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adventure for solo PC?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
AuricRAvenhelm
Jul 14, 2008 22:18:02 I'm trying to come up with a short adventure for a solo PC, level 1, so I can introduce a friend of mine to the game. What's a little confused about is how many encounters, mostly combats, would be too much of a challenge.

Here's what I came up with, list-wise. They are in no particular order.

1. 4 Goblin Cutters
2. 2 Goblin Warriors
3. 1 Goblin Sharpshooter
4. 4 Giant Rats
5. 3 Zombie Rotters
6. 4 Decrepit Skeletons
7. 1 Hobgoblin Warcaster and 1 Goblin Blackblade (main boss and his sidekick)
8. Spear Gauntlet trap
9. Collapsing stairway trap

Calculating total XP if every encounter is completed, it would be 1214, would would get him to level 2.

I'm still working out the hook and the storyline of this adventure, but I first wanted to make sure this could be done, or what (if anything) should be reworked.
#2
wolfscape
Jul 14, 2008 23:36:33 It seems like a good adventure, though give the PC an advantage in terrain for some of the fights.( 2 and 7) Also in 4,5,6,3 beef it up with 1-2 minions extra, for my opinion.
Give the PC a way to retreat, and prepare something in case he gets overwhelmed.( The goblins put him in a cell. maybe a skill challenge could help him escape).
If the Pc hhas a minion mowing attack( *cough* dragon breath*cough*) be careful about the minion fights.
#3
dirtyfrank
Jul 14, 2008 23:42:22 It would be best if the solo character was a paladin or fighter because the other classes have trouble dealing with brutes, soldiers and even skirmishers on their own. I would likely suggest you create a character for you to run so that your friend is in a group of two. He could be a fighter or paladin and you could be a support character like a cleric, or warlord. You would of course have to make the encounters harder but with more roles covered the easier the encounters well be. lastly is you may know some of the better tactics for winning the fight and could use it to your advantage to help your friend along.
#4
spaceboyzero
Jul 15, 2008 10:54:37 If you create an extra character i suggest you do it later on and tie it into the storyline. You can roleplay it but if you use the character in the encounters it becomes somewhat clunky. My suggestion is not to use an extra character unless your player can run two characters without taking away from his fun during encounters. I have been running a 1player campaign for a while with my wife although at times she's picked up npc allies along the way and some of these have become fully fleshed out characters and one has even become a recurring villian. She is an elven ranger btw and i haven't had any problems with her not being able to handle combat. Potions are a good substitute for a healer if you feel like your pc needs them. This campaign was just recently converted over to 4th edition and she just hit level 6 so it seems to be moving along pretty good. Just use the guidelines in the dms guide about building encounters and you should be fine if you don't throw any really hard monsters for her class at the pc. Like if the pc is a wizard dont expect the wizard to be able to take a bunch of brutes.
#5
nowiwantmydmg
Jul 15, 2008 11:18:47 D&D isn't all combat, I would add 2-3 role-playing encounters to your list for sure. Although that may have to wait until your story is fleshed out a little more.
#6
AuricRAvenhelm
Jul 15, 2008 15:59:38 Yeah I do have a few other non-combat encounters. I just wanted to see if these would be too difficult or if they are reasonable. I also know a lot can depend on luck too, like if either side gets a lot of good or bad rolls.

Another option I was thinking of was to change all the goblinoids to kobolds, like the warcaster being a kobold wyrmpriest instead.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 AuricRAvenhelm Jul 14, 2008 22:18:02	I'm trying to come up with a short adventure for a solo PC, level 1, so I can introduce a friend of mine to the game. What's a little confused about is how many encounters, mostly combats, would be too much of a challenge. Here's what I came up with, list-wise. They are in no particular order. 1. 4 Goblin Cutters 2. 2 Goblin Warriors 3. 1 Goblin Sharpshooter 4. 4 Giant Rats 5. 3 Zombie Rotters 6. 4 Decrepit Skeletons 7. 1 Hobgoblin Warcaster and 1 Goblin Blackblade (main boss and his sidekick) 8. Spear Gauntlet trap 9. Collapsing stairway trap Calculating total XP if every encounter is completed, it would be 1214, would would get him to level 2. I'm still working out the hook and the storyline of this adventure, but I first wanted to make sure this could be done, or what (if anything) should be reworked.
#2 wolfscape Jul 14, 2008 23:36:33	It seems like a good adventure, though give the PC an advantage in terrain for some of the fights.( 2 and 7) Also in 4,5,6,3 beef it up with 1-2 minions extra, for my opinion. Give the PC a way to retreat, and prepare something in case he gets overwhelmed.( The goblins put him in a cell. maybe a skill challenge could help him escape). If the Pc hhas a minion mowing attack( cough dragon breathcough) be careful about the minion fights.
#3 dirtyfrank Jul 14, 2008 23:42:22	It would be best if the solo character was a paladin or fighter because the other classes have trouble dealing with brutes, soldiers and even skirmishers on their own. I would likely suggest you create a character for you to run so that your friend is in a group of two. He could be a fighter or paladin and you could be a support character like a cleric, or warlord. You would of course have to make the encounters harder but with more roles covered the easier the encounters well be. lastly is you may know some of the better tactics for winning the fight and could use it to your advantage to help your friend along.
#4 spaceboyzero Jul 15, 2008 10:54:37	If you create an extra character i suggest you do it later on and tie it into the storyline. You can roleplay it but if you use the character in the encounters it becomes somewhat clunky. My suggestion is not to use an extra character unless your player can run two characters without taking away from his fun during encounters. I have been running a 1player campaign for a while with my wife although at times she's picked up npc allies along the way and some of these have become fully fleshed out characters and one has even become a recurring villian. She is an elven ranger btw and i haven't had any problems with her not being able to handle combat. Potions are a good substitute for a healer if you feel like your pc needs them. This campaign was just recently converted over to 4th edition and she just hit level 6 so it seems to be moving along pretty good. Just use the guidelines in the dms guide about building encounters and you should be fine if you don't throw any really hard monsters for her class at the pc. Like if the pc is a wizard dont expect the wizard to be able to take a bunch of brutes.
#5 nowiwantmydmg Jul 15, 2008 11:18:47	D&D isn't all combat, I would add 2-3 role-playing encounters to your list for sure. Although that may have to wait until your story is fleshed out a little more.
#6 AuricRAvenhelm Jul 15, 2008 15:59:38	Yeah I do have a few other non-combat encounters. I just wanted to see if these would be too difficult or if they are reasonable. I also know a lot can depend on luck too, like if either side gets a lot of good or bad rolls. Another option I was thinking of was to change all the goblinoids to kobolds, like the warcaster being a kobold wyrmpriest instead.