Played one on one D&D for years with a close friend. It was very fun. The campaign became his one character's life journey, with NPC/side kicks etc. rotating in and out.
Worlds Without Number has a great solo play system that is adaptable with D&D. I played a year + campaign with my son in Greyhawk and had a blast. Now we're playing sci fi (Stars Without Number) solo style and it's a blast
I have fond memories of a character I played from level 1 to 9, back in primarily in 1 on 1 sessions.. I often would run 2ndary PCs that functioned as sidekicks.
I run 1 on 1 a lot. Some more tips 1) if the player can handle it let them play 2-4 full characters. 2) or let them play 2 gestalt/powered up characters 3) or one really powered up pc and a regular sidekick This lets you as a GM be less likely to kill them and they get to be even more awesome. What I mean by powered up Gestalt; simultaneously have two full classes still only LV 1 for example but both a rogue and a barbarian. Extra HP, magic items, wealth, bonus feat, 3 extra skill proficiencies, etc. This does not unbalance the game in solo play! Also there is no other players to be jealous or worry about being equal with let a solo PC rock! 4) let the PC be level 2 and stronger (bonus magic item, feat and 3 skills) and run adventures for LV 1 adventures. Keep the challenge as if one level lower than the PC. 5) start the campaign at LV 3 with one sidekick and as 4) keep the challenge as if you are running for a LV 2 party. 6) Don’t be as afraid from giving them OP loot (BUT it can still go too far if an item is particularly game breaking.) 7) extra animal companion or magic familiar/pet. Can use sidekick rules or just modify the creatures stat block. (Make sure the CR if thus pet isn’t too much when compared to the PC level.) 8) be wary of puzzles as one stuck player is dangerous. Provide an NPC TGAT can function as a sounding board and help solve the puzzle if Player is stuck and getting upset. If you really still want to use puzzles. 9) use the ‘minions’ thing from 4e. Put in some 1hp/ one hit kills fodder but consider the risks. This is great once the player is LV 8+ 10) helpful temporary quest related NPC allies that have motivation to leave after That exact mission but may be allies for later. You can also cycle and even have enemies infiltrate, etc. later pc may even be able to recruit an all NPC dream team. Note player can play 1-2 in combat DM should also help run them. GM should also run them if the NPCs are acting to much like the PCs adoring lackey (unless the NPC is like that). If it helps the game leave them longer as party members. Yes it can become more work to run these NPCs but also make cool stories and allow for some stronger challenges. Note I have found my 1 player likes to go off on solo missions then later go back and gather some combinations of ‘the party’ for a more difficult sounding quest. He likes the variety I don’t even have to encourage this so you likely won’t have more party to run ‘every’ session! 11) let it be ‘monty haul’ with tons of treasure for the player. But remember any NPCs should demand a fair share and that makes the player have to make a more difficult choice. But if they keep the allies the allies likely still have the gear and are stronger when back in the party in the future! 12) use hazards and traps as well as exploration and video game like dungeons. Ex; in a regular game finding keys and backtracking is more annoying and can cause issues or party splitting as the shoe rate players may argue or disagree or get annoyed risking one more bossy player ‘taking charge’ etc. But if it’s only one player backtracking is not an issue that causes conflict! Legend of Zelda and Skyrim are even better as inspiring references fir solo play than for a regular dnd group! 13) be careful about locking cool things behind tools, skills or powers the actual player lacks. Ex if your PC has no rogue skills an NPC doing all the rogue stuff is likely essential but annoying so consider reducing the amount of locks and other rogue needed things. (Depends on the person though and you can let the player run the rogue as well. Some will be fine with the rogue helping but if the rogue ‘steals’ too much cool the pc may feel less awesome so be aware. You can also give the OC bonus extra rogue stuff to mitigate this issue.) just think about the ‘gaps’ so to speak. Have fun!
Had a few 121 campaigns with my partner using 3.5 that lasted some 3+ years aside from the usual campaign with a full party IMHO 121s really shine in exploration and RP, to the point you might want to edit the flight system making it way more or way less lethal than standard d&d. I opted for the former and it is a thing when every blow can kill either PC or NPCs
Currently playing a new game with a party of only 2 PCs. This video was helpful. Combats are hard to manage, especially at low levels. So far I've used a friendly pixie to cast Aid, and I've 'cursed' one of them allowing to use Rage once before the next long rest (giving them damage reduction). Trying to get creative in the ways I help them survive these early levels
These ideas are very similar to those in the excellent DM Yourself and DM Yourselves books by Tom Scutt for solo (GM-less) play. There are some additional ones as well such as plot armour, Hero's luck etc.
Played one on one D&D for years with a close friend. It was very fun. The campaign became his one character's life journey, with NPC/side kicks etc. rotating in and out.
Worlds Without Number has a great solo play system that is adaptable with D&D. I played a year + campaign with my son in Greyhawk and had a blast. Now we're playing sci fi (Stars Without Number) solo style and it's a blast
You hit the nail on the head so many times I’m seeing sparks!
