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
I love the simplicity of the oracle. I’ve used these rules with other games to make them solo and it has worked wonderfully. Another great video. Thank you!
Ah a knitter! Welcome! Glad you enjoyed the vid and I’d recommend checking out my most popular vids as well as the solo RPG playlist for tons more. Enjoy!
A note on Advantage on rolls and creating your character's back ground. There is a background table, and if an action (non combat) can reasonably be tied to that background you have Advantage on your roll.
Thank you for making this video! I just rolled up my characters to try out a Solodark campaign last night - so the helpful tips in this video have come to me just in time! :D Great video!
Shadowdark is a true standout in a crowd. I have been very impressed with the game and its creator. The game lends itself well to many aspects of the hobby including solo play. It was a very smart move by Arcane Library to send you the books! Cheers!
I have had many a great session of Shadowdark (some live play even her on UA-cam) and have really liked the work from Kelsey / The Arnace Library even when doing 5e stuff previously. I did wonder if the solo play would assume a party rather than a single PC (given torches and the fairly lethal system) I'm happy it seems to take a party approach - I'm thinking solo Shadowdark would play as a more detailed 4AD - which would be cool. Loads of great 3rd party material for Shadowdark alongside the vines/Cursed Scrolls released by The Arnace Library - would look forward to any more coverage you can give it - or anyone else's solo actual plays etc
I should have shown the party ref clearly-solo rules suggest 2-4 PCs. I played my session with 3. Infusing a sole PC you might want to start at a higher level.
I tried my first Solo RPG game session. It was a lot of fun. It took a little imagination wrangling at first but my character came "to life" after a bit and became more than random die rolled characteristics character into a "real" character with a life of his own. Then the adventure became a fun story. Thank you for years of incite to make a solo experience surprising fun.
I have never played Shadow Dark. I jave heard people talk about it, but it never intrested me until now. I have been playing The Thirty Moons System solo and this seems like a nice change of pace. Them being nearly polar opposites. Thanks for the recommendation. :)
Thank you so much for this video! I'm very new to solo play and I just started a UA-cam channel. But I've hit a bit of a slump, and this has really revitalized me. I'm currently using Pathfinder 2e but I'm thinking I might switch to Shadow Dark in my next campaign.
I love the points about "Made my character(s), now what?" Shadowdark has awesome random tables. Roll up a settlement. dice a rumor. start hitting up the oracle with questions about the rumor....pretty soon something has tweaked interest and off we go.
For torches I’d recommend Knave 2E’s Hazard Die system on page 13. A torch burns out when a 3 is rolled. For the monster attacks, when there’s no special attack, maybe you could use the “Reversing Checks” mechanic in Knave 2E, page 7.
Amazing as usual :) I'd like to ask a thing I have in my mind since I discovered solo rpg: is there a way to use a module for any RPG system in solo play? I mean, I have tons of amazing D&D modules I'd like to play solo, but don't understand how to use them because if I have to read them I still know everything so what to do in these cases? TY
Yes modules can be hard that way unless you just use them for the information itself, randomizing it somehow, and not following the actual story since there isn’t a way to do that without actually knowing the story and reading it…
Yes it is definitely styled that way. I’ve never tried an AI chat for these purposes but I have been meaning to do so. Did you describe the situation and then ask something like “what happens next?” Or did you ask it to give you a situation and go from there?
Ive seen this at my FLGS was t sure about buying. I am starting to use heroquest with the app as a way to have adventures for yhe characters i have. And in making my backstory ive had good results. Plus, Heroquest combat isnsuper simple. Maybe too simple. Ill take a look at this again
Let’s say I have OSE. What would the benefit of using shadow dark for solo play be over old-school essentials? I would love to get shadow dark if there was a clear benefit over retro clones that I already own?
On the problem or "problem" of starting with Character Creation instead of World Generation, would you argue that is a problem of Soloists thinking like a player and forgetting that they need to think like a game master as well? Or focusing on stats over narrative?
