One-on-one games
- Thread starter Asmor
- Start date
Some of my best gaming experiences, on both sides of the screen, have been 1-on-1 games. Once you get started, the weirdness will vanish.
Bloodstone Press
Explorer
I've done a lot of one on one games in the past. I would say that they depend a great deal on the chemistry between the DM and the player. As long as they are both on the same page, the game should go well.
I've got one player in particular that I love to game with in one on one sessions because he's a great role-player and he's the luckiest person I've ever met in my life. He's great at playing a hero and he likes a lot of the same themes and ideas that I like.
On the other hand, I've gamed in one on one sessions with people that just didn't have the same skill or talent. They weren't proactive enough and were afraid to take chances. And so the game was quite mediocre.
It also depends a lot on the player, since there won’t be anyone else there to help him or her out.
From a game design point of view, you need to be careful about encounters and challenge ratings, of course.
I've got one player in particular that I love to game with in one on one sessions because he's a great role-player and he's the luckiest person I've ever met in my life. He's great at playing a hero and he likes a lot of the same themes and ideas that I like.
On the other hand, I've gamed in one on one sessions with people that just didn't have the same skill or talent. They weren't proactive enough and were afraid to take chances. And so the game was quite mediocre.
It also depends a lot on the player, since there won’t be anyone else there to help him or her out.
From a game design point of view, you need to be careful about encounters and challenge ratings, of course.
I've done quite a few solos also in the past. Espcially when training or introducing people to the game. You should at least give her a companion or two, I find some of the most colorful NPC's I've had were created in the one on one situation. It gives a player a taste of the game as a group without having the group. It also works well if you choose a couple NPC's which are personally different, it creates a great dichotomy that the new PC can interact with in relaxed and in stressful conditions.
Lord Mhoram
Hero
My wife and I have been doing solo gaming since we started dating (way back in the late 80's).
For the cureent Ed of D&D - if you or the fiance are into character building (in addition to playing) try out the gestalt rules in UA. When we got the book, and I started using them, it helped - because it allowed the characters to cover more skills.
Once both of you are expereienced at it, go ahead and let the player run two characters. Same as Getstalt - allows for more options, which helps if you want to run a published module. I run two gestalt characters when my wife GMs me solo, and it pretty much lets me fill all four classic "niches" for trying to get through published modules.
Another thing that is really great about running solo is that you can design adventures around the character and player needs. Go with the idea that the character(s) are the heroes of legend. Work that into play, let them be known - personalize the game to them. I've invented an entire game world for no other reason that to let my wife's character get high level and save it*. - Then the characters really feel like the heroes of The Lord of The Rings.
Solo play with your significant other can also be ripe with much more roleplaying chances than normal group game, if that is something that you both are into. My wife and I sometimes go multiple sessions with no combat. If the character has a romance, it is also much easier to roleplay in a solo situation, with your significant other**. It is also a great way to just spend time together, which, not worrying about the gaming, is great for the relationship.
My wife added when I mentioned this - if you are an adversairal style GM/player - solo gaming is not a good idea, because it can lead to problems in the relationship.
* And she has done the same for me.
** And without being crass, that romantic roleplaying can be better than a candlelight dinner and romantic music for events later in the evening.
For the cureent Ed of D&D - if you or the fiance are into character building (in addition to playing) try out the gestalt rules in UA. When we got the book, and I started using them, it helped - because it allowed the characters to cover more skills.
Once both of you are expereienced at it, go ahead and let the player run two characters. Same as Getstalt - allows for more options, which helps if you want to run a published module. I run two gestalt characters when my wife GMs me solo, and it pretty much lets me fill all four classic "niches" for trying to get through published modules.
Another thing that is really great about running solo is that you can design adventures around the character and player needs. Go with the idea that the character(s) are the heroes of legend. Work that into play, let them be known - personalize the game to them. I've invented an entire game world for no other reason that to let my wife's character get high level and save it*. - Then the characters really feel like the heroes of The Lord of The Rings.
Solo play with your significant other can also be ripe with much more roleplaying chances than normal group game, if that is something that you both are into. My wife and I sometimes go multiple sessions with no combat. If the character has a romance, it is also much easier to roleplay in a solo situation, with your significant other**. It is also a great way to just spend time together, which, not worrying about the gaming, is great for the relationship.
My wife added when I mentioned this - if you are an adversairal style GM/player - solo gaming is not a good idea, because it can lead to problems in the relationship.
* And she has done the same for me.
** And without being crass, that romantic roleplaying can be better than a candlelight dinner and romantic music for events later in the evening.
genshou
First Post
Another good thread I missed. I GM solo games exclusively. Chemistry is very important; my player and I get along particularly well because we are so alike, and that's why we're so compatible with respect to gaming.
There are many sources of tips for single-player games, but my favorite is Role-Playing Tips Weekly.
There are many sources of tips for single-player games, but my favorite is Role-Playing Tips Weekly.
RichGreen
Adventurer
Hi,
I've been running games for my girlfriend since the FR Old Grey Box. Originally she played two characters and I ran two NPCs to make up a full-sized party, but we're currently in a campaign with two PCs and one NPC which works really well. Like someone else said, you get through a lot more material in a session, and I've been able to run some complex adventures as a result which has been great. The only times it's awkward is when either of us isn't really in the right mood to play the game.
Cheers
Richard
I've been running games for my girlfriend since the FR Old Grey Box. Originally she played two characters and I ran two NPCs to make up a full-sized party, but we're currently in a campaign with two PCs and one NPC which works really well. Like someone else said, you get through a lot more material in a session, and I've been able to run some complex adventures as a result which has been great. The only times it's awkward is when either of us isn't really in the right mood to play the game.
Cheers
Richard
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