A simple way to play Dungeons & Dragons alone

by

Ricardo Peraça Cavassane

DMs Guild
1
Introduction Oracle
To play D&D alone, first you have to make a Ask questions to the oracle by rolling 1d20 and
choice: to be the player (the “default” option) or checking on the following table:
to be the Dungeon Master.
If you choose to be the player, create one or ORACLE
more characters the way you wish; those d20 Answer
characters are the only things that are under 1 No, and...
your control in this game. Everything else is 2–9 No
under the control of the DM; but since there is 10 No, but...
no one else to be the DM, the decisions the DM 11 Yes, but...
would make are going to be randomized, or 12–19 Yes
made by you, using your own common sense, 20 Yes, and...
when possible.
If you choose to be the DM, create one or If an affirmative answer is more likely, roll
more characters (totally or partially randomly, if 2d20 and use the higher of the two rolls. On the
possible). Those characters are the only things other hand, if a negative answer is more likely,
that are not under your control in this game; roll 2d20 and use the lower of the two rolls.
but since there are no players, the decisions If only a negative answer is possible, but you
they would make are going to be randomized, or still want to roll, roll 1d10. On the other hand, if
made by you, using your own common sense, only an affirmative answer is possible, but you
when possible. still want to roll, roll 1d10+10.
There are mainly two ways to randomize a The oracle can be used to make any question
decision: by asking the oracle or by rolling on a with two possible answers. When there are more
random table. than two possible answers, build a random table
(see the “Lists Into Tables” section).

Tables
Random tables are essential in solo roleplaying.
SOLO CHARACTERS D&D books provide a lot of those tables, and
In D&D, encounter balance is designed having a
many others can be created by turning lists into
group of four or five characters in mind. Thus, when
random tables. Also, some tables may be used
playing with a single character (which, it must be
for other purposes than those they were
noted, is not the only option when you are playing
alone), it can be hard to use the default encounter intended for.
building rules. Following are listed most of the random
Build hard/deadly encounters for a single tables found in the Dungeon Master’s Guide, the
character (or for fewer than four characters) by Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes, the Player’s
using the quick matchups table (Xanathar’s Guide to Handbook, the Volo’s Guide to Monsters, and the
Everything, p. 91), and by adding CR 0 monsters in Xanathar’s Guide to Evertything, divided in the
the “4 Monsters” column in the “1st” and “2nd” following categories: adventures, characters,
level rows. For medium encounters, divide the dungeons, monsters, planes, settlements,
number of monsters in the columns by 2, where “1 treasures, wilderness, worlds, and
Monster” becomes 0, “2 Monsters” become 1, and miscellaneous.
“4 Monsters” become 2. For easy encounters, divide
the number of monsters in the columns by 4, where
“2 Monsters” become 0, and “4 Monsters” become
1 monster.
When the player controls a single character (or
fewer than four characters) consider also using
sidekicks, as they appear on the Appendix A of the
Essentials Kit (p. 63), or other companion NPCs.

