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Solo gaming?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
zombiegleemax
Jul 10, 2007 2:43:09 Ok... This is something that has never really appealed to me, but I know my son will want to try this out himself (and this will keep him occupied better than the "boob tube" on the rainy days this summer)...

Remember the 1st Edition AD&D DMG? It had a handy (if somewhat flawed) solo system that arguably WAS a lot of fun back when I was as bored as he will be (I was in my early teens when I played 1st Edition AD&D).

Without going into the insane complexity of the Central Casting: Dungeons book (more complex than the rules in the DMG, but at the expense of immediate playability).

So... What I'm looking for is a decent (yet elegantly simple) system that my kids can use to run quick little "one off" adventures without having to spend hours in preparation prior to play.

They play BECMI and (my son, at least) AD&D 2nd Edition.

Thanks in advance!
#2
tankschmidt
Jul 10, 2007 8:28:21 I have a Cardmaster Adventure Design Deck that was put out for 2nd edition AD&D. It simplifies the rules a little (although you can ignore that simplification, as I did), and it allows you to generate a series of encounters by flipping through a deck of cards. I kinda liked it, and I always think about whipping it out and using it again.

Take a look: http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=1501

I wouldn't recommend buying it as a PDF, though; it'd be a real pain to cut out all those cards.
#3
zombiegleemax
Jul 10, 2007 10:25:08
I have a Cardmaster Adventure Design Deck that was put out for 2nd edition AD&D. It simplifies the rules a little (although you can ignore that simplification, as I did), and it allows you to generate a series of encounters by flipping through a deck of cards. I kinda liked it, and I always think about whipping it out and using it again.[/url]

I wouldn't recommend buying it as a PDF, though; it'd be a real pain to cut out all those cards.

Hmmm... Have that one too. Haven't really looked at it much, but will have to re-examine it. Don't recall how well it handles things like mapping.

Are there others that anyone here could recommend?
#4
Shiftkitty
Jul 10, 2007 14:23:23 Wow. I've run solo adventures with my NPCs when I don't have any particular plan for them in the future of the game. When the PCs have been away from town for awhile, it can be an interesting twist to have them decide to pop in on an old acquaintance just to have someone tell them that they died while being pursued by angry griffons. Even better...they were captured while being pursued by a Lizard Man hunting party. Now the party must (enter dramatic description of legendary proportions here.)

If you search about online, you can find some random dungeon generators. I found one once that asked for the level of the party and a few other details, then churned out a map and an encounter list for you. I think it was freeware. Basic graphics, but a good way to get a few points.
#5
johnjohn
Jul 10, 2007 14:34:16 Solo D&D adventures I can't help with

I do remember "Flying Buffalo" had "Tunnels and Trolls" a very simple RPG. It had a ton of solo adventures. You would make a character and get a module for its level. The module consisted of

You are standing outside of the keep of doom... the gate is open and you see a hole in the wall off to the right. Do you a) enter the gate way.. if so turn to page 6 and read 6c. If you go through the hole in the wall turn to page 8 and read entry 8d.

etc etc

They were actually rather fun though some of em had more of an adult theme.

Anyways that system came to mind when I read this post. I know flying buffalo has a website somewhere and I think they are still in business though they are a small little company. They may be worth taking a look at.
#6
zombiegleemax
Jul 10, 2007 16:42:26
Anyways that system came to mind when I read this post. I know flying buffalo has a website somewhere and I think they are still in business though they are a small little company. They may be worth taking a look at.

