@@sharpmountaingames9303 might be interesting to see how you do your videos as well for those who are just starting out. Sharing solo live play is one of the best things about solo RPG players.
This is a great and helpful video. I really wish more would put out videos like this! Too often I think content creators assume their audiences just know how and what they are talking about. You’ve provided us all a succinct and visual aide. Thank you very much.
Thank you for this video! I really appreciate the details. I don't have a lot of space for solo play either - so I have a little A5 binder with all my commonly used tables! Also, a fun tip for battle-mats - get a paper sheet protector, and you can put in any map and draw over top with markers and erase afterwards! I've even done some DIY and converted a portable snakes & ladders mini-kit into a pocketable erasable magnetic battle grid.
Definitely give it a try! I thought it was odd the first time I thought about doing it but man it's all I do now. So much fun and so many unexpected twists and developments. Doesn't seem possible but it does come up and it's great!
Exactly! Right after a lot of mind work trying to simplify my solo setup and finally making progress by copying my favourite oracle tables at the beginning of my notebook, I find this video and your take on "character sheets". Amazing my friend. That "I can carry everything with me" take is exactly my style of play. Reducing the material resources to the minimum and letting the mind and imagination do the magic. Let me ask you: How exactly do you manage to make your gaming more straightforward systemwise? What kind of combat or resolution mechanics do you mostly use?
My characters usually have eight "attributes" that function as broad skill buckets. So "Combat" covers all fighting, "Engineering" all repair and computer stuff. I use d20 roll at or under. Combat is just the same. Hit points are twice the "Fitness" score. Another easy mechanic is "three strikes and you're out." That's another simple way to track damage. Now, "out" might mean knocked out in a fistfight or dying if it is a laser battle. Hope this helps.
Hi! A fellow solo player here! Your set up is pretty much like mine except I like to use pdf when I can. I can print if needed or just use my iPad when it's more convenient. I also downloaded oracle apps on my phone. I have the Mythic GM Emulator 2nd Edition app and One Page Solo Engine app. Yes I can make my own yes/no oracle and write my own table but I'm not interested in doing that. I usually use leather vessel foldable on all 4 corners as my dice tray, but dice tower is really interesting. And notebook! For me it's a must to have a notebook in any kind of TTRPG. You can keep track of whatever happened on the session easier with notebook. It's a mandatory tool. Practice note taking! I also use laminated block sheet and erasable boardmarker for quick map making if I'm home. Great set up and tips!
Great to here from a kindred spirit! I don't use the dice tray, but may get one for travel (since I probably won't bring a dice tower along). Happy playing and thanks for watching and commenting. I'm also glad to hear this corner of the hobby is growing. Solo even makes later group play better.
Thanks Wes. Give it a try sometime, it's a great way to test out adventures and even systems (and I know about you and systems). Plus I can be sure everyone at the table has bathed recently.
I have a deck of playing cards, a sample pack of meeples (mine had 21 different colored ones), two dice set of poly + 5d6 (makes six d6 dice) + 1d10. The extra d6 allow me to play most d6 dice games. One dice set is full size and one is mini - the mini I use for counting lives and such. I have also made two character cards for a duo - one with preset of abilities and one empty. I laminated them and thus have one for quick grab game and one if I play some specific game - write and whipe, works great. I also have 4 zines: 2 of small card and dice based game (6 in total), 3rd with half a map for duo to explore, half a random dungeon, 4th zine is random tables with various info using dice and cards. It all fits in an old small box the size of a small pencil case. I glued some felt to the bottom and that's my board for dice. I haven't thought about using different d20s for different characters. I think I have an extra set of dice, they would fit in there perfectly. This set up has allowed me to travel and play most games I have encountered + the home brewed game works great for my idea of explorers.
I wish more of our solo people out there would do what you just did thanks!!! I'm really struggling with this and your ideas and set up were helpful
Very glad to help. Roll them 20's (or 1's if you play roll under!)
@@sharpmountaingames9303 might be interesting to see how you do your videos as well for those who are just starting out. Sharing solo live play is one of the best things about solo RPG players.
Just sub to the channel after watching this video. Just getting into solo rpgs so looking forward to watching your videos
Thanks so much, Jeremy. And all the best in your gaming (solo or group).
Lots of valuable advice in there! Always fun to have a peek in other soloists' treasure box. Thanks!
Thanks so much. Not a lot in the toolbox, so hope it wasn't disappointing. I just travel light.
@@sharpmountaingames9303 On the contrary, it's important sometimes to be reminded that it's OK to keep it simple. Better even.
@@martinouellet3540 150%
Thank you for a nice simple explanation. Also, thank you for keeping the materials simple and common.
Thanks again! Enjoy your Sunday.
This is a great and helpful video. I really wish more would put out videos like this! Too often I think content creators assume their audiences just know how and what they are talking about. You’ve provided us all a succinct and visual aide. Thank you very much.
