Solo RPG Starter Kit: What You Actually Need
You can start solo play with almost nothing. This list covers what helps, and what you can skip.
The essentials
- A character. A name, a background and a goal. Try a character concept generator if you want a quick start.
- Dice. One set of polyhedral dice is plenty, and a single d100 or two d10s covers the oracle.
- A notebook or document. Somewhere to record what happens and draw maps.
- A way to answer questions. The yes/no oracle and the random event table are enough to begin.
Nice to have
- Graph paper for dungeon maps.
- A pencil with an eraser, because maps change.
- Quiet background sound to set the mood.
- A rules set you like, whether a published game or your own simple house rules.
What you can skip
You do not need miniatures, expensive books or a long list of rules. Many solo players run entire campaigns with a notebook, a pen and a few dice.
A first session
Pick a character, roll a quest hook, arrive in a settlement and visit a tavern. Ask the oracle questions as they arise. Write down what happens. Thirty minutes is enough to see whether you like it.