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Thank you so much for featuring Ker Nethalas again in one of your videos, and comparing it with these other amazing games (which I own and love, as one could imagine). I'm super happy by how much you like Ker Nethalas! If I had to pick a favorite from these four that isn't Ker Nethalas, it would have to be D100 Dungeon, simply because I'm a sucker for crunch and the game with all the expansions is just a thing of beauty.
1:39 Those are such good questions. I'm quite new to these pen & paper type solo dungeon crawls, but I come from a board game background. Questions like 'What does it feel like to level up?' are really important questions because those are fundamentally (in a lot of cases) the reason people play those type of games. Massive Darkness 2 from CMON (I've got everything including all the Kickstarter stuff) made me realise what a lot of board games and even these type of games are missing. In MD2 you can take on huge groups of enemies all at once and you level up all the time. It makes you feel special and the fast levelling makes it even more fun to play. I'd really like it if someone were to release one in a similar vein to MD2 but for pen and paper.
I’m afraid this comment is going to be damning with faint praise, so you have my apologies up front. I haven’t watched all your videos, but of the ones I have, I think this is the most straightforward explanation of your internal thoughts you’ve put to video yet. You told us what you were going to discuss in the video and then you stuck to that throughout. Very organized of you this go round and very informative; I really appreciate it and especially the topic you’ve covered here. I’ve tried 4AD, 2d6 Dungeon and D100 Dungeon. I’ve had my virtual finger hovering over the “buy” button for Ker Nerthalas this week after your first video about it. I think I may have to stop hovering and (virtually) press that button. Comparing apples to apples isn’t easy, especially when your audience is comprised of a horde of people that all like slightly different things about apples. ;-) You’ve done an excellent job avoiding the (pit-) traps of claiming (A) is better than (B) because of (X). Thank you for this one! :-D
I knew this would be a video for me when I saw the opening screenshot was of games I own! (4AD, 2D6 Dungeon, Ker Nethalas and D100 Dungeon). As always, love your content!
I think the dungeon crawling aspect in ker nethalas was left open on purpose so one can add either existing maps or other dungeon creation engines! The whole video thru I was screaming at the screen 'combine it with 2d6 Dungeons Tables or the d100 Dungeon maping game!' and in the end I was rewarded! 😅 I also beliebe in the new Zine for Ker there are actual new premade dungeons/domains which actually opens up so many design possibilities and maybe adresses your issue with the room descriptions! P.s.: if you would want to combine 2d6 with ker which books would you need? Just the one with the tables? Thx
I am not sure how the designer sells the 2d6 books, but the rules book is separate from the tables book, called the “Codex.“ If you were just going to use the tables, you would only need the Codex book, assuming he sells them separately.
Indeed, I always assume (maybe wrongly) that folks are going to homebrew and take my games apart, so I love it when I see them actually doing so and mixing things up with other cool games and systems.
Hey there! I wanted to thank you for your contents. I recently have been sick and stuck in bed for weeks, but your videos and your voice kept me company and entertained me so much. I started my first solo rpg using the Blade Runner rpg rules and your GM emulator book, and ir work like a charm. Keep those great contents going, and thanks for the many hours of entertainment you gave me during this hard moment ❤
Oh wow that is such a lovely comment to read and thank you for taking the time to write it. I’m so glad my work could help a bit when you have been sick and I do wish you all the best in a full recovery. Glad too to hear that you found my book of use and you were able to get enjoyment out of solo RPGing when you were stuck in bed. Here’s to healthier days in the future to you !
There are tonnes of videos out there, as you say. But, this video is one of the best I've seen. It's a shame it took several days of research to find it. Just the right amount of information for what I, a beginner, need to know. Thank you. :)
Thank you for helping me get into the solo ttrpg hobby - your videos, and those of a handful of others, have been a tremendous source of information and encouragement. And I love the crochet hook! I am starting with 2D6 dungeon and have Ker Nathalas and 4AD waiting. Also a fan of ShadowDark so will work on soloing that as well. I haven’t looked too closely at D100 yet.
I am all-in D100 with all of the accessories and expansions and I think that it is truly superb. It also has the benefit of being around a bit longer with more expansions and content. However, it’s good to see more variety.
This is a great video! I decided to start my solo dungeon crawling with Four Against Darkness and so far I am loving it and will definitely be picking up expansions. I’m going to check out the other ones in this video as well.
