1-man partying? [Archive] - Wizards Community

1-man partying? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Slayer_5
07-09-04, 05:22 AM My GF wants me to run a game for her. She is a veteran of RP games, but new to d&d. How do i do a single person party at low level and keep them alive. I dont want to do 1 PC and 3 NPC's, but I cant throw anything small enough to be survivable at lvl 1...

Any advice?
Target_no4
07-09-04, 05:51 AM I've done this in the past, both as a player and as a DM.

I think it to be best if your g/f creates a specific character for these sessions and make it a bit more powerful than standard.
Let the ability scores be higher than usual.
I've learned it balances things out nicely if you do it correctly.
Nyvinyd
07-09-04, 06:01 AM Tip 1- Start at level 3.

Tip 2- Give experience for things that are not combat.
Stormbright
07-09-04, 06:43 AM Take the advice of the previous replies.

Think things out logically, what kind of high adventure takes place on a solo basis? Think of novels you've read that have a single hero. That hero is unlikely to wage a one-person war upon the world, but instead probably seeks out one single enemy at a time. Stealth over brawn, talking rather than blasting through. This kind of game lends itself nicely to a rogue, since rogue's often want to go off and do their own thing anyway.

On a slightly unrelated note, I ran a very successful d6 StarWars campaign with only my best friend as the player. Admittedly, those rules (from the WEG version) lent to a solo-campaign far better than d20 does, since d20 gives each class strengths and weaknesses, where the d6 set-up you could create virtually anything. His character bluffed like crazy, and picked his fights well.
Bulabase
07-09-04, 01:02 PM This is the best way to DM for your GF. She is automatically the strongest in the party and you don't annoy any of your friends. Good plan. You might try using the Gestalt character rules from UA. That will offer her character more options and power. As Nyvinyd suggested, start a level 3. Avoid effective save or die effects. Hold person is a lot more dangerous to a solo character than to a party. If she's not playing a rogue, don't throw lots of traps. It would be silly to run a party of 4 including 3 NPCs. It couldn't hurt to provide one NPC (cleric if that's not what she's playing) to help out.
Starboy36
07-09-04, 01:15 PM Depends on the class. Anyone but an arcane spellcaster should be able to handle a CR 1/4 enemy pretty easily, even at level 1. Just design the adventure around the character strengths and avoid the weaknesses.
Heggie
07-09-04, 05:03 PM I'm about to run a simmilar campaign for one of my friends. I'm starting at level 5 and runnig a heavy role play campaign. However, I still think its possible for him to be in a party, but this will be different, and i think more realistic than a normal party; Anyone he joins up with will have very clearly derfined motives rather than the permenant party arrangement in a multiple player game. There can be propper confrontations between characters possibly resulting in a party split or violence without having to worry about breaking your carfull crafted game or hurting players feelings. And some other reasons I cant be botherd to think of 'cos its to late at night. Allthogh, as was said before, this would unikly be a full 4 man+ party.
Epic Scotsman
07-09-04, 05:14 PM If you want to keep your 1 person low level party alive, just use goblins and zombies. They're fun to fight and they won't kill the PC too easily.

:fight!:
Glak
07-09-04, 08:25 PM Start at level 1 but give her a free toughness feat. Tone down all of your encounters. You can have her fight a young aristocrat (rapier, no armor), a thug (warrior with club), or pickpocket (expert with dagger). If she wants help you can make a character too. Give him an endearingly low Int and high Cha. Girls are interested in stuff other than combat, like that cute hunk they they are adventuring with :) Of course he's too dumb to know.
Tusz
07-09-04, 09:06 PM One word: Minions.

1-man evil campaigns can work very well. You give him command of some minions (I use kobolds in mine), and someone who wants to play evil can have a ball. It softens up challenges with free fodder, and lets the PC show off how ruthless he can be. Best of all, you don't have to worry about the party backstabbing of stereotypical evil campaigns, since there's no party to backstab!

Of course, a good campaign can have minions. Guard captains and such. Guild heirarchies are good for single campaigns, since you don't have to worry about PCs outranking eachother.
Avonsyrian
07-09-04, 10:55 PM just remember, you don't have to do anything you don't want to. If a bad guy is literally about to kill the party, dont let that happen. And try to focus on non-combat encounters such as roleplaying, problem solving and puzzles/traps (I agree that a rogue is the best choice here).

and yeah, give a lot of XP for everything.

