by Peter Chiykowski
Hey everyone, Peter here - writer, game designer, and lover of all things storytelling. If you're curious about solo RPG games (or even if you've never tried them and wondered, “Is this really a thing?”), I'm here to show you why solo RPGs are a fun and powerful ways to enjoy the depth of a tabletop RPG on your own or spark new ideas for your fiction, especially when paired with The Story Engine Deck.
➡️ Check out The Story Engine Deck
What Is a Solo RPG?
A solo RPG (also called solo tabletop RPG, solo ttrpg, or solo roleplaying game) is exactly what it sounds like: an adventure you run for yourself. You’re both player and GM. That means you interpret the core rules, roll dice, play encounters, create NPCs, and follow the narrative - all on your own. Sort of like the old school Choose Your Own Adventure books, solo RPGs give you the ability to freely create your own creative path.
Unlike a group campaign, where social dynamics and shared decisions guide the story, solo play gives you total control over pacing, tone, and style for entire adventures. It’s more like journaling with dice and emergent gameplay. And yes, you absolutely can play D&D solo - with the right tools and mindset.
The Best Solo RPG Games You Should Try
Solo RPG systems can range from lightweight journaling games to hardcore mechanics and worldbuilding engines. Here are some of my favorite examples:
Mythic
One of the most popular and versatile solo RPG tools, Mythic is a GM emulator system that works in any setting or genre. It helps you generate surprises and story direction without a human GM, using a simple question-and-roll mechanic that keeps scenes dynamic and true to your characters. If you’ve ever wondered “what is a GM emulator?”, it’s simply a system that replaces the role of a Game Master by generating scene twists, NPC reactions, and story prompts through dice rolls or tables. Mythic is the classic example and a great starting point.
Ironsworn
Ironsworn is a full tabletop RPG designed with solo, co-op, and traditional group play in mind. It comes with a built-in low-magic fantasy setting and a vow-driven quest system that works beautifully for solo storytelling. Whether you’re journeying through the wilderness, delving into dungeons, or swearing an oath to complete a dangerous quest, Ironsworn gives you a structured but flexible framework for high-stakes narrative adventures.
Thousand Year Old Vampire
If you want a more introspective solo RPG, Thousand Year Old Vampire is an award-winning journaling game where you chronicle the centuries-long life of an immortal being. Each prompt forces you to decide which memories your vampire keeps and which are forgotten forever. It’s a moody, character-driven experience that blends creative writing with game mechanics, making it perfect for writers looking to craft dark, atmospheric stories, as well as gamers seeking a solo challenge with emotional weight.
Understanding the Types of Solo RPG Tools
Starting your solo RPG journey can be confusing, especially when you see terms like GM emulator, solo RPG system, or supplement. Each serves a different purpose in how you build and play your story. Let’s explore them down so you can find what best fits your play style.
GM Emulator vs RPG System vs Supplement
If you’re new to solo RPGs, it can be tricky to figure out the purpose of these tools. Here’s a quick breakdown:
GM Emulator
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Replaces the game master (GM) by introducing surprise, randomness, and discovery into your session.
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Example: Mythic is the most well-known emulator. It uses a yes/no logic system and random tables to answer questions, introduce twists, and keep your story moving. You can use it with D&D, Pathfinder, or any RPG that normally needs a GM.
RPG System
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A solo RPG system is a complete game designed to be played without a GM.
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Example: Ironsworn gives you everything you need, like rules, dice mechanics, quests, and progression, so that you can play entirely on your own or with friends.
Supplements
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Supplements add depth to your solo sessions. They don’t replace or create a full game, but they generate characters, prompts, or settings you can use alongside another system.
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Example: The Story Engine Deck helps you create NPCs, quests, or plot twist.
Understanding the difference makes it easier to mix and match. Many solo players start with one system and add emulators or supplements as they discover what style of play they enjoy most.
Solo RPGs at a Glance
|
Tool/Game |
Best For |
Strengths |
Price |
|
Mythic |
GM emulation, dynamic play |
Yes/No logic, system-agnostic flexibility |
Paid |
|
Ironsworn |
Complete solo RPG system |
Built-in solo mode, flexible quest system |
Free and Paid |
|
Thousand Year Old Vampire |
Journaling and memory-focused storytelling |
Minimal mechanics, deep narrative focus |
Paid |
How The Story Engine Deck Fits In
|
System/Game |
How Story Engine Supplements It |
|
Mythic |
Generate new NPCs, settings, or complications when Fate rolls create open-ended results. |
|
Ironsworn |
Add surprising quests, story beats, or character goals alongside vows and dice mechanics. |
|
Thousand Year Old Vampire |
Spark fresh prompts or supporting characters to weave into memory journaling. |
Bottom Line: You can plug The Story Engine Deck into just about any solo RPG system.
Why The Story Engine Deck Works for Solo Play
1. It gives structure without control
As a solo player, you want surprises. The deck provides randomized cues such as character motives, conflicts, and setting details that push you in new directions. Instead of stalling on the same ideas, you are nudged into story twists and encounters you would not have thought of on your own. Whether you are building unique NPCs or complicating an existing storyline, The Story Engine Deck keeps your story moving forward.
2. It supports any genre
Fantasy or sci-fi? Dystopian or horror? Our main deck works across genres and our fantasy expansion gives fantasy plot idea seeds, while other expansions add magical artifacts, dark forces, or a sci-fi twist. It’s a gameplay tool that adapts to your needs.
3. It’s both physical and printable
You can shuffle the physical deck and draw cards at the table, or use printable PDFs like a rolling table for laptop play in a coffee shop. For solo players on the go, it offers both a flexible digital option and a satisfying tactile experience.