Ive been searching up and down for a system you had covered. Though you didnt care for the "clues" mechanism very much I found it to be just what I was looking for! The book had those "pachment" colored pages and as clues were aquired you would roll a % to see if you discovered the answer, which would increase as you found clues. I know you've cover so much I dont expect youd recall.. but just in case!! Thank you for all the direction and inspiration you provide 🙏
I agree with your takes on 4 Against Darkness. I really like your house rule for leveling up. Nothing feels more defeating when you work hard to meet the requirements and fail your roll.
Excellent video looking at some of the options available. 👍 Ker Nethalas was the game I picked when I wanted to get back into TTRPGs after a long hiatus. It is a lot of fun. But I can see myself giving the other systems a try eventually. 😁
Super helpful video. Really appreciate being able to see the different game books as you talk through them and hearing your thoughts. I'm one of those people on the outskirts of dungeon crawling games -- curious but more comfortable with the more controlled world of board games, but i'm so curious about keeping my eye open for a more hybrid game. Keep the videos coming!
I feel the same about D100 Dungeon. It's a fantastic forever game. But once you get past your first half-dozen dungeons it can really feel like a grind with little to look forward to--other than more-dangerous monsters to roll. However, I do think that the dungeon tiles are essential to the game. I've played it quite a bit just rolling on Table M and the repetition is not as beneficial to gameplay as a set of tiles that you can only draw once per dungeon.
You could make my choice :) I own all four of the designs seen in the opening. Four Against Darkness if you absolutely must have a cliche 'party'. D100 if you just want it to be your dude against the game. Both are solid purchases. Recently got Ker Nathalas. Looking forward to it. I think after getting the game, the next best decision if pick a fun quiet place to enjoy your game time.
What a wonderful video! I’ve just started with my first solo dungeon crawl, Ker Nethalas, and have ordered 2D6 Dungeon for my second adventure. Thanks for the great explanations and reviews! Looking forward to more of your work!
Nice illustration on these popular pen & paper games. I have them all but honestly drawn to 4AD and have house ruled it to add some of the advantages of the other games. I just love running a party over an individual. My imagination runs deeper with the concepts of reliance of a team. I've added surprise, initiative, armor depletion on a Defense 1 result, certain equipment that adds advantage against specific traps or encounter creature types... and many other house rules. I also added some oracle functions from Mythic GME 2.0. I also added encounter twists that get triggered on the 2nd round if a 1 is rolled on a Twists Check. Now I have a robust experience and still have 4 characters.
2d6 Dungeon has replaced D100 Dungeon for me. D100 has too much to track for me and it also suffered for having so many expansion books, with half the modules I didn’t want to include. It just took too much effort and space to flip through all the books to find the rules or tables I needed.
I didn't know these existed until the last few days, when I came across Ker Nathalas. I am 4 rooms in and it's pretty good. I appreciate your video showing some other options.
Another fantastic video. Its ker nethalas all the way for me although i will use your suggestion from your Ker Nethalas review and use 2d6 dungeon's tables to beef out the rooms.
Glad you enjoyed the video and I love Notequest too. I’ve done a vid featuring it…but I can’t remember what I called that vid. Unfortunately it didn’t have Notequest in the name… I do remember that
Just started my journey with 4AD. Going to start slow and add expansions as I go. I don't have D100...yet? 2D6 and Ker Nethalas will be next. Really looking forward to Ker Nethalas. Not sure I'll be as big on 2D6. Time will tell. P.S. I just ordered the Solo GM's Guide. Can't wait.
I’ve played all of these. Mechanics are, ultimately, what distinguishes them. Some I like, some I don’t - and that’s why I’ve cobbled together my own hybrid with the mechanics I like. I only keep buying more of these games in hopes of finding new mechanics to integrate into my homebrew. And although it took some time, making a game with only my own preferences was well worth it
I just started looking into solo rpgs and notice a lot of people seem to like to mix and match through homebrewing. Is it a lot of work? My only frame of reference is videogame dungeon crawling and I imagine just tossing multiple systems together is inviting chaos in terms of balancing that might require a lot of corrective stat tweaking.
@Dratio its part of the fun. I spent more time coming up with stuff than playing the game. Maybe that would turn you off, but I found it to be more fulfilling.
@@GeekGamers01 The only book that I am not sure about is the adventure about the 3 rings. It slowly just got a bit boring. I right away had to change some things, and found some errors in the book that slowed down the flow of the game. Other then that I still want to play it!
I want to recommend you check out the module for OSE "Escape from Miklagard", which plays like "Gardens of Yinn" or "Castle Gargantua" but the premise is to have a collapsing and rioting fantasy metropolis as a dungeon.
