Forbidden Lands SOLO!

[@GeekGamers01]

Enjoying this? Help support the channel by donating: paypal.me/geekgamersDeborah Get SOLO GAME MASTER'S GUIDE: order from Amazon: shorturl.at/vFMQ2 order from Modiphius: shorturl.at/npsL1 order from Modiphus UK: shorturl.at/kqsMN Get RANDOM HEXCRAWL book: tinyurl.com/5cj3d4jc

[@AmazingAaxor]

Like your Ironsworn play/thoughts videos, I hope you revisit the Forbidden Lands from time to time - you do the solo-gaming community well by exploring this fantastic system.

[@GeekGamers01]

Thanks I really appreciate that. I may return to it someday!

[@retrodmray]

I'll definitely second Jeremiah here! Do please revisit soon!! 👍

[@GeekGamers01]

Is there any new FL content that you have in mind or just revisiting the basic?

[@GeekGamers01]

Is there any new FL content you had in mind or just the base material?

[@retrodmray]

@@GeekGamers01 Both just a revisit, and maybe a continuation of the Silverlif tale? 🤔🤓

[@alexmcglenn]

The crochet hook for pointer really makes this video shine!

[@GeekGamers01]

Why thank you!

[@Regan47]

I really love your videos. They are very informative and doesn't have all of the unnecessary special effects that I have to skip through to get to what I was lookin for. Thank you for making these!

[@alnelson1131]

Omg I've been looking for someone to do this! Thank you

[@GeekGamers01]

Enjoy!

[@goldengriffon]

Great video, thanks. Yes, the books could use a major revamp! So, I don't blame you for the couple of rules errors I noticed: - Endurance rolls are only made if attempting to hike more than 2 quarters of the day. The first and second quarter days spent hiking only require the Pathfinding roll (and even then, only if you've not travelled to the target hex before). However, you probably would also want someone to Scout, to potentially avoid being taken by surprise. - Dodging an attack is done at -2 if you want to remain standing, otherwise you wind up prone and need to spend a fast action to stand. In this case it didn't make any difference, and I understand not wanting to get too deep into the mechanics for an intro video like this. Just thought I'd mention it, so that people realize the combat system is more developed. - After your half-elf took Strength damage, he should have been rolling fewer attribute dice on his melee attacks. - The Healing skill is only useful if an attribute is Broken (fully lost, 0 dice remaining). To otherwise recover lost attribute points requires spending a quarter day to Rest or Sleep. Of course, it's a perfectly valid choice to decide if you want healing to be more quick than the designers intended. But in that case, I would suggest a potential drawback (such as only allowing 1 attempt, and possibly causing more damage if the attempt fails).

[@theunreal_TOEBEANS]

I've been watching your videos for years. I've finally pulled the (miniscule) trigger, and bought my first rule set and dice, and set me up with a bunch of random tables and maps, along with a self-designed oracle. I'm currently fully immersed in the adventures of two dudes in Miami having a Romeo+Juliet gangs vs cops adventure! THANK YOU FOR TEACHING ME HOW!! 😍

[@GeekGamers01]

Hey this is so great to hear! Thanks for sharing that and I’m so glad my channel has helped in some way and that you’re having a good experience.

[@patkelley8293]

Forbidden Lands really has my attention. I love your presentation!

[@michaeldavis9357]

Goodness me... Someone's been learning a lot about video editing.. Such a fluid orator with no script! Do let's plays on g's for 6 months and you'll have 200k subs! Seriously good stuff GG. One day you will be the Dark Queen of Nerden-kind

[@GeekGamers01]

Thanks {blush}. I finally took a look at some of the tabs on imovie... now of course I want some real video editing software! I appreciate your support of my efforts! Thanks for taking the time to write.

[@NonprofitAce]

Loved this video! What I like about FL is that it is set up so that the GM allows the players to practically run the game. Most of the rules are in the player handbook. I like how you took a setting from the GM handbook and used it for your own story. Very well done! I think you would like Vaesen, also by Free League. Its Nordic horror mystery set in the mythic 1700s. The focus is more on solving a mystery of why a creature is acting out, and helping/stopping it, rather than resorting to combat. The art in the rulebook is also amazing.

