Single Player Adventure

[mattb]

I was going to introduce two new players to D&D Wednesday night. One has been awarded the privledge of baby sitting his daugther (about a year old, way too active for him to participate while babysitting). I still want to introduce the other player. I need ideas for an adventure to run through. Any ideas?

 

[d12]

I've never found one-on-one games very fun - something about D&D requires 3, maybe 4 people. I'd run him or her through a mock battle just to demonstrate rules and then go do something else....

But don't worry. The next person will think I am wrong and actually answer your question. Good luck with the new group!

 

[justinsluder]

Well, here's my two cents.

I'm currently teaching my little brother to play, and it's just him and I playing. He's a barbarian and I cater to his needs. He's already been kicked out of one group because he made a simple mistake.

The trick to single PC games is, in my opinion, to not overwhelm them.

Any ways, like I said that's my two cents.

Take care,
Justin Sluder

P.S. I'd let them create a character and then just wing it to make it fun for them.

 

[DungeonKeeperUK]

There were at least 2 one-on-one adventures published may moons ago..
Gem & the Staff - Thief goes to get a ... erm .. gem and a staff
Blade of Vengance (I think) - Elfs family gets killed he picks up his sword adn goes for ..... well... vnegance really..

I have on occasion found the need or desire for a bit of solo adventuring adn its usually turned out OK, I think you need to emphasise more on Roleplay and puzzle solving for solo adventures, its alos a lot easier to cater for the players needs from teh game too...

But at the end of the day its still a lot better with a good group of players..

 

[pensiv]

In my opinion it can be a lot easier to run an adventure for one person . . . if you have a storytelling instinct.

When running a one-on-one I feel that it is best to look at it as telling a story to one person about themself in a foreign environment/situation. First tip to new players, adjust to the world and the rules of the game before trying to adjust to a new personality. Roleplay yourself.


An anecdote:
Just two weeks ago I was writing a one-on-one adventure for The Wheel of Time RPG for me and my girlfriend to run through, but we thought it would be fun to invite a friend who had never roleplayed.
She came over and we sat down, made characters, and played. They both had a great time. When writing the adventure, I had left an in for more that one player, just in case, and the story was geared well for both of my players. They took a personal interest in the story and made me play a second time later that same night (bringing a third girl into the mix who also never roleplayed).

Hopefully, Matt, your game make the same impression on your friends. But I don't think it should be too hard to set up a one-on-one adventure. You'll just have to rely on NPCs a little more to provide push-pull for your players.