but then, I'm a very "screw-the-rules" type DM who likes to just go with the flow of the story, so if that isnt your style, just ignore that first tip.
Mitchell
07-11-04, 02:51 AM Start her out slow. I don't recommend starting her at a higher level. I think most players learn more at the lower levels, and can get overwhelmed by options.
I would put her in an organization. If she is a rogue, put her in the thieves guild, if she is a wizard, have her be the apprentice of a high level wizard, etc. The direction after this depends alot on the class.
Barbarian- Hmmm... The clan chief could just send her out to do this and that I guess.
Bard- Maybe in the thieves guild. You know, thief stuff. Steal this, steal that. Encouraged not to fight, but she'll have to use her stealth or get beat up and thrown in jail.
Cleric- Her superiors will need things done. Clerics can do alot on their own, so the options could range from escort/guard duty to checking out the haunted house.
Druid- Her master will want her to do druidy things. Kill a monster (maybe an aberration, they aren't natural), collect some components (also good for clerics), chase off some poachers.
Fighter- Probably in the city guard. She'll make her rounds, and all sorts of stuff might happen. Stop a robbery/mugging, break up a fight, deal with some nasty rats in the sewers, take care of a small band of goblins harassing merchant caravans.
Monk- The masters could send her to do any number of things, only to test her abilities. Anything is possible. Them monks are strange folks.
Paladin- Could be in the appropriate church, could be in the city guard. Anything clerical or fightery depending on which.
Ranger- Could be in the wild, could be in the city. In the wild, she will be what she is. Just let her wander her forest and do what needs to be done... Rescue critters, kill poachers, etc. In the city she will either be in the city guard or more likely a scout. Let her guard merchant caravans or otherwise deal with what the city leaders think are potential problems... Fighter and druidy things.
Rogue- Thieves guild. Like the Bard.
Sorceror- Maybe an apprentice to a wizard. Go get this, go find that. You know the drill.
Wizard- See sorceror. Material components have to be gotten.

Ideally, she is just "trying DnD on", and will, if she likes it, join in with your regular group, so put your best foot forward here. I don't know your overall situation, but 1 player games can be done. Just make sure that she has access to healing potions and the like. She will need some items to cover for obvious weaknesses, but alot depends on her class selection and her future multi-classing or PrCs taken.
Eagle Vision
07-12-04, 04:17 AM Simple, have her charater be a fencer who is travelling to fight others, have that improve her levels to 3 or so, then unveil the bigger plot. E.g, for fencing try having it be run like regular combat, but when the final hit is struck it is counted as the only hit. BTW this suggection is someone elses idea. the fencing bit at least.
Mr. VanderMeer
07-12-04, 07:35 AM I am starting a game for one person as well. I have the Unearthed Arcana and will be using the gestalt rules (which basically means the character can pick the best features of two different classes and add them together. This makes the character a lot more powerful and versatile.

