Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Hoggle2605 Dec 14, 2014 8:54:09	My 15yr old daughter and I have been playing boardgames together for quite some time now, with such games as Eldritch Horror, Legendary Card Game, Firefly, and Descent as some of our favorites as just to name a few.  We were sitting down last night to crack open some games when she mentioned a strong desire to play some D&D.  I have dabbled a bit in the past on my own with picking up some of the Essentials line, and the Red Starter box from 4e.  We started to create a character using the 4e starter box, and enjoyed it, but we both looked at each other at the same time, and she was the one that mentioned she is interested in the new 5e line.  I'm quite strongly interested as well, but with her to state the desire to play on her own kinda skyrocketed my interest even more.  With her strongly wanting to create a Bard character.   A few things though...her and I are pretty much the only ones who would be playing this.  We could possibly draft my wife if I made a character for her, but not sure.  My main way of running the game with the two of us would be to use the Mythic Game Master Emulator.  I've had this for  awhile now, and it is a way to run rpg games with using the Emulator as a GM tool to ask questions using a fate chart to keep the game moving...(basicly in a nutshell, there is a little more to it...)  I have read many instances online where this has worked quite well for people.     My thought is to pick up the 5e Player HB, and possibly the new Starter Box for at least the adventure contained, which I hear is quite good.  I'm wondering if I should be intererested in the Monster Manual, or Dungeon Master book as well.  At first I thought the DM book would be essential to pick up for the rules and mechanics of the game, but I wonder if all I need is contained in the Player Handbook.  I realize Wizards put out the basic rulebook online, but I like to have a hard copy of everything at the table when we play....   Would appreciate any thoughts or opinions....thanks in advance!
#2 mellored Dec 14, 2014 9:46:52	You can download the basic version for free. though it doesn't contain bards. and it's not hard to run a single player campaign.
#3 bonethug0108 Dec 14, 2014 12:09:46	Yeah you can play the game with just the free pdf's online. It's a stripped down version of the game but all of the base rules and core classes, races, and monsters are there(with some magic items thrown in also).   The starter set may be a good place to start too as it gives you an adventure to run. You will likely have to adjust the number of monsters in the encounter and may consider letting her start at level 2 or 3 instead if she is going to be the only player(or even with two player characters; 3 or more pcs will have an easier go of it).   The PHB is very nice and you get 12 classes and 9 classes(as well as subclasses and races within those). It also goes more in depth on some things.   The MM isn't necessary but is also very nice to have(most of the pictures are awesome) and gives you a wide variety of monsters to choose from across all levels(less as you get to the higher levels, but lower level monsters still relevant longer in this edition).   I haven't gotten the DMG yet, but it also sounds very nice especially in regards to helping you create your own worlds and dungeons, as well as providing lots of optional and variant rules and tons of tables for helping to create npcs, loot, dungeons, and all sorts of things.   So none of the books are necessary to play, but if you want to expand your game(PHB for PCs, MM for more monsters, and DMG for advice, tables, and different rules) you can.
#4 bonethug0108 Dec 14, 2014 12:10:58	BTW I started playing with my 4 year old daughter and she loves it! She likes to help people so I think I'm going to make her a cleric instead of a wizard.
#5 Hoggle2605 Dec 14, 2014 12:29:54	Thanks for the replies.  I have been looking through the pdf basic rules, but was thinking about one or more of the hard copy books as well as starter box as an extra Christmas gift.  Right now I'm leaning toward  the box, and Player Handbook to start.
#6 bonethug0108 Dec 14, 2014 12:33:32	Yeah the box(just to have a sample adventure) and the PHB is a great start. MM and DMG can come later if you feel you need more.
#7 DM_HEEGZ Dec 14, 2014 12:47:15	bonethug0108 wrote:
#8 Fallen_Star_02 Dec 14, 2014 13:28:54	WOTC has so far only published three offical adventures: the starter box, Hoard of the Dragon Queen, and Rise of Tiamat. The starter box costs $20 is a very short adventure, and will last only one or two sessions.   My recommendation is that you buy the Players Handbook and Hoard of the Dragon Queen. The hardback adventures are only $10 dollars more but last 8 levels, not just one.
(Reply to #8) shpelley	Fallen_Star_02 wrote:
#10 Mistwell Dec 14, 2014 14:41:22	A user named Firelance at EnWorld made an excellent adventure for a single player for 3e.  I believe he said he is considering converting it to 5e. Anyway, here is the link to the 3e version, intended for a solo Paladin.
#11 Hoggle2605 Dec 14, 2014 15:18:16	Thinking about this more, and from comments it looks like I will more than likely go with the PHB, and either the Starter box, or Hoard of the Dragon Queen to start out with.
#12 Phobos Dec 14, 2014 16:40:27	I'm just here to give the OP props.  My (currently) 14 yr old daughter has been playing since she was 5. She loves it, she talks about it, I hope she passes it on.  Good for you!
(Reply to #5) Azzy1974	Hoggle2605 wrote:
#14 bonethug0108 Dec 14, 2014 18:10:28	I would NOT reccomend HotDQ for a solo player. They have some brutal encounters in there and the style is much harder to pull of solo. They have some toughies in the starter set, but it's much easier to adjust what is in there and still fit the theme of the adventure.   Also the plus side of the starter set is you have a physical book with the rules in it in front of you(scarce as the may be; about what is in the free pdf), whereas you don't get that with HotDQ.   This isn't a knock on HotDQ itself as it seems like a very fun adventure(haven't actually played it yet but I read through a bunch of it), just a word of caution on how tough it will be on a solo player.
#15 Elfcrusher Dec 14, 2014 20:10:35	HotDQ would be brutal for a single character, agreed.  However, you might give your daughter a sidekick NPC, run some content designed for them to get them to, oh, 3rd level, and then try it.  And intersperse other side adventures in between the chapters so that they stay ahead of the level curve.   You might also consider using the point buy system for stats, but give them some extra points.   I would NOT buy the DMG unless money is no object.  You could happily play D&D for years without ever needing it.  Sometime when you're in a bookstore flip through the magic items for inspiration and you'll be set.
#16 bonethug0108 Dec 14, 2014 20:37:48	Well if you do go HotDQ, I would definitely add another character in there somehow and I'd probably just start the pcs at level 3 just to get straight into the adventure. The higher stats likely won't have a very meaningful effect(not saying no effect) as it's the lack of action economy that is really going to kill the players. Maybe you can give the pcs 2 turns a round to make up for it(and you may need to give extra spell slots and quicker refreshing abilities to compensate).   I agree that you can easily play without the DMG, and the MM is only useful if you feel you need more monsters. The PHB is just too nice to pass up with the extra classes and races.
#17 Helaman Dec 27, 2014 3:13:11	Dotting this
#18 EzechielDantan Dec 27, 2014 3:57:38	A solo adventure is kinda harsh since there is nobody to save you when the dice wont work with you, I'd have an NPC with her for support, a fighter bodyguard with protection style would be my preference. You can surround her with caravan guards or city watch and focus more on RP for the first few sessions and awards.    If you do solo, make sure to go very gentle, a 1/8 CR creature is already quite a challenge in a frontal battle.