Just a GREAT video. I purchased GrimRogue to start getting into this solo dungeon crawl thing, and I'm torn between getting D100 or 2d6, cause in my country it's a TON of money to get the books. Campaign generation wise, which one do you like the most of those two?
I don’t play long campaigns so probably am not the best to answer this question. D100 being an older game does have much more content. 2d6 is limited to a 10-level dungeon and there is a small lairs expansion with a few lairs
Really interesting to hear you say d100 has interesting combat with more variance. The complete lack of variation in combat is what made me peter out on the game. Every single attack is exactly the same, and there are no options for what to do… In 2d6 Dungeon, at least you can use your brain a little bit to manage the shifts. Overall, I have the same complaint about 2d6 Dungeon-both are just using basically the same attack & weapon over and over again, but it was weird to hear you praise one over the other. I like that Ker Nethalas at least gives you special powers to choose from (d100 has spells, but they're so situational & costly). I hope there'll be someday be a procedurally generated solo game (1 character) that actually lets me feel like I'm making strategic decisions during conflicts. REAP is great, except that the scenarios are consumable.
I think the combat Ker Nathalas is far and away the best of all of them. The combat in D100 is (IMO) much better than that of 2D6. That said, it is not as good as the combat in four against darkness. So I would put the combat as best in Ker, followed by 4AD, and then down to d100 and 2d6.
I tried to add interesting twists to combat in Ker Nethalas, and I think I reached the limit of what's possible while keeping it abstract or TotM. Anything more complex and we must get into actual tactical combat, with positioning and that sort of thing (which I love, as a matter of fact my "space dungeon crawler" Across a Thousand Dead Worlds offers that sort of combat).
Thanks, this comparison video is timely and useful... my analysis paralysis has been cured 😅 Question: what would be your suggestions to making Mork Borg a full fledged dungeon crawl game?
Glad you enjoyed the vid and you ask a timely question. MB, as you may know, grew out of a dungeon crawl called Dark Fort. I have plans on doing a Dark Fort+ video very soon, maybe even next.
I have and like 4AD and D100D. I love D100D Mapping Game. D100 Dungeon supplies I deem essential A Solo Adventuring Game (a must have) like A Players guide The Lost Tome Extraordinary like Players handbook The Dragons Return like Monster manuel. Mapping Game for the mapping tiles
Ah, you DO have Five Leagues From the Borderlands, I see it over there! Are you going to play it? I personally think Parsecs would fit your style of games better. It's less dense and more flexible, and one can enjoy a lot of it even by restricting/limiting/summarizing the tabletop encounter part.
Ah good spotting! I do have it! I bought it a little while ago tho it was hard to find. I have played it a bit and enjoyed it but never made a vid. It’s on the list tho…
I use 2d6 TABLES, not rules… I don’t care for the 2d6 rules very much. So I use all of Ker and supplement it with tables and flavor from 2d6 + the “inventive usage” rule to provide a way to have mechanized interaction with the environment based on a die role.
Sorry, I meant tables. Ok so there’s not an all in one solution. I already have 4AD and 2D6D (though I’ve not played 2D6D yet) so I guess I need to get Ker Nathalas now 😅
Respectfully disagree on the 2d6 combat. I thought the shift mechanism gave a real organic feel to combat and represented fighting skill very well. That laborer with one shift point is noticeably less able to hit than mighty adventurer me with 2. Only one weapon feels like a limitation, but as you mention you get more and better maneuvers, and shift ability, so progress feels very real. Suggest people check out an actual play to see it in action.
Wholeheartedly agree. I haven’t played Ker Nathalas yet, but compared 4AD and D100, 2D6 is not only much more fun and well-paced, at least in my experience, the way it flows also helps keep the focus on the exploration and mapping, which is my favorite part.
I've started playing 4 against darkness and I'm having a blast and also have ker nethalas but haven't started yet. I don't like the dungeon design of D100. Great video.
2D6 Dungeon - I skip it because I believe the combat wasn't going to be interesting... 4 Against Darkness - Too many expansions to invest... Simplified gameplay, abstracted combat, I guess? D100 Dungeon - Most old school among others... Less spells, more physical combat...? Ker Nathalas - I like Skill Based system; combat seems like advanced Fighting Fantasy; not much spells; no Ranged attack; plays like Traditional Roguelike (Rogue | Hack | Moria | Larn | Omega)...