Thanks so much! I'm thrilled that it was helpful and happy gaming.
Thank you for this video! I really appreciate the details. I don't have a lot of space for solo play either - so I have a little A5 binder with all my commonly used tables!
Also, a fun tip for battle-mats - get a paper sheet protector, and you can put in any map and draw over top with markers and erase afterwards! I've even done some DIY and converted a portable snakes & ladders mini-kit into a pocketable erasable magnetic battle grid.
Thanks for the tips. My notebook is roughly A5, so keeps everything compact. Enjoy the solo time!
I have soloing Hero Quest. Takes a couple minutes to set up. Fast combat and the Treasure card system is chaotic enough to make things interesting.
You mean the board game version? Good stuff! And happy gaming.
A Lego dice tower would be cool. 😂
Amen to that! Have to look for plans online. Gotta be some out there. Thanks for watching!
@ probably Rebrickable. 😁
Great ideas, John! I haven't done solo play except Fighting Fantasy days, but I may look into it. Thanks, John!
And don't think I'm abandoning you guys ever! No way! This is just to keep me out of trouble on non-game nights.
Definitely give it a try! I thought it was odd the first time I thought about doing it but man it's all I do now. So much fun and so many unexpected twists and developments. Doesn't seem possible but it does come up and it's great!
@@crapphone7744 I think it's a lot like fiction writing, where sometimes the characters surprise you. All the best!
Also, as an English teacher and a writer, it will be right up your alley.
Exactly! Right after a lot of mind work trying to simplify my solo setup and finally making progress by copying my favourite oracle tables at the beginning of my notebook, I find this video and your take on "character sheets".
Amazing my friend. That "I can carry everything with me" take is exactly my style of play. Reducing the material resources to the minimum and letting the mind and imagination do the magic.
Let me ask you: How exactly do you manage to make your gaming more straightforward systemwise? What kind of combat or resolution mechanics do you mostly use?
My characters usually have eight "attributes" that function as broad skill buckets. So "Combat" covers all fighting, "Engineering" all repair and computer stuff. I use d20 roll at or under. Combat is just the same. Hit points are twice the "Fitness" score. Another easy mechanic is "three strikes and you're out." That's another simple way to track damage. Now, "out" might mean knocked out in a fistfight or dying if it is a laser battle. Hope this helps.
Hi! A fellow solo player here! Your set up is pretty much like mine except I like to use pdf when I can. I can print if needed or just use my iPad when it's more convenient. I also downloaded oracle apps on my phone. I have the Mythic GM Emulator 2nd Edition app and One Page Solo Engine app. Yes I can make my own yes/no oracle and write my own table but I'm not interested in doing that. I usually use leather vessel foldable on all 4 corners as my dice tray, but dice tower is really interesting.
And notebook! For me it's a must to have a notebook in any kind of TTRPG. You can keep track of whatever happened on the session easier with notebook. It's a mandatory tool. Practice note taking! I also use laminated block sheet and erasable boardmarker for quick map making if I'm home. Great set up and tips!
Great to here from a kindred spirit! I don't use the dice tray, but may get one for travel (since I probably won't bring a dice tower along). Happy playing and thanks for watching and commenting. I'm also glad to hear this corner of the hobby is growing. Solo even makes later group play better.
Great advice!
Thanks Victor and love the Kolchak image! All the best!
I have never tried to play TTRPG solo…but you’ve got a nice setup, sir!
Thanks Wes. Give it a try sometime, it's a great way to test out adventures and even systems (and I know about you and systems). Plus I can be sure everyone at the table has bathed recently.
These are good tips! I have plenty of notebooks that I can use.
Enjoy the journey. It's a great way to relax, even if only for 15 minutes at the end of the day. You'll be surprised at your own creativity.
I have a deck of playing cards, a sample pack of meeples (mine had 21 different colored ones), two dice set of poly + 5d6 (makes six d6 dice) + 1d10. The extra d6 allow me to play most d6 dice games. One dice set is full size and one is mini - the mini I use for counting lives and such. I have also made two character cards for a duo - one with preset of abilities and one empty. I laminated them and thus have one for quick grab game and one if I play some specific game - write and whipe, works great. I also have 4 zines: 2 of small card and dice based game (6 in total), 3rd with half a map for duo to explore, half a random dungeon, 4th zine is random tables with various info using dice and cards. It all fits in an old small box the size of a small pencil case. I glued some felt to the bottom and that's my board for dice.
I haven't thought about using different d20s for different characters. I think I have an extra set of dice, they would fit in there perfectly.
This set up has allowed me to travel and play most games I have encountered + the home brewed game works great for my idea of explorers.
All the best in your solo rpg journey! Sounds like you know what works for you: always good to hear about someone else's setup.
He-Man mini FTW!
Thanks for watching. And as an 90's kid, I agree about He-Man!