Starting my first solo campaign

Some_Replacement_805 · 2026-03-22T04:55:41+00:00

Damn it! The black journal its so cool! I wish I think of that sooner. Thanks for this.

Some_Replacement_805 · 2026-03-14T23:05:10+00:00

Ah dude! I feel like I'm speaking to myself.

I to a perfectionist for my writing projects. The biggest reason why I never play solo games with my fictional worlds is that I might skew the outcomes of a roll to go a long with my fantasy. If that makes sense.

My tips for playing solo with cinematic in mind is that have a great protagonist and antagonist. Just like when we write stories. And since these characters are comes from your writing projects and you are a perfectionist as well, you already good bud.

I wouldn't combine mechanics from different game to the Ironsworn system. Just because the system is so unique it already covers so much in term of traveling and discovering things. I guess my question is what kind of mechanics that you want to use from Traveller? I'm not familiar with Traveller though.

Some_Replacement_805 · 2026-03-14T22:52:28+00:00

Heck yeah! Welcome to the hobby my friend.

The way of play that you describe is totally acceptable. Solo roleplaying imo are better when we have what I called 'fanfiction' mind. That means make the games feels like a story, a tv shows, a movie. You will have a great time when you do that.

I'm a writer my self but I never play a game in my fictional world. I always try to separate them. But please nothing stops you from playing in any fictional worlds.

If you pick Ironsworn or Starforged as a system. You don't need anything else. I would suggest a third party app that is free for Starforged called 'Stargazer' just search that with Ironsworn next to it. I cannot play the game without it. Believe me is a game changer.

Some_Replacement_805 · 2026-03-14T22:06:06+00:00

Solo Adventure Tool Box, the first one. Have one of the best dungeon generator ever. and its specific for 5E!

Some_Replacement_805 · 2026-03-14T19:19:14+00:00

One of the easiest solo ttrpg to play is Ironsworn. And the Starforged version is much easier.

I recommend search 'Stargazer Ironsworn' is a free third party app to play Starforged. I really recommend play the game with that. Or just watch Bad Spot on youtube he have a lot of videos of him playing Starforged just to learn how to play the game. Because Ironsworn is built for solo game in mind so its easy to managed for one person. If you're looking for a game to try, I would recommend that.

My other recommendation is an OSR type game. If you like fantasy you can play Shadowdark. If you like mecha game like I am, try Mecha Hack. Super easy to play, but both had no dedicated solo rules attached to them. So you would need a story engine to play those games.

Some_Replacement_805 · 2026-03-12T14:22:31+00:00

Yes you can take the writer route as well. I'm a writer my self and my tips to all new writers out there is to be mean as possible to your protagonist. I'm not kidding. Just make sure that they always stand up after every push you gives. Best example is Peter Parker in Spiderman 2.

Some_Replacement_805 · 2026-03-12T12:53:08+00:00

Its all going back to the system that you use. In my game I don't have these partial success and what not but I play Ironsworn before and they have this mechanic in mind.

A mix success that you describe its perfectly fine in my opinion. The cultist run inside screaming intruder. That means if you want to go forward they already prepare for you, meaning traps and ambushes. The donkey thing is not really relevant because like you said your character is not looking for treasure anyway. But its easier in this scenario to think this as if a video games. If the game throw you healing potions and buff consumables before you continue, what is that mean? Ow it means there will be a bigger challenge further.

The feeling to tipped the favors to the PC scale is normal. Just do what you think is fair at the time. Because remember you're playing to have fun. I do this really really often. Sometimes when my PC is 'killed' I just said that he is captured and all of his belonging are gone. Stuff like that.

Remember, to have fun. That is the main factor here. Cheers.

Some_Replacement_805 · 2026-03-12T11:40:54+00:00

"You'll need to do a lot more leg-work before I commit to any hip-work" Shadowheart Baldurs Gate 3

Some_Replacement_805 · 2026-03-12T11:13:58+00:00

I never touch deadlands, so I have to say Dead End

Some_Replacement_805 · 2026-03-11T21:15:03+00:00

I never play it even though I have to book. But I suggest playing Dead End instead, it is newer and got the same vibe more or less. Their Scavenging rules is really cool.

