Something was mentioned in another thread about better quality solo material and I'm curious if people prefer offline, online, or hybrid when it comes to solo rpg play.

Additionally, when it comes to dungeons for solo play, do you prefer:
a) the dungeon is built and has layout but roll for monsters and treasure (no mapping);
b) random dungeon generation as you go (requires mapping) and also roll for monsters and treasure

What I've actually done has consisted almost completely of: Notepad++ and several PDFs (rulebooks and character sheet) open on my computer while I use physical cards and dice. I write a running narration of what the rules and randomizers tell me.

Because I wanted to try narrating as an online video, I tried using Roll20 for a map and moved tokens around, sometimes creating AI art sketches of things in the game. Or creating screenshots with bits of the rules on display like enemy stats. I didn't find this very useful vs. narrating in text, but it made for potentially more interesting content for a video watcher. I did try using a dungeon-drawing program (Dungeon Scrawl, I think) to sketch a dungeon while exploring it. I found that useful even purely for my own play, to keep track of what was going on.

The few times I've done solo roleplaying, I've generally taken the GM's perspective and already had the maps prepared. I wanted the oracle/AI to emulate a player group, which makes it a bit like watching mice navigating a maze.

I appreciate the responses, they're very helpful.

I never thought of solo-play from the GM perspective. I always considered it from the player perspective. Interesting...

I'm in the hybrid camp.  I like the feel of dice and cards (I am currently using a tarot deck for my oracle.)  For everything else, it's all digital and I tend to use a single document with embedded images.  Since I share my actual plays, I eventually export them as PDF. 

I have a format for that.  I include rules and tools at the beginning, session zero if needed, character generation, and then the actual play part.  The AP tends to be either narrative or script-like in format and grows as the game plays.  After the AP part, I have the character sheets (so the are close to the action), and finally any GM notes.

Quote from: Nakana on June 19, 2024, 10:56:37 PMSomething was mentioned in another thread about better quality solo material and I'm curious if people prefer offline, online, or hybrid when it comes to solo rpg play.

Additionally, when it comes to dungeons for solo play, do you prefer:
a) the dungeon is built and has layout but roll for monsters and treasure (no mapping);
b) random dungeon generation as you go (requires mapping) and also roll for monsters and treasure

I can enjoy either A or B, as long as i still roll for monsters and treasure.

I stick to strictly physical. (which includes PDFs)

There are alot of different DM emulators out there now and some get the job done in certain areas better than others. I have for example been looking at some NPC conversation emulators like Lets Talk and ChatMod.

Mythic is the most robust of all the DM Emulators so far.

But one of my friends has been pointing out a little ruleset called Elminsters Guide to Solo Adventuring that is for use with modules. Very non-standard approach.