Solo Play Isn’t Just Cool - It’s a Creative Catalyst
There’s something powerful about running a tabletop RPG alone. You’re the GM, the player, and the worldbuilder, all at once. With The Story Engine Deck adding twists, motivations, and unexpected encounters, solo play stops being a fallback option and becomes a true creative laboratory. Every draw of a card reshapes the campaign, sparks new connections, and keeps the adventure surprising.
Your Solo Campaign, Powered Up ✨
If you're ready to take your solo rpg games to the next level, The Story Engine Deck is your creative catalyst whether you're a fiction writer, tabletop fanatic, or journaling nerd.
Pull prompts. Roll dice. Let your solo roleplaying story unravel in all its weirdness. Uncover NPCs, create plotlines full of magic, and build entire kingdoms one draw at a time.
Let’s Talk Tools and Supplements
Beyond core solo RPGs, many players bring in supplements and generators to add variety and keep stories surprising. These aren’t full RPG systems but they’re powerful add-ons that expand your solo play:
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The Adventure Crafter (Paid) – From the creator of Mythic, this tool generates scene twists, adventures, and story arcs when you need momentum.
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The Universal NPC Emulator (UNE) (PWYW) – A quick way to generate NPC personalities, moods, and motivations on the fly.
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BOLD: Book of Legends and Deeds (PWYW) – Adds backstory events and motivations to deepen characters.
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Tarot or Oracle Decks – Classic improvisational aids for creating prompts, symbolism, or character drives.
And of course, other decks from The Story Engine system take this even further:
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Deck of Worlds – Build locations, settings, and cultures that feel alive.
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Lore Master’s Deck – Create anything you need for your story or world, including inter-linked Factions, NPCs, events, items, creatures, and even gods.
Together with The Story Engine Deck, these tools give you a solo RPG toolkit that covers everything from worldbuilding to NPC creation to story twists, so you’re never stuck without inspiration.
Ready to Level Up?
Whether you’re running a whole party or just a single PC, solo RPGs give you the keys to the kingdom—and the world you build is all yours. The time to start your next solo campaign is now. Combine your favorite solo rpg systems with the Story Engine Deck, draw prompts, and watch your world bloom.
Try Story Engine Deck and bundles to supercharge your story line.
Bonus Tips
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Use the deck’s physical cards mid-session to break repetition and spark surprises.
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Alternate between dice rolls and card draws to flesh out NPCs. Roll for stats or traits, then draw a card for goals or flaws.
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When journaling, draw a card to decide a backstory twist, a new item, or a character motivation.
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Keep a solo RPG log of events, NPC names, and memorable story beats. It’s a great way to keep a record of your personal campaign.
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If you’re feeling burned out on your current system, try mixing in another tool or deck. A fresh input can unlock new inspiration.
Ready to Start Your Solo Adventure?
Solo RPGs put the story in your hands. They let you create, improvise, and surprise yourself every step of the way. With The Story Engine Deck, you always have fresh prompts and story twists to keep your adventures moving.
Draw a card. Roll a die. Start your next solo journey.
FAQ: All About Solo RPGs
What do you need to play a solo RPG?
A game system (Mythic, Ironsworn), dice or card-based generators, a notebook, and optional supplements like The Story Engine Deck for prompts and NPCs. You don’t need minis or full board games, just a rules system, dice, and a few creative tools.
What’s the difference between a solo RPG and a journaling RPG?
Journaling RPGs focus on introspection and writing prompts, whereas solo tabletop RPGs focus more on mechanics and statistics.
Can you play D&D as a solo RPG?
Yes, you can emulate sessions using Mythic or Ironsworn‑style rules with dice rolls and deck prompts.
What’s the easiest solo RPG to start with?
Ironsworn or Mythic emulator - they’re beginner-friendly and have strong community support.
What is a GM emulator?
A tool or system (like Mythic) that acts as your GM, generating NPC reactions, scene twists, and new quests based on your prompts and dice results. The Story Engine Deck can also be used as a GM emulator.
How do you create NPCs and story hooks in a solo gane?
Draw inspiration from multiple sources. For example, you might combine a character role from The Story Engine Deck (like “bounty hunter”) with a location from a random table (such as “magical castle”), or layer in ideas from tarot cards. Mixing different generators gives you fast, unexpected NPCs and story hooks.
Are there free solo RPGs I can try?
Yes. Ironsworn offers a free or pay-what-you-want version. Mythic has excerpts, sample tables, or a simplified “One-Page Mythic” which can let you try parts of the system, though the full Mythic Game Master Emulator 2nd Edition is a paid product.
What are the best solo RPG systems?
Ironsworn, Mythic, and Thousand Year Old Vampire; and when paired with The Story Engine Deck, you get a deeper, richer narrative toolkit.
How do you keep a story interesting when playing solo?
The key is variety. Use your GM emulator for twists and unexpected outcomes, but don’t stop there. Mix in encounter tables, prompt decks, or even tarot cards to generate new NPCs, locations, and story hooks. The more sources of inspiration you have, the less likely your story is to stall. The Story Engine Deck is especially helpful for sparking surprising character motives, conflicts, or plot turns that push the story in new directions and keep you engaged from session to session.
Can you use tarot cards for solo RPG prompts?
Absolutely. Tarot or oracle cards have long been used as narrative aids and GM emulators, offering symbolic images you can interpret into story beats. A standard deck of playing cards can even be used in a pinch. But while tarot requires you to interpret abstract symbols into game-ready content, The Story Engine Deck is designed specifically for storytelling. Its cards give you clear, RPG-friendly prompts for NPCs, conflicts, and twists, so you can spend less time decoding imagery and more time diving into the story.