[@GeekGamers01]

Thanks for the comment and suggestion. That setting sounds really cool. As I mentioned in the vid, I found some of the choices of where rules were put to be curious and caused switching between books but it all worked out.

[@godlaydying]

Nordic fantasy adventurers: "We emphasize rehabilitation rather than punishment. Nordic monsters have a much lower recidivism rate than American ones."

[@kenho4ba]

Great! Love the format of the video also! I have had this game for some time now. And because of the art in it it is very nostalgic for me as some of the art in it is from a very old rpg from my childhood.

[@GeekGamers01]

Thanks, Kent H. I failed to mention it in my vid, but you are right about the nostalgic art and feel. Glad you enjoy the new format. It’s here to stay.

[@perplexingruins]

just received a big FL bundle, so its a nice warm up to the texts, to see your vid! their latest book has solo procedures section, though not sure it adds whole lot new to what you already know! cheers

[@KageRyuu6]

You can also hire mercs to travel with you, which is how you often filled out a party of 6-8 for ADnD.

[@alexg6353]

I got this for Christmas and devoured the books. I love this world and concept but I can’t get a solo game together. This is inspiring.

[@GeekGamers01]

Glad to hear that! It’s doable!

[@davida4697]

This one has been sitting my shelf for a while; I'll reference this when I dive into it. Thanks!

[@GeekGamers01]

Enjoy! It’s a very workable system for solo and the second part of the vid walks through some of the key sections/ info for that.

[@BTsMusicChannel]

It almost sounds like a tarot reading! :D Also...It's amazing how many RPGs ignore making good hex crawl mechanics. This would be a great game for someone to learn a method to work with and tweak as needed. 40:58 Why not put a token or mini on the hex to mark the position of characters? That would make it more gameboardy too. 41:35 Trial by combat sounds like something Giuliani might say. :/

[@GeekGamers01]

Totally agree about the hexcrawl dearth. And absolutely you could use a meeple or whatever when you played. I couldn’t do that because of the fact that I was filming and also needed the books right there to show. And props to your Guiliani ref. So true!

[@BTsMusicChannel]

@@GeekGamers01 I did not watch your AD&D DM Guide vid yet, but that's the book I go back to when I want to design a hex crawl. The rules are not specific, but I generally specify the following on a hex map: (1) hex = X miles (2) takes X time to cross a hex, with modifications based upon terrain..assign a PC to track time and resources (e.g., food) used. (3) roll chance of successfully navigating to next desired hex; if roll d6 to determine direction really went; DM might track position separately so players don't know when PCs are lost rules fo realize where PCs are (4) Arriving on hex requires rolling on an event table that has non-event, encounter, find something, weather problem, etc. I love watching players eyes light up when I explain the hex crawl rules (what I call. "game within a game" when you have invented a temporary mechanic te get through some problem). One player goes, "Did you make this up? I love this!" It's so much better to once in a while throw in something different like this. But it is time consuming to run a hex crawl so sometimes its best to just fast forward through from point A to point B. The big prob with WOTC's D&D (other than superhero PCs and the same tired D&D mythology/setting) is the lack of DM tools. You have to go back to AD&D and the BX set (or derivatives), but even using those requires some creative rule making. Too much emphasis on players and not enough DM tools makes the game monotonous. (Also DMs and players need to actually read a lot of fantasy to make the quality of their game better -- both fluff and mechanics.)

[@MyOwnWorstEnemy]

Excellent video! I also own Forbidden Lands. The components are really nice. Can't wait to play this one, solo of course!

[@GeekGamers01]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed the vid and I hope you enjoy your gameplay.

[@AlarianDarkwind]

I ordered this a few days ago and am excited to get it. The only thing I may house rule is doing less die rolls and adding more self RP. There seems to be a bit too many rolls for just about everything you want to do. Great playthrough and review though.

[@GeekGamers01]

It’s very forgiving with house rules. I hope you enjoy it and glad you liked this vid.

[@humanoidesassociados]

Loved the video, so glad I found this channel!

[@GeekGamers01]

Thanks so much… and welcome to the channel!

[@dominiclohry1782]

awesome! i need to get this! Thanks so much for the great introduction

[@alamos52]

Good discussion/analysis!

