Eberron 4e Single PC games thread... - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 auspex7 Jul 11, 2009 16:54:32	Greetings, folks! Going to keep this short & sweet. The EPG was my first Eberron purchase, and I'm in love with the setting. I have a buddy who I've been DM'ing single-PC games for for well over a decade in addition to other games I've run, and this setting seems perfect for this type of game. With so many different factions, and so many things going on, it seems like a gas to throw a single person into the middle of it all and let the insanity ensue. Soooooo... Has anyone else here been doing this since Eberron 4e hit? What kinds of things have you done? If you haven't yet, what would you do? Basically, I'm looking at this as a brainstorm thread. Feel free to make long or short posts. Go nuts. Let the creative juices flow!
#2 rekko Jul 11, 2009 20:01:45	Hi Auspex7, I've been DMing a Single PC game in 3.5 Eberron from 1st level to about 7th level. Then, 4th edition hit the shelves, and I've been trying to convert my game to 4E since that day. Hopefully, the Eberron books that are coming out these months may help my player be interested in converting his character. His character is Addaus d'Deneith, human sorcerer with the Lesser Mark of Detection. The campaign arcs around him slowly developping every dragonmark one by one. He's been thrown in between the Emerald Claw, the Blood of Vol, House Thuranni, the Twelve and dips of the Chamber and the Lords of Dust. To make the long story short, Erandis wants to sacrifice him to channel a Rajah's power and activating her fearsome Mark of Death. The way he roleplays and chooses his actions in combat, I think that when converting the character, if we ever convert to 4E, he would be a Hybrid Wizard/Sorcerer or Hybrid Wizard/Warlock. He likes to grease the combat field around to keep a few enemies away, blind a few others with glitterdust, maybe charm person someone. Then, he would concentrate on a single target with magic misile and scorching ray and happily throw a fireball when too many enemies group together. If needed, he teleports away thanks to the Mark of Passage he mysteriously developped. I think a Hybrid Controller/Striker is a good option for a Solo game. Gives the PC some good powers to strike at monsters in groups and minions, and keeping some targets at bay while concentrating on specific targets. Though the lack of Healing powers may cause some trouble, using Action Points to Second Wind or run away can be useful. However, I think other character roles, or multiclass, or hybrid could make great games too. I think a great part of combat-fun has to go with building the encounters. Since the PC doesn't cover all the roles, he's going to be weak against certain types of monsters, so try to balance encounters between monster roles. Example, the Controller might want something else than minions to fight, while a brute is a challenge don't put too many at once or in a row. Play with terrain to block monsters or delay them, give cover to the PC, etc. Maybe give him an ally or two for some encounters. Mix in a skill challenge either before or during the encounter that gains the PC some advantage. Skill Challenges during the combat should not be too difficult, one or two successes before one failure should do it. Remember that the Skill Challenge Complexity table on DMG p.72 is for a five-character group. I'd modify it in this manner for a solo game, take the successes column minus 2 or 3 and the failures column minus 1. Or, give your PC an ally (or some allies) for the Skill Challenge. Though combat is one thing, Role-Playing is, I think, the most important aspect of a fun solo game. That with DM-Player cooperation. Give your player credits for his ideas and use them. After all, he's the only Hero of this game. These are my tips for running a fun Single Player game, from my own experience. Moreover, I am quite curious on what type or campaign you want to play out and who will be the character on which it will be centered on. Rekko
#3 nthdegree256 Jul 12, 2009 10:52:33	Haven't ever really done a solo game, but I found myself somewhat intrigued by the idea after reading Queen of Stone, Keith Baker's novel about a Dark Lantern undertaking a mission into Droaam. It seems like a good way to do a spy adventure/campaign, since you can use certain genre conceits that might not work as well with more than one character.
#4 auspex7 Jul 13, 2009 22:15:23	Thanks for the feedback so far, gentlemen. Just talked to the buddy I mentioned, and he's all fired up to get the game going. He's going to be playing a Hybrid Tempest Fighter\|Ranger MC Whip Training that I drew up and posted in CharOp a bit back--with a couple tweaks. The character is human, and perfectly fits the type for a House Tharashk type. He's Trained in Nature, Perception, Streetwise, Stealth, and Endurance. Basically, a Wayfinder type. Multi-purpose tracker, bounty hunter, tour guide, and generally lethal Boy Scout. I'll make a more extensive post later, but I'm currently working up some appropriate skill challenges and encounters. I have some unique ideas for single PC encounters with multiple opponents and chances to use tactics.
