One-on-One Pathfinder / New Player

[Elise567]

I am a noob. I have witnessed and participated in a couple of tabletop RPG sessions, but that's it. My husband has been playing for close to 20 years.

The gaming group he had when I met him has changed and reformed and essentially kicked him out. He has played D&D a handful of times in the last 7 years, so he's rusty, and he has also never been a GM.

So, here is the situation: For the first time ever, we had the bright idea of one-on-one play using the resources we already have. We have the core rules, many supplements, the advanced player's guide, 15 one-on-one adventures, 5 or so standard party scenarios, and the recently acquired Beginner's Box.

We played through the sample adventure in the Beginner's Box and had fun. He acted as GM while controlling combat actions for two of the premade characters, and I controlled the other two.

I've since made my own character using the core rules, and we are playing for the first time tonight to level my rogue up before using a published one-on-one. He came up with the scenario ( homebrewed is the term? ) for tonight. We will primarily stick with the Beginner's Box rules for now. He's created a fighter companion for me as well.

My concerns/questions:

1. Does it sound like we are off to a good start for one-on-one?

2. Any suggestions for adapting the full party adventures? How about the One-on-Ones meant for classes other than mine? He wants to use them, but he isn't sure of the best way to adapt things.

3. Is he, as a long-time player in full groups, going to get much out of this?

I'm having fun, but I am afraid of ruining the game for him with my noobiness/desire for hack and slash/shyness with roleplay. I know I need to talk to him about what aspects of the game are important to him, but I also wanted to ask the internet. : P

Will I become more comfortable with roleplay in time? He hasn't specifically mentioned it, but I know he is used to games where everyone talks in-character. Meanwhile, I have no experience with it, and I feel shy.

Has anyone out there had a successful and fun time one-on-one using standard D20 stuff with their significant other?

We would eventually like to recruit my 15-year-old nephew into playing, but even then it will not be a full party.

[Absynthyne]

Hi Elise,

A few years back I was faced with a very similar situation... becoming interested in D&D as a new player when my boyfriend had been playing for nearly 15 years at that point.
Now, four years later, he has always been my DM/GM and I have been part of a 4-player group, a 3-player group, and a 2 player group.

Let me elaborate a little bit to better answer your questions from my perspective!

I was very nervous about roleplaying at first as well, but it was a self-consciousness that I got over rather quickly as I became more and more absorbed in the story. We played together in 3.5 and now in Pathfinder, and I find that roleplaying is my favorite part of the game!

Currently, our 'group' consists of myself and one other player. To even out our potential imbalance, we both have taken Leadership. We have been doing absolutely fine, and have leveled to level 14 using the slow experience path over the past 2.5 years. At times, when the other player is unavailable, we play one on one and often I find these are my favorite missions!

Your husband is an experienced player, and will likely understand the need to tailor encounters so you can have fun and be successful.

You are off to a great start. You won't always be playing alone, but while you are, enjoy the spotlight you've been given and immerse yourself in what will likely become a favorite hobby!

As for your hubby, I'm certain he's going to enjoy your time together as well. One on One games give a possibility for depth that someone who is a long-time roleplayer can certainly appreciate.
With his experience with tabletop games, it sounds like he commands an understanding of the rules that will allow him to easily guide you through the sometimes-difficult learning process; and with his experience as a player, he likely understands how to adjust encounters to keep them fun AND winnable.

I know I mostly answered your non-technical questions (I myself have never been a GM in Pathfinder), but I felt the need to reach out to someone who finds herself in a situation similar to mine a few years back.

Keep going, push yourself to roleplay even when you feel a lil' silly, and I promise you will quickly begin to lose your inhibitions and become fully immersed! :)

Cheers!

[Elise567]

Thanks for sharing your experience. : ) It definitely made me feel like this is something that is possible and can stay fun.

[Avatar-1]

Why are you holding off bringing in your nephew?

Pathfinder is the best fun ever and he is missing out!