Yes that is what I’ve written in my book. I understand the impulse and it isn’t a matter of “right” or “wrong” (as there is no right or wrong way), but I don’t think starting with characters ultimately is the easier way, or more fruitful way.
Love your videos and those books are beautiful. I’ve played Shadowdeep a few times with a friend but I’m dispraxic and struggle with rules and numbers. I enjoy the simplicity of HeroQuest. Is there a solo game at that level?
Glad you like my vids. Have you played the D& D board games. Ravenloft and others in that series? That comes to mind first….they offer a good deal of theme and tactical combat with relatively simple mechanics and clear rules.
Rory's story cubes are as symbolic and freeform as you can get. There is a framework within which to play it called Untold: Adventure Awaits! I haven't played it, but it's on my list.
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
You have a great voice that makes listening to your review really relaxing and enjoyable!
Much appreciated!
I love the simplicity of the oracle. I’ve used these rules with other games to make them solo and it has worked wonderfully. Another great video. Thank you!
I've been looking for something to play beside four against darkness, and maybe this is it.
Yeah you've really sold this one. It just looks so good!
Super helpful video (I’m brand new to RPG and solo-RPG). I also love the use of the crochet hook! (I’m a knitter myself) 😁🙌🏼
Ah a knitter! Welcome! Glad you enjoyed the vid and I’d recommend checking out my most popular vids as well as the solo RPG playlist for tons more. Enjoy!
@@GeekGamers01 already downloaded several in preparation for a long haul flight on Thursday. 🤣💖
A note on Advantage on rolls and creating your character's back ground. There is a background table, and if an action (non combat) can reasonably be tied to that background you have Advantage on your roll.
Thanks for pointing out that great rule!
Thank you for making this video! I just rolled up my characters to try out a Solodark campaign last night - so the helpful tips in this video have come to me just in time! :D Great video!
Shadowdark is a true standout in a crowd. I have been very impressed with the game and its creator. The game lends itself well to many aspects of the hobby including solo play. It was a very smart move by Arcane Library to send you the books!
Cheers!
Very concise and easily digestible points. I like this format. Thank you for the content!
Very nice video. I didn't realize Kelsey had put out a hard copy of the SoloDark rules ( I have the pdf).
I have had many a great session of Shadowdark (some live play even her on UA-cam) and have really liked the work from Kelsey / The Arnace Library even when doing 5e stuff previously. I did wonder if the solo play would assume a party rather than a single PC (given torches and the fairly lethal system) I'm happy it seems to take a party approach - I'm thinking solo Shadowdark would play as a more detailed 4AD - which would be cool. Loads of great 3rd party material for Shadowdark alongside the vines/Cursed Scrolls released by The Arnace Library - would look forward to any more coverage you can give it - or anyone else's solo actual plays etc
I should have shown the party ref clearly-solo rules suggest 2-4 PCs. I played my session with 3. Infusing a sole PC you might want to start at a higher level.
I tried my first Solo RPG game session. It was a lot of fun. It took a little imagination wrangling at first but my character came "to life" after a bit and became more than random die rolled characteristics character into a "real" character with a life of his own. Then the adventure became a fun story. Thank you for years of incite to make a solo experience surprising fun.
What a lovely comment to read to greet my day. This is so great to hear and thanks for taking the time to share your experience.
I like the 2nd die house rule for torch mishaps!
I neglected to show it but I use this really cool yellowish-swirly dice I have that looks torch-like…. Makes it even better.
I never get tired of your reviews!
Great Video, been thinking about giving this one a go.
I have never played Shadow Dark. I jave heard people talk about it, but it never intrested me until now. I have been playing The Thirty Moons System solo and this seems like a nice change of pace. Them being nearly polar opposites. Thanks for the recommendation. :)
i love the crochet hook pointer.
Thank you so much for this video! I'm very new to solo play and I just started a UA-cam channel. But I've hit a bit of a slump, and this has really revitalized me.