Also Ker Nathalas is newer, not too much investment, but I wonder if designer will continue to expand the game or not... I hope all the flavors will get effects on gameplay, especially character's background, dungeon surroundings... Really hope characters can manipulate surroundings during combat... More real unique spells, and Ranged weapons system...
I agree with you that I hope the designer will stick with KN to create more specific content for it & you make some great suggestions as to ways to do that.
I've been fascinated by the idea of solo RPGs and gamebooks for decades, and have tried all four games featured in this video, but I've not yet found one I enjoyed. The randomness just feels pointless to me. I just can't force myself to imagine that the random result was somehow "really waiting around the corner" all the while, at least not for longer than a few seconds. Oracles? Dice rolls to see what occurs? Unless the chances are heavily weighted by location and circumstances such as time of day or weather status, it feels hallow and pointless. By contrast, choose-your-own-adventure books are far too scripted and constrictive. I don't want very much lore and story; it just feels like I'm on a railroad, no matter how branching and clever the book's design. So, my search continues for something that strikes the right balance. Barbarian Prince thus far has gotten the closest to what I'm imagining my ideal game would be, in that it's largely a sandbox with some location- or region-dependent encounters that are almost scripted, and plenty of randomness but the randomness is always weighted by something like the area you're in, who you're traveling with, and other factors that make the world feel more interactive and player-driven.
If you like Barbarian Prince maybe look at The Drifter (western theme tho) or Star Drifter (sci fi). That author is working on a fantasy themed one as well.
Just started into Ker Nathalas and am getting set for my first play - i own 4 Against Darkness and ordered 2D6 weeks back thinking i would like that one more. After playing games like Notorious and other quick lite journal games (boring); i really need something that has depth and can grab me to continue playing. I almost bought D100 but with So many extras, just as you stated, i myself thought the game was now re-writing to expand rules to what it should have been over 8 books instead of 1, (if that makes sense). I own DragonBane and Coriolis (starforged, ironsworn, Cairn, Glide, etc...) on the sidelines, but am hoping Ker Nathalas is what i want. Thanks again for all your video reviews as they help the community and my own idiocy to find a game we all love.
I think you will really like Ker and suspect you made the right choice about d100. Will be interested to know how you feel about 2d6. I maybe in the minority in terms of how boring I think it is mechanically tho the tables are gems.
@@GeekGamers01 Have yet to receive 2D6 to play, but at least it should be better than Notorious and Outlands :) - Was going to ask if youve played something (Than i searched on your channel and saw you have videos on it all) Going back now and watching your Forbidden Lands, StarForge/Ironsworn, Scarlet Heroes, Etc.. . . I am coming into all these games late as I am a big Boardgame player and collector (1100+ games) and just started the ttrpg tunnel.
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Thank you so much for featuring Ker Nethalas again in one of your videos, and comparing it with these other amazing games (which I own and love, as one could imagine). I'm super happy by how much you like Ker Nethalas! If I had to pick a favorite from these four that isn't Ker Nethalas, it would have to be D100 Dungeon, simply because I'm a sucker for crunch and the game with all the expansions is just a thing of beauty.
Thank you for introducing me to Ker Nethalas! The game is amazing!
Glad you like it!
Yeah, me too!
1:39 Those are such good questions. I'm quite new to these pen & paper type solo dungeon crawls, but I come from a board game background. Questions like 'What does it feel like to level up?' are really important questions because those are fundamentally (in a lot of cases) the reason people play those type of games. Massive Darkness 2 from CMON (I've got everything including all the Kickstarter stuff) made me realise what a lot of board games and even these type of games are missing. In MD2 you can take on huge groups of enemies all at once and you level up all the time. It makes you feel special and the fast levelling makes it even more fun to play.
I'd really like it if someone were to release one in a similar vein to MD2 but for pen and paper.
2D6 Realm incoming. Overland adventures, between dungeon dives, with land ownership! It is presently in playtesting.
I’m afraid this comment is going to be damning with faint praise, so you have my apologies up front. I haven’t watched all your videos, but of the ones I have, I think this is the most straightforward explanation of your internal thoughts you’ve put to video yet. You told us what you were going to discuss in the video and then you stuck to that throughout. Very organized of you this go round and very informative; I really appreciate it and especially the topic you’ve covered here. I’ve tried 4AD, 2d6 Dungeon and D100 Dungeon. I’ve had my virtual finger hovering over the “buy” button for Ker Nerthalas this week after your first video about it. I think I may have to stop hovering and (virtually) press that button.
