"Solo" players?

[Boarstorm]

Hey all.

I've noticed a time or two that there are some people out there who plan to try their hand running a game with a single PC. And while encounters can be scaled down to support this style of play, it made me wonder if perhaps the solo "template" could be applied to a player character to enable an even more swashbuckling feel and allow a DM to run a single player through published adventures with much less fiddling.

What do you guys think? Is it plausible, or would it just create more problems than it solves?

 

[Family]

You get a genuine "serious moment" from me, a rare thing:

That is a good idea. A VERY good idea.

You gain 1 action point.

 

[Tao]

This is one of those things that would definitely have to be examined at length, but it definitely holds merit. That said, I think that along with the Solo template, you're going to want to add another class/role to the mix. I think that to actually get a really enjoyable and balanced experience is going to take a little more than just adding the "solo" template.

 

[Mort_Q]

A very interesting idea.

 

[Rechan]

I think adding the Solo template might be the 4e equivalent of a Gestalt. Because you're definitely more powerful.

Though, hm. Would you always have 2 action points? Or would you get an action point per encounter?

Though it does make me question a few things. Namely how high you can raise defenses before appropriate level monsters are ineffective, how much HPs you can give before monsters become less effective, and how getting the Solo template might effect how much Xp you should receive (because you're definitely a tougher PC).

If anything, a PC that gets something like this should be facing more than one monster an encounter - 2 monster minimum.

 

[Boarstorm]

This is one of those things that would definitely have to be examined at length, but it definitely holds merit. That said, I think that along with the Solo template, you're going to want to add another class/role to the mix. I think that to actually get a really enjoyable and balanced experience is going to take a little more than just adding the "solo" template.

So... perhaps a modified gestalt rule plus the template?

As an aside: This the same Tao as the mod from the official boards? If so, thanks for the Saga Conversions. My SW games lives or dies by that site.

 

[Boarstorm]

If anything, a PC that gets something like this should be facing more than one monster an encounter - 2 monster minimum.

Oh, definately. The key sentence in my OP probably should have been the bit about allowing DMs to use published adventures more easily.

Anyway, it's just a random idea that popped into my head. I'm sure there are a ton of flaws, but it could be a useful starting place from which to build.

 

[Rechan]

I wonder how gestalt would work in 4e. Would you get twice the encounter abilities? Twice the At will? Hm.

 

[Nikosandros]

I think that a solo character also needs extra actions in a round. Perhaps you could roll two initiatives and have the character act twice per round.

 

[Rechan]

I think now we're getting a little ridiculous.