#5 rekko Jul 15, 2009 2:11:33	That PC has the whip, but does he have the hat? Sorry about the Indy reference, it just slipped right through ;) A link to your Whip Training MC would be appreciated. Since you mentioned House Tharashk and the Wayfinders, I think you can jump start your PC on a mission to hunt down the thieves who stole the last shipment of dragonshards, then found out who the thieves are, who are they working for, what were the dragonshards for, and get carried away in some bigger adventure, etc etc. Rekko
#6 auspex7 Jul 15, 2009 10:39:21	Here's a link to a variation of the build. If I recall correctly, my buddy is talking about training Intimidate instead of Endurance in his version, but it's generally the same. This isn't the original, more optimized build, but one modified a bit (Expert Tracker, Mark of Finding, etc) for this particular campaign. This also just includes mundane items and such, so the AC and things will be higher. Of course, in a fight against 1 opponent, he'll effectively have +2 to all defenses from the whip debuff, as well. Tharashk Tempest level 10 snapshot ====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ====== Tharashk v1, level 10 Human, Fighter\|Ranger Hybrid Talent: Fighter Combat Talent Fighter Combat Talent: Tempest Technique Hybrid Ranger: Hybrid Ranger Reflex Divine Spark: Divine Spark Strength Divine Spark: Divine Spark Wisdom Background: Inquisitive (+2 to Streetwise) FINAL ABILITY SCORES Str 20, Con 13, Dex 15, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 10. STARTING ABILITY SCORES Str 16, Con 13, Dex 14, Int 10, Wis 13, Cha 10. AC: 21 Fort: 22 Reflex: 20 Will: 18 HP: 71 Surges: 8 Surge Value: 17 TRAINED SKILLS Endurance +10, Perception +12, Nature +12, Streetwise +12, Stealth +11 UNTRAINED SKILLS Acrobatics +6, Arcana +5, Bluff +5, Diplomacy +5, Dungeoneering +7, Heal +7, History +5, Insight +7, Intimidate +5, Religion +5, Thievery +6, Athletics +9 FEATS Human: Hybrid Talent Level 1: Whip Training Level 2: Expert Tracker Level 4: Mark of Finding Level 6: Two-Weapon Fighting Level 8: Weapon Expertise (Heavy Blade) Level 10: Weapon Focus (Heavy Blade) Level 11: Heavy Blade Opportunity Level 12: Two-Weapon Opening Level 14: Danger Sense Level 16: Deadly Axe Level 18: Devastating Critical Level 20: Quick Draw Level 21: Heavy Blade Mastery Level 22: Epic Resurgence Level 24: Martial Mastery Level 26: Untraceable Level 28: Robust Defenses Level 30: Predatory Action POWERS Bonus At-Will Power: Footwork Lure Hybrid Fighter at-will 1: Dual Strike Hybrid Ranger at-will 1: Twin Strike Hybrid encounter 1: Off-Hand Strike Hybrid daily 1: Sudden Strike Hybrid utility 2: Boundless Endurance Hybrid encounter 3: Rain of Blows Hybrid daily 5: Rain of Steel Hybrid utility 6: Battle Runner Hybrid encounter 7: Claws of the Griffon Hybrid daily 9: Thicket of Blades Hybrid utility 10: Defensive Resurgence Hybrid encounter 13: Crumpling Slam (replaces Claws of the Griffon) Hybrid daily 15: Blade Cascade (replaces Sudden Strike) Hybrid utility 16: Iron Warrior Hybrid encounter 17: Vorpal Tornado (replaces Rain of Blows) Hybrid daily 19: Devastation's Wake (replaces Thicket of Blades) Hybrid utility 22: Unyielding Hybrid encounter 23: Blade Ward (replaces Off-Hand Strike) Hybrid daily 25: Reaper's Stance (replaces Rain of Steel) Hybrid encounter 27: Wandering Tornado (replaces Crumpling Slam) Hybrid daily 29: Twin-Strike Tornado (replaces Devastation's Wake) ITEMS Hide Armor, Khopesh, Whip, Adventurer's Kit, Dagger (2), Shortbow, Arrows (60)
#7 rekko Jul 17, 2009 0:21:55	I recommend you download the free Eberron adventure, Khyber's Harvest, written by Keith Baker himself. It will give you the feeling of an Eberron adventure and how to build encounters to reach this climax. Are you starting level 1 or level 10? Cause you wont face the same dangers and monsters at those two different levels. Where is the Keep located? Is there something more than just lost heirlooms in the Keep, or is there something more, like a dark family's secret, a lost magic item, a gateway to Khyber, a library of forbidden magic, a map that leads you through the labyrinths of the Demon Wastes, etc? Since your PC's character is a Defender/Striker, he'll be a bit low on healing. Sure he can buy loads of healing potion, and you can lay a bunch of them in treasure. However, this could get boring. So I suggest you award him with healing in other ways. In example, the PC is battling a group of goblins. On the other side of the battlefield, there's a goblin healer. The PC could have a skill challenge to reach the goblin healer and trick him in granting him healing, which could be in the form of temporary hit points, healing potion, spending a healing surge, spell that recovers a encounter or daily power, etc. Or he could capture the goblin healer at the end of the fight and intimidate him to get healing. The other way I'd lay out healing would be with manifest zones to some planes that would fit the healing theme. Irian and Thelanis make good choices, but nothing can stop you from saying that a healing spell ricochet from Shavarath or Risia onto the PC. Rekko