1
Adventures p. 105: halfling characters tables
p. 114: gnome characters tables
Dungeons Master’s Guide
p. 73: dungeon goal Player’s Handbook
p. 73: wilderness goal p. 121: height and weight
p. 74: other goal p. 127: trait, ideal, bond, flaw by background
p. 74: adventure villain
p. 74: adventure ally Volo’s Guide to Monsters
p. 74: adventure patron p. 104: aasimar angelic guide
p. 74: adventure introduction p. 106: firbolg reason for adventuring
p. 75: adventure climax p. 112: lizardfolk quirk
p. 75: event-based villain action p. 114: tabaxi obsession and quirk
p. 76: event-based goal p. 117: triton quirk
p. 75: framing event p. 118: monstrous origin
p. 76: quandary p. 120: height and weight
p. 80: twist
Xanathar’s Guide to Everything
p. 81: side-quest
p. 8: barbarian totem, tattoo, superstition
p. 12: bard defining work, instrument,
Characters embarassment
p. 17: cleric temple, keepsake, secret
Dungeons Master’s Guide p. 21: druid treasured item, guiding aspect,
p. 89: NPC appearance mentor
p. 90: NPC abilities p. 27: fighter heraldic sign, instructor, signature
p. 90: NPC talent style
p. 90: NPC mannerism p. 32: monk monastery, monastic icon, master
p. 90: NPC interaction trait p. 36: paladin personal goal, symbol, nemesis,
p. 90: NPC ideal temptation
p. 91: NPC bond p. 40: ranger view of the world, homeland,
p. 91: NPC flaw and secret sworn enemy
p. 94: villain scheme p. 44: rogue guilty pleasure, adversary,
p. 95: villain method benefactor
p. 96: villain weakness p. 48: sorcerer arcane origin, reaction,
p. 100: NPC alignment supernatural mark, sign of sorcery, shadow
p. 101: NPC class sorcerer quirk
p. 53: warlock patron attitude, special term,
Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes binding mark
p. 34: fiendish cult goal p. 58: wizard spellbook, ambition, eccentricity
p. 34: fiendish cult resource p. 62: birth tables
p. 34: fiendish cult organization p. 63: family tables
p. 34: fiendish cult hardship p. 64: background choice tables
p. 61: eladrin personality traits and flaws p. 66: class choice tables
p. 64: elf characters tables p. 69: life events tables
p. 64: drow house specialty p. 72: alignment, cause of death, class,
p. 81: dwarf group tables occupation
p. 82: dwarf clan tables p. 73: race, relationship, status
p. 83: dwarf characters tables p. 175: name
p. 83: duergar group tables
p. 84: duergar clan tables
p. 84: duergar characters tables
p. 97: gith characters tables
p. 98: githyanki group tables
p. 98: githzerai group tables

2
Dungeons Monsters
Dungeons Master’s Guide Dungeons Master’s Guide
p. 99: dungeon location p. 296: monster motivation
p. 99: exotic location
p. 100: dungeon creation Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes
p. 100: cult and religious group p. 33: demon tables
p. 101: dungeon purpose p. 23: devil tables
p. 101: dungeon history
p. 290: starting area Volo’s Guide to Monsters
p. 290: passage p. 8: beholder tables
p. 290: passage width p. 16: beholder minion tables
p. 291: door type p. 23: giant tables
p. 291: beyond a door p. 36: gnoll and cultist tables
p. 291: chamber p. 36: gnoll war band tables
p. 291: chamber exit p. 42: goblin status symbol
p. 291: exit location p. 55: hag tables
p. 291: exit type p. 62: hag minion and treasure tables
p. 291: stairs p. 66: kobold tables
p. 292: death trap chamber p. 74: kobold tables
p. 293: lair chamber p. 87: orc tables
p. 293: maze chamber p. 90: orc trophies
p. 293: mine chamber p. 97: yuan-ti tables
p. 293: planar gate chamber p. 102: yuan-ti minion tables
p. 294: stronghold chamber
p. 294: temple or shrine chamber Xanathar’s Guide to Everything
p. 295: tomb chamber p. 91: monster personality
p. 295: treasure vault chamber p. 91: monster relationships
p. 295: general chamber p. 92: encounter tables by environment
p. 295: chamber state
p. 296: chamber content Planes
p. 296: dungeon hazard
p. 297: obstacle Dungeons Master’s Guide
p. 297: trap trigger p. 47: planar color pool
p. 297: trap damage severity p. 49: etheral curtain
p. 297: trap effect p. 50: feywild time warp
p. 298: trick object p. 52: shadowfell despair
p. 298: trick p. 58: abyssal curruption
p. 298: noise
p. 299: air
p. 299: odor
p. 299: general feature
p. 300: religious article and furnishing
p. 300: mage furnishing
p. 300: utensil and personal item
p. 301: container content
p. 301: book, scroll and tome

3
Settlements Wilderness
Dungeons Master’s Guide Dungeons Master’s Guide
p. 112: race relations p. 108: monument
p. 112: ruler’s status p. 109: weird locale
p. 112: notable traits p. 109: weather
p. 112: known for its... p. 116: underwater encounter
p. 112: current calamity p. 118: encounter at sea
p. 113: building type
p. 113: residence Worlds
p. 113: religious building
p. 113: tavern Dungeons Master’s Guide
p. 113: tavern name p. 18: form of government
p. 113: warehouse p. 27: world-shaking event
p. 114: shop p. 27: leader type
p. 114: urban encounter p. 28: cataclysmic disaster
p. 29: invading force
Treasures p. 30: extinction or depletion
p. 31: new organization
Dungeons Master’s Guide p. 31: discovery
p. 134: gemstone tables
p. 134: art object tables Miscellaneous
p. 136: individual treasure tables
p. 137: hoard treasure tables Dungeons Master’s Guide
p. 140: mixing potions p. 128: carousing
p. 140: scroll mishap p. 129: running a business
p. 142: magic item creator or intended user p. 130: selling a magic item
p. 142: magic item history p. 254: chase complications
p. 143: magic item minor property p. 259: shot-term madness
p. 143: magic item quirk p. 260: long-term madness
p. 144: magic item tables p. 260: indefinite madness
p. 214: sentient magic item tables p. 272: lingering injuries
p. 219: artifact tables p. 272: system shock

Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes Player’s Handbook

p. 63: elven trinket p. 104: wild magic surge

Player’s Handbook Xanathar’s Guide to Everything

p. 160: trinket p. 124: example rival
p. 126: downtime complications
Xanathar’s Guide to Everything
p. 140: magic items by rarity

4
Lists Into tables
Besides the tables already present in the books,
many lists and non-random tables can be
turned into random tables. The number of items,
as well as the probability of each item,
determine what die should be rolled. When
there are too many items, it may be interesting
to create sub-tables.
Following are listed some non-random
tables and lists found in the Dungeon Master’s
Guide, the Monster Manual, the Mordenkainen’s
Tome of Foes, the Player’s Handbook, the Volo’s
Guide to Monsters, and the Xanathar’s Guide to
Evertything, divided in the following categories:
characters, monsters, planes, settlements,
treasures, wilderness, and miscellaneous.

ALL ITEMS ARE EQUALLY LIKELY

Die Number of Items
d4 2 or 4
d6 3 or 6
d8 7 (re-roll an 8) or 8
d10 5, 9 (re-roll a 10) or 10
d12 11 (re-roll a 12) or 12
d20 13–19 (re-roll a 14–20) or 20
d24 21–23 (re-roll a 22–24) or 24
d30 25–29 (re-roll a 26–30) or 30
d100 50 or 100

THE FIRST ITEM IS MORE LIKELY

Die Number of Items
d6 2 (1–4, 5–6) or
3 (1–3, 4–5, 6)
d10 4 (1–4, 5–7, 8–9, 10)
d20 5 (1–6, 7–11, 12–15, 16–18, 19–20) or
6 (1–5, 6–10, 11–14, 15–17, 18–19, 20)
d30 7 (1–8, 9–15, 16–20, 21–24, 25–27,
28–29, 30)
d100 8 (1–16, 17–31, 32–45, 46–58, 59–70,
71–81, 82–91, 92–100),
9 (1–16, 17–30, 31–43, 44–55, 56–66,
67–76, 77–85, 86–93, 94–100) or
10 (1–15, 16–29, 30–42, 43–54, 55–65,
66–74, 75–82, 83–89, 90–95, 96–100)

THE MIDDLE ITEM IS MORE LIKELY

Die Number of Items
d4 3 (1, 2–3, 4)
d6 4 (1, 2–3, 4–5, 6)
d10 5 (1, 2–3, 4–7, 8–9, 10)
d12 6 (1, 2–3, 4–6, 7–9, 10–11, 12)
d20 7 (1, 2–3, 4–7, 8–13, 14–17, 18–19, 20) or
8 (1, 2–3, 4–6, 7–10, 11–14, 15–17,
18–19, 20)
d24 9 (1, 2–3, 4–6, 7–10, 11–14, 15–18,
19–21, 22–23, 24)
d30 10 (1, 2–3, 4–6, 7–10, 11–15, 16–20,
21-24, 25–27, 28–29, 30)

