an odd setup [Archive] - Wizards Community

an odd setup [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
dontdoubtfire
02-02-06, 10:27 PM Has anyone tried playing a dugeon with 1 pc and a dm. and has been succesful with it. i got to hear about this... :D

i need ur responses :drool:
Seanamal
02-02-06, 10:36 PM Years ago in the days of 2nd ed AD&D TSR came out with a series of class specific one player modules. They were....Intresting. But without an interpersonal dynamic D&D loses alot of it's charm.
Ralphius_Maximus
02-03-06, 05:19 AM Tried it once with first edition. It didn't work too well.
Jaeron Dalur
02-03-06, 08:17 AM My DnD group consists for the moment of me and the DM. I play a bard and the DM has a wizard NPC (Not exactly only 1 character but there's only 1 PC). It has so far worked out great for the characters. It works mostly because we vary the encounters alot and 'creative' tactics are used quite often. In the span of 3 sessions we have done diplomatic situations (in the form of convinceing a band of Orcs that letting us clear out the dungeon would benifit them), fought in a war (the wizard stayed on the battlements shooting fireballs at the invaders while I bolstered units of soldiers), were beset by mummies, and killed 2 dragons.

Well, actually, the wizard's viper familiar killed one of the dragons. We had dealt maybe 25 damage to it and were too busy pouring healing potions down each other's throats to do much. The familiar poisoned the dragon and the dragon failed both saves for a total of 11 con damage (yes we were in that battle for over 10 rounds and only did 20 damage to it, must have gone through at least 6 health potions). The other dragon we locked in a room, barred the door with immovable rods and proceded to fire arrows and fireballs at it till it stopped moving.

It can actually be alot of fun with just 2 people. We are good friends and so are able to joke around, and come up with some really entertaining dilemas that would really bog down a full sized group who maybe didn't see humor or the world the way you do (like the dilema of how do you climb out of a sheer walled 60 foot deep hole that you fell down because you insulted a kobold that decided the look on your face, as he pulled the release to the pit trap you were unknowingly standing on, would be entertaining).
Seeker95
02-03-06, 09:35 AM It takes a very good DM more than anything else.

The game is built on the assumption of four PCs of relatively equal level, including a cleric, fighter, wizard and rogue (or substitutes thereof). If your DM plans encounters and storylines that can permit survival without this combination, then you can have just as much fun with one PC as with four. But it is difficult.
DM Dave
02-03-06, 10:03 AM Very difficult to run for several reasons:
1) many problems require the PCs to put their heads together to solve them. With only one player, if he can't think of the solution then what?

2) What happens if the PC gets killed? End of game.

3) Many problems requires specialized skills. With only one player, it is likely that he many not be able to overcome the problem with his skill set.

All that said it is certainly possible, but traditional D&D dungeon adventures are very difficult to run. Perhaps, city based, with lots of political intrigue could be run, but even then it sounds boring to me. I like the input and ideas that a full gaming group provides.
Illion the Red
02-03-06, 10:08 AM There's a whole thread on it in the "What's a DM to do?" Forum.

I'll try to put the link below, but being VERY nontechnical, I doubt it will work...

Guide to Solo Campaigns (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=553739&goto=newpost)
DM Dave
02-03-06, 10:20 AM There's a whole thread on it in the "What's a DM to do?" Forum.

I'll try to put the link below, but being VERY nontechnical, I doubt it will work...

Guide to Solo Campaigns (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=553739&goto=newpost)

Interesting thread.... well written and a lot of good info. Still wouldn't be interested in a solo campaign though.

Why?

Bottom line... I'm a performance DM. :D I do voices... I'm animated... and with all that work, I need an audience to perform infront of :D .

But that's me... attention hog. Its part of the reason I'm at the center of the table!
babysamurai
02-03-06, 10:22 AM It works just as well as any other campaign.

As long as you have good people playing the game the numbers don't matter...of course you need at least two.

And for the record; not every campaign needs a Fighter, Cleric, Rogue, and Wizard.