[@kosterix123]

9:40 agree that is a better resolution. It makes space for nuance.

[@rpgchronicler]

I love your content so much I decided to subscribe to you. Looking forward to your content. Hopefully I can get back into Tabletop RPGs including solo rpgs.

[@AdamH75]

Fantastic overview and you've just convinced me to place an order for this. Thank you!

[@GeekGamers01]

Ah well my role is not to convince, but to demonstrate.... I think you'll be very happy with the game. It's wonderful for solo.

[@maskroomhangout]

Love your videos! They're so relaxing and really draws me in, even if i don't have the game. Will you do a solo gameplay of dead reign? I just got it and would love to see how you play

[@GeekGamers01]

Thank you so much for this comment. I’m humbled that people watch my vids even if they don’t have the game or plan on getting it. I’m glad they are relaxing and a diversion. I don’t have plans for Dead Reign, no. There’s something about zombies that makes it challenging for me to think of soloing. It can be done, for sure, but I suspect I won’t be doing it!

[@maskroomhangout]

@@GeekGamers01 I understand, I can see it being better with a group. Thank you so much for commenting back, I look forward to future videos!

[@GeekGamers01]

@@maskroomhangout There's just something about zombies...probably the hardest theme I could imagine to solo

[@maskroomhangout]

@@GeekGamers01 what about Tunnels and Trolls? I just got the mega solo adventure. Or Blades in the Dark?

[@GeekGamers01]

@@maskroomhangout I've done two vids on Blades. The first one is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXPCf6yiZcefpcU T&T is on my long list of things to cover... just haven't gotten around to it yet.

[@chrism.5212]

Thanks for the vid! I had already picked this one up but watched your playthrough to make sure I understand the rules correctly, I think I have it. I’m going to make a party of 4 and play the game solo "4 against darkness style" I think. I’m really uncertain about the magic system and magic system, I was hoping your druid would have cast a spell so I could see if I'm getting it. I like the spells, but I really don’t care for the casting system, if I understand it correctly. So to use spells, you have to burn willpower. To gain willpower, I have to push rolls and fail at them to the point I take damage. So my frail old aged sorcerer has to make a bunch of risky moves and damage himself so he can cast a spell? I think I’ll switch to house system based on wits and ranks in the spell talent. Or do I not get how it works?

[@GeekGamers01]

Willpower is also gained as healing if you have a strong hold but yet generally speaking you are correct in your description of the use of willpower and spells. On some level it makes thematic sense -that magic is hard won-but as you describe in your comment it also doesn’t make sense

[@chrism.5212]

​@@GeekGamers01 Thanks your reply. I played a quick game tonight and made my Druid burn a point wits to cast a spell (subtracted after the cast roll), seemed to work good and kind of in the school of d100 Dungeon spells that cost stats or HP to cast where the character gets weaker the more they use spells. With those stats regenerating with rest, it gives it a D and D feel also (so many castable per day). I think I'll let them still use WP to "pump up" the spell dice still. Thanks again!

[@azuretigers5562]

This game system is AMAZING !!

[@TheDungeonDive]

This is cool! Been interested in this.

[@GeekGamers01]

It’s a very easy system to pick up.

[@zachthestampede]

Great video, thanks for doing this. How did you come up with the background of the town and witch at the beginning? Sorry if i missed something, its pretty overwhelming at first

[@GeekGamers01]

Not sure I’m understanding your question... as I say at the beginning of the video, the second part of the video (analysis) is about how I created the story. If I’m misunderstanding what you are asking please ask again. Maybe you didn’t listen to the intro?

[@zachthestampede]

@@GeekGamers01 Nope i did, I'm just a dingus and misunderstood 😁 thanks a ton for replying

[@Tepic]

Yet another game you've made me buy. Thanks! :)

[@GeekGamers01]

I think you won’t regret it!

[@Tepic]

It comes while I am at work this evening. I'll let you know. From memory you are responsible for me buying this, d100 and 4AD. Thank you 😁

[@larilaa]

Great & informative video, as always. Hey, if you feel like it, do you have any personal favorites / recommendations in mind for sci-fi space adventure themed solo rpg play? ...? I'm still largely and mostly into fantasy rpg systems, but sci-fi interests me.

