Untold Encounters of the Random Kind - An Invaluable Tool for the Solo Gamer

[@T_U3721]

Excellent review as usual. Totally agree this is a must have for rpg soloists. The book overflows with fluff and themes (vs. crunch and extra rules layer). The encounters offer decent narrative snippets without getting in the way or breaking the immersion. No need to go through tons of dice rolls and endless streams of page flipping and table lookups and extra rules checking. The layout and printing quality are top-notched and professional. Even though the book works just fine without the battlemat books (dungeon, towns & tavern, wilderness), it's a perfect companion to the trilogy. A few extra notes: - In the pdf version of Tavern Crawl (p. 124 onwards), ie the supplement for the book of town & tavern (content being the same as the town chapter in Untold Encounters), there is an extra section for utilizing the physical/VTT versions of the town & tavern battlemats books, plus a dozen or so extra random tables. - Dungeon Run: This 100+ pages supplementary volume came with their first kickstarter (the book of dungeon). The content is more or less the same as what we find in the dungeon section in Untold Encounters, except for an additional chapter which contains a whole bunch of random tables tailored for each individiaul page in the dungeon battlemat book. The ks project only provided the pdf iirc and so I ordered a hardback version from drivethru then. Not sure if it is still available. I've been a big fan of loke battlemats and their ks projects. Pity that their most recent one (sci-fi) only offers vtt/pdf versions, probably due to cost or logistics concerns and so I gave it a pass. Off topic: I remember some time ago you gave a look at Forbidden Lands. A few days ago I received their ks pdf copy of the Book of Beasts and as a ks strech goal the book contains very well thought out real solo rules (not tips) covering things from character creation to combat. Just wonder if you would be interested to take a look at that at some point in the future.

[@TheDungeonDive]

I came to the conclusion that Forbidden Lands is far too complex for me. I'm more of a Mork Borg / Scarlet Heroes guy. I guess I like my RPGs when all the rules can fit on a single piece of paper, with room to spare. :) I love the look of FL though. Beautiful books. I have a PDF of the Dungeon Run rules, and want to print out the last few pages that have the map tiles. It looks like it is still available if you buy the PDF version of the tiles from Drive Thru RPG. I'll have to check out the Tavern Crawl PDF to see if that's available.

[@Mandroo]

Thank you for the overview, about half way through I paused the video and searched where to buy it, bought it, and came back to finish the video. I'm so excited to dive in and try using it for a mega dungeon I'm working on.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@WeebDweebTCG]

Where did you buy it?

[@Mandroo]

@@WeebDweebTCG Doesn't look like you can get a physical copy any more. Maybe they will do another print run some day.

[@Naruga]

Oh you weren't kidding, this is definitely something worth getting. Covers almost all the areas I wanted a little bit of push in.

[@GrayArmyGaming]

Awesome book! This was just what I was looking for! Thanks so much for posting! 👍😊

[@darkemperor95]

I bought the book and used it quite recently to write my very first homebrew one shot for DnD and then converted it to the EZD6 system! My players loved the experience so much they wanted to continue so I'm still using the book for the overall campaign to get ideas about encounters in cities and in the wilderness

[@shannonnome1236]

This is just awesome! I ordered it pronto. Thanks for the review! 🙂

[@jayvillanueva723]

I've been watching your videos for a while and I bought this book as well because of your review and it's a great book, my main system to use is Scarlet heroes even though I started out with four against darkness doing plates for them and what not, I stumbled upon these cards that you might be interested in called objects of intrigue, there's different decks there's wilderlands, dungeons and others. These cards have a D12 table in the back with something random that you can find in a dungeon or outside.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Those sounds great!

[@NomNom1970]

This book looks FANTASTIC! This is going to the top of the "Next book I buy" list. Thank you for showing us this and getting the word out on this product.

[@f.a.santiago1053]

I JUST discovered this channel/video. Instant sub! Thanks for the recommendation. I'll definitely get the book!

[@mattreagan4347]

This book looks great, definitely going to check this out. Thanks for the great review!