In the campaign I'm currently running I have three players: a Half-Orc Ranger, Human Spirit Shaman, and a Drow Psion...it's a beautiful thing.
dontdoubtfire
02-03-06, 05:52 PM for the information, i appreciate it

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
dontdoubtfire 02-02-06, 10:27 PM	Has anyone tried playing a dugeon with 1 pc and a dm. and has been succesful with it. i got to hear about this... :D i need ur responses :drool:
Seanamal 02-02-06, 10:36 PM	Years ago in the days of 2nd ed AD&D TSR came out with a series of class specific one player modules. They were....Intresting. But without an interpersonal dynamic D&D loses alot of it's charm.
Ralphius_Maximus 02-03-06, 05:19 AM	Tried it once with first edition. It didn't work too well.
Jaeron Dalur 02-03-06, 08:17 AM	My DnD group consists for the moment of me and the DM. I play a bard and the DM has a wizard NPC (Not exactly only 1 character but there's only 1 PC). It has so far worked out great for the characters. It works mostly because we vary the encounters alot and 'creative' tactics are used quite often. In the span of 3 sessions we have done diplomatic situations (in the form of convinceing a band of Orcs that letting us clear out the dungeon would benifit them), fought in a war (the wizard stayed on the battlements shooting fireballs at the invaders while I bolstered units of soldiers), were beset by mummies, and killed 2 dragons. Well, actually, the wizard's viper familiar killed one of the dragons. We had dealt maybe 25 damage to it and were too busy pouring healing potions down each other's throats to do much. The familiar poisoned the dragon and the dragon failed both saves for a total of 11 con damage (yes we were in that battle for over 10 rounds and only did 20 damage to it, must have gone through at least 6 health potions). The other dragon we locked in a room, barred the door with immovable rods and proceded to fire arrows and fireballs at it till it stopped moving. It can actually be alot of fun with just 2 people. We are good friends and so are able to joke around, and come up with some really entertaining dilemas that would really bog down a full sized group who maybe didn't see humor or the world the way you do (like the dilema of how do you climb out of a sheer walled 60 foot deep hole that you fell down because you insulted a kobold that decided the look on your face, as he pulled the release to the pit trap you were unknowingly standing on, would be entertaining).
Seeker95 02-03-06, 09:35 AM	It takes a very good DM more than anything else. The game is built on the assumption of four PCs of relatively equal level, including a cleric, fighter, wizard and rogue (or substitutes thereof). If your DM plans encounters and storylines that can permit survival without this combination, then you can have just as much fun with one PC as with four. But it is difficult.
DM Dave 02-03-06, 10:03 AM	Very difficult to run for several reasons: 1) many problems require the PCs to put their heads together to solve them. With only one player, if he can't think of the solution then what? 2) What happens if the PC gets killed? End of game. 3) Many problems requires specialized skills. With only one player, it is likely that he many not be able to overcome the problem with his skill set. All that said it is certainly possible, but traditional D&D dungeon adventures are very difficult to run. Perhaps, city based, with lots of political intrigue could be run, but even then it sounds boring to me. I like the input and ideas that a full gaming group provides.
Illion the Red 02-03-06, 10:08 AM	There's a whole thread on it in the "What's a DM to do?" Forum. I'll try to put the link below, but being VERY nontechnical, I doubt it will work... Guide to Solo Campaigns (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=553739&goto=newpost)
DM Dave 02-03-06, 10:20 AM	There's a whole thread on it in the "What's a DM to do?" Forum. I'll try to put the link below, but being VERY nontechnical, I doubt it will work... Guide to Solo Campaigns (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=553739&goto=newpost) Interesting thread.... well written and a lot of good info. Still wouldn't be interested in a solo campaign though. Why? Bottom line... I'm a performance DM. :D I do voices... I'm animated... and with all that work, I need an audience to perform infront of :D . But that's me... attention hog. Its part of the reason I'm at the center of the table!
babysamurai 02-03-06, 10:22 AM	It works just as well as any other campaign. As long as you have good people playing the game the numbers don't matter...of course you need at least two. And for the record; not every campaign needs a Fighter, Cleric, Rogue, and Wizard. In the campaign I'm currently running I have three players: a Half-Orc Ranger, Human Spirit Shaman, and a Drow Psion...it's a beautiful thing.
dontdoubtfire 02-03-06, 05:52 PM	for the information, i appreciate it