D&D Solo | Can I Play Dungeons and Dragons Alone

[@kiwikenobi]

I'm a writer, and I always wanted to try D&D, but I don't have anyone to play with, so I tried playing a solo D&D game, following the D&D rules and using dice as I write down what's happening in the story. Solo D&D feels like writing an improvised story, but with surprises caused by dice rolls, since things don't always work out or work better than expected, depending on how the dice fall. And it's pretty cool.

[@CodeSiber]

CodeSiber#2380 Hit me up on discord if your still searching for people, are you more of a story or a player kinda person?

[@kiwikenobi]

@@CodeSiber I'm not really searching for people at the moment; I'm enjoying my solo experience. But thank you for inviting me. And I'm not sure the answer to your question, maybe because I've never played D&D with other people. What is a story person and a player person in this context? My solo D&D story has been mostly about my characters getting to know each other and growing and developing as people on their adventures.

[@wiseman0212]

Hey can you give some advice on how to play solo with your style? alduin#4452

[@kiwikenobi]

@@wiseman0212 It depends on how experienced you are with writing. If you're already a writer, just write a story, perhaps in script form to preserve the experience of different players and the GM interacting. I could give more specific advice if you have any questions, as a writer. If you're not a writer, I'm not sure what advice to give, other than learning how to write fiction and reading a lot in general to be more familiar with how words are put together to tell stories. There are other ways to play D&D solo, of course, but this is the way I'm approaching it, as a writer.

[@poxachlys1112]

@@CodeSiber is this invitation still valid?

[@HeyManifesto]

Me searching for this cause it’s just me here😣.....

[@cosmicforces5038]

I'll play with you on discord 🤔

[@hammondvanhoren5402]

I'd play with you too online

[@MrSayreau]

Oooouuu lets make a group

[@Fenix1o]

Same D:

[@hammondvanhoren5402]

@@MrSayreau sure but how

[@limbothebiggay1709]

Me, a person with no friends at all: This is perfect

[@WanderingDMs]

Well now you've got us. :-)

[@SimonAshworthWood]

@@WanderingDMs :)

[@jarydf]

I play DnD solo and find it great fun. I have a pair of characters and a world that they explore. I use random encounter generators and it works quite well making fun if sometimes bizarre stories. I also have them encounter classic monsters and situations and see how they handle it.

[@WanderingDMs]

That's great! Do you record their adventures in some way, or is it just for your own entertainment?

[@jessquinn6106]

Funny how only NOW solo RPing is becoming a thing. I had been solo rping since the 80's. Made up my own charts and everything. And oddly I could fit every chart needed on like 5-6 pages.

[@rovingmauler7410]

Playing solo is an entirely different thing. It's great for learning mechanics, coming up with story ideas, and being a better DM.

[@WanderingDMs]

Great point!

[@smythe7480]

This is what I am hoping for... start a world with my character then eventually dies or goes off away from party then I become full time DM....

[@lukedorrington7455]

“Getting together with your friends“ some if us don't have friends into the game or enough friends to play a game, solo is the only way for us

[@Aytreus]

I recommend looking for dnd servers on discord, at least play online with other ppl is very cool.

[@lukedorrington7455]

@@Aytreus I played with a group before and didn't enjoy it much, since learning to play solo I really enjoy the adventures now

[@sharktos3218]

I don't have friends so I never played DnD, but I would really like to play it at least once

[@GC-wj6ni]

I play it alone as well as DM for my son,I really like both ,I’ve been playing since the 80’s.The solo scene is getting very popular now,I’m surprised you didn’t mention the “Me Myself and Die “ you tube channel ,it’s really good,also the used of Oracles to emulate a DM,Mythic etc.There’s also “The Solo Adventurers Toolbox” which is a great help creating and running solo adventures.

[@kota86]

Thanks for the channel recommendation! I'm going to check them out now!

[@WanderingDMs]

[Paul] Great call outs! I've never seen "Me Myself and Die", I'll definitely check it out. Mythic is a great resource as well, though I've only used it for multiplayer no-DM games, not solo. I've also had a lot of fun with How to Host a Dungeon (www.howtohostadungeon.com/). There's so much good stuff out there - far too much to fit in a 5 minute video unfortunately!

[@kota86]

Cheers for the recommendations for all the solo modules! Really glad I found your channel.

