In this post, I cover my top three tips for DMs of one-on-one D&D as well as two bonus tips! First, establish and maintain trust. Second, let player preference be your guide. Third, collaboration is key! With this foundation, you’re ready for so many fun sessions of duet D&D!
DM Resources
The Penshaw Poisonings: A Free 5e Duet Adventure
A free one-on-one adventure for 5e set in the town of Penshaw! Take on zombies, investigate criminal organizations, encounter small elemental creatures, and more!
Character Questions for Adapting Published Campaigns for One-on-One Play
Where do we start when adapting a published campaign for one-on-one play? What should you take into account as the player in this situation while you prepare your PC? The short answer is to have an idea as to why the PC is going to take part in the storyline. Why will they care? This post tackles these questions in greater detail.
Advice for DMs of One-on-One D&D
Are you hesitant to start your one-on-one game? Or worried about accidentally killing your best friend’s carefully crafted PC when they’re only level two? Mike Shea, aka Sly Flourish, and I sit down to discuss our best tips for DMs of duet-style D&D.
Character Mentors for One-on-One Play
This post covers some of the unique possibilities in one-on-one play for a side quest or refreshing adventure with a character mentor. These principles would also work well for setting up a session zero or running a quick side storyline with a character from a group game.
Catering to Character Subclasses
For players, this post aims to help you think of alternatives to changing your character’s subclass. For DMs, this post suggests ways of incorporating the subclass more often and some benefits to doing so. Ideally, the two of you can collaborate on ways to accentuate the subclass during RP, combat, and in the larger story.
When a D&D Session Ends Poorly…
This post covers some ideas and strategies for what to do when a one-on-one D&D session ends poorly. We’ll look into what might have happened, who feels off and why, and what to do to fix it.
There’s Snow Place Like Home
If you’re looking for a winter-y D&D adventure, then you’re in the right place! In There’s Snow Place Like Home, a one-shot adventure for one-on-one and small party play, the adventurers arrive in the snowy demiplane of Cheerington and awaken the nearby gnomish town before traveling to the top of Mount Merryberry to find Count Cringle.
