The vow system is the most elegant narrative ruleset I have encountered. I use it with 4AD to help give the party some motivation and it gives a bit of light internal storytelling to the procedure.
Oh sweet, you're doing Ironsworn stuff. Starforged is my go-to solo game. Once you understand the system, it runs smoothly and really gets the ideas flowing.
This game is mainly about fantasising. When you play alone away from the camera, You don't even have to talk, you can play in absolute silence. Just imagine the scene in your head, filling it with details at will, as if you were watching a film scene (gestures, expressions, 'shots'). It is the real theatre of the mind. It is a type of game for which one needs to be 'suited' or at least to practise a little, not just sit at the table and read the rules as with classic TTRPGs.
I subscribed last week, and the FIRST video I'm recommended is immediately a game I've been really interested in. Never felt so vindicted subscribing to someone.
A note on the assets: each path, module, vehicle etc counts as 1 asset. You get 2 paths to start with, plus an additional asset (for which you picked the workshop). What you rolled on the table was a character archetype with 2 suggested paths. You rolled 2 of them and took both their paths, so now you have 4, which are 2 too many for the game start. Now, you can still roll that way, it's a solo game after all. But I think it takes a bit of fun out of the early progression. On the other hand, the default attribute array (3,2,2,1) is *brutal*, as others here have pointed out (and they never improve). People frequently play with an array of 4,3,3,2 (as did Me, myself and die in his ironsworn series). The default array is fun if you're into dark and gritty, but for a let's play it might be too depressing...
In fact, the solo supplement for The One Ring (Strider Mode) was developed by the author of Ironsworn: Starforged - Shawn Tomkin. He is also developing the solo module for the Cosmere RPG.
I'll be interested to see how this goes. I'm intrigued by the idea but I watched another playthrough and was left feeling like I'd do just as well starting with a blank notebook and just writing a story.
Yeah, a lot of criticism towards solo RPG usually boils down to "why don't you just sit down and write a novel instead?", which is happening a lot and I personally haven't been able to make peace with it keep happening. So surpressing my urge to rant, I'll just say this: The main factor that differentiate writing your own story and playing solo RPG are the randomness of solo RPG. Solo RPG MAINLY depends a lot of random tables, the rules of the system, and especially, the dice. The dice is agents of chaos, the result of the dice roll will dictate the flow of your narrative a lot. Your own creativity is what fills the gap by providing meaning of the dice roll result. On the contrary, in writing a novel YOU are the main drive of the direction of the plot. You decide everything from the setting, the characters, the motivation of each characters etc. I'd say, the only way for you to feel the difference is, just play it yourself, try it on your own and see if it's for you or not. That is how I found my love for this type of TTRPG.
Also a notable difference: when you're stuck - on writing novel you take a break and look around for inspiration - on solo RPG, create random event using dice rolls on some random tables. On a battle: - on writing novel, you dictate where the battle flows, you decided to add what elements and twists to make your battle interesting for your reader - on solo RPG, the rules dictates yours & enemies actions, and the result of dice roll dictate the story elements and twists. Again, dice is your driver, the system rules is your vehicle and your creativity fills the gap. And the beauty of it, we will never know what we will encounter until the dice is rolled.
I think you're starting with too many Paths. Each Background, Interstellar Scout and Battlefield Medic, is a combination of 2 paths. So if you start with both backgrounds, you're starting with 4 Paths instead of the two you're supposed to start with.
@thetabletopengineerplays it will be interesting to see how your story progresses. I was playing along while you were rolling and was coming up with my own story. The system is beautiful in that way. I was going with you being someone that goes on remote rescue missions and a balefire stranded you in a remote section of the Forge.
One thing that concerns me about Ironsworn (I'm backer of starforged etc), is that the starting attributes make the game a bit too hard. I suggest adding a point or two to every attribute.
Unfortunately, if you want to experience the game as is, advancement in this game is not additional point on stat, but additional asset instead (rules as written). The array for normal is always 3 2 2 1 1, but you also can use the other recommended array 4 3 3 2 2. Modifying other than recommended array is, well fine and all, but IDK if it'll be balanced. Failure doesn't have to mean death anyway and any successes and failures are enchancement on the narrative so in my mind everything is a plus. But in solo you can play however you want, no one can judge you as long as you don't put them on the internet like he and I are doing. But yeah, the standard 3 2 2 1 1 is hard, but then they also recommend 2 1 1 0 0 for masochists out there🤣
![⭐️( ลอยกระทง 2024 ) Ver. แดนซ์ Remix BY [ ดีเจกิต รีมิกซ์ ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/rMWOLhgXUHc/mqdefault.jpg)
I'm so glad to see you diving into solo RPGs. It is a wonderful hobby and my primary way of playing RPGs
The vow system is the most elegant narrative ruleset I have encountered. I use it with 4AD to help give the party some motivation and it gives a bit of light internal storytelling to the procedure.
Ironsworn and Starforged are revolutionary. Equally awesome in co-op, also!
Oh sweet, you're doing Ironsworn stuff. Starforged is my go-to solo game. Once you understand the system, it runs smoothly and really gets the ideas flowing.
Since you are a big Aliens fan, hostile solo is a must play. Also take a look at Star Trek Captains Log.