[@patchworkdragon2588]

Great review - I’ve bought this book on the back of this video. This will be perfect for the new West Marches style campaign I’m planning.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Yes! Should be a great resource for that kind of campaign.

[@leebrown1049]

Just ordered it, thanks for the great review

[@BenjaminMarra]

Awesome review! I didn’t know about this book. Looks like a valuable resource! I picked up the PDF. Thanks for the enlightenment!

[@TheDungeonDive]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jean-sebastienh.8789]

soo coool! Didnt know about this one but it look amazing!! Thx for the review!

[@TheDungeonDive]

Thanks for watching!

[@perplexingruins]

Oh man, this looks like a lot of fun! Perhaps going to see in your next solo campaign?!

[@barker262]

Might want to put a link in the description for those searching and being blocked by Google.

[@Thomas-kx9op]

Many thanks for the video, the book does look excellent. Looks similar to a couple of books I have, but the more the merrier :-)

[@eldritchmorgasm4018]

I was thinking, is there a whatever system that gives you a world you can explore, bit by bit, without using maps that practicly show you the world? Something like the hex-field-tiles from the "Mage Knight" boardgame, where it's based on chance. Open-World exploration without knowing the whole picture, so to speak, you realy have to go there to "see" what might be there. I like these tiles, so I probably will buy "Mage Knight" just for that, don't care that much for the game itself. The dungeons & other areas would be what other games provide with dungeon-tiles & of course specifig books with matts. About this book, this looks like something that might be very usefull, I'm thinking about buying it myself. Good video. 👍🏻 I wonder if there's also a sci-fi version...

[@T_U3721]

In pricinple you can use whatever maps or tiles you have. The content basically generates the encounters for you in whatever locations your characters run into. I believe the book even works with the Mage Knight hex tiles. Just use the corresponding sections (forest, desert, castles, etc.) from the book to match the particular hexes. Their most recet ks project is a book of sci-fi tile, but I am not sure if it comes with any encounter generators like the ones for the fantasy themes.

[@eldritchmorgasm4018]

@@T_U3721 😬👍🏻

[@jay_cadiramen]

This looks amazing

[@s10digital]

Ordered. Thanks 👍

[@TheDungeonDive]

Hope you like it!

[@chrisford8277]

Hi Daniel. Loke Battle Maps also produce the Books of Battle Maps for each of the themed areas in this book (with 80 maps in each!), making an amazing solo role play and DM resource for playing with miniatures. Check them out, as with this book in addition I feel you will be mightily impressed, and you may find them also worthy of a review… Keep up the great work! :)

[@TheDungeonDive]

I know! I have the wilderness, dungeon, and town sets. I’ve used them with some solo RPGs and will also be using them for Five Leagues from the Borderlands. I love them! I also backed the most recent two box sets for adventure designs.

[@chrisford8277]

@@TheDungeonDive I was looking at the new adventure sets on backer kit as a late pledge. They are an amazing company / couple. Glad you are showing off their products. Thx for the reply. :)

[@chrisford8277]

@@TheDungeonDive encounter boxes now booked :)

[@TheDungeonDive]

They really do make great products.

[@oneanotherstudios]

Yah, that book looks great! Just ordered a copy. Have you seen Loke's "Box of Combat Twists" cards? That looks useful for solo play, too.

[@TheDungeonDive]

I have not! But I’ll check them out. Thanks.

[@chrisdonovan8795]

So, there's Tome of Adventure Design, this, and a few other table based idea resources. Is it my imagination, or is there little, or nothing for science fiction? It seems like Mythic is more work, but has a wider scope when considering genres.

[@markperry1603]

There are charts for some of this in Ironsworn: Starforged, and in Stars Without Number, but you are correct that there isn't a sci-fi specific book analogous to the ToAD. :(

[@TheDungeonDive]

Check out Space Aces. Not as comprehensive with the fluff, but it has some cool charts. I think it would be a really good resource to layer on top of something like Xia, to add a little RPG flavor. p0rthos47.itch.io/space-aces-tng

[@siftol]

Thanks for this great review! You mentioned that you don't use D&D 5E for solo roleplaying, what systems do you prefer to use for solo roleplaying and/or which systems do you find work best for solo campaigns? Apologies, if you've already covered that topic in a previous video, if so you can reply with a link to that video. Thanks again and keep up the great work !

