One vs One Beginner DM

[chibitofu]

Hi, just a quick background. I played D&D 3E for about 6 months, 8 years ago, but never as DM. My girlfriend has never played a tabletop rpg, but has always wanted to. She just couldn't find any girl friendly groups growing up.

Now I just ordered the BBS, and am trying to prepare as much as possible to make sure it's fun for the both of us. Unfortunately it will be just the two of us. As we're kinda antisocial, and have random rotating schedules.

I'm looking for any beginner advice at all, about one on one tips and tricks. I was thinking about either having her play 2 characters, or maybe have myself be a slave type character. That just does her bidding, but with a little flair. I eventually want to add in full character creation. As that's something she's really interested in, even the whole maths part. Though I know I'll probably have to finish the BBS, before we can understand all that stuff on our own.

So yeah, I'm all ears, and knowing us, we'll probably get through the beginner campaign at a fast speed. So even stuff on planning for the long run, would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

[Jezai]

What kind of character is she playing?

[chibitofu]

Jezai wrote:

What kind of character is she playing?

We don't have the BBS yet. It should be here in a few days. I'm just trying to get ready, while I wait for it to arrive. Though she'll probably play a rogue type character.

[Jezai]

It might be a good idea to reduce the number of creatures in the BBS, even with two characters. The boss at the end may also be too difficult. Giving her a wand of cure light wounds would likely be helpful.

As far as future stuff goes you can buy the core book for 10 bucks pdf, but if you want to try stuff out first take a look at this website, they contain all the rules you need to play including the stats of monsters and what-not.

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/home

[parvusmachina]

Have fun! The books are there as guides, NOTHING is set in stone. If a die roll is going to derail the adventure, fudge it. Nothing wrong with that.

[TheHairyAvenger]

I am GM for a group of 3 and a group of 2 players. I found that the beginner campaign works fine for 3 PC's I didn't scale anything down. However with the group of 2 especially since one of them is only 8 I scaled the number of monsters down until I could get an idea of how they played and how hard it would be for them then just made up an excuse to make it harder for them if needed.

Never played with just one PC before but it might be an idea to maybe allow her to have some magical abilities like detect magic cos a lot of items have more to them than what's on the outside I don't know if this is allowed or anything but just a thought.

I would probably have an extra character that you control to try and help her out a little maybe even if its just at the beginning to gauge how strong she is plus it makes it more fun for the both of you especially when you know whats gunna happen :P Hope this helps a little :D

[Ingenwulf]

One on one games are probably the hardest style games to run. They require full concentration from GM and player, it can be quite tricky to create atmosphere. when done well it can be intense and fun, when done even moderately badly it can fall flat quite quickly (think about the "talking heads" style theatre/stage productions)
.
Anyhow, good luck. If you do find it works there is an excellent "One on One" third party Pathfinder collection of adventures. Well worth checking out.

[chibitofu]

Thanks for all the suggestions. We're both in creative fields, with her bring a writer. So creating an immersive world, will probably be a collaborative effort. I'll most likely play another character alongside her. With her making all the major plot choices. I do like the idea of maybe adding in a special artifact, perhaps with some sort of set charges. But I may just wait to see how much we die, before diverging to much. Thanks again, and I'll definitely check out some of the pre made one on one campaigns.

[LoreKeeper]

For starters I'd consider having relatively short sessions, with one strongly developed scene or two in a session.

[beamersrq]

I'm finishing the intro adventure in the Hero's Handbook with one player (rogue) & plan on trying to continue on to Black Fang next. Since it's her first rpg experience I'm going to run a support character (1st level version of my favorite PC from a currently suspended game who happens to be a hafling with a St Bernard riding dog named Horse) who she'll meet in the inn back in town after the intro. But before that on her way back to town I'm planning on having her rescue a wolf or leopard from a trap that will then follow her around (hey, she's 12, she NEEDS an animal companion) & can help in combat, but should be some fun RP as well - "hey, you can't bring an animal into the inn"; pointing at BIG dog "OK, then what do you call that?"

[Captain Phoenix]

beamersrq wrote:

...run a support character (1st level version of my favorite PC from a currently suspended game who happens to be a hafling with a St Bernard riding dog named Horse) who she'll meet in the inn back in town after the intro. But before that on her way back to town I'm planning on having her rescue a wolf or leopard from a trap that will then follow her around (hey, she's 12, she NEEDS an animal companion) & can help in combat, but should be some fun RP as well...

Great ideas. It can take more work to run more characters and companions, but it does level the playing field some. As a suggestion to save the day if something goes wrong, have a powerful rouge follow her character and reveal himself when things get dicey, helping her out. Then he can disappear again and effectively become an interesting and mysterious campaign hook.

[chibitofu]

beamersrq wrote:

I'm finishing the intro adventure in the Hero's Handbook with one player (rogue) & plan on trying to continue on to Black Fang next. Since it's her first rpg experience I'm going to run a support character (1st level version of my favorite PC from a currently suspended game who happens to be a hafling with a St Bernard riding dog named Horse) who she'll meet in the inn back in town after the intro. But before that on her way back to town I'm planning on having her rescue a wolf or leopard from a trap that will then follow her around (hey, she's 12, she NEEDS an animal companion) & can help in combat, but should be some fun RP as well - "hey, you can't bring an animal into the inn"; pointing at BIG dog "OK, then what do you call that?"

Wow, that's a great idea. I never thought about making a familiar. That's a nice way to add a little extra damage, but not as complicated as trying to control 2 pc's. It'll also allow her to focus on her pc. I'll have to do some research to create one properly, but that shouldn't be to hard.

I have to say. It's so nice to be joining a community that's so willing to help each other out. Can't wait till I can actually be helpful to others.

[HerosBackpack]

The best source of one on one tips and tricks I've come across in my own time as a solo-campaigner is this thread. (Warning, it's very long)

[chibitofu]

HerosBackpack wrote:

The best source of one on one tips and tricks I've come across in my own time as a solo-campaigner is this thread. (Warning, it's very long)

Wow, I just read half that thread, and it's amazing. Though very long. I recommend anyone who wants to DM, read it. Even if it's 6 years old, there's tons of valuable tips and tricks. Makes me almost want to forget the BBS, and just make up my own. That's until I remember that I don't know any of the rules.