[@GeekGamers01]

Glad you enjoyed the video. I have not done too many sci-fi sets on my channel, however one that I think works pretty well is Hulks & Horrors. I demo it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKTOn2Oljsajr9U I may do more sci fi in the future.

[@NefariousKoel]

If you like the game system of Forbidden Lands, in this video, the creators also have a sci-fi RPG based on the same system named Coriolis. It likewise has extra random tables for encounters and such, likely more so. Although quite a few come in an extra little supplement book called the 'Atlas Compendium', notably encounter tables and planet/system generation. Note that Coriolis has a near-eastern flavor to it, but it's mostly in the names and description of clothing. It's still basically a Firefly-In-Space/Millennium Falcon type sci-fi RPG which is the norm. Flying around in your own ship, having adventures in various locales. Speaking of Firefly-In-Space there is also good old 'Traveller' RPG. Which is what inspired the writing for the Firefly series in the first place. Current user-friendliest version is from Mongoose, the 2nd Edition. More straightforward space opera with easily recognizable themes. The lifepath style character creation is like it's own mini-game; always fun making your characters' life choices and rolling for their outcomes as you build them. Has random generation tables although maybe not quite as extensive as Coriolis with it's Atlas supplement, but close. I'd also suggest picking up 'Stars Without Number' on DriveThruRPG. The PDF is FREE! While it's a full game system, I'd at least use it with other sci-fi RPG systems for it's plethora of random generation tables. They have tables for generating more detailed planetary governments, factions, etc which would lend variety to planet-hopping travels. Random tables take so much of the burden off your thinker to keep the ideas fresh and, just as importantly, to keep future decisions a mystery until you get there. There are quite a few sci-fi RPGs out there. These were just a couple recommendations which have similar content to the one in this vid, and at about the same rules crunchiness.

[@GeekGamers01]

@@NefariousKoel Thanks for all those suggestions. I’ve got Stars Without Numbers but sort of forgot about it. Will take a close look at Coriolis and Mutant. This system was so easy and intuitive yet robust as well. I don’t know Traveller but it always seemed quite deep on numbers/ details-a bit too much for me. I haven’t looked closely at it tho

[@michaellittle5792]

I've been getting into solo/co-op gaming with my wife and this channel is really helpful. Have you thought about trying Worlds Without Number or Stars Without Number?

[@GeekGamers01]

Glad you find the channel of use. I’ve had Stars Without Number for quite some time but not gotten around to it!

[@paul_henderson]

9:38 So you used a smaller white dice pool to balance the roll or ran out of white dice?

[@GeekGamers01]

I’m afraid I’m not understanding your question.

[@paul_henderson]

@@GeekGamers01 The roll - 14 white (3) dice against 13 (5) black ones instead e.g. 5 vs 5 or 3 vs 3 of the same color, equally

[@GeekGamers01]

@@paul_henderson I don't have time to go back and watch the whole video but I think I assembled the dice in different colors as per the rules and then, for quickness of rolling them--so I didn't make two rolls--I just substituted out the dice colors to end up with an entire set for the witch as one color and an entire set for the character as the other, and then I just rolled once.

[@paul_henderson]

@@GeekGamers01 I know, that's why I posted the time stamp in the 1st place, all you have (don't have, if you like) to do is to click the 9:38 time stamp and see what I referred to. You've done 1 roll together, both with black and white dice, but you mentioned 14 vs 13 as the total roll outcome that is not the rule of the game/system, you could watch that time stamp, it's literally couple seconds more or less. You don't have to watch the whole video. Thank you.

[@GeekGamers01]

It’s as I wrote in the comment above

[@laurenwoode1046]

This is great!

[@GeekGamers01]

Thanks!

[@abstractbybrian]

Where did you get the Legends & Adventures pamphlet?

[@GeekGamers01]

It comes in the Forbidden Lands box.

[@NefariousKoel]

It was a Kickstarter unlock. Fortunately the publisher included it in all the boxes and didn't make it an exclusive. Good stuff.

[@abstractbybrian]

I bought the pdf and I found it was included with that!

[@ericperez7872]

Hello! I wanted to ask ..does the box core set come with solo rules or do I need to buy the beastry book ?