[@TheDungeonDive]

Thanks. I like Scarlet Heroes and Mork Borg. kzbin.info/aero/PLKewgRd8Eir94v37HapxBRT38gaHInIHh kzbin.info/aero/PLKewgRd8Eir-22quT7vR9AZu5NwTYXShD

[@genghisgahan9623]

Just ordered this book on the basis of this video. Loke owes you a "like" at minimum!

[@Dalboni]

Ok, this is awesome.

[@Dnesteb]

Great review, the book looks amazing. Are you aware of any similar book for a sci fi solo roleplaying setting? thanks!

[@TheDungeonDive]

I am not. Something close might be Space Aces: Voyages in Infinite Space, although it's more of a complete game system, and then maybe something like the Stardog's Referee's Handbook.

[@Dnesteb]

@@TheDungeonDive thanks for the reply. Again, great review! Congrats for the channel

[@fitzgeraldlimisella4393]

This looks good! Do you know much about The Game Master’s Book of Random Encounters? As a solo player (I use Pathfinder 2e at the moment as the RPG system), I wonder which book suits better? Thanks!

[@TheDungeonDive]

I do not. I’ll look into it.

[@fitzgeraldlimisella4393]

@@TheDungeonDive Sweet. Like many others here, I went to buy the book. You reviewed it really well. Take a screenshot of these comments and show them to Loke and ask for some commission! Haha

[@TheDungeonDive]

I don't think you will be disappointed! This book is AMAZING.

[@destroso]

Does anyone know if this is still available in print anywhere?

[@stephenoshea3471]

Great review! I'm considering dipping into a solo RPG - do you have any recommendations for a beginner? I prefer low-fantasy settings and enjoy rolling dice :)

[@TheDungeonDive]

Thanks! What do you mean by low fantasy?

[@stephenoshea3471]

@@TheDungeonDive I guess something akin to our medieval world with magical and fantastical elements, but nothing too wild like multiple worlds and astral planes etc. Basically classic D&D sort of settings, if that makes sense

[@TheDungeonDive]

You might like Ironsworn. www.ironswornrpg.com

[@willcarroll4142]

@9:35 ...What was that about a grassy knoll?

[@geoffdenham5063]

Wonder if this book would work with Ironsworn?

[@TheDungeonDive]

It has no rules so I can work with any fantasy themed game.

[@alexisxiros8168]

Greetings from Germany. Does it work also with The Dark Eye?

[@TheDungeonDive]

Not sure what that is.

[@alexisxiros8168]

@@TheDungeonDive german RPG with a d20 (roll as low as possible) and a d6 (roll as high as possible). Was invented in the 80's as alternative to D&D.

[@TheDungeonDive]

This has no rules, so it should work with anything with a fantasy theme.

[@Mind_of_MATT]

Did you end up using this book for solo play? If so, do you still like it? It sounds pretty good. Lot of information.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Yes, and yes.

[@Mind_of_MATT]

@@TheDungeonDive Cool. Good to see it's working for you. And you still like it way better than the Tome of Adventure Design?

[@TheDungeonDive]

Yes. Not a fan of the Tome. For me, it's overkill.

[@cberg2731]

Sucks you can't buy this book in physical copy anymore.

[@luisfelipecastroneves4080]

Can I use this with d100 ?

[@TheDungeonDive]

You could, but you'd have to adapt some of the rules from one to the other.

[@anymajordude87]

those transitions are a real turn off, If I was not invested in wanting to see more of this book, I would have turned off after the second "static burst"

[@TheDungeonDive]

Thanks for trying! Really appreciate the effort!

[@wilonascave]

@@TheDungeonDive I was worried that you were going to apologize but I’m happy with your response. Don’t let people try to take away your happiness or put you down.

[@TheDungeonDive]

@@wilonascave I will never apologize for stylistic choices. :) There are a million and one other board game channels people can watch. :)

[@wilonascave]

@@TheDungeonDive good to hear