Solo Characters

[Ajar]

Interesting ideas here.

Riffing on the stealth-focused concept, I'd consider adapting my Nightcrawler build: Rogue|Warlock hybrid with an Assassin multiclass. Shadow Walk + Cunning Sneak = at-will Stealth checks to become hidden. Add a nice crossbow and/or the Hexblade feat that gives you a +3/1d10 pact blade as a feylock, and your Sly Flourishes will be pretty nasty.

I agree that the beast companion classes would be a good fit, though. I've run games for a party of 2 -- Shaman and Warden. With the spirit companion, it felt more like it was actually a party of 3. I imagine a Ranger or Druid's beast companion would be similar.

 

[Pentius]

If you are going to play Solo, the main thing you need is AC
Find a class that gives you Plate (Paly?) or take it as a Feat and then focus on making sure your AC is as high as possible.

Due to the extremely limiting options of playing Solo, most of the mobs you encounter would need to be -3 or -2 at least for fear of hitting you... however since you are Soling the XP reward should even out and even if it doesnt, Soling - what would you expect?

However the only reason anyone would want to think about going Solo in D&D is because of MMOs like WoW and DDO. If you suggested that before the MMO craze, most people would think you are Crazy.. it would be like trying to play Basketball with 1 player... what do you do? Play 1 on 1 or 1 on 5?

MMOs however are structured to appreciate that most players will want to join groups but there has to be some activity for the lonely or hard-to-group player to get involved in otherwise they quit and take their subscription elsewhere.

D&D tabletop doesnt work as a Solo game...

I disagree, good sir!

High AC is good, but a poor option for a primary concern. What benefit is a high AC if you lack the damage to drop a monster quickly? Each hit from them may be like chopping an oak with a penknife, but if you're not going to take them down, they'll fell the tree eventually. No, for a solo game, I would definitely prefer a Striker, probably a Barbarian or Ranger. Something with enough AC not to be fall too quick, but with a focus on ending the combat swiftly.

I also disagree about the MMO idea. I've seen a number of people play solo games before, and the cause is usually a lack of players, or as the OP indicated, having gained a taste for that form of play. I even seem to recall a section in the AD&D1e DMG about how to run a game only for oneself, rolling the dungeon ahead at random

 

[UngeheuerLich]

If you are facing minions, high armor has a higher pririty over much damage...

I really believe most classes work as solo characters in 4e, actually... those with versality however should work best...

 

[Zaran]

Things I have done for a Solo PC game.

1) I've given the PC a Partner. Encounter builds would be for 2 PC group then.

2) I've given the PC a feat every level with the stipulation that the extra feats have to be for non-combat aspects of the game. This is to help with the lack of skills and actions that the Solo player has and they would be hard pressed to invest in feats for non-combat otherwise.

3) I've Halved the Hit Points of the Monsters but not the XP. I don't feel like this is necessary. Just speeds up combat.

4. I've "minionized" monsters. I take a standard monster and give them 1 hp and always have them do minimum damage . All other features of the monster stay the same. XP would be 1/4.

 

[Gort]

I would've thought Fighter would be a good choice for this - they get a lot of self-heal powers, and can dish it out if built correctly (two-handed, two-sword, maybe even the invigorating fighter).

To be honest, though, 4e isn't built for a solo campaign - the classes are designed to be played together as a team, so they tend to be quite narrowly focused.

Perhaps a better idea would be to combine all the power of a party into a single character, the same way solo monsters work - lots of HP, lots of damage, lots of extra actions. That would require a bunch of character design thinkin' though.

 

[Dice4Hire]

I would simply let them play two classes. They get all the powers of both classes , and class features, but the best skill total, hit points and such.

Kinda like 3.5 gestalt.

How much you let stack is up to the DM but this way they are very versatile.