5
Characters
Dungeons Master’s Guide
p. 282: NPC features (25 items)
Player’s Handbook
p. 34: draconic ancestry (10 items)
p. 45: classes (12 items)
p. 123: standard language (8 items)
p. 123: exotic language (8 items)
p. 165: feats (42 items)
p. 174: skills (18 items)
Monsters
Dungeons Master’s Guide
p. 280: monster features (91 items)
p. 302: monster lists by environment
p. 306: monster lists by challenge rating
Monster Manual
p. 4: where do monsters dwell (6 items)
p. 6: size categories (6 items)
p. 6: monster types (14 items)
p. 8: additional movement modes (4 items)
p. 8: special senses (4 items)
Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes
p. 253: monster lists by type
p. 254: monster lists by challenge rating
p. 255: monster lists by environment
Volo’s Guide to Monsters
p. 221: monster lists by type
p. 221: monster lists by challenge rating
p. 222: monster lists by environment
Xanathar’s Guide to Everything
p. 24: druid beast shape lists
Planes
Dungeons Master’s Guide
p. 58: outer planes (16 items)
p. 67: gate-towns of the outlands (16 items)
Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes
9: layers of the nine hells (9 items)
Settlements
Dungeons Master’s Guide
p. 16: settlement size (3 items)
6
Treasures
Dungeons Master’s Guide
p. 135: magic item rarity (5 items)
p. 228: blessings and charms (7 items each)
p. 255: siege equipment (7 items)
p. 257: poisons (14 items)
p. 268: firearms (10 items without ammunition)
p. 268: explosives (7 items)
Player’s Handbook
p. 145: armor (12 items)
p. 149: simple melee weapons (10 items without
unarmed)
p. 149: simple ranged weapons (4 items)
p. 149: martial melee weapons (18 items)
p. 149: martial ranged weapons (5 items)
p. 150: adventuring gear (99 items)
p. 151: equipment packs (7items)
p. 152: tools (38 items)
p. 157: mounts and animals (8 items)
p. 157: tack, harness and draw vehicles (14
items)
p. 157: waterborne vehicles (6 items)
p. 157: trade goods (13 items)
p. 157: lifestyle (7 items)
p. 158: food and lodging (20 items)
p. 159: services (7 items)
Wilderness
Dungeons Master’s Guide
p. 110: wilderness hazards (6 items)
p. 302: environments from the monster lists by
environment (10 items without urban)
Miscellaneous
Dungeons Master’s Guide
p. 128: more downtime activities (9 items)
Player’s Handbook
p. 74: maneuvers (16 items)
p. 187: downtime activities (5 items)
p. 192: actions in combat (10 items)
p. 196: damage types (13 items, or 10 items
without bludgeoning, piercing and slashing)
p. 203: schools of magic (8 items)
p. 292: conditions (14 items)
Xanathar’s Guide to Everything
p. 79: tools activities lists
Decks
Deck of Many Things
The Deck of Many Things (Dungeon Master’s
Guide, p. 162) can be an interesting tool for
adding a major twist at an important moment of
the story. Draw a card and read its meaning,
then use the oracle to fill in the gaps (for
example: to whom does it happen? When does
it happen? How does it happen? etc.).
For example, suppose I draw the Skull card:
its meaning, as described below, reads
“someone dies”. I can choose to ask the oracle
first if it is an ally or an enemy of my character
who dies. Suppose the answer is that an ally of
mine dies: I can then roll on a table of all of my
allies and, after the ally is determined,
supposing it is an ally who is far from my
character, I can ask if it has happened in the
past or if it is happening now, then ask if it was
by natural causes or by murder, and so on, until
I can determine all the details of this event.
Balance. Someone turns to the other side, or
someone or something suffers a radical change
in alignment or allegiance.
Comet. Great destruction falls upon
someone or something.
Donjon. Someone is imprisoned, or
something is put in a safe place.
Euryale. Someone or something is cursed.
Flames. Someone makes many and/or
powerful enemies.
Fool. Someone or something loses part of
their power.
Gem. Someone finds some valuable treasure.
Idiot. Someone does something really stupid
or makes a big mistake.
Jester. Someone or something gains more
power.
Key. Someone obtains something that they
needed, or something needed appears.
Knight. Someone becomes a loyal ally to
someone.
Moon. Someone’s deepest wish comes true.
Rogue. Someone’s ally is in fact an enemy.