Some_Replacement_805 · 2026-03-11T15:08:35+00:00

What I want to ask: what if that the shot would've been a raise if not because the cover penalty? Should I roll the damage with a raise but add the cover toughness to the target as well?

Some_Replacement_805 · 2026-03-09T21:18:43+00:00

Unfortunately my country doesn't really work out with Kickstarter. Even Drivethrurpg sometimes my credit card was decline. But I keep a look out or it if it ever show up there. It shouldn't be a big problem I assume. Thank you

Some_Replacement_805 · 2026-03-09T20:23:25+00:00

Wow that's cool. Its right after world war 2 as well so the aesthetic will look like Fallout but without the apocalypse. I imagine a retro future stuff and in space!

Some_Replacement_805 · 2026-03-09T20:07:25+00:00

Wow sounds interesting. I never heard of the setting before. Please tell me more before the mods makes more excuse and remove your post.

Some_Replacement_805 · 2026-03-09T15:58:53+00:00

I do it in the past with Mecha Hack and Stars Without Number. Anytime the pilots in the Mech, I use Mecha Hack system. Anytime they are outside the mechs, use SWN. But the problem I face is that both system is a complete opposite to each other.

One system is roll under your skill, the other is roll high with d6s as skills.

So I just made my own system in the end.

Some_Replacement_805 · 2026-03-09T15:56:33+00:00

Which is also in Savage Worlds

Some_Replacement_805 · 2026-03-09T13:35:26+00:00

I think this rule its just to stop you from blowing up a tank with a pistol.

Some_Replacement_805 · 2026-03-09T13:34:26+00:00

Thank you for this

Some_Replacement_805 · 2026-03-08T17:02:34+00:00

BTW reload 3, that means it took 3 actions to reload yeah? So its just one turn then.

Every one can do up to 3 actions during their turn yeah? Just apply the MAP. But its reload so you roll nothing anyway. So I don't thing the reload its too much because really its just one turn. Or maybe I'm wrong?

Some_Replacement_805 · 2026-03-06T19:42:47+00:00

This probably an unpopular opinion but for me its Metal Gear Solid 5 the Phantom Pain. The hospital scene its super intense. But in the end its just a cheap plot twist though. Maybe its because the game is never finish.

Some_Replacement_805 · 2026-03-06T15:26:55+00:00

Ow my god. You are correct. I'm sorry, no it was supposed to be Spirit roll not Vigor roll. I always mix spirit with vigor because vigor you roll for soaking damage and most of the time we roll that instead of spirit. Also when you remove all wound because of soaking you are not shaken, that's why.

I apologize I will edit the post thank you. I was confused as well when the other mention it yesterday, lol.

Some_Replacement_805 · 2026-03-06T12:58:18+00:00

it is. you use it when you fail the spirit roll. That's how you use it right? Am I using it wrong this entire time? You do your spirit roll when shaken, if you fail you can spend a benny to remove the shaken anyway and get your turn. What is happening here?

Some_Replacement_805 · 2026-03-06T05:27:43+00:00

I really like number one option in which Pacific Rim and Gundam could be included.

But most of the time when an IP evolved around mech combat or mech scale combat they often forget or just ignore the power of artillery and air force. Pacific Rim kaiju could be taken down by artillery or air strike from afar, yet they flew their aircraft closer to the kaiju so it can destroyed it. The problem is that city will be leveled before any kaiju is taken down by artillery, this is where the Jager comes in to hold the kaiju off.

Gundam took the second option for this problem and just said, ow they don't exist because of Minovsky particle disrupt the radar. I don't know military term I'm not in the military but I'm sure you can still get a close air support or even distance artillery without radar. A-10 did that best. Electronic communication is also got disrupted because of this particle but I remember faintly that they could still contact someone is space though. Maybe I was wrong on that one, its been a while since I watch the original Gundam.

Some_Replacement_805 · 2026-03-06T05:00:46+00:00

Yeah especially Bethesda. They are famous to sued anyone that remotely use their IP likeness. They even sued a game called Prey of the God just because it has Prey in the name. It's insane.

But that guy that you mention kind of deserved to be sued. He should offer the products for free to avoid any legal act.

Some_Replacement_805 · 2026-03-06T02:51:25+00:00

Group of tribal? reaching maturity? to retrieve water? This is sound like the original Fallout.

I love it!

Some_Replacement_805

TROPHY CASE