🔨🔨🔨
Definitely agree, one-on-one d&d is so fun! Dragon of Icespire Peak is a perfect adventure to play this way.
I loved your Icespire Peak game! I even watched it a second time a year later since it was so fun.😊
I haven’t done this since 1AD&D way back when
Good video
I have fond memories of a character I played from level 1 to 9, back in primarily in 1 on 1 sessions.. I often would run 2ndary PCs that functioned as sidekicks.
I run 1 on 1 a lot.
Some more tips
1) if the player can handle it let them play 2-4 full characters.
2) or let them play 2 gestalt/powered up characters
3) or one really powered up pc and a regular sidekick
This lets you as a GM be less likely to kill them and they get to be even more awesome.
What I mean by powered up
Gestalt; simultaneously have two full classes still only LV 1 for example but both a rogue and a barbarian.
Extra HP, magic items, wealth, bonus feat, 3 extra skill proficiencies, etc.
This does not unbalance the game in solo play!
Also there is no other players to be jealous or worry about being equal with let a solo PC rock!
4) let the PC be level 2 and stronger (bonus magic item, feat and 3 skills) and run adventures for LV 1 adventures. Keep the challenge as if one level lower than the PC.
5) start the campaign at LV 3 with one sidekick and as 4) keep the challenge as if you are running for a LV 2 party.
6) Don’t be as afraid from giving them OP loot (BUT it can still go too far if an item is particularly game breaking.)
7) extra animal companion or magic familiar/pet. Can use sidekick rules or just modify the creatures stat block. (Make sure the CR if thus pet isn’t too much when compared to the PC level.)
8) be wary of puzzles as one stuck player is dangerous. Provide an NPC TGAT can function as a sounding board and help solve the puzzle if Player is stuck and getting upset. If you really still want to use puzzles.
9) use the ‘minions’ thing from 4e. Put in some 1hp/ one hit kills fodder but consider the risks. This is great once the player is LV 8+
10) helpful temporary quest related NPC allies that have motivation to leave after That exact mission but may be allies for later. You can also cycle and even have enemies infiltrate, etc. later pc may even be able to recruit an all NPC dream team. Note player can play 1-2 in combat DM should also help run them. GM should also run them if the NPCs are acting to much like the PCs adoring lackey (unless the NPC is like that). If it helps the game leave them longer as party members.
Yes it can become more work to run these NPCs but also make cool stories and allow for some stronger challenges.
Note I have found my 1 player likes to go off on solo missions then later go back and gather some combinations of ‘the party’ for a more difficult sounding quest. He likes the variety I don’t even have to encourage this so you likely won’t have more party to run ‘every’ session!
11) let it be ‘monty haul’ with tons of treasure for the player. But remember any NPCs should demand a fair share and that makes the player have to make a more difficult choice. But if they keep the allies the allies likely still have the gear and are stronger when back in the party in the future!
12) use hazards and traps as well as exploration and video game like dungeons. Ex; in a regular game finding keys and backtracking is more annoying and can cause issues or party splitting as the shoe rate players may argue or disagree or get annoyed risking one more bossy player ‘taking charge’ etc. But if it’s only one player backtracking is not an issue that causes conflict! Legend of Zelda and Skyrim are even better as inspiring references fir solo play than for a regular dnd group!
13) be careful about locking cool things behind tools, skills or powers the actual player lacks. Ex if your PC has no rogue skills an NPC doing all the rogue stuff is likely essential but annoying so consider reducing the amount of locks and other rogue needed things. (Depends on the person though and you can let the player run the rogue as well. Some will be fine with the rogue helping but if the rogue ‘steals’ too much cool the pc may feel less awesome so be aware. You can also give the OC bonus extra rogue stuff to mitigate this issue.) just think about the ‘gaps’ so to speak.
Have fun!
Right now the only D&D I am running is one on one sessions with my son. It's kind of like story time with dice.
Had a few 121 campaigns with my partner using 3.5 that lasted some 3+ years aside from the usual campaign with a full party
IMHO 121s really shine in exploration and RP, to the point you might want to edit the flight system making it way more or way less lethal than standard d&d. I opted for the former and it is a thing when every blow can kill either PC or NPCs
Currently playing a new game with a party of only 2 PCs. This video was helpful. Combats are hard to manage, especially at low levels. So far I've used a friendly pixie to cast Aid, and I've 'cursed' one of them allowing to use Rage once before the next long rest (giving them damage reduction). Trying to get creative in the ways I help them survive these early levels
How did your PC handle Cryovain? What level were they? I solo DMing my son though Icespire peak.
These ideas are very similar to those in the excellent DM Yourself and DM Yourselves books by Tom Scutt for solo (GM-less) play. There are some additional ones as well such as plot armour, Hero's luck etc.
I did love the series you had. And I'd love to see your perspective on Solo play too :D
I've actually started two one-on-one campaigns on discord... just texting. I'm very focused on the writing... we do about 4-6 entries a week.
Nice 🙂