Comparing apples to apples isn’t easy, especially when your audience is comprised of a horde of people that all like slightly different things about apples. ;-) You’ve done an excellent job avoiding the (pit-) traps of claiming (A) is better than (B) because of (X). Thank you for this one! :-D
It's pretty great how spoiled for choice we are these days with all of these amazing games!
I knew this would be a video for me when I saw the opening screenshot was of games I own! (4AD, 2D6 Dungeon, Ker Nethalas and D100 Dungeon). As always, love your content!
Any input on what which you prefer and why?
I think the dungeon crawling aspect in ker nethalas was left open on purpose so one can add either existing maps or other dungeon creation engines! The whole video thru I was screaming at the screen 'combine it with 2d6 Dungeons Tables or the d100 Dungeon maping game!' and in the end I was rewarded! 😅 I also beliebe in the new Zine for Ker there are actual new premade dungeons/domains which actually opens up so many design possibilities and maybe adresses your issue with the room descriptions! P.s.: if you would want to combine 2d6 with ker which books would you need? Just the one with the tables? Thx
I am not sure how the designer sells the 2d6 books, but the rules book is separate from the tables book, called the “Codex.“ If you were just going to use the tables, you would only need the Codex book, assuming he sells them separately.
Indeed, I always assume (maybe wrongly) that folks are going to homebrew and take my games apart, so I love it when I see them actually doing so and mixing things up with other cool games and systems.
Hey there! I wanted to thank you for your contents. I recently have been sick and stuck in bed for weeks, but your videos and your voice kept me company and entertained me so much.
I started my first solo rpg using the Blade Runner rpg rules and your GM emulator book, and ir work like a charm. Keep those great contents going, and thanks for the many hours of entertainment you gave me during this hard moment ❤
Oh wow that is such a lovely comment to read and thank you for taking the time to write it. I’m so glad my work could help a bit when you have been sick and I do wish you all the best in a full recovery. Glad too to hear that you found my book of use and you were able to get enjoyment out of solo RPGing when you were stuck in bed. Here’s to healthier days in the future to you !
There are tonnes of videos out there, as you say. But, this video is one of the best I've seen. It's a shame it took several days of research to find it. Just the right amount of information for what I, a beginner, need to know. Thank you. :)
So glad you found it! Not sure the RUclips algorithm often favors my channel. :)
Thank you for helping me get into the solo ttrpg hobby - your videos, and those of a handful of others, have been a tremendous source of information and encouragement. And I love the crochet hook! I am starting with 2D6 dungeon and have Ker Nathalas and 4AD waiting. Also a fan of ShadowDark so will work on soloing that as well. I haven’t looked too closely at D100 yet.
Ker Nethalas is great! 4AD is pretty cool too! Have fun delving into the dungeons! I can confirm that Shadowdark is great to solo
@@AmazingAaxor I watch your videos also! I am looking forward to StarForged - I backed it too. The cursed oracle tables really caught my interest.
I am all-in D100 with all of the accessories and expansions and I think that it is truly superb. It also has the benefit of being around a bit longer with more expansions and content. However, it’s good to see more variety.
This is a great video! I decided to start my solo dungeon crawling with Four Against Darkness and so far I am loving it and will definitely be picking up expansions. I’m going to check out the other ones in this video as well.
I personally consider 4AD the best game to introduce folks to the world of solo gaming in general. Super easy to pick up and learn.
Ive been searching up and down for a system you had covered. Though you didnt care for the "clues" mechanism very much I found it to be just what I was looking for! The book had those "pachment" colored pages and as clues were aquired you would roll a % to see if you discovered the answer, which would increase as you found clues. I know you've cover so much I dont expect youd recall.. but just in case!! Thank you for all the direction and inspiration you provide 🙏
Hmmm so sorry! I have 440+ vids! I can’t recall but maybe someone else will. Glad you enjoy my content
I agree with your takes on 4 Against Darkness. I really like your house rule for leveling up. Nothing feels more defeating when you work hard to meet the requirements and fail your roll.
Totally! It is not a design choice I ever would have made!
I do like your mapping and notebook style, very creative.
Excellent video looking at some of the options available. 👍
Ker Nethalas was the game I picked when I wanted to get back into TTRPGs after a long hiatus. It is a lot of fun. But I can see myself giving the other systems a try eventually. 😁
Very good video, I have all of these games and love them all but I think the break down is perfect.
im brand new to solo rpgs.. thanks for this intro. the dark/grim theme of ker nethalas is right up my alley. cheers!
