Solo Game Master's Guide: How to Run a One-Person RPG

By Modiphius US | Published: 2026-10-23

Category: How-to Guides

Learn how to run a solo RPG with the Solo Game Master's Guide. Get practical steps, common mistakes, and tips for playing tabletop games alone.

Quick Answer

To run a one-person RPG, start with a solo-friendly guide like the Solo Game Master's Guide, choose a system you enjoy, and follow a structured process to create prompts, interpret outcomes, and track your story.

Why a dedicated guide helps

Solo RPGs remove the traditional GM, so you need a reliable framework to generate story prompts and interpret results. The Solo Game Master's Guide offers a treasure trove of tips and tools to help you take the role of amazing characters and explore incredible worlds–no gamemaster required!

Using a dedicated guide avoids the common trap of improvising without structure, which can lead to stalled stories or repetitive scenes.

Trade-offs: structure vs. freedom

A guided approach gives you consistent prompts and mechanics, but it can feel restrictive if you prefer pure freeform play. The Solo Game Master's Guide balances structure with flexibility, letting you adapt its tools to your preferred style.

If you're an experienced solo RPGer, you might skip some basics, but the guide still offers fresh techniques to refine your process.

Step-by-Step Process to Run a Solo RPG

Choose your solo RPG system: Pick a game system that supports solo play, or use a guide like the Solo Game Master's Guide to adapt any system. This ensures you have mechanics for generating prompts and resolving actions. Check if the system has explicit solo rules or if you'll need to rely on an external guide.
Set up your character and starting situation: Create a character with clear motivations and a starting scene that sparks conflict or curiosity. Write down your character's goals and the initial hook to keep your story focused. Make sure your starting situation has at least one unresolved question to drive the narrative.
Use a prompt generator or oracle: When you need direction, use a random prompt generator, a solo engine like Mythic, or the tools in the Solo Game Master's Guide to produce a story cue. Interpret the result in a way that complicates your character's situation. If a prompt feels too vague, ask 'What would make this more dramatic?' and adjust.
Track your story and progress: Keep a journal or notes to record key events, NPCs, and unresolved threads. This helps you maintain continuity and spot opportunities for callbacks or twists. Review your notes before each session to refresh your memory and plan potential hooks.
Reflect and adjust your approach: After each session, note what worked and what didn't. Adjust your use of prompts, pacing, or character decisions to keep the story engaging. If you feel stuck, try changing the scene's location or introducing a new NPC to reignite momentum.

Product Spotlight

Solo Game Master's Guide (SOFTCOVER): The Solo Game Master's Guide is praised by Shawn Tomkin, creator of Ironsworn, as a treasure trove of tips and tools to help you take the role of amazing characters and explore incredible worlds–no gamemaster required. This endorsement from a respected solo RPG designer signals that the guide provides practical, tested advice for both newcomers and seasoned players.
Solo Game Master's Guide (SOFTCOVER)