A Beginner’s Guide to Solo Tabletop RPGs

Written by Mae Funnell

You’ve heard of Dungeons and Dragons, and these RPG things, but what does that actually mean, and how do you get started? And, importantly – how do you get started when you haven’t got a group you can play with? We’ve got the basics of what you need to know to start playing RPGs solo, and a few recommendations on where to begin.

What is a TTRPG?

Let’s start from the beginning. TTRPG stands for Table Top Role Playing Game, a game where you participate in and develop the story as you go along. The biggest difference between them and other narrative board games is that rather than being led by the hand to experience someone else’s story, you’re creating the encounters, the conflicts, and even the goals you’re trying to achieve. Naturally, then, a solo RPG is one where you’re playing and making the story on your own.
 

How do they work?

There are many different RPGs and each has their own rules and gameplay, The two main types I'd recommend starting with are journaling RPG's and map drawing RPG's. Map drawing feels more like a dungeon crawl, you draw and reveal the terrain as you play, and in journaling you’re writing your experiences as you go. Most narrative ones require a reference guide or book to play from and may use something like a deck of cards to randomise what happens. In this, as you go through your adventure you reveal a card, and depending on the number and suit there'll be a prompt for you to continue the story with. Perhaps you’ve drawn a club card, so now you’re facing an encounter with a large monster.
 

What do you need?

There are a few commonalities in RPGs, but you rarely need a lot. Equally, when you don’t have aspects, you need (the right dice for example), don’t let that put you off, as you can find a number of these online.

You'll need the RPG book, a guide with an introduction to that RPG’s world and the rules. You’ll then need to check if you need, or gather the following:

• A notepad or journal to write in (a fancy notebook for each RPG is very nice but not essential). Regardless, you’ll probably need something to write with.
• Dice. You may need a set of D6, a full polyhedral set of seven, or something in between. Individual games will ask for different things.
• Additional items. A deck of cards, tarot cards, even a Jenga tower… depending on how your RPG works depends on what you’ll need.

Where to start?

To start with, find the right story or theme that appeals to you and how you want to play. Are you looking for a narrative game where you can spend time developing your character? Or do you want more of a video game-like adventure with rolling dice for combat attacks?

Most RPG websites brilliantly have samples you can download to try out before you invest in the full thing as a way of seeing if you like the way they play. I suggest opting to buy PDFs first (every RPG I own has a cheaper online PDF alternative) and upgrade to the physical book if you’re enjoying them. This also has the benefit of letting you use the find function for specific terms if you need a quick answer.

Apothecaria

Apothecaria from Blackwell Games is a solo journaling potion-making RPG about becoming the new village witch. Your character is responsible for diagnosing the magical ailments of those in the area, gathering the potion ingredients, curing said ailments, adventuring, and making new friends.

Delve

Delve also from Blackwell Games is a map drawing RPG, and gave me similar feelings to the chose-your-own adventure books I used to play. You’re in control of a Dwarven hold, delving deeper and deeper into the ground revealing anything from ancient horrors to hidden treasures, drawing the map as you go with simple combat mechanics.

Ironsworn

Ironsworn from Shawn Tomkin is an adventuring RPG in a dark fantasy setting, it’s quest-driven and has you playing as a hero, exploring the world and fighting battles, rolling dice to determine the outcome while keeping track of your character’s stats and experience along the way, and is available completely free.

Koriko: A Magical Year

Koriko: A Magical Year from Mousehole Press is a solo journaling game of a teenage witch spending a year away from home in an unfamiliar city. This is as much Kiki’s Delivery Service as you could possibly get. It has simple rules and journaling from the writing prompts takes you straight into a Ghibli movie.

Colostle

Colostle from Nich Angell is a steampunk-y fantasy game where you’re exploring a world of giant castles and battling stone robots. Nich’s phenomenal art builds the world for you. This one has a huge amount of fan made content around it, and there are now three expansions.

Thousand Year Old Vampire

Thousand Year Old Vampire from Tim Hutchings is a journaling RPG played out over a series of prompts that you can resolve in as much or as little detail as you like, where as the name suggests, you’re playing as a Thousand Year Old Vampire. Using dice, you jump forward and backwards through your journal entries, which has this incredible ability to make you feel as though you’re a vampire reminiscing on your own life.

Wanderhome

Wanderhome from Possum Creek Games is an adorable slice-of-life journaling RPG, and is as cosy as cosy could be, with anthropomorphic animals in a fantasy setting travelling and making their way in the world. It’s as much about the nature they inhabit, journaling about the seasonal changes they experience, as the animals themselves.

Where to find them

This depends on which you're buying, usually each RPG publisher has their own small website you can order directly from, and many are stocked at local game stores. The website DriveThruRPG.com has an abundance of different RPGs, with a searchable feature to filter for free solo ones, you’re guaranteed to find a theme that grips you there.
 

Are Solo RPGs for me?

It absolutely could be. There's no right or wrong way to do it, and no pressure, so you're free to write as much or as little as you like. If writing isn't your thing, write minimally and doodle, or trace or sketch your way through - it's your journal, so no one else has to see it.

Rather than staring at a blank piece of paper not knowing where to begin, playing a solo RPG is like the imaginative equivalent of being given the world and your starting Pokémon, what you choose to do after that is on you, but you have a prompt to get you started and can take it in whichever direction you like. And yes, there is a Pokémon RPG, it’s called Pokerole!

Solo RPGs are a great way to dip your toe into RPGs, and are great precursors to group RPGs like D&D, if the thought of jumping straight in is a daunting prospect. You can build your confidence, coming up with your own ideas and spending as long as you like, without having to worry about slowing anyone down.

Or if you’re a seasoned D&D-er looking for the solo experience, you can always try out the Solo Adventurers Toolbox by Paul Bilmer, to adapt the game into a solo experience.

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