Intro to Solo TTRPGs (1/5): Prepare Your Tools

Yes, it’s possible to play Dungeons & Dragons (or any other TTRPGs) solo!

dnd tools

I will cover 5 aspects to this, the first part being, “Prepare Your Tools (1/5).”

Here are the tools you need to prepare you first solo campaign:

1. Paper (blank or graph/hex paper) and pencils/pens to draw maps and take notes. I prefer playing my sessions offline, but do what works best for you! I like keeping a notebook and a binder to organize my character sheets and any homemade tables.

2. Choose an RPG system. For example, I love using the 5th edition of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D 5e)! There are a ton out there; popular ones include Pathfinder, Ironsworn, Scarlet Heroes, etc. 

- Keep in mind, you don't have to play by all the rules. Feel free to simplify it as much as you need to!

3. Grab your dice! Grab whatever you need based off of the system you chose. For example, D&D 5e uses the d20 system.

4. Pick an oracle system and random tables. The oracle system and random tables will be your best friends throughout this whole session. The oracle will help guide the story, and it's up to you on how to interpret the results from the random tables. 

- I use Mythic GM Emulator and that acts as my Dungeon Master. I bought the book so then I have access to the other tables. It includes a Fate Chart which will answer Yes/No questions, location generator table, adventure tone table, NPC generator table, theme/setting table, etc. There are A TON in that book and I use almost every table.

- The Dungeon Master's Guidebook has great tables too. I will generally use that book when I plan out the type of campaign I want to run.

5. Don't over do it with resources. Do not fall for that mental trap where you think you have to get a bunch of tables to have fun. Stick with 2 or 3 and let your imagination and creativity run wild! 

Next, I will cover how to plan/write out your actual campaign! My favorite part :) 

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