'I think I'm going to get into Solo RPGs!' - let's talk

So you're thinking of getting into "Solo RPGs," are ya? Well then pull up a seat and let's have a friendly chat! I know what it's like to get into this, whether you're coming from a more "typical" RPG playing background or if SoloRPGs are the first foray into roleplaying you've ever done. We are so happy you have joined this community! Or at least are thinking about it. Hope you stay. Here is some guidance on what you should do or - more likely - have already done. Maybe useful, maybe not, but at the the end of the day the only useful thing is learning wilderness survival skills. So if you don't know how to do that, why not idle away your remaining days listening to me prattle?

ALL LINKS BELOW!

Star Trek Captain's Guide

Art by @matecziner5754

[GeekGamers]

Thank you so much for including my work in your overview and the kind things you’ve said about it. I think you have really gotten what I was trying to do with the book—give people narrative tools to master the stories they are telling, regardless of rule set.

[dainradical]

Geek Gamers indeed! First gamebook I bought was D&D Basic. I felt like I was doing alot of math. And then I got hooked on computer RPGs like Ultima and Final Fantasy gamebooks. I have now started to get into solo RPG games with Four Against Darkness (the simplest system) and I want to publish a Cairn module or a Basic Fantasy module. I enjoy your channel!

[RPGDAD]

If you are new to D&D I suggest Sword & Wizardry White Box. Honestly it’s D&D in its simplest form. Knave is another good one too

[carolinelabbott]

When I was much ypunger, I bought a lot of Shadowrun books as I lived the setting and the lore but the rules were overwhelming and no one wanted to play with a girl. So I never really got to play in that setting, as I had no idea how to play it solo.

I still have the books, but it did at least made me more wary about where I spent my money.

I've bought a much smaller amount of Solo rpgs pdfs (no big games book store where I live), and watching videos like yours is slower making me realised I could take the Shadowrun setting and play it Solo.

I'm not feeling confident enough to record my first baby step sessions though. 😂

[adiosgringo]

For anyone that wants to solo RPG, watch Me, Myself, and Die by Trevor Duvall. He is amazing with explaining how to solo rpg by playing a random campaign. He directs you to the primary books and the pages where he uses the rules. My primary books that are extremely critical for solo play are Mythic GM Emulator, Solo RPG Toolkit, and UNE (Universal NPC Emulator). With these, you will never need to purchase any modules. The story writes itself as you play. I tried two campaigns and was floored how organic the story evolved from nothing.

[TyeW]

I just subscribed for the transparency on this channel 😂

[rafaelcupiael]

From my observations, there appear to be several distinct cultures of solo play and design:

1. Playing as one generally would in Ironsworn or traditional RPGs using a GM Emulator (Ironsworn is hardly traditional, but for the purposes of this list is :), it's comparable to something like Me, Myself & Die solo playstyle).


2. Open Soloing / Stream of Consciousness (often seen in Geek Gamers YT videos).


3. Solo Journaling (examples include 1k Old Vampire or Magus).

4. Lyric solo games / pervasive games / ritual games (such as My Cat is an Oracle - though these can sometimes overlap with journaling games).

Admittedly, this is an oversimplification and overcategorization, but I do observe significant distinctions among these categories.

[Androsynth]

Some good tips here, you've gotten a sub. I think one of my main pieces of advice for people wanting to get into RPGs in any form (solo included) is to use the fast food analogy: just because something is popular doesn't mean it's the best place to start. Sure, everyone eats there eventually. Is there anything wrong with McDonalds or Burger King? Nope. Would it be my first recommendation for someone wanting to try a hamburger for the first time? Hell no. For solo, I find it's much easier to get started with something like Shadowdark, Old School essentials or any of the other smaller, more modular, rules systems that are easy to read and get into. Throw in geek gamer's excellent book, Mythic GM, and some kind of oracle deck and you've really got everything you'll ever need.

[jonathana]

I think I’m going to get into solo RPGs.

[captbiddy]

You pointed out a big problem with kids nowadays. How you said "When I was a kid I probably read said book 95 times, cause I had nothing else to do." I did the same, I remember spending hours reading the Monster Manual. Kids now have to much to draw their time. It's even harder as an adult with responsibilities.

[leafsneakers]

I don't comment much, I'll start to much more now. I just like your content, you energy, your thought process is gold. Thanks, keep it up!

[Dubstyles]

After a year of following solo rpg channels i still have no idea what a journaling rpg is or how they are played.

[jasondennis]

Subscribed. I am enjoying your content and delivery. I've just started getting back into Solo RPG(s) and Oracles. I started in the 80(s) with Fighting Fantasy books. Feels like a bit of a home coming.

[Betula]

I too love to spend a thousand dollars on a potential new hobby and ask questions later 😂😂😂

[katum]

I feel found out. I am an adult who has not played computer rpgs and comes in cold to Solo rpgs. I certainly have spent what feels like a 1000 bucks on stuff and am just now getting a feel for the differences between game systems, tools and resources. About 24 games from Troika via UVG, Wanderhome to Apawthecaria are on the shelf waiting to be played. I flipped through the DnD5e handbook and decided it was way too complicated. I looking forward to Break!! this year. The only game l have tried so far is 'The Broken Cask'. It was fun. But I am definitely hesitant of plunging into a proper game.

[simontemplar]

I agree with your thoughts on the Game Master's series. I got back into the hobby about a year ago, and I ended up amassing a lot of these books. That series to me was always a nice thing in the sense that the tables are usable but all the "stuff" in between just gets in the way.

Here's a couple of cheapo options that actually work really well for me:

The mythic android app. It's all the stuff from 2nd edition and under $10. Also Table Fables 1 and 2 are brilliant and well worth having.

Also the WB Yeats reference with the falcon and the falconer was solid.

[kyrnsword]

So many are fixated with D20 roll high but my favorite solo
TTRPG outside of 4AD & Scarlet Heroes is a D100 system I love called
D100 Dungeon Mapping Game with the Book A Solo Adventuring Game.

[librarian-D]

I'm brand new to RPG and I have Captain's log... i would love a 'how to play' for this!! 🖖🏻

[Greybeardstavern]

Dude! Your delivery is raw and your vibe is kickin’! I hit the subscribe!
😁🙏📿

[philippholdermann]

Getting into rpgs at the age of 12 was very helpful i guess.
We just read whole rule book and took everything as written. No questions asked, no confusion 😂
Just went with it.