How to Solo Game Part 3: Oracles, Hex Crawling, and Game Flow

[@TheBasicExpert]

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[@sundaybutane9725]

You made this little series just as I started solo gaming. Help my a lot with the great tips, thanks.

[@TheBasicExpert]

Glad I could help!

[@mattjackson]

Great video. I agree on nearly everything. I think it is important to note that what works for one person may not work for another and there is no way 'to correctly solo play'. I see so many people who stumble into this little corner of TTRPGs continually asking how to play. My bits (and I may need to do a video on this too) are (#3 will get me hate mail): 1) KISS is the most important, do not add a ton of tools if you do not need them 2) Use a rulesystem you know, trying to grasp solo play while learning a new system is setting yourself up for failure 3) Remember who you are playing for. If a TPK would ruin months of play and make you stop playing, fudge the dice. No one at YOUR table will care if you fudge a roll to keep the game interesting and exciting. I occasionally fudge the dice in the enemies' favor to make the story as interesting as I can for ME, if the viewer happens to enjoy it, good for them, but I play solo games FOR ME.

[@TheBasicExpert]

I disagree with point 3, but at the same time, I've said I really don't worry about what others are doing at their table. I personally dislike fudging and I roll in the open so that I can keep myself honest. But that's just my preference. As for everything else, I agree with points 1 and 2. Keep it simple. For point two, I think you can use solo gaming to learn a system, but you have to make that part of the goal of your solo gaming. I do this to get a good handle on a game before I bring it to the table with players.

[@mattjackson]

@@TheBasicExpert I know many who would disagree with point 3, but when I ask them "When you DM, do you ever fudge things (perhaps not a roll per se, but maybe changing an NPCs reaction, adding/reducing the monsters, or changing a treasure roll (Deck of Many Things anyone?)) to make the story more engaging for the players at your table?" they always stop to think...because of course they do. I bet 99% of DMs do. So what is the difference between in doing that when running group play and during solo play?

[@TheBasicExpert]

@@mattjackson I think for me in solo gaming, it's as I said, turning "cheats" on to me. I feel like I'm robbing myself of earning something. I don't know. It's maybe weird to some but just how I feel about it and what gives me engagement and real stakes in a solo game.

[@mattjackson]

@@TheBasicExpert I get that. I am not saying cheat "so the PCs always win" but for something that will make the story more engaging and better. But hey, as long as we are all having fun and playing great games, people should play how they want.

[@ryannilsson7955]

Very helpful video, John! Thanks for answering our questions! I actually have a hardback copy of the 1e DMG, so I will check that out. I also recently acquired that Sandbox Generator that you mentioned. It looks like something you would really enjoy.

[@insertnamehere8121]

Previously I asked you how much of the gaming itch did solo play satisfy, and you responded that what it provided was significant. Having learned since that you are a "forever DM", do you think that perhaps you find so much satisfaction because its really your only opportunity as a player? No gotcha buried within the question, just a sincere inquiry. Its a drag whenever I hear that someone seeking play time (as a player), is themselves stuck in the loop of providing that entertainment to others. How often I hear some variation of "well if I didn't GM/DM, there wouldn't be any gaming" is too often. I don't think people realize how few GMs/DMs are holding up the hobby. For every forever DM/GM I've known, I've know 50 or more players that will only ever consider the role of a player, almost all of which would actually let gaming fade from their lives rather than ever considering the role of GM/DM.

[@TheBasicExpert]

That could be part of it. That I dont get to be a player often. But I do get to be a player occasionally. And it feels close enough as far as enjoyment. And I don't always mind being the forever DM. Solo gaming helps me sharpen those DM skills.

[@reddnacpil4420]

the players not dming thing i think it is just that most people just want to be entertained, some people actually appreciate what rpgs do which is structuralize imaginary situations. thats why most people just google specific rules when they need to and some people actually read phbs and dmgs, and what ever rule book the system has and really try to understand what the system actually does. i like reading through different rulesets and comparing them with each other, and get why the writer chose to write them that way. soloing is like creating your own game in real time while using somebody elses as a springboard. you can now play your true fantasy. the dice just provide the chaos factor.

[@caleb-hines]

Simple Oracle: Roll a d8, 5+ indicates yes. Dice Modifiers for likelihood of yes: +/-1 if somewhat likely/unlikely, +/-2 if likely/unlikely, +/-3 if very likely/unlikely. Optional twist: Simultaneously roll a d6. 1: (yes/no) BUT... (soften result) 6: (yes/no) AND... (amplify result)

[@TheBasicExpert]

I like it. It's simple.

[@R_Nedza]

Excellent video man.👍

[@TheBasicExpert]

Thanks. More to come.

[@juancholo7502]

Thanks for the clarifications.

[@phaedruslive]

Game flow is probably the most important aspect of solo play. The reason 4AD is such a great game is that it's completely procedural, and this may not allow for tremendous RP, it does give you a fair and intuitive way for the game to advance. I think you need a procedure flow-chart to keep yourself from goofing up the rate of play, as it's very easy to lose momentum without some kind of guide rails in place.

[@TheBasicExpert]

I've not tried 4AD, but I don't think the procedure makes RP harder, it just gives you some confined areas in which to experiment. I think a procedure is needed for solo gaming.

[@phaedruslive]

It's a great game. Tons of depth and variety. I strongly recommend.@@TheBasicExpert

[@mattjackson]

I would agree game flow is extremely important, if fact, I find anything that pulls me away from the immersion of the game (e.g. looking up a rule or chart) breaks that for me and makes the game far less engaging. To that end, I attempt to run with as little on my table as possible and make rulings on the fly that make sense if I cannot recall the exact rule.

[@onealflynn2414]

Were the hex crawl rules put into OSRIC as well?

[@TheBasicExpert]

You know, I don't know. I'd have to look.

[@YorkshireMatt]

Some but it's not got the hex generater

[@DragonsAndFlagons]

I’ve never found a good digital hex map tool that I can use when building my world solo, any suggestions?

[@santiagofantoni2643]

The real question killing me, the door in the background, is it real or painted?

[@TheBasicExpert]

Real! It's a barn door style thing. And it's wood, not metal. Haha

[@santiagofantoni2643]

@@TheBasicExpert i can finally sleep thank you!