They are, from what I recall. I'll have to take a look at 'em again.
#7
sgt_d
Jul 10, 2007 23:05:11 I've never done any solo D&D; however, I always enjoyed the Choose Your Own Adventure books, which are similar, to an extent. Same with the Lonewolf series, although they are very hard to find nowadays.
#8
Shiftkitty
Jul 11, 2007 7:45:47 I LOVED the Lone Wolf series!!! There was a wizard based series from that same line, too. Spent many a long night on guard duty with those books! (Private security, not national security!)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Jul 10, 2007 2:43:09	Ok... This is something that has never really appealed to me, but I know my son will want to try this out himself (and this will keep him occupied better than the "boob tube" on the rainy days this summer)... Remember the 1st Edition AD&D DMG? It had a handy (if somewhat flawed) solo system that arguably WAS a lot of fun back when I was as bored as he will be (I was in my early teens when I played 1st Edition AD&D). Without going into the insane complexity of the Central Casting: Dungeons book (more complex than the rules in the DMG, but at the expense of immediate playability). So... What I'm looking for is a decent (yet elegantly simple) system that my kids can use to run quick little "one off" adventures without having to spend hours in preparation prior to play. They play BECMI and (my son, at least) AD&D 2nd Edition. Thanks in advance!
#2 tankschmidt Jul 10, 2007 8:28:21	I have a Cardmaster Adventure Design Deck that was put out for 2nd edition AD&D. It simplifies the rules a little (although you can ignore that simplification, as I did), and it allows you to generate a series of encounters by flipping through a deck of cards. I kinda liked it, and I always think about whipping it out and using it again. Take a look: http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=1501 I wouldn't recommend buying it as a PDF, though; it'd be a real pain to cut out all those cards.
#3 zombiegleemax Jul 10, 2007 10:25:08	I have a Cardmaster Adventure Design Deck that was put out for 2nd edition AD&D. It simplifies the rules a little (although you can ignore that simplification, as I did), and it allows you to generate a series of encounters by flipping through a deck of cards. I kinda liked it, and I always think about whipping it out and using it again.[/url] I wouldn't recommend buying it as a PDF, though; it'd be a real pain to cut out all those cards. Hmmm... Have that one too. Haven't really looked at it much, but will have to re-examine it. Don't recall how well it handles things like mapping. Are there others that anyone here could recommend?
#4 Shiftkitty Jul 10, 2007 14:23:23	Wow. I've run solo adventures with my NPCs when I don't have any particular plan for them in the future of the game. When the PCs have been away from town for awhile, it can be an interesting twist to have them decide to pop in on an old acquaintance just to have someone tell them that they died while being pursued by angry griffons. Even better...they were captured while being pursued by a Lizard Man hunting party. Now the party must (enter dramatic description of legendary proportions here.) If you search about online, you can find some random dungeon generators. I found one once that asked for the level of the party and a few other details, then churned out a map and an encounter list for you. I think it was freeware. Basic graphics, but a good way to get a few points.
#5 johnjohn Jul 10, 2007 14:34:16	Solo D&D adventures I can't help with I do remember "Flying Buffalo" had "Tunnels and Trolls" a very simple RPG. It had a ton of solo adventures. You would make a character and get a module for its level. The module consisted of You are standing outside of the keep of doom... the gate is open and you see a hole in the wall off to the right. Do you a) enter the gate way.. if so turn to page 6 and read 6c. If you go through the hole in the wall turn to page 8 and read entry 8d. etc etc They were actually rather fun though some of em had more of an adult theme. Anyways that system came to mind when I read this post. I know flying buffalo has a website somewhere and I think they are still in business though they are a small little company. They may be worth taking a look at.
#6 zombiegleemax Jul 10, 2007 16:42:26	Anyways that system came to mind when I read this post. I know flying buffalo has a website somewhere and I think they are still in business though they are a small little company. They may be worth taking a look at. They are, from what I recall. I'll have to take a look at 'em again.
#7 sgt_d Jul 10, 2007 23:05:11	I've never done any solo D&D; however, I always enjoyed the Choose Your Own Adventure books, which are similar, to an extent. Same with the Lonewolf series, although they are very hard to find nowadays.
#8 Shiftkitty Jul 11, 2007 7:45:47	I LOVED the Lone Wolf series!!! There was a wizard based series from that same line, too. Spent many a long night on guard duty with those books! (Private security, not national security!)