Scarlet Heroes - Solo Role-playing

A sample encounter and discussion of Scarlet Heroes.

[@HeadHunterSix]

I had kind of given up on fantasy games a long time ago and I've played primarily sci-fi games for years. But lately I've been checking out OSR-type games and none have captivated me like Scarlet Heroes. The system to allow a solo character to handle adventures without modifying either the character or the adventure is simple yet revolutionary. I rolled up a character today and I'm excited to play!

[@SwordAgainstChaos]

This is the most impressive RPG for solo play I’ve ever read. I have my own dark S&S world where the monsters will fit perfect. Thanks so much for the combat run through and review.

[@saraann8140]

Just got Scarlet Heroes and found this playthrough - Excellent episode - Ty ty so much 🥰

[@hujands]

This is one of my favourite rpg's. Love the damage system and have even used it with Basic Fantasy and D&D 5e. So glad you've covered this. Also recommend using Elminsters solo rules for working out difficulty.

[@HeadHunterSix]

I picked up that supplement (worth a buck to check it out) and I modified the DCs to correspond with SH check numbers. It will definitely make it easier to work out the target when I'm not sure.

[@santiagofantoni2643]

Thank you so much for explaining fray damage, it was confusing on paper and theres no info about this awsome game anywhere! I sarted last week and im having a blast with my first rpg expirience.

[@philippkowalski1105]

Amazing review. And I liked how you pointed out, that it can be applied to any environment. Also very good example, thank you!

[@paultice]

Thanks 😊 I didn't go into detail about the solo adventure mechanics but they're pretty clever in how they gamify the experience, a little bit like Ironsworn does, but slightly simpler and with less crunch.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Thanks for this video! Just bought the game. Seems fun.

[@boardsandstuff5008]

The tables for solo play alone are worth the money. Running solo with this is smooth.

[@paultice]

Yes, Scarlet Heroes has really grown on me since I made this. There is such a lot of useful stuff in the book.

[@boardsandstuff5008]

What I do is use their tables and just add my own encounters tables based on the specific game I am playing. Thanks for the videos. Very well done.

[@beesbeesbees6289]

Suuuper helpful thank you!

[@shaneannigans]

I read the description of the Toyol.... yeah, I can see what you mean. Whilst I'm a big fan of the lighter Terrinoth setting, I really appreciate it when someone creates a really dark, morbid and/or graphic world. Part of me wants this system to get more popular so there's more video content to help newbies like me navigate the system. But then I worry that the more people who know about it, the more complaints and problems it may have. Thanks for doing a video on this system 🙂👍

[@paultice]

Hi. Thanks for your comment. Just looked into it (on Google), the Toyol is from South East Asian folklore, so I guess it fits the setting, albeit a bit grim for my tastes 😮

[@Sideways0J]

I just downloaded a free quickstart version of the pdf (it includes much of the rules -- enough to make and play a level one character) but haven't looked at the monsters, yet. Was considering getting this to run one-on-one games for my son on rainy/snowy days. I guess I'll have to investigate more thoroughly before buying the full version, if there will be potentially age inappropriate descriptions (he's 11). I appreciate that warning!

[@paultice]

The setting is quite dark and some of the monsters and artwork for them are pretty grim.

[@Sideways0J]

I wonder if I can just steal the bits that make it useful for one player/character adventures. Is it mostly the Fray die mechanic? I'm pretty new to TTRPGS and just trying to cobble together something that will work well without spending too much money at first.

[@robharris6616]

I was looking for something more like dnd. This is really different. I wasn't sold on the spells and I prefer to play spellcasters. The tables and adventure creation stuff is probably worth the price. It is expensive and it seems like it never goes sale but man those tables. I love your play throughs. Thanks for the content.

[@ThredithUndomiel]

Rob Harris You can use the Magic-User spells from B/X or from Labyrinth Lord instead.

[@SwordAgainstChaos]

How is this not like DnD? You can use any OSR rule set you prefer.

[@ChuckBarchuk]

Great video Paul. Out of all those various games you showed at the end which one do you prefer for your go to solo game at this point? Btw, which monster were you referencing in the video if you don't mind me asking? I think my tastes are similar to yours and I would like to bring my young son into the hobby. Thanks!