[@kori228]

For 5e Solo modules, there's a series made under the label "5e Solo Gamebooks" on DMsGuild, the first of which is Death Knight's Squire. I've tried a couple and I actually think Death Knight's Squire is the weakest of the series as it has you do map exploration, which is tedious when run digitally. The other works in the series are more like CYOA gamebooks, and you only need to refer to the maps when running combat. If anyone wants to try them, I actually suggest starting with the second in the series: Tyrant of Zhentil Keep. It also starts you at 3rd level so you get access to subclass features, whereas Death Knight's Squire is 2nd level.

[@WanderingDMs]

That sounds really cool Sounds like they learned from the first attempt. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@dragonchr15]

I prefer to be alone because I take things SO SERIOUSLY that I get irritated when people want to socialize or crack jokes during the session..... "I don't care about your bitchy boss! We have a dragon to slay!"

[@Walawalacookie]

If that's your attitude then please continue to play alone. I bet you're real fun at parties as well. >.>

[@OtepRalloma]

You may want to play with other no nonsense players, though keep in mind most people aren't like that

[@SimonAshworthWood]

I feel similar, in that I have felt annoyed when people joined me to play a session and then they spent much of the time talking about other stuff. However, I don't have a problem with jokes that don't detract from the game, but instead make the game more fun.

[@dragonchr15]

@@Walawalacookie then why are we playing d and d? Lets go to the bar and get some drinks and socialize properly. Thats my view on the matter. For a few hours, i want full immersion in the story.

[@Walawalacookie]

@@dragonchr15 You can do both. I agree that too much chatter is bad but you need to crack some jokes sometimes to kill the tension.

[@zacksporen]

Sad admission, I have a copy of this episode on VHS. It's on my mostly empty bookshelf next to my favorite cookbook 'Microwave Cooking for One' :(

[@SimonAshworthWood]

LOL :D Are you a comedy writer?

[@josefelix4152]

I just played alone! And saved a kingdom unfortunately the I could not save the villagers u.u, the mind flayer eat their brains and was mind controlling the king to allure the people to it's portal, I was three player at a time it was really fun! For some reason one of my three characters would only have bad rolls 😂, I'm also a DM for my family and playing in group is very very fun and time consuming lol 12hr a day haha, but a hell of fun, specially of we just have fun, solo is fun to, you can invent your adventure as you go and roll for decisions rather the just taking them

[@dustinbobber9182]

Thanks for the suggestions! I’ve been designing my own solo table top games. These resources seem interesting. I’ll have to check them out. Also planning to do some large scale battle using dnd and other miniatures. Can you direct me to some resources that may be useful for this well? I want to draw my own custom battle maps and dungeons. And eventually I want to share my games and creations in some form with others who may enjoy them. Anyway thank you for showing us these resources in your video. I’ll have to take a look at them sometime. Sounds fun.

[@WanderingDMs]

Great! So glad this was helpful, I hope you enjoy the suggestions. If you're looking for integrating large miniatures battles with your D&D, you really can't go wrong with Delta's own "Book of War", which is available on Lulu here: www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/original-edition-delta-book-of-spells-2nd-edition/15995854 Dan and his partner Isabelle played several playtests of the recent rules online, and you can find all those videos here: kzbin.info/aero/PLiclN_BSxoe9fVhVD0V2LE1U5xr6Lb0Td The best part of Book of War is how seemlessly it integrates with old school D&D systems. I, Paul, have used it myself to resolve several large scale combats that took place in my own D&D game, and the players were able to take part in significant ways. Here's some write-ups of a couple memorable battles from my blog: www.paulsgameblog.com/2010/09/23/book-of-war-the-battle-of-restenford/ www.paulsgameblog.com/2012/01/17/the-siege-of-bridgefaire/ Enjoy!

[@paulleard8349]

I started solo in the 80's. I just restarted to scientifically study time and movement measurements as 7 P.C.'s Dungeon crawls thru the mega dungeon "Barrowmaze" to better run it with a group. I see a lot of "how to solo play" and most of of is idea's from a player character perspective. I do mine from the DM's perspective, mostly a table top war game.

[@animuauntie]

Depressing? Yes. Relatable and useful? Also yes.