I'm currently using Pathfinder 2e but I'm thinking I might switch to Shadow Dark in my next campaign.
Some great stuff here. I’m waiting for a hard copy of the game before I dig in.
I love the points about "Made my character(s), now what?" Shadowdark has awesome random tables. Roll up a settlement. dice a rumor. start hitting up the oracle with questions about the rumor....pretty soon something has tweaked interest and off we go.
It only took a year and a half for this video to manifest according to the will of the dice 🎲
Thanks! Alas, it seems impossible to get a physical copy anywhere at the moment, but I shall pre-order for the reprint...
For torches I’d recommend Knave 2E’s Hazard Die system on page 13. A torch burns out when a 3 is rolled.
For the monster attacks, when there’s no special attack, maybe you could use the “Reversing Checks” mechanic in Knave 2E, page 7.
You got a Subscribe from me as soon as I saw tiles from the Avalon Hill boardgame Wizards on the home page!!!
Ah so great of you to notice! I’m not sure in all these years anyone has commented on them. Welcome, and thanks!
Amazing as usual :) I'd like to ask a thing I have in my mind since I discovered solo rpg: is there a way to use a module for any RPG system in solo play? I mean, I have tons of amazing D&D modules I'd like to play solo, but don't understand how to use them because if I have to read them I still know everything so what to do in these cases? TY
Yes modules can be hard that way unless you just use them for the information itself, randomizing it somehow, and not following the actual story since there isn’t a way to do that without actually knowing the story and reading it…
If you are familiar with Mythic GME, there is a great way to do exactly that using Mythic. I beleive it is in the Mythic GME 2e core book.
I did Shadowdark "solo" with ChatGPT yesterday. Pretty cool game. Felt like playing D&D in the 1980's.
Yes it is definitely styled that way. I’ve never tried an AI chat for these purposes but I have been meaning to do so. Did you describe the situation and then ask something like “what happens next?” Or did you ask it to give you a situation and go from there?
Ive seen this at my FLGS was t sure about buying. I am starting to use heroquest with the app as a way to have adventures for yhe characters i have. And in making my backstory ive had good results.
Plus, Heroquest combat isnsuper simple. Maybe too simple.
Ill take a look at this again
I’ve been tempted by HeroQuest and the app but having looked at the app it seems like you have to enter in too much info for my taste.
Let’s say I have OSE. What would the benefit of using shadow dark for solo play be over old-school essentials? I would love to get shadow dark if there was a clear benefit over retro clones that I already own?
Truly I cannot think of a distinct advantage.
@@GeekGamers01 Thank you for an your honest opinion! Much appreciated.
Shadowdark rules! Geek gamers rules!🗡️🐉✨
Just starting Ironsworn. So would you say this is the opposite essentially?
I wouldn’t say “opposite” per se but very very different. Completely different.
On the problem or "problem" of starting with Character Creation instead of World Generation, would you argue that is a problem of Soloists thinking like a player and forgetting that they need to think like a game master as well? Or focusing on stats over narrative?
Yes that is what I’ve written in my book. I understand the impulse and it isn’t a matter of “right” or “wrong” (as there is no right or wrong way), but I don’t think starting with characters ultimately is the easier way, or more fruitful way.
Love your videos and those books are beautiful. I’ve played Shadowdeep a few times with a friend but I’m dispraxic and struggle with rules and numbers. I enjoy the simplicity of HeroQuest. Is there a solo game at that level?
Glad you like my vids. Have you played the D& D board games. Ravenloft and others in that series? That comes to mind first….they offer a good deal of theme and tactical combat with relatively simple mechanics and clear rules.
Rory's story cubes are as symbolic and freeform as you can get. There is a framework within which to play it called Untold: Adventure Awaits! I haven't played it, but it's on my list.
Have you checked Old Swords Reign? Almost the same thing at cost.
This is great.
Say 'bestiary', not 'beeeeestiary'. Pkease kick me, and all best.