Ruin. Someone loses everything, or
something is completely lost.
Skull. Someone dies.
Star. Someone gains some useful and
needed knowledge or skill.
7
Sun. Someone gains enormous power, or
something of enormous power appears.
Talons. Someone or something loses magic
power, something magic is destroyed, or magic
vanishes from somewhere.
The Fates. Some past event is revealed to
not have happened as it was known or believed,
or to not have happened at all.
The Void. This story ends.
Throne. Someone reaches a position of
leadership or power.
Vizier. Something true is revealed or
someone gains an important piece of
information.
Tarokka Deck
The Tarokka Deck (Curse of Strahd, p. 11) can
also be used in this way. The meaning of each of
its cards is listed in the Appendix E of Curse of
Strahd (p. 243).
However, it can also be used to generate
NPCs. Whenever an unknown but important
character is introduced to the narrative, draw a
card and use the stats determined by the card,
as seen below. You can also use the card’s
meaning to create its personality and agenda.
Abjurer. Abjurer (Volo’s Guide to Monsters, p.
209).
Anarchist. Champion (Volo’s Guide to
Monsters, p. 212).
Artifact. Elder Brain (Volo’s Guide to
Monsters, p. 211).
Avenger. Knight (Monster Manual, p. 347)
with Protector Aasimar traits (Volo’s Guide to
Monsters, p. 105).
Beast. Vampire (Monster Manual, p. 295).
Beggar. Commoner (Monster Manual, p.
343).
Berserker. Berserker (Monster Manual, p.
344).
Bishop. War Priest (Volo’s Guide to Monsters,
p. 218).
Broken One. Revenant (Monster Manual, p.
259).
Charlatan. Bard (Volo’s Guide to Monsters, p.
211).
Conjurer. Conjurer (Volo’s Guide to Monsters,
p. 212).
Darklord. Lich (Monster Manual, p. 203).
Dictator. Noble (Monster Manual, p. 348).
 Diviner. Diviner (Volo’s Guide to Monsters, p. Soldier. Guard (Monster Manual, p. 347).
213). Swashbuckler. Swashbuckler (Volo’s Guide to
Donjon. Adult Red Dragon (Monster Manual, Monsters, p. 217).
p. 99). Tax Collector. Noble (Monster Manual, p.
Druid. Archdruid (Volo’s Guide to Monsters, p. 348).
210). Tempter. Succubus/Incubus (Monster
Elementalist. Mage (Monster Manual, p. Manual, p. 284).
347). Thief. Spy (Monster Manual, p. 349).
Enchanter. Enchanter (Volo’s Guide to Torturer. Assassin (Monster Manual, p. 343).
Monsters, p. 213). Trader. Commoner (Monster Manual, p.
Evoker. Evoker (Volo’s Guide to Monsters, p. 343).
214). Traitor. Blackguard (Volo’s Guide to
Executioner. Death Slaad (Monster Manual, p. Monsters, p. 211).
278). Transmuter. Transmuter (Volo’s Guide to
Ghost. Ghost (Monster Manual, p. 147). Monsters, p. 218).
Guild Member. Commoner (Monster Manual, Warrior. Warlord (Volo’s Guide to Monsters,
p. 343). p. 220).
Healer. Priest (Monster Manual, p. 348). Wizard. Archmage (Monster Manual, p. 342).
Hooded One. Bandit Captain (Monster
Manual, p. 344).
Horseman. Death Knight (Monster Manual, p. Random Words
47).
Illusionist. Illusionist (Volo’s Guide to You need to add something unexpected to a
Monsters, p. 214). scene, so you do not want to ask a question
Innocent. Gold Dragon Wyrmling (Monster about it? Usually, random words (verbs,
Manual, p. 114). substantives or adjectives) tables are used to
Marionette. Doppelganger (Monster Manual, this end, but how about opening a D&D book on
p. 82). a random page and using the first word that
Mercenary. Veteran (Monster Manual, p. meets the eye, or rolling a die and picking the
350). word that matches the rolled number on a
Merchant. Commoner (Monster Manual, p. certain paragraph?
343).
Miser. Noble (Monster Manual, p. 348).
Missionary. Priest (Monster Manual, p. 348).
Mists. Cloud Giant (Monster Manual, p. 150).
Monk. Martial Arts Adept (Volo’s Guide to
Monsters, p. 216).
Myrmidon. Gladiator (Monster Manual, p.
346).
Necromancer. Necromancer (Volo’s Guide to
Monsters, p. 217).
Paladin. Knight (Monster Manual, p. 347).
Philanthropist. Noble (Monster Manual, p.
348).
Priest. Priest (Monster Manual, p. 348).
Raven. Bard (Volo’s Guide to Monsters, p. 211)
with Kenku traits (Volo’s Guide to Monsters, p.
109 or Dungeon Master’s Guide, p. 282).
Rogue. Master Thief (Volo’s Guide to
Monsters, p. 216).
Seer. Beholder (Monster Manual, p. 28).
Shepherd. Commoner (Monster Manual, p.
343).