[@GeekGamers01]

The solo rules are in the bestiary book… I am not sure whether they are also online… you might email Free League (the publishers) to ask about that. I don’t think the box set has solo rules THO it does have a lot of solo supporting materials as I show in this vid and my other FL vids.

[@ericperez7872]

@@GeekGamers01 I went ahead and just ordered the book of beasts along with the box set 👍🏼

[@GeekGamers01]

@ericperez7872 I hope you enjoy it!

[@MichaelSmith-ze3iv]

Great as always. Do you have any thoughts on whether this or symbaroum lends itself easier/better for solo play. Thanks in advance and have a great day! Michael

[@GeekGamers01]

Glad you enjoyed and great question. The answer is: depends on what helps you more. FL has random adventure generator which can be super helpful in providing a structure and it also has random site generators and tons of NPCs with stats. All this seems more accessible than what Symbaroum has. But S has (IMO) a more fully developed world and significantly more evocative art. Those two things make it easier to “step into” the world of S while what FL offers makes it easier to “step into” some of the mechanics of story creation.

[@LeTempliers]

Really enjoying your solo videos , may I ask what is your favorite rules set , the one you play for yourself ?

[@GeekGamers01]

Great question and surprisingly one that people don't ask too often. The answer, however, isn't a simple one. I tend to enjoy/replay different systems at different times. Right now I'm sort of obsessed with Symbaroum and all its supplements (only some of which I showed in my video). The world is just so captivating, the art so lush, and the the material available is so great. It's easy to keep going with a story or just make up a new one. Mork Borg has also really grabbed me of late, though playing it is a somewhat different experience. For a pen and paper dungeon crawl, I find myself returning again and again to d100 dungeon and its supplements, though I still do wish the combat in that would be a bit fleshed out/shortened and that it was easier to start and generate new characters. (There are quick start character creation rules that help, but I'd love the designer to supply a stock group of existing characters.) But ask me again in a year and the answer might be different... The MasterBook Universal Roleplaying system, which I haven't played in a while, is one I still think about returning to. It has a variety of settings and ways to make it work solo.

[@LeTempliers]

@@GeekGamers01 I am kinda the same way , currently looking for one to fill the time between now and when all the One Ring 2nd ED stuff gets sent out , thank you for taking the time to answer , looking forward to your future videos !

[@GeekGamers01]

@@LeTempliers Thanks for writing with a great question!

[@christopherchase8253]

@@GeekGamers01 You are welcome :)

[@Mind_of_MATT]

Would you say it would be easy to adjust Forbidden Lands (&/or Symbaroum) to play as a single PC; Scarlet Heroes-esque?

[@GeekGamers01]

Yes I would. How you do it depends on how exacting you want to be. You could cut an enemy stat block in half or thirds or whatever made sense. You could find a way not to encounter certain enemies that would be impossible to manage, etc. You can also give your PC “luck” or some other kind of benefit that would allow re-rolls or extra damage done or whatever.

[@mr.badguy8500]

while I appreciate the success and failure system with d6, I personally don't like how it's based on 1's and 6's. Personally think that Prowlers and Paragons use of "2, 4= 1 success each and 6= 2 successes" vs Threshold makes better use of the dice.

[@miguelsalgueiro7429]

Great video, from what I saw so far. I've not see all video, by know...so, no emulator (like mythic) needed to play this system?

[@GeekGamers01]

I tend not to use emulators but I imagine many people would want to do so as there is no built-in emulator designed to make it soloable within the actual rules in the box.

[@kawankoza8641]

hey one question, i am new, i have never played solo, and i want to play the story of the forbidden lands, because my friends are not happy with the dice mechanic of the forbbiden lands, is it possible to tell/play the story with its prefabricated locations without knowing about it or reading it beforehand, if so how? thx

[@GeekGamers01]

Hi and thanks for tuning in. It’s a great question. I suppose you could make a copy of locations and print it out and cut up the prompts and draw them out of a bag... or even easier just number them and roll a die and then read the prompt. But short of just covering the info until you want to read it I don’t think there is a magical way.

[@markoreilly4433]

This is so good . Did you do a solo of Magic Realm in the past? . I recognise that lovely voice 🙂

[@GeekGamers01]

Thanks and yes I did a series of vlogs on my attempts to solo MR.

