Rod Staffwand
aka Ermlaspur Flormbator
You don't have to give them NPCs or multiple characters to have fun solo gaming.
As the DM, you just have to realize they are a party of 1 and have limited resources and secondary options available to them. Vastly cut down on the opposition in combats and give them plenty of opportunities to achieve objects without it (stealth, talking, trickery, etc.). Think of ways to "Say yes" to whatever the player comes up with.
Beware save or suck and save or die effects. With a party of one, they become party killers. If the PC drops, you have a TPK.
Also, in this same vein, don't feel that every combat needs to end in PC death if they drop to 0HP. Have the monsters capture the PC or just KO them instead unless they are ghouls or some other savage fiend.
Give out inspiration A LOT. With a single PC to focus on, you really shouldn't be slacking off.
Think of them as a hero in a book or movie or video game. Most of those characters get by just fine without a party.
As the DM, you just have to realize they are a party of 1 and have limited resources and secondary options available to them. Vastly cut down on the opposition in combats and give them plenty of opportunities to achieve objects without it (stealth, talking, trickery, etc.). Think of ways to "Say yes" to whatever the player comes up with.
Beware save or suck and save or die effects. With a party of one, they become party killers. If the PC drops, you have a TPK.
Also, in this same vein, don't feel that every combat needs to end in PC death if they drop to 0HP. Have the monsters capture the PC or just KO them instead unless they are ghouls or some other savage fiend.
Give out inspiration A LOT. With a single PC to focus on, you really shouldn't be slacking off.
Think of them as a hero in a book or movie or video game. Most of those characters get by just fine without a party.