I am thinking about adding an NPC. But because I do not like running tag-on NPC's (Or DMPC's) I will have the player make the rolls etc. for that character.
Amaron Blackthorn
07-12-04, 02:32 PM It is going to take a little bit of work but it is feasible!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Slayer_5 07-09-04, 05:22 AM	My GF wants me to run a game for her. She is a veteran of RP games, but new to d&d. How do i do a single person party at low level and keep them alive. I dont want to do 1 PC and 3 NPC's, but I cant throw anything small enough to be survivable at lvl 1... Any advice?
Target_no4 07-09-04, 05:51 AM	I've done this in the past, both as a player and as a DM. I think it to be best if your g/f creates a specific character for these sessions and make it a bit more powerful than standard. Let the ability scores be higher than usual. I've learned it balances things out nicely if you do it correctly.
Nyvinyd 07-09-04, 06:01 AM	Tip 1- Start at level 3. Tip 2- Give experience for things that are not combat.
Stormbright 07-09-04, 06:43 AM	Take the advice of the previous replies. Think things out logically, what kind of high adventure takes place on a solo basis? Think of novels you've read that have a single hero. That hero is unlikely to wage a one-person war upon the world, but instead probably seeks out one single enemy at a time. Stealth over brawn, talking rather than blasting through. This kind of game lends itself nicely to a rogue, since rogue's often want to go off and do their own thing anyway. On a slightly unrelated note, I ran a very successful d6 StarWars campaign with only my best friend as the player. Admittedly, those rules (from the WEG version) lent to a solo-campaign far better than d20 does, since d20 gives each class strengths and weaknesses, where the d6 set-up you could create virtually anything. His character bluffed like crazy, and picked his fights well.
Bulabase 07-09-04, 01:02 PM	This is the best way to DM for your GF. She is automatically the strongest in the party and you don't annoy any of your friends. Good plan. You might try using the Gestalt character rules from UA. That will offer her character more options and power. As Nyvinyd suggested, start a level 3. Avoid effective save or die effects. Hold person is a lot more dangerous to a solo character than to a party. If she's not playing a rogue, don't throw lots of traps. It would be silly to run a party of 4 including 3 NPCs. It couldn't hurt to provide one NPC (cleric if that's not what she's playing) to help out.
Starboy36 07-09-04, 01:15 PM	Depends on the class. Anyone but an arcane spellcaster should be able to handle a CR 1/4 enemy pretty easily, even at level 1. Just design the adventure around the character strengths and avoid the weaknesses.
Heggie 07-09-04, 05:03 PM	I'm about to run a simmilar campaign for one of my friends. I'm starting at level 5 and runnig a heavy role play campaign. However, I still think its possible for him to be in a party, but this will be different, and i think more realistic than a normal party; Anyone he joins up with will have very clearly derfined motives rather than the permenant party arrangement in a multiple player game. There can be propper confrontations between characters possibly resulting in a party split or violence without having to worry about breaking your carfull crafted game or hurting players feelings. And some other reasons I cant be botherd to think of 'cos its to late at night. Allthogh, as was said before, this would unikly be a full 4 man+ party.
Epic Scotsman 07-09-04, 05:14 PM	If you want to keep your 1 person low level party alive, just use goblins and zombies. They're fun to fight and they won't kill the PC too easily. :fight!:
Glak 07-09-04, 08:25 PM	Start at level 1 but give her a free toughness feat. Tone down all of your encounters. You can have her fight a young aristocrat (rapier, no armor), a thug (warrior with club), or pickpocket (expert with dagger). If she wants help you can make a character too. Give him an endearingly low Int and high Cha. Girls are interested in stuff other than combat, like that cute hunk they they are adventuring with :) Of course he's too dumb to know.
Tusz 07-09-04, 09:06 PM	One word: Minions. 1-man evil campaigns can work very well. You give him command of some minions (I use kobolds in mine), and someone who wants to play evil can have a ball. It softens up challenges with free fodder, and lets the PC show off how ruthless he can be. Best of all, you don't have to worry about the party backstabbing of stereotypical evil campaigns, since there's no party to backstab! Of course, a good campaign can have minions. Guard captains and such. Guild heirarchies are good for single campaigns, since you don't have to worry about PCs outranking eachother.
Avonsyrian 07-09-04, 10:55 PM	just remember, you don't have to do anything you don't want to. If a bad guy is literally about to kill the party, dont let that happen. And try to focus on non-combat encounters such as roleplaying, problem solving and puzzles/traps (I agree that a rogue is the best choice here). and yeah, give a lot of XP for everything. but then, I'm a very "screw-the-rules" type DM who likes to just go with the flow of the story, so if that isnt your style, just ignore that first tip.
Mitchell 07-11-04, 02:51 AM	Start her out slow. I don't recommend starting her at a higher level. I think most players learn more at the lower levels, and can get overwhelmed by options. I would put her in an organization. If she is a rogue, put her in the thieves guild, if she is a wizard, have her be the apprentice of a high level wizard, etc. The direction after this depends alot on the class. Barbarian- Hmmm... The clan chief could just send her out to do this and that I guess. Bard- Maybe in the thieves guild. You know, thief stuff. Steal this, steal that. Encouraged not to fight, but she'll have to use her stealth or get beat up and thrown in jail. Cleric- Her superiors will need things done. Clerics can do alot on their own, so the options could range from escort/guard duty to checking out the haunted house. Druid- Her master will want her to do druidy things. Kill a monster (maybe an aberration, they aren't natural), collect some components (also good for clerics), chase off some poachers. Fighter- Probably in the city guard. She'll make her rounds, and all sorts of stuff might happen. Stop a robbery/mugging, break up a fight, deal with some nasty rats in the sewers, take care of a small band of goblins harassing merchant caravans. Monk- The masters could send her to do any number of things, only to test her abilities. Anything is possible. Them monks are strange folks. Paladin- Could be in the appropriate church, could be in the city guard. Anything clerical or fightery depending on which. Ranger- Could be in the wild, could be in the city. In the wild, she will be what she is. Just let her wander her forest and do what needs to be done... Rescue critters, kill poachers, etc. In the city she will either be in the city guard or more likely a scout. Let her guard merchant caravans or otherwise deal with what the city leaders think are potential problems... Fighter and druidy things. Rogue- Thieves guild. Like the Bard. Sorceror- Maybe an apprentice to a wizard. Go get this, go find that. You know the drill. Wizard- See sorceror. Material components have to be gotten. Ideally, she is just "trying DnD on", and will, if she likes it, join in with your regular group, so put your best foot forward here. I don't know your overall situation, but 1 player games can be done. Just make sure that she has access to healing potions and the like. She will need some items to cover for obvious weaknesses, but alot depends on her class selection and her future multi-classing or PrCs taken.
Eagle Vision 07-12-04, 04:17 AM	Simple, have her charater be a fencer who is travelling to fight others, have that improve her levels to 3 or so, then unveil the bigger plot. E.g, for fencing try having it be run like regular combat, but when the final hit is struck it is counted as the only hit. BTW this suggection is someone elses idea. the fencing bit at least.
Mr. VanderMeer 07-12-04, 07:35 AM	I am starting a game for one person as well. I have the Unearthed Arcana and will be using the gestalt rules (which basically means the character can pick the best features of two different classes and add them together. This makes the character a lot more powerful and versatile. I am thinking about adding an NPC. But because I do not like running tag-on NPC's (Or DMPC's) I will have the player make the rolls etc. for that character.
Amaron Blackthorn 07-12-04, 02:32 PM	It is going to take a little bit of work but it is feasible!