[@usapatriot4163]

Do you feel this system with make a good Dungeon Crawl game?

[@GeekGamers01]

Good question… it could b eased, certainly, and there are some random tables I think for that. But overall it is very much about the lands…down tot he map that comes with it, etc. Using the mechanics of course you could do that. You’d need to spend some time creating encounter tables, etc that would fit a traditional dungeon, unless you wanted one with a dinosaur in it.

[@wavee5879]

I didn't want to listen to the adventure because it is a premade that I like to play sometime. I have Free League newest version of The One Ring. They also, made a booklet that is used JUST for solo playing TOR. Now are your solo rules all just home brew of does it come from supported sources?

[@GeekGamers01]

Hmm I don’t use premise adventures on the channel… not sure what you are referring to…my solo work is based on lots of things- ‘narrative principles and random tables etc.

[@usapatriot4163]

Great video as always! I like the consistent art style throughout the books. Bit disappointed by the meager bestiary, but there seems to be enough types and variations of Kin and NPC types to fill in the gaps. Another RPG I need to pick up.

[@GeekGamers01]

Glad you enjoyed the vid, thanks. And you are right: they could have done more with the bestiary and I didn’t really focus on that. And of the 23 entries there are some that are specific to a certain situation like a giant sea serpent or giant squid. If you did sea travel in a session you’d really only have that choice of 2. It’s possible (likely?) they have other monster books-I didn’t investigate. This said, the NPCs with stats are great (and varied). I love that, esp for solo play.

[@gipht1]

I so hope you get a chance to do one for Coriolis even though its sci fi 😆

[@GeekGamers01]

Is Coriolis the same system?

[@gipht1]

@@GeekGamers01 they do not. It shares the same system as mutant year zero, another free league game. I think they are the only two free league games that share systems but I maybe wrong on that.

[@GeekGamers01]

@@gipht1 Thanks for response. I'm looking into a number of FL games including the ones you mention, Alien, and Tales from the Loop. Something will be forthcoming at some point--just not sure what, or when.

[@gipht1]

@@GeekGamers01 those look like good games too,all the free league stuff really. Which one do you recommend between Symbaroum vs. Forbidden Lands though? If any preferences

[@NefariousKoel]

@@GeekGamers01 - Coriolis uses the same core system as Forbidden Lands and the Mutant Year Zero series. Only very minor tweaks between them. They all have a hex crawl or space crawl facet included in them too. Just pick the genre... Fantasy, Sci-Fi, or Post-Apocalypse. While Alien and Tales From The Loop use the same system, I don't think they're as focused on hex crawling as much. Also, a portion of Coriolis' random tables are in it's supplement, the 'Atlas Compendium'. Just FYI in case you're looking to get it.

[@kosterix123]

I'll wait for the second edition. poor rules and spread out is a big nono. Also not numbering chapters is just plain stupid.

[@marcosroberto9333]

Legenda em português do Brasil por favor!!!!!!!

[@GeekGamers01]

Hi my settings should allow captions in all languages. Is that not the case?

[@MelvLee]

Coming back to this video. I have recently watched a playthrough of a game called “Journey to the Overland”. I think it is a wonderful game that feels very similar to Forbidden Lands. The game designer clearly loves Solo RPG and the game feels like a consolidated list of homebrew Solo RPG rules. I think it is perfect fit for your channel and I think you will enjoy it very much. I think the Dungeon Dive is going to do a video on it soon too

[@GeekGamers01]

I have heard of this and it’s a great suggestion. Hard game to come by though. It’s been on my trade list since I saw Rob Oren so a vid on it. I will be interested to see Daniel’s vid. Maybe he’d trade me the game when he’s done. For sure if I got my hands on it you would see it on the channel. I can see why it may remind you of FL, albeit with more actual solo RPG structures baked in.

[@MelvLee]

Thanks for the video and very interesting material here. I agree the board game feel is very welcoming. Seems like this can easily be combined with a Dungeon Crawl board game to cover the over world travel. Maybe with Dungeon Universalis / Heroquest / Warhammer Quest?

[@GeekGamers01]

Glad you enjoyed the video. You could certainly use it with other games such as you mention but the fact of the map itself being included makes it easier to stick to the FL world (for me, anyway).