How to Play D&D Solo

Can you play D&D by yourself?

Yes. Playing D&D solo means running a game without a human Dungeon Master or other players. It does not work exactly like a normal session, because the Dungeon Master (DM) normally describes the world, plays the monsters and keeps secrets from the players. When you play alone, you either follow a prewritten adventure that does that work for you, or you use tools such as random tables and oracles to answer questions the DM would usually answer.

That makes solo play a good fit if you have no local group, want to learn the rules at your own pace, or simply enjoy a quiet evening of adventure. It is a different experience from a table full of friends, so it helps to expect that going in. If you would rather play with one other person, see our D&D two-player campaign guide.

Four ways to play solo D&D

Most solo players use one of these approaches, and many mix them.

Solo modules and gamebook-style adventures

These are adventures written for one player. You read a numbered or linked section, make a choice, roll dice when told to, and move to the next section. They need very little preparation, which makes them a good first step. Examples often recommended by players include Death Knight’s Squire (written for a single level 2 character) and The Saint’s Tomb. Check the character level and rules edition each product expects before you buy.

Oracles and game master emulators

An oracle lets you ask a yes-or-no question about the world and answer it with dice. Tools such as the Mythic Game Master Emulator and The Solo Adventurer’s Toolbox provide oracles, random tables for encounters, and prompts for building dungeons and wilderness. A simple home-made version is easy to set up: roll a d20 and treat low results as “no”, middle results as “maybe, or ask again differently”, and high results as “yes”.

AI-assisted play

Some players use a chatbot as a stand-in DM. It can describe scenes and voice characters, but it may forget details or bend the rules in your favor, so many people keep the rulebook and their own notes as the authority. Treat it as an optional tool rather than a requirement.

Adapting a group adventure

You can run a published campaign with one character or a small group of characters you control yourself. The catch is spoilers: you have read the text you are playing through. It also tends to be harder than it looks, because most published adventures expect a full party. Giving your character a sidekick or two helps.

What you need to get started

• The rules. The core rulebooks for the edition you want to play, or the free basic rules where available.
• Dice. A standard set of polyhedral dice.
• A character sheet. Paper or a digital tool such as D&D Beyond.
• An oracle or random tables. Even a short list you write yourself works.
• A notebook. For a journal, maps and notes.
• A tracker. Something to keep hit points and initiative straight, on paper or an app.

Miniatures are optional. Some solo players draw a quick map on grid paper and mark positions with a pencil, which is cheap and portable.

Choosing a character

Is there a best solo class?

There is no single answer, but players tend to recommend classes that can look after themselves and cover several roles. Clerics, druids, rangers and paladins come up often because they combine fighting with healing or utility. A fighter is simple to run, while a wizard can be fragile at low levels with nobody to stand in front of you. Pick a class you will enjoy playing, then adjust the difficulty rather than the other way round.

One character or a small party?

This is the biggest setup decision. A single character keeps things simple and suits modules written for one hero. Two characters, or one hero plus sidekicks, make combat sturdier and make it easier to run material designed for groups. Running a whole party of four means more bookkeeping and less roleplay depth, though some solo players enjoy it. If you are unsure, start with one character and add a companion if fights feel too punishing. For why parties are usually built around four characters, see how many players you need for D&D.

Running your first solo session

1. Define a small goal. For example, “clear the cellar under the inn” or “find a missing merchant”.
2. Write a few lines of setup. Who is your character, why are they here, and what do they want?
3. Ask the oracle questions. “Is the door locked?” “Are there guards inside?” Keep questions answerable with yes or no.
4. Use rules for the rest. Roll ability checks and attacks as usual. Use a table or the oracle to decide what monsters do when the choice is not obvious.
5. Stop at a natural break. Write a short summary of what happened and what you plan next.

Using an oracle well

• Ask questions you do not already know the answer to.
• If a result surprises you, go with it, even when it makes things harder.
• Decide ahead of time how likely something is. A guard in a barracks is likely to be awake; a sleeping dragon is not likely to be unarmed.
• Avoid asking the oracle to rescue you. The fun comes from consequences.

Keep a journal

A short journal is the single most useful habit in solo play. Record the date of the session, what happened, names of people you met, open questions and loose threads. It helps you pick up after a break, and it reads like a story later. A few bullet points per session is enough.

Common problems and fixes

• Fights feel too easy or too hard. Adjust monster numbers or hit points, or add or remove a companion. Our two-player guide explains balancing for small parties, and the same ideas apply.
• You know too much. Use random tables, oracles or solo modules so that you are not both author and player at the same moment.
• You stop having fun. Switch to a lighter style, shorter sessions, or a different game entirely.
• You cheat accidentally. Decide rules for rerolls and fudging before you start, and stick to them.

Beyond D&D

If the oracle-and-journal style appeals to you more than the D&D rules, there are many games designed from the start for one player. See our roundup of the best solo tabletop RPGs.

FAQ

Can I play D&D with one player?

Yes, in a few ways. One person can play alone using the methods above, or one player can play with a DM in a two-person game.

How do I play D&D with no friends?

Solo play is one option. Many people also find online groups or local game stores later, once they are comfortable with the rules.

Do I need a DM to play solo?

No. An oracle, random tables or a solo module takes over most of the DM’s jobs, although you still make the decisions about how the story develops.