Welcome to this gaming niche!
I was really looking forward to such a video! Thank you!
Super helpful video. Really appreciate being able to see the different game books as you talk through them and hearing your thoughts. I'm one of those people on the outskirts of dungeon crawling games -- curious but more comfortable with the more controlled world of board games, but i'm so curious about keeping my eye open for a more hybrid game. Keep the videos coming!
I feel the same about D100 Dungeon. It's a fantastic forever game. But once you get past your first half-dozen dungeons it can really feel like a grind with little to look forward to--other than more-dangerous monsters to roll. However, I do think that the dungeon tiles are essential to the game. I've played it quite a bit just rolling on Table M and the repetition is not as beneficial to gameplay as a set of tiles that you can only draw once per dungeon.
You could make my choice :) I own all four of the designs seen in the opening. Four Against Darkness if you absolutely must have a cliche 'party'. D100 if you just want it to be your dude against the game. Both are solid purchases. Recently got Ker Nathalas. Looking forward to it. I think after getting the game, the next best decision if pick a fun quiet place to enjoy your game time.
This video was incredibly helpful, thank you!
What a wonderful video! I’ve just started with my first solo dungeon crawl, Ker Nethalas, and have ordered 2D6 Dungeon for my second adventure. Thanks for the great explanations and reviews! Looking forward to more of your work!
I have a couple of vids already posted on 2d6 if that interests you.
@@GeekGamers01 absolutely!! I’ll definitely take a look. Again, excellent job with your content and presentation! Keep up the great work!
I hope you enjoy Ker Nethalas!
Nice illustration on these popular pen & paper games. I have them all but honestly drawn to 4AD and have house ruled it to add some of the advantages of the other games. I just love running a party over an individual. My imagination runs deeper with the concepts of reliance of a team. I've added surprise, initiative, armor depletion on a Defense 1 result, certain equipment that adds advantage against specific traps or encounter creature types... and many other house rules. I also added some oracle functions from Mythic GME 2.0. I also added encounter twists that get triggered on the 2nd round if a 1 is rolled on a Twists Check. Now I have a robust experience and still have 4 characters.
2d6 Dungeon has replaced D100 Dungeon for me. D100 has too much to track for me and it also suffered for having so many expansion books, with half the modules I didn’t want to include. It just took too much effort and space to flip through all the books to find the rules or tables I needed.
2D6 Dungeon offers our favorite combat system, of the games discussed in this video.
I didn't know these existed until the last few days, when I came across Ker Nathalas. I am 4 rooms in and it's pretty good. I appreciate your video showing some other options.
Such a terrific overview, thanks!
as for 4AD leveling up, I track my failed rolls and add a +1 to the level up roll for each failed roll. No autopass, but definitely less frustrating.
That’s clever. I like that.
Another fantastic video. Its ker nethalas all the way for me although i will use your suggestion from your Ker Nethalas review and use 2d6 dungeon's tables to beef out the rooms.
Amazing video, thank you!
My favorite dungeon crawl game is and will prob alway be Notequest. It's so simples and so much fun, I just love it!
Glad you enjoyed the video and I love Notequest too. I’ve done a vid featuring it…but I can’t remember what I called that vid. Unfortunately it didn’t have Notequest in the name… I do remember that
excellent video,,,
Just started my journey with 4AD. Going to start slow and add expansions as I go. I don't have D100...yet? 2D6 and Ker Nethalas will be next. Really looking forward to Ker Nethalas. Not sure I'll be as big on 2D6. Time will tell. P.S. I just ordered the Solo GM's Guide. Can't wait.
Thanks for your support!
I’ve played all of these. Mechanics are, ultimately, what distinguishes them. Some I like, some I don’t - and that’s why I’ve cobbled together my own hybrid with the mechanics I like. I only keep buying more of these games in hopes of finding new mechanics to integrate into my homebrew. And although it took some time, making a game with only my own preferences was well worth it
I just started looking into solo rpgs and notice a lot of people seem to like to mix and match through homebrewing. Is it a lot of work? My only frame of reference is videogame dungeon crawling and I imagine just tossing multiple systems together is inviting chaos in terms of balancing that might require a lot of corrective stat tweaking.
@Dratio its part of the fun. I spent more time coming up with stuff than playing the game. Maybe that would turn you off, but I found it to be more fulfilling.
I love Four Against Darkness! I can't wait to get more books for it!