Post/Author/DateTime

Post

auspex7

Jul 11, 2009 16:54:32

Greetings, folks!

Going to keep this short & sweet. The EPG was my first Eberron purchase, and I'm in love with the setting. I have a buddy who I've been DM'ing single-PC games for for well over a decade in addition to other games I've run, and this setting seems perfect for this type of game. With so many different factions, and so many things going on, it seems like a gas to throw a single person into the middle of it all and let the insanity ensue.

Soooooo... Has anyone else here been doing this since Eberron 4e hit? What kinds of things have you done? If you haven't yet, what would you do?

Basically, I'm looking at this as a brainstorm thread.

Feel free to make long or short posts. Go nuts. Let the creative juices flow!

rekko

Jul 11, 2009 20:01:45

Hi Auspex7,

I've been DMing a Single PC game in 3.5 Eberron from 1st level to about 7th level. Then, 4th edition hit the shelves, and I've been trying to convert my game to 4E since that day. Hopefully, the Eberron books that are coming out these months may help my player be interested in converting his character.

His character is Addaus d'Deneith, human sorcerer with the Lesser Mark of Detection. The campaign arcs around him slowly developping every dragonmark one by one. He's been thrown in between the Emerald Claw, the Blood of Vol, House Thuranni, the Twelve and dips of the Chamber and the Lords of Dust. To make the long story short, Erandis wants to sacrifice him to channel a Rajah's power and activating her fearsome Mark of Death.

The way he roleplays and chooses his actions in combat, I think that when converting the character, if we ever convert to 4E, he would be a Hybrid Wizard/Sorcerer or Hybrid Wizard/Warlock. He likes to grease the combat field around to keep a few enemies away, blind a few others with glitterdust, maybe charm person someone. Then, he would concentrate on a single target with magic misile and scorching ray and happily throw a fireball when too many enemies group together. If needed, he teleports away thanks to the Mark of Passage he mysteriously developped.

