This post builds on the character-focused approach to combat with some practical steps you can take while setting up that will further streamline running multiple characters at once.
Mechanics
Running Multiple Characters in Combat, Simplified
This post offers a strategy for simplifying running multiple characters in combat: knowing a character’s primary motivation and plan. This emphasizes a character’s personality and experience and allows them to feel real while maintaining the practical matters of running multiple characters at once.
Deadly Stakes (and why you should have them)
The ever-present threat of death lends a satisfying weight to the choices we make in tabletop games. Mortality ultimately lends a sweetness to life.
How to Keep Combat Exciting
Some ideas about how you can make sure combat in your game of Dungeons and Dragons remains as exciting as it should.
Character-Driven vs World-Driven Conflict in your Duet Game
This post looks at the differences between a fantasy world that’s driven by characters’ internal state or external circumstances. In it, we also ask some deeper questions: What do you believe about D&D or other RPGs? About literature, fiction, storytelling? What kind of stories do you think the world needs more of?
How to Negotiate DM and Player Preferences
It is no secret that there are many different playing styles when it comes to D&D and RPGs. When you’re playing in a duet, however, the style preferences of the player and the DM become even more important, which opens up the fun and possibilities for both people involved.
How to Flip DM and Player Roles
Swapping the roles of DM and player can be especially rewarding in duet games. Here are three methods we have used in our one-on-one D&D game to make it work for us.
Collaborative Worldbuilding in Your Duet Game
In a duet the DM and player can approach their storyworld as one they’re both responsible for making together. Focusing more on what happens off the table, this post discusses ways to create the world together.