I know the feeling! I keep buying new books in the series….I believe that is how it slowly became the game I have spent the most money on.
@@GeekGamers01 The only book that I am not sure about is the adventure about the 3 rings. It slowly just got a bit boring. I right away had to change some things, and found some errors in the book that slowed down the flow of the game. Other then that I still want to play it!
@messenger3478 I never bought that one…
I chose out of the 2 ttrpg's I love: D1000 Dungeon Mapping System and Shadowdark.
4:40, you're so wrong! Character sheets really do it for me 😂
Haha! Lol! Love it!
haha I'm glad I'm not the only one who salivates at the sight of a good character sheet!
I want to recommend you check out the module for OSE "Escape from Miklagard", which plays like "Gardens of Yinn" or "Castle Gargantua" but the premise is to have a collapsing and rioting fantasy metropolis as a dungeon.
So Ker Nethalas will be!! They have released the first official issue with new content yesterday…
I’m very excited for this video! It’s just the right length 😂
Just a GREAT video. I purchased GrimRogue to start getting into this solo dungeon crawl thing, and I'm torn between getting D100 or 2d6, cause in my country it's a TON of money to get the books. Campaign generation wise, which one do you like the most of those two?
I don’t play long campaigns so probably am not the best to answer this question. D100 being an older game does have much more content. 2d6 is limited to a 10-level dungeon and there is a small lairs expansion with a few lairs
Really interesting to hear you say d100 has interesting combat with more variance. The complete lack of variation in combat is what made me peter out on the game. Every single attack is exactly the same, and there are no options for what to do… In 2d6 Dungeon, at least you can use your brain a little bit to manage the shifts. Overall, I have the same complaint about 2d6 Dungeon-both are just using basically the same attack & weapon over and over again, but it was weird to hear you praise one over the other. I like that Ker Nethalas at least gives you special powers to choose from (d100 has spells, but they're so situational & costly). I hope there'll be someday be a procedurally generated solo game (1 character) that actually lets me feel like I'm making strategic decisions during conflicts. REAP is great, except that the scenarios are consumable.
I think the combat Ker Nathalas is far and away the best of all of them. The combat in D100 is (IMO) much better than that of 2D6. That said, it is not as good as the combat in four against darkness. So I would put the combat as best in Ker, followed by 4AD, and then down to d100 and 2d6.
I tried to add interesting twists to combat in Ker Nethalas, and I think I reached the limit of what's possible while keeping it abstract or TotM. Anything more complex and we must get into actual tactical combat, with positioning and that sort of thing (which I love, as a matter of fact my "space dungeon crawler" Across a Thousand Dead Worlds offers that sort of combat).
Great video, thanks!
Right from the start the video quality seems improved. Did you get new gear?
Thanks for noticing! I recorded with a different setting for improved quality…
@@GeekGamers01 very nice!
Once again, great video! You're always intelligently informative.
Thank you!
Thanks, this comparison video is timely and useful... my analysis paralysis has been cured 😅
Question: what would be your suggestions to making Mork Borg a full fledged dungeon crawl game?
Glad you enjoyed the vid and you ask a timely question. MB, as you may know, grew out of a dungeon crawl called Dark Fort. I have plans on doing a Dark Fort+ video very soon, maybe even next.
I didn't know MB's origin... looking forward to your next vid 😊
I have and like 4AD and D100D.
I love D100D Mapping Game.
D100 Dungeon supplies I deem essential
A Solo Adventuring Game (a must have)
like A Players guide
The Lost Tome Extraordinary like
Players handbook
The Dragons Return
like Monster manuel.
Mapping Game for the mapping tiles
Ah, you DO have Five Leagues From the Borderlands, I see it over there! Are you going to play it?
I personally think Parsecs would fit your style of games better. It's less dense and more flexible, and one can enjoy a lot of it even by restricting/limiting/summarizing the tabletop encounter part.
Ah good spotting! I do have it! I bought it a little while ago tho it was hard to find. I have played it a bit and enjoyed it but never made a vid. It’s on the list tho…
4AD was my first solo dungeon crawl. I think it's a very friendly entry point system.
Wow, fantastic walkthrough of the four systems- thank u!
Ker Nathalas is your favourite, bu you use 2d6 Dungeon rules..?
I use 2d6 TABLES, not rules… I don’t care for the 2d6 rules very much. So I use all of Ker and supplement it with tables and flavor from 2d6 + the “inventive usage” rule to provide a way to have mechanized interaction with the environment based on a die role.