I think a Hybrid Controller/Striker is a good option for a Solo game. Gives the PC some good powers to strike at monsters in groups and minions, and keeping some targets at bay while concentrating on specific targets. Though the lack of Healing powers may cause some trouble, using Action Points to Second Wind or run away can be useful. However, I think other character roles, or multiclass, or hybrid could make great games too.

I think a great part of combat-fun has to go with building the encounters. Since the PC doesn't cover all the roles, he's going to be weak against certain types of monsters, so try to balance encounters between monster roles. Example, the Controller might want something else than minions to fight, while a brute is a challenge don't put too many at once or in a row. Play with terrain to block monsters or delay them, give cover to the PC, etc. Maybe give him an ally or two for some encounters. Mix in a skill challenge either before or during the encounter that gains the PC some advantage. Skill Challenges during the combat should not be too difficult, one or two successes before one failure should do it.

Remember that the Skill Challenge Complexity table on DMG p.72 is for a five-character group. I'd modify it in this manner for a solo game, take the successes column minus 2 or 3 and the failures column minus 1. Or, give your PC an ally (or some allies) for the Skill Challenge.

Though combat is one thing, Role-Playing is, I think, the most important aspect of a fun solo game. That with DM-Player cooperation. Give your player credits for his ideas and use them. After all, he's the only Hero of this game.

These are my tips for running a fun Single Player game, from my own experience. Moreover, I am quite curious on what type or campaign you want to play out and who will be the character on which it will be centered on.

Rekko

nthdegree256

Jul 12, 2009 10:52:33

Haven't ever really done a solo game, but I found myself somewhat intrigued by the idea after reading Queen of Stone, Keith Baker's novel about a Dark Lantern undertaking a mission into Droaam. It seems like a good way to do a spy adventure/campaign, since you can use certain genre conceits that might not work as well with more than one character.

auspex7

Jul 13, 2009 22:15:23

Thanks for the feedback so far, gentlemen.

Just talked to the buddy I mentioned, and he's all fired up to get the game going. He's going to be playing a Hybrid Tempest Fighter|Ranger MC Whip Training that I drew up and posted in CharOp a bit back--with a couple tweaks. The character is human, and perfectly fits the type for a House Tharashk type. He's Trained in Nature, Perception, Streetwise, Stealth, and Endurance. Basically, a Wayfinder type. Multi-purpose tracker, bounty hunter, tour guide, and generally lethal Boy Scout.

I'll make a more extensive post later, but I'm currently working up some appropriate skill challenges and encounters. I have some unique ideas for single PC encounters with multiple opponents and chances to use tactics.

rekko

Jul 15, 2009 2:11:33

That PC has the whip, but does he have the hat? Sorry about the Indy reference, it just slipped right through ;)

A link to your Whip Training MC would be appreciated.

Since you mentioned House Tharashk and the Wayfinders, I think you can jump start your PC on a mission to hunt down the thieves who stole the last shipment of dragonshards, then found out who the thieves are, who are they working for, what were the dragonshards for, and get carried away in some bigger adventure, etc etc.

Rekko

auspex7

Jul 15, 2009 10:39:21

Here's a link to a variation of the build. If I recall correctly, my buddy is talking about training Intimidate instead of Endurance in his version, but it's generally the same. This isn't the original, more optimized build, but one modified a bit (Expert Tracker, Mark of Finding, etc) for this particular campaign.

This also just includes mundane items and such, so the AC and things will be higher. Of course, in a fight against 1 opponent, he'll effectively have +2 to all defenses from the whip debuff, as well.

Tharashk Tempest level 10 snapshot

====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
Tharashk v1, level 10
Human, Fighter|Ranger
Hybrid Talent: Fighter Combat Talent
Fighter Combat Talent: Tempest Technique
Hybrid Ranger: Hybrid Ranger Reflex
Divine Spark: Divine Spark Strength
Divine Spark: Divine Spark Wisdom
Background: Inquisitive (+2 to Streetwise)

FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 20, Con 13, Dex 15, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 10.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 16, Con 13, Dex 14, Int 10, Wis 13, Cha 10.