[@WanderingDMs]

We've been there is spirit. Think about how good you'll be next time you play with others. Impress your friends! :-D

[@kyrnsword72]

My favorite solo TTRPG is D100 DUNGEON MAPPING GAME. It's Awesome!

[@IDisnotscience]

Paul Bimler has written an entire campaign in solo format. A PDF with clickable links to take you through the modules and maps that are easily imported into owlbear rodeo.

[@WanderingDMs]

Nice, thanks for the tip!

[@josefelix4152]

Also! You can try using the side kicks!

[@jeremiahmorris1852]

I have no actual friends so that's why I'm here

[@WanderingDMs]

You're in good company, there's a mob of us in the same boat

[@paulwelsh6463]

Im a noob, thanks man this was pretty helpful. love that hat too

[@WanderingDMs]

Glad you liked it! :-D

[@don-wb2fl]

my friends used to play d&d but i never had an interest in it until recently but they’re not interested in it anymore so i have to do this alone :)

[@WanderingDMs]

Many of us started like that. Hopefully you'll find a play group soon!

[@don-wb2fl]

@@WanderingDMs thanks!

[@Nost-tea]

No matter how great and strong you are, you can't be a real adventurer if you can!t defeat the monster known as "lu'king fur playmates"

[@marionforge2769]

Here in Philippines. I'm the only one who wants to try it😂

[@rolanejo8512]

It is great fun and a way of training to improve your DM.

[@WanderingDMs]

We agree!

[@ramgladore]

I'm just getting started in D&D. I wonder if you can play thru older edition modules if you just swap out the stat blocks of the older monsters with their 5E counterparts.

[@WanderingDMs]

[Dan] It's a good question! You can probably start off like that and see how it goes. On the other hand, in our interview with Jennell Jaquays, she said as she updates her classic adventures she has to swap out more monsters to match her design-expectation for danger level. Might need to improvise some changes on the fly as you discover stuff: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZWUqKWaiLiWbJI

[@Walawalacookie]

How did you make a video about roleplaying Solo and not touch on Oracle/GM Emulator tools? That seems like a huge oversight. There is even a toolkit for sale on DM's Guild specifically for 5e.

[@WanderingDMs]

[Paul] The topic is in fact quite vast, and I was trying to keep this down to 5 minutes. I do believe though that for someone with no experience with D&D at all, old school editions are an easier entry point than 5e.

[@jaymea8907]

Most solo modules are just choose your own adventure which are fun in their own way but not an rpg experience. Randomly generating your dungeons and adventure is much more fun! IMO

[@WanderingDMs]

We agree!

[@warlordofvideogameglitches]

I would like to play *cough* with myself..

[@SimonAshworthWood]

Well, with COVID-19, that's easy, in multiple ways! ;)

[@animalkido3284]

Omg thanks so much

[@WanderingDMs]

You’re welcome 😊

[@agonleed3841]

I mean..I'm 37 and just never got into it when I was younger. I liked the idea but there ware so many other things to do that I never got into it. after a full life, I now choose to not have friends. just too much work. .y wife says she'll play, and she's interested but idk.

[@Derekpony]

great video

[@WanderingDMs]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@blackfistxu7953]

Thank you so much!

[@DirtyDirtSaga]

Thanks for answering this question, I have no friends

[@WanderingDMs]

We've all felt that way. I bet some will show up soon. :-)

[@sampedro9316]

I'm thinking about playing a rival npc party through the megadungeon

[@WanderingDMs]

Nice!

[@lane_positive_vibesbodybui7927]

The scream from sly 1

[@alexandersmith1777]

I noticed your Godzilla: King of The Monsters poster in the background! Nice choice! Also great video! :)

[@WanderingDMs]

[Paul] Thanks! That's actually a promo photo with me in it taken at the Hollywood premiere. How I got invited to the premiere of Godzilla King of the Monsters is a whole other story. :)

[@alexandersmith1777]

@@WanderingDMs Wow, lucky! You should have invited me! I love Tokusatsu and Kaiju stuff, haha! Lol. Don't worry, just kidding about inviting me haha.

[@KurNorock]

Every one of my friends ended up moving out of state. And now I'm working so may odd hours and on call that I just don't have the time or ability to try to find new friends, much less plan a day to meet up to play a game.

[@WanderingDMs]

We sympathize, it's hard! Maybe try something like the Roll20 matchmaking service for an online game?

