How and why do you solo play?

[Wolfpack48]

Many starter sets are starting to include a solo play adventure as part of the mix, and some games (notably Call of Cthulhu) have been releasing solo adventures for some time. If you use solo materials, how do you use them? Pick as many answers as apply.

If you want, elaborate on how important solo play is to your TTRPG experience, and whether game companies are on the right track with these kinds of materials.

 

[Theory of Games]

But before I vote: when you write "solo adventures" are you referring only to published adventures?

 

[TiQuinn]

Honestly, didn't really know solo adventures were that big of a thing beyond the classic red box D&D example back in the 80s and a couple of TSR modules that used the invisible ink, but if there are some good, relatively newer examples that people enjoy, I'd love to see a list of them to maybe try.

I would think the issue with solo play is that the game would end up being very different from a group play experience, perhaps to the point that it's a different game entirely, but that's not necessarily a bad thing if done well.

 

[aco175]

I have not tried to solo play since maybe high school, so 30+ years. Even then, I think it was more to get the idea for how a PC would work in combat or something over completing an adventure.

I can see the idea of solo play in more a choose your own adventure module. Online might work better before I would solo play. Maybe even a video game like Baldur's Gate or something. I have not played either of those though as well.

 

[Wolfpack48]

But before I vote: when you write "solo adventures" are you referring only to published adventures?

Yeah, mostly -- it's been a trend to include a published solo adventure with new TTRPG rulesets and starter sets. And sometimes there are separately published adventures. Are there other ways you are getting solo adventures? Feel free to elaborate!

 

[Theory of Games]

Yeah, mostly -- it's been a trend to include a published solo adventure with new TTRPG rulesets and starter sets. And sometimes there are separately published adventures. Are there other ways you are getting solo adventures? Feel free to elaborate!

Well, I've been running ANY module as solo adventures for a long time. I just ramped-down the level of opposition and focused everything on the one PC. Most of the older modules provided advice for lowering or increasing threats based on actual PC party size.

I have and continue to run solo adventures for players who don't have a group. It's actually so much faster getting through the adventure, whether they're published or original. I also RP sets of my own NPCs through adventures to play-test encounter strength and to find "plot-holes".

Yaaassss I play with myself

We tend to think of our hobby as "group-centric" and it is, primarily, but sometimes there's players who don't have that luxury and if they have a good idea, I'll run with them

 

[Bill Zebub]

I have zero interest in solo play. For me it's all about the human interaction.

 

[zottel]

I like to occasionally play solo to get my TTRPG fix when I otherwise can't.
What I really like is using it as a backdrop for my ongoing campaign. I currently play Lichdom (well, haven't continued in a month or two. Seems I can't even get a group together if it's just me), and the journal I am writing as part of it, and the locations an so forth, can be found in my 5E game.

 

[Duke_]

I like playing RPGs solo. I've been doing it for decades. A common refrain heard among gamers is "this game seems really cool, but I'll probably never get a chance to play it." Solo gaming fixes that problem. You just need a good oracle or two and some imagination, and you're all set.

I understand the sentiment that people view RPGs as inherently social. It's just not a sentiment that I share. I have my gaming group, and I have my solo play for games that I don't think the majority of the group will necessarily be into.

It's also a great way to familiarize yourself with a game system if you do think you'll bring it to the table. At this point, I wouldn't ever run something for a group without going through at least a few scenes on my own and getting hands-on with the mechanics.

 

[overgeeked]

I have zero interest in solo play. For me it's all about the human interaction.

I’ve held this view for decades outside the occasional solo module to learn a system or as a goof to kill time. Typically a Call of Cthulhu solo or gamebook. For those who don’t know, gamebooks are Choose Your Own Adventure books with dice.

A common refrain heard among gamers is "this game seems really cool, but I'll probably never get a chance to play it." Solo gaming fixes that problem. You just need a good oracle or two and some imagination, and you're all set.

But I’m coming around to this view. If I ever want to play even half the systems I own, I’ll need to play solo.

The stigma around solo RPGs is kinda odd. There are single-player games of all kinds. In many genres it’s the default. Yet it’s generally looked down on in RPGs.