This game is mainly about fantasising. When you play alone away from the camera, You don't even have to talk, you can play in absolute silence. Just imagine the scene in your head, filling it with details at will, as if you were watching a film scene (gestures, expressions, 'shots'). It is the real theatre of the mind. It is a type of game for which one needs to be 'suited' or at least to practise a little, not just sit at the table and read the rules as with classic TTRPGs.
Looking forward to following this. You're off to a good start.
I subscribed last week, and the FIRST video I'm recommended is immediately a game I've been really interested in. Never felt so vindicted subscribing to someone.
Welcome to the channel!
A note on the assets: each path, module, vehicle etc counts as 1 asset. You get 2 paths to start with, plus an additional asset (for which you picked the workshop). What you rolled on the table was a character archetype with 2 suggested paths. You rolled 2 of them and took both their paths, so now you have 4, which are 2 too many for the game start. Now, you can still roll that way, it's a solo game after all. But I think it takes a bit of fun out of the early progression. On the other hand, the default attribute array (3,2,2,1) is *brutal*, as others here have pointed out (and they never improve). People frequently play with an array of 4,3,3,2 (as did Me, myself and die in his ironsworn series). The default array is fun if you're into dark and gritty, but for a let's play it might be too depressing...
4,3,3,2... I'll have to keep that in mind when I finally get to my noblebright campaign using Starforged
Very interesting game! I'm learning the rules and I'm curious to follow your adventure 😃
really liked this. Great series. Thank you for doing this. I’m currently designing a game.
Pretty neat! Lookin' forward to seeing where this goes!
You and me both!
You can also choose your truths, and not just roll for them all.
Let's F***ing do this! 🤩
i remember that there is a lord of the rings ttrpg with a solo mode supplement the game is called called the one ring
In fact, the solo supplement for The One Ring (Strider Mode) was developed by the author of Ironsworn: Starforged - Shawn Tomkin. He is also developing the solo module for the Cosmere RPG.
I'll be interested to see how this goes. I'm intrigued by the idea but I watched another playthrough and was left feeling like I'd do just as well starting with a blank notebook and just writing a story.
Yep... I'm brainstorming different ideas to make this... interesting.
Yeah, a lot of criticism towards solo RPG usually boils down to "why don't you just sit down and write a novel instead?", which is happening a lot and I personally haven't been able to make peace with it keep happening. So surpressing my urge to rant, I'll just say this:
The main factor that differentiate writing your own story and playing solo RPG are the randomness of solo RPG. Solo RPG MAINLY depends a lot of random tables, the rules of the system, and especially, the dice. The dice is agents of chaos, the result of the dice roll will dictate the flow of your narrative a lot. Your own creativity is what fills the gap by providing meaning of the dice roll result.
On the contrary, in writing a novel YOU are the main drive of the direction of the plot. You decide everything from the setting, the characters, the motivation of each characters etc.
I'd say, the only way for you to feel the difference is, just play it yourself, try it on your own and see if it's for you or not. That is how I found my love for this type of TTRPG.
Also a notable difference:
when you're stuck
- on writing novel you take a break and look around for inspiration
- on solo RPG, create random event using dice rolls on some random tables.
On a battle:
- on writing novel, you dictate where the battle flows, you decided to add what elements and twists to make your battle interesting for your reader
- on solo RPG, the rules dictates yours & enemies actions, and the result of dice roll dictate the story elements and twists.
Again, dice is your driver, the system rules is your vehicle and your creativity fills the gap. And the beauty of it, we will never know what we will encounter until the dice is rolled.
I think you're starting with too many Paths. Each Background, Interstellar Scout and Battlefield Medic, is a combination of 2 paths. So if you start with both backgrounds, you're starting with 4 Paths instead of the two you're supposed to start with.
I'll check... thanks.
@@thetabletopengineerplays1 background = 2 paths. You could still combine the backgrounds for story purposes and choose one path from each.
@@HekylHyde You're correct - I'm going to choose Explorer/Healer, one from each.
@thetabletopengineerplays it will be interesting to see how your story progresses. I was playing along while you were rolling and was coming up with my own story. The system is beautiful in that way.
I was going with you being someone that goes on remote rescue missions and a balefire stranded you in a remote section of the Forge.
Whatcha printin'?
Infinite Spaceship from Dungeon Blocks.
What app is that he’s using
GoodNotes
One thing that concerns me about Ironsworn (I'm backer of starforged etc), is that the starting attributes make the game a bit too hard. I suggest adding a point or two to every attribute.
Unfortunately, if you want to experience the game as is, advancement in this game is not additional point on stat, but additional asset instead (rules as written). The array for normal is always 3 2 2 1 1, but you also can use the other recommended array 4 3 3 2 2. Modifying other than recommended array is, well fine and all, but IDK if it'll be balanced. Failure doesn't have to mean death anyway and any successes and failures are enchancement on the narrative so in my mind everything is a plus.
But in solo you can play however you want, no one can judge you as long as you don't put them on the internet like he and I are doing.
But yeah, the standard 3 2 2 1 1 is hard, but then they also recommend 2 1 1 0 0 for masochists out there🤣