How to Use a Yes/No Oracle in Solo RPGs

A yes/no oracle is the heart of most solo play. It answers questions about the fiction so you do not have to decide everything yourself.

Ask closed questions

The oracle works best with questions that have a clear yes or no answer. Ask "Is the door locked?" rather than "What is behind the door?" Open questions are better handled by a generator or by your own imagination.

Set the likelihood

Before you roll, decide how likely a yes feels. A guard post on a main road is probably staffed, so "likely" fits. A secret door in a plain wall is unlikely. The oracle turns your choice into a percentage. If you are unsure, use 50/50.

Read the extremes

A very low roll gives a "Yes, and...", which means the answer is yes and something extra happens. A very high roll gives a "No, and...", which means the answer is no and things get worse. These extremes are the story's spice. Use them to add a detail or complication.

Handle random events

When the digits match, such as 33 or 66, a random event may occur. Roll on the random event table and connect the result to what is already happening. The best twists are the ones that feel inevitable afterward.

Do not overuse it

If you know what would be interesting, just decide. The oracle is for moments of real uncertainty, not for every small choice.