AC: 21 Fort: 22 Reflex: 20 Will: 18
HP: 71 Surges: 8 Surge Value: 17

TRAINED SKILLS
Endurance +10, Perception +12, Nature +12, Streetwise +12, Stealth +11

UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +6, Arcana +5, Bluff +5, Diplomacy +5, Dungeoneering +7, Heal +7, History +5, Insight +7, Intimidate +5, Religion +5, Thievery +6, Athletics +9

FEATS
Human: Hybrid Talent
Level 1: Whip Training
Level 2: Expert Tracker
Level 4: Mark of Finding
Level 6: Two-Weapon Fighting
Level 8: Weapon Expertise (Heavy Blade)
Level 10: Weapon Focus (Heavy Blade)
Level 11: Heavy Blade Opportunity
Level 12: Two-Weapon Opening
Level 14: Danger Sense
Level 16: Deadly Axe
Level 18: Devastating Critical
Level 20: Quick Draw
Level 21: Heavy Blade Mastery
Level 22: Epic Resurgence
Level 24: Martial Mastery
Level 26: Untraceable
Level 28: Robust Defenses
Level 30: Predatory Action

POWERS
Bonus At-Will Power: Footwork Lure
Hybrid Fighter at-will 1: Dual Strike
Hybrid Ranger at-will 1: Twin Strike
Hybrid encounter 1: Off-Hand Strike
Hybrid daily 1: Sudden Strike
Hybrid utility 2: Boundless Endurance
Hybrid encounter 3: Rain of Blows
Hybrid daily 5: Rain of Steel
Hybrid utility 6: Battle Runner
Hybrid encounter 7: Claws of the Griffon
Hybrid daily 9: Thicket of Blades
Hybrid utility 10: Defensive Resurgence
Hybrid encounter 13: Crumpling Slam (replaces Claws of the Griffon)
Hybrid daily 15: Blade Cascade (replaces Sudden Strike)
Hybrid utility 16: Iron Warrior
Hybrid encounter 17: Vorpal Tornado (replaces Rain of Blows)
Hybrid daily 19: Devastation's Wake (replaces Thicket of Blades)
Hybrid utility 22: Unyielding
Hybrid encounter 23: Blade Ward (replaces Off-Hand Strike)
Hybrid daily 25: Reaper's Stance (replaces Rain of Steel)
Hybrid encounter 27: Wandering Tornado (replaces Crumpling Slam)
Hybrid daily 29: Twin-Strike Tornado (replaces Devastation's Wake)

ITEMS
Hide Armor, Khopesh, Whip, Adventurer's Kit, Dagger (2), Shortbow, Arrows (60)

rekko

Jul 17, 2009 0:21:55

I recommend you download the free Eberron adventure, Khyber's Harvest, written by Keith Baker himself. It will give you the feeling of an Eberron adventure and how to build encounters to reach this climax.

Are you starting level 1 or level 10? Cause you wont face the same dangers and monsters at those two different levels.

Where is the Keep located? Is there something more than just lost heirlooms in the Keep, or is there something more, like a dark family's secret, a lost magic item, a gateway to Khyber, a library of forbidden magic, a map that leads you through the labyrinths of the Demon Wastes, etc?

Since your PC's character is a Defender/Striker, he'll be a bit low on healing. Sure he can buy loads of healing potion, and you can lay a bunch of them in treasure. However, this could get boring. So I suggest you award him with healing in other ways. In example, the PC is battling a group of goblins. On the other side of the battlefield, there's a goblin healer. The PC could have a skill challenge to reach the goblin healer and trick him in granting him healing, which could be in the form of temporary hit points, healing potion, spending a healing surge, spell that recovers a encounter or daily power, etc. Or he could capture the goblin healer at the end of the fight and intimidate him to get healing.

The other way I'd lay out healing would be with manifest zones to some planes that would fit the healing theme. Irian and Thelanis make good choices, but nothing can stop you from saying that a healing spell ricochet from Shavarath or Risia onto the PC.

Rekko