[@paultice]

Hi. Thanks for your comment. My favourite is Basic Fantasy. I don't solo Dungeon Crawl Classics (apart from in the video I made) and I've just started learning 5e. I like Swords and Wizardry though, but Basic is my fave. The monster was the Toyol. I found the description really horrible. * Edit - Apparently it's from South East Asian folklore, but it's still pretty grim.

[@jonathanrector]

I love your channel and content so much, thanks for making/posting these! A question if you have the time, have you tried using Scarlet Heroes OVERTOP of Basic Fantasy? If you have, how has it worked for you, not sure if you have a video on this or not. Thanks!

[@paultice]

I don't think I've tried that yet but I may have used just one or two of the tables with other systems. Scarlet Heroes has such a lot of useful stuff in the book. 🙂

[@dragonchr15]

It is expensive because of all the random tables and play testing that must have gone into it. They had to scale everything for a solo adventurer, mind you....

[@0015dnokinmai]

Hi thanks for this insight and play through, really good. Is there a list/pdf of enemy stats I download for solo gaming please?

[@paultice]

Hi. Scarlet Heroes has its own bestiary of monsters included in the book.

[@0015dnokinmai]

@@paultice Many thanks, I have downloaded the Scarlet Heroes pdf.👍

[@paultice]

@@0015dnokinmai Cool! Hope you have fun 😊

[@wispsprojects1120]

I think Godbund uses the same, or very similar damage system, and thats free as a pdf.

[@Colaris99]

Can I use D&D creatures in SH? Is it easy to transfer them?

[@devinthunderstrike]

So with damage, you add modifiers then look at the damage matrix? That means if you have an adjustment you never get zero damage, right?

[@paultice]

I think so. The rules as written say: "Each die that comes up a 1 does no damage" (page 16) and "For each die that comes up 1, no damage is done" (page 18), but those paragraphs read like the Strength bonus isn't factored in, and the only place the bonus is mentioned is on page 5 where it says "for example, if your character has a Strength of 13, you'd add +1 to your damage roll [in melee combat]". For a game with such succinct rules I think this has just been left a little unclear. The skill checks are so clear about adding any trait bonus and attribute bonus to those rolls that I think any Strength bonus will mean you won't be doing zero damage when you hit someone in combat, and this would fit with the idea of making a lone hero powerful. And you roll 1d2 if you're unarmed, so that would seem a bit odd not doing damage 50% of the time. So the way I read it, I don't think there's a fumble mechanic when the damage die rolls a one, only if the damage die minus any Strength penalty is one. And the Strength bonus doesn't apply to ranged combat so it would be more likely to do zero damage. But it seems a bit vague and I could be wrong.

[@HeadHunterSix]

You may deal zero damage with the Fray die, as no modifiers apply. Also, if you are rolling multiple dice for normal damage, you only apply your Strength (or Dex for ranged weapons) bonus to one of the dice.

[@devinthunderstrike]

@@HeadHunterSix You mean with multi-attack, right? Like dual-wielding?

[@HeadHunterSix]

@@devinthunderstrike No. The Fray die is separate from your individual attack action. Damage from your regular attack is modified by your stat. You won't usually roll multiple dice for that attack, but yes, if you have a positive stat modifier you'll always do at least 1 point of damage. Your Fray die, on the other hand, is not modified by any stat or other modifier. So if you roll a 1, you do no damage.

[@HeadHunterSix]

@@paultice unarmed attacks don't do much damage because if they didn't, all us 1 Hit Die civilians would die in fights in bars and playgrounds 🤣

[@rgmadd7]

Lol Why do all the solo play videos I've watched never have character sheets? Tons of dice and maps and miniatures. Characters on notebook pages. No offense, just funny to me.

[@robertswain5704]

😂…”marketing”. Beautiful children, your (Grand?)momma *never* imagined the future held *any* problem gaming with notebook paper. That is, if she did not already DIY all the things she found most pleasing using a sheet of blank copy paper.