Sorry, I meant tables. Ok so there’s not an all in one solution. I already have 4AD and 2D6D (though I’ve not played 2D6D yet) so I guess I need to get Ker Nathalas now 😅
Respectfully disagree on the 2d6 combat. I thought the shift mechanism gave a real organic feel to combat and represented fighting skill very well. That laborer with one shift point is noticeably less able to hit than mighty adventurer me with 2. Only one weapon feels like a limitation, but as you mention you get more and better maneuvers, and shift ability, so progress feels very real. Suggest people check out an actual play to see it in action.
Wholeheartedly agree. I haven’t played Ker Nathalas yet, but compared 4AD and D100, 2D6 is not only much more fun and well-paced, at least in my experience, the way it flows also helps keep the focus on the exploration and mapping, which is my favorite part.
I've started playing 4 against darkness and I'm having a blast and also have ker nethalas but haven't started yet. I don't like the dungeon design of D100. Great video.
2D6 Dungeon - I skip it because I believe the combat wasn't going to be interesting...
4 Against Darkness - Too many expansions to invest... Simplified gameplay, abstracted combat, I guess?
D100 Dungeon - Most old school among others... Less spells, more physical combat...?
Ker Nathalas - I like Skill Based system; combat seems like advanced Fighting Fantasy; not much spells; no Ranged attack; plays like Traditional Roguelike (Rogue | Hack | Moria | Larn | Omega)...
Also Ker Nathalas is newer, not too much investment, but I wonder if designer will continue to expand the game or not... I hope all the flavors will get effects on gameplay, especially character's background, dungeon surroundings... Really hope characters can manipulate surroundings during combat... More real unique spells, and Ranged weapons system...
I agree with you that I hope the designer will stick with KN to create more specific content for it & you make some great suggestions as to ways to do that.
@@jupiterloner999 there's a zine released for Ker Nethalas already, and I am definitely planning on expanding it for years to come!
@@blackoathentertainment Wow good day! Do you visit BGG frequently? I do wish to suggest some ideas... 😅
Tootie six dungeon
Wrong wrong wrong, there is only one option, get all Four :) I have all 4 of these and they are all good.
hooray!!
I've been fascinated by the idea of solo RPGs and gamebooks for decades, and have tried all four games featured in this video, but I've not yet found one I enjoyed. The randomness just feels pointless to me. I just can't force myself to imagine that the random result was somehow "really waiting around the corner" all the while, at least not for longer than a few seconds. Oracles? Dice rolls to see what occurs? Unless the chances are heavily weighted by location and circumstances such as time of day or weather status, it feels hallow and pointless.
By contrast, choose-your-own-adventure books are far too scripted and constrictive. I don't want very much lore and story; it just feels like I'm on a railroad, no matter how branching and clever the book's design.
So, my search continues for something that strikes the right balance. Barbarian Prince thus far has gotten the closest to what I'm imagining my ideal game would be, in that it's largely a sandbox with some location- or region-dependent encounters that are almost scripted, and plenty of randomness but the randomness is always weighted by something like the area you're in, who you're traveling with, and other factors that make the world feel more interactive and player-driven.
If you like Barbarian Prince maybe look at The Drifter (western theme tho) or Star Drifter (sci fi). That author is working on a fantasy themed one as well.
Just started into Ker Nathalas and am getting set for my first play - i own 4 Against Darkness and ordered 2D6 weeks back thinking i would like that one more. After playing games like Notorious and other quick lite journal games (boring); i really need something that has depth and can grab me to continue playing. I almost bought D100 but with So many extras, just as you stated, i myself thought the game was now re-writing to expand rules to what it should have been over 8 books instead of 1, (if that makes sense). I own DragonBane and Coriolis (starforged, ironsworn, Cairn, Glide, etc...) on the sidelines, but am hoping Ker Nathalas is what i want. Thanks again for all your video reviews as they help the community and my own idiocy to find a game we all love.
I think you will really like Ker and suspect you made the right choice about d100. Will be interested to know how you feel about 2d6. I maybe in the minority in terms of how boring I think it is mechanically tho the tables are gems.
@@GeekGamers01 Have yet to receive 2D6 to play, but at least it should be better than Notorious and Outlands :) - Was going to ask if youve played something (Than i searched on your channel and saw you have videos on it all) Going back now and watching your Forbidden Lands, StarForge/Ironsworn, Scarlet Heroes, Etc.. . . I am coming into all these games late as I am a big Boardgame player and collector (1100+ games) and just started the ttrpg tunnel.