title: Solo RPG How To

author: Nathaniel Leveck

date: 2020-04-02

So you want to play an RPG but have no group to play with, or there

might be a global pandemic keeping you isolated from your friends.

Well, you can always play alone. Any system, any time you'd like.

Step one: pick a game system. There are so many systems out there

I cannot list them all here. Quite a few are free such as Basic

Fantasy (https://www.basicfantasy.org/downloads.html) or White Box

(https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/190631).

There are also a few right here on RPoD in the GAMES SECTION,

including the ones mentioned above.

Step two: have an oracle. Since you are not playing with a dungeon

master (or game master), you need something to inject randomness into

the game. Knowing what's going to happen takes away the fun. Options

are endless for this, but some choices I have used are a Magic 8 Ball

(https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0149MC426), Mythic Game Master Emulator

(https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/20798),

Scarlet Heros (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/127180),

flipping coins, I Ching, tarot cards, etc.

Step three: build an adventure. You can use adventure modules for

games such as D&D or Basic Fantasy. You can also roll dice to point

at random pages in novels to get plot ideas. Maps and other materials

from games you own can also be used. You can base the starting plot

on a movie, show, book, or comic. However you do it, give your

character(s) a mission. This helps move things along. Other tools such

as the Index Card RPG decks (https://www.icrpg.com/) can be used for

added elements.

Step four: play. I use this method solo and in RPG'ing with my

daughter (so we can both be player characters and not have a DM). The

more work you put into this the more immerssive it becomes.

YOUTUBE RESOURCES

There are many good YouTube channels devoted to solo RPG play. Two of

my favorites are:

Artichoke Dip

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY4Ne0FHlPq7qUMti4H--zA

Geek Gamers

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLnDxuZE6qWwWxZCN9y8JQA

Both have a wealth of ideas and play throughs to show you what is

possible.