Best way to run a one on one game? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Best way to run a one on one game? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Ryan_Singer
03-16-06, 04:23 PM Hey everyone!

I've been GMing for groups of 3-8 for about six years. I'm looking into running a game for just my girlfriend on the side, this will be my first time with a one-on-one game. Is there any advice people who have done this before (or just thought about it alot) can give me?

Specific Questions include:

Should my girlfriend (a beginner who has played in two campaigns so far) play 1 PC, or two?

Should I use the Gestalt rules in UA?

Is there a rule of thumb for balancing published adventures in this situation?

How do I handle NPC hirelings in combat? Do I control them, or does she?

Are there any other questions you can see coming besides these? How would you answer them?
Nerdicus
03-16-06, 04:28 PM Check out Oakspar7777 Lessons from DMing for GF, and one called Guide To
solo campaigns. I think that one was by KJW(sp?) and friends. I'll edit this with the links. Between those two threads, you can learn everything you need to know about solo adventures.

Lessons from DMing with my GF : oakspars.
Go to first new post Guide to Solo Campaigns KJW's ( i was right!)
Illion the Red
03-16-06, 04:41 PM Hey everyone!

I've been GMing for groups of 3-8 for about six years. I'm looking into running a game for just my girlfriend on the side, this will be my first time with a one-on-one game. Is there any advice people who have done this before (or just thought about it alot) can give me?

Specific Questions include:

Should my girlfriend (a beginner who has played in two campaigns so far) play 1 PC, or two?

Should I use the Gestalt rules in UA?

Is there a rule of thumb for balancing published adventures in this situation?

How do I handle NPC hirelings in combat? Do I control them, or does she?

Are there any other questions you can see coming besides these? How would you answer them?

Welcome to the intensly rewarding world of solo campaigns :)

Quick-hit answers: (see the guide for lots of details - link in my signature)
1. I would limit the Player to one PC and keep it well-focused on her.
2. If you ever wantd to try them out, a solo campaign is perfect for them.
3. As the DM, you should control all of the NPCs, but make sure that the spotlight remains firmly on the PC.
4. There's a host of things that a solo campaign entails, but I'll let you peruse the guide for them.
Ryan_Singer
03-16-06, 04:45 PM Thanks for the quick posts! Just after posting, I saw the link to your guide in another of your posts on the forum, and I'm reading it now. Would you prefer I post additional questions in this thread, or that one?

Ryan
KJW
03-16-06, 04:49 PM Post in the Guide to Solo Campaigns so everyone can benefit from the questions as that thread is definitely staying around. Prepare for the thrill that is solo campaigns!
Illion the Red
03-16-06, 04:50 PM Thanks for the quick posts! Just after posting, I saw the link to your guide in another of your posts on the forum, and I'm reading it now. Would you prefer I post additional questions in this thread, or that one?

Ryan

If you post them in the guide thread, they will get mailed to the crew who has subscribed, so I'd recommend posting them there for quicker responses.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ryan_Singer 03-16-06, 04:23 PM	Hey everyone! I've been GMing for groups of 3-8 for about six years. I'm looking into running a game for just my girlfriend on the side, this will be my first time with a one-on-one game. Is there any advice people who have done this before (or just thought about it alot) can give me? Specific Questions include: Should my girlfriend (a beginner who has played in two campaigns so far) play 1 PC, or two? Should I use the Gestalt rules in UA? Is there a rule of thumb for balancing published adventures in this situation? How do I handle NPC hirelings in combat? Do I control them, or does she? Are there any other questions you can see coming besides these? How would you answer them?
Nerdicus 03-16-06, 04:28 PM	Check out Oakspar7777 Lessons from DMing for GF, and one called Guide To solo campaigns. I think that one was by KJW(sp?) and friends. I'll edit this with the links. Between those two threads, you can learn everything you need to know about solo adventures. Lessons from DMing with my GF : oakspars. Go to first new post Guide to Solo Campaigns KJW's ( i was right!)
Illion the Red 03-16-06, 04:41 PM	Hey everyone! I've been GMing for groups of 3-8 for about six years. I'm looking into running a game for just my girlfriend on the side, this will be my first time with a one-on-one game. Is there any advice people who have done this before (or just thought about it alot) can give me? Specific Questions include: Should my girlfriend (a beginner who has played in two campaigns so far) play 1 PC, or two? Should I use the Gestalt rules in UA? Is there a rule of thumb for balancing published adventures in this situation? How do I handle NPC hirelings in combat? Do I control them, or does she? Are there any other questions you can see coming besides these? How would you answer them? Welcome to the intensly rewarding world of solo campaigns :) Quick-hit answers: (see the guide for lots of details - link in my signature) 1. I would limit the Player to one PC and keep it well-focused on her. 2. If you ever wantd to try them out, a solo campaign is perfect for them. 3. As the DM, you should control all of the NPCs, but make sure that the spotlight remains firmly on the PC. 4. There's a host of things that a solo campaign entails, but I'll let you peruse the guide for them.
Ryan_Singer 03-16-06, 04:45 PM	Thanks for the quick posts! Just after posting, I saw the link to your guide in another of your posts on the forum, and I'm reading it now. Would you prefer I post additional questions in this thread, or that one? Ryan
KJW 03-16-06, 04:49 PM	Post in the Guide to Solo Campaigns so everyone can benefit from the questions as that thread is definitely staying around. Prepare for the thrill that is solo campaigns!
Illion the Red 03-16-06, 04:50 PM	Thanks for the quick posts! Just after posting, I saw the link to your guide in another of your posts on the forum, and I'm reading it now. Would you prefer I post additional questions in this thread, or that one? Ryan If you post them in the guide thread, they will get mailed to the crew who has subscribed, so I'd recommend posting them there for quicker responses.