Soloing the Shackled City as the Little Kobold That Could

[Endarire]

Greetings, all!

Due to time, I can but link you to my query and posts of the same name at GiantITP.  I'm curious about your commentary.

[brujon]

How do you handle combat? I cant imagine running an encountrr against myself... wouldn't you uncounsciously try not to kill your PC by making less than optimal choices while choosing the enemies actions?

[ImperatorK]

Meh. Why not just write a novel? You'd saved yourself so much unecessary work and the end result ould be the same - a cool story and an interestingly developed character. Playing D&D by yourself? I just don't see the point.

[Raineh Daze]

Meh. Why not just write a novel? You'd saved yourself so much unecessary work and the end result ould be the same - a cool story and an interestingly developed character. Playing D&D by yourself? I just don't see the point.

I guess less words, more action.

[Sleek]

As Frank once put it, D&D is first and foremost a Collaborative Storytelling Game.

Good luck collaborating with yourself.

[Endarire]

For me, it's partially about telling a story, but also experimenting with the 3.5 mechanics.  I primarily play D&D 3.5 to play with the mechanics - to see how X interacts with Y.  A solo campaign - to me - is the D&D 3.5 equivalent of an Elder Scrolls game.  It's customizable, personal, and has a strong base to roll with.

[ImperatorK]

Okay. I can understand that. Also, after a bit of consideration, I could see another point to it, and even see myself do it, and that would be to test out a build or adventure I'm making. Mind you, it still wouldn't be fun to me, but at least it would be useful.
Any advice on playing D&D by yourself (other than making houserules)?

[awaken_D_M_golem]

As Frank once put it, D&D is first and foremost a Collaborative Storytelling Game.

Good luck collaborating with yourself.

True ... however something can sometimes be gained by breaking the rules.

(note to self, my kitty avatar is sitting this one out)
 

[dither]

Your Curse of the Crimson Throne experiment sounds interesting.

Do you choose modules as a sort of 'impartial third party' kind of thing when playing?

Since the majority of modules I think, are written to be fairly linear -- complete with monster tactics and whatnot -- it's probably a fairly straightforward matter to choose one of X starting positions for a given encounter (devise approach strategy, roll awareness, watch plan contact with enemy), maybe even planning out X rounds in advance and then seeing how the dice roll.

I only skimmed, so I didn't really find an answer -- do you tend to play with mercenaries/hirelings?


--Dither

[ImperatorK]

I only skimmed, so I didn't really find an answer -- do you tend to play with mercenaries/hirelings?

Don't know about that, but he did start with Cooshees and Magebred Warbeast Mules.

[SorO_Lost]

Alrighty, this needs to be said until people realize it's homebrew: Kobolds are not True Dragons.

Covering some of your houserules
* Why not buy a Spear of the Hunt to snag Track instead of houseruling PrC requirements because Paladin's 2 level dip "is too much for you" or does the spear cost to much too?
* The houserule on Wizard is redundant, you're a Sorcerer.
* Why do you have additional rules on Persist if you don't have Persist Spell either?
* Dragon Magic has Spontaneous Caster versions of the Pearls of Power, you don't need houserules for something already in D&D.
* MiC already allows the required six magical items off slot for free.
* Shadowcraft Mage already works like that.

Suggested alterations
* Dragon Magazine is allowed so put Dragonlance on the table and go Abomination. Technically as a Dragonspawn Kobold it's required.

(click to show/hide)

It's out of the Bestiary of Kynn.
-4 Int, -4 Wis, LA+1 if Tiamat can command you (doesn't cross interplanar borders), LA +4 if totally free (worthless unless you're invading Tiamat's plane).

You roll three times on the random quality menu, 5% chance of each or 20 different outcomes. 96~100 is roll twice ignoring the results above 95 so if you fudge the rolls you can roll up to six times (one series of double rolls per).

(click to show/hide)

+5 Spot, +1 Claw, +4 Str, +4 Dex, +4 Con, +10ft Land Speed, 10ft Stinking Cloud 24/7, Frightful Presence, Claw Size +1, Slams instead of Claws, +3 Natural Armor, Scent & +2 Insight to Reflex, Energy Resistance 10, Fast Healing 3, Bite/Claws deliver 1dex/1dex Poison, SR 10+HA, +2 Dice to Breath Weapon, +1 Sorcerer Spellcasting, Blur 24/7, the double roll.

Obviously, additional casting is the best but everything is pretty nice really.

* Earth Spell requires Earth Sense & Heighten Spell, you have neither.
* You're a Shadowcraft Mage without Heighten Spell. I'd drop Split Ray.
* Enervation is easily blocked, I'd build around a better Spell. Like Wings of Flurry.
* Domain Disciple (or w/e) for Fey gives you the You-Made-A-Spot-Check-So-Save-Vs-Death&Blindness can once you craft a Runestaff you can ditch the Feat.
* You need more Charisma. Consider Lesser Unseelie Fey, Righteous Aura, and Horseshoes of the Flame.

[Endarire]

SorO: I didn't know about the spear off-hand.

I also haven't read that much "Dragon."  I can't fairly comment on most material therein.

I considered building around wings of flurry since I hear it's a good spell.

Heighten Spell: I planned to take it as soon as practical, but may have not put it on that post.