[@KurNorock]

@@WanderingDMs As I said, I don't have the ability to make a plan or stick to a schedule. My job is basically "on-call" and my working hours are long and all over the place. I never know when I might get a few hours off here and there, or if at all. So unfortunately, I am just stuck. I haven't been able to do any of my hobbies for the last 9 months. That combined with the lack of sleep and lack of a sleep schedule is really starting to get to me. So much so that here I am telling a stranger on the internet all about it, like a lunatic.

[@WanderingDMs]

@@KurNorock Well that sucks, fellow lunatic. Lack of sleep is among the worst things, too. Hoping a change comes soon for you!

[@justingilbert3667]

Newb question. If I want to dive into the D&D 5E solo world and I go to that link you provided should I start with one in particular? Or are none of the games connected to one another so can be played as if they were independent story lines. Thanks in advance

[@THAC0MANIC]

of all the versions of D&D the one i enjoyed the most solo is honestly 4E 5E is just Bleh over-all.

[@Diamondpigman01]

Playing solo to fill the gaps between sessions with my pals

[@katicasey4610]

My friends are all busy and my boyfriend’s at work so here I am

[@WanderingDMs]

We've been in similar situations many times. :-)

[@Doctor-Stoppage]

I'm going to become a game snob and say I ONLY play "Tunnels n Trolls," Thanks! 😂

[@WanderingDMs]

So much respect. :-)

[@stoikusu5084]

All of my friends haven't even ever heard of dungeons and dragons

[@camrich24]

What if you have no friends

[@josefelix4152]

I bought the starter kit to learn dnd... Failed... Haha bought the essentials kit... Failed.... Bought stranger things kit and got the freaking hang of it lol

[@WanderingDMs]

Fascinating! What was it about the stranger things set that made it finally click?

[@bruced648]

you mention some products, but you don't actually describe solo-play. not really useful. was hoping to see some examples of a game turn and/or methods to utilize a group of characters in a story setting. next time, actually have some game play to show it in action!

[@WanderingDMs]

Hey Bruce, this video is just a very quick introduction to the concept. If you'd like to see some examples of play, we have a whole playlist of stuff for you to check out here: kzbin.info/aero/PLiclN_BSxoe-FF2lGhfa8nmi4oOv_iYKi

[@bruced648]

@@WanderingDMs thanks

[@gregkaye5583]

Very early editions of the game are rule confused and didn't get better fast. If your aim is to play 5e, don't bother with early editions.

[@lolcakes]

I hate having no friends to play it wuth

[@WanderingDMs]

We've all been there. It'll get better!

[@ravenfirepheonix]

I tried it and combat turned my game into a crawl.

[@WanderingDMs]

That's too bad! One thing we like about older editions is they tend to run a bit faster with stuff like that.

[@chameleondream]

I don't think I could do it. Choose your own adventure books are fine, but RPGs just need other people. If people enjoy it that's great, but for me it would feel too much like playing pin the tail on the donkey, by yourself, in the basement, on your birthday. So. So. Sad.

[@WanderingDMs]

I think adding a second person really makes it fun. There are also modules written for one DM and one player (such as O1), but playing a solo module cooperatively is a nice way for two people to get a quick D&D fix without all the pressure of one of you having to prep and run a game. Dan and I tried it when we were feeling burnt out from more labor intensive games but still wanted to hang out and play a game together, and it really fit the bill.

[@chameleondream]

@@WanderingDMs Believe it or not but I have been thinking about this. Why should choose your own adventure books be fine while solo adventures are not? I think it's because you can't help but be haunted by the experience of playing the game with other people. So if you once had a gaming group but no longer do it's not that great a fix, but if you do have a gaming group it can actually be something of a relief.

[@WanderingDMs]

Yeah, that's a really good point. I definitely think it's not as good as playing with a full group. So whether this becomes a pleasant reminder of past experiences or a pale imitation that only makes you miss your gaming group all the more is definitely in the eye of the beholder.

[@chameleondream]

@@WanderingDMs BEHOLDER! WHERE! (ducks under the table :-)

[@erenakay8873]

Playing dnd alone is more of a writing exercise. I am doing it fun for since covid , i combined jumpchaining+solodnd and i am using it as writing material. Its pretty fun so far.