who it is and what they're going to do

[@paperdicegames6585]

I think there are a lot of tools to track factions. Good to hear Mythic can it though.

[@BenGreen1980]

I'm not saying it's fair, but IDK you at all and when I see a thumbnail like the one for this video, I think it's sus

[@neb985]

Yeah, I'm sure it's unintentional based on the video itself. But the thumbnail definitely made me raise my eyebrows

[@paperdicegames6585]

Is it just the fact that I used an arrow? Or did I do something that I’m not seeing?

[@neb985]

@@paperdicegames6585 the hand gesture you used to indicate 3 has been used by the far right to mean white power, so that combined with the arrow pointing to it is kinda fishy looking.

[@jayteepodcast]

Not a good look but I still watched

[@paperdicegames6585]

That sucks to hear. Thanks for letting me know - will change the thumbnail tomorrow. Its not any “3” with your hands, right? Just the way I happen to be holding it here?

[@loganrogers4560]

Here's a tip, make friends

[@YouTubdotCub]

this guy literally has a group he plays regularly with and talks about it in multiple videos, he just also enjoys solo play, wrong headed assumption lol

[@MarceldeJong]

You don't sound like someone I want to be friends with. So I'll look elsewhere

[@paperdicegames6585]

I do game with a few groups on a regular basis.

[@CaseyWilkesmusic]

This is also good advice for starting a traditional campaign as well. Start with a small goal and hook your players with that. If the game sucks, group doesn’t work out etc, you’re only out 1-3 sessions.

[@paperdicegames6585]

Yeah good point!