[RPG] How to handle dungeons involving only one party member

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In part of a campaign I'm creating, I'm considering creating a challenge that only involves one party member at a time. I have in mind a colosseum-esque challenge in which party members have the option to fight against various monsters alone in order to win an exotic mount or magic item. As the party members advance through each increasingly difficult stage of the challenge, the value of the prize likewise increases. I want the challenge to only involve one party member at a time, as I believe that fighting alone may require very different thinking than does fighting alongside other party members.

I personally think this is a pretty cool idea, but I'm concerned that other players who are not immediately involved in the challenge will be bored. How can I avoid this?

I can provide more details regarding the challenge if necessary.

Best Answer

The way I’ve always handled extended one-on-one play scenarios is to actually have them as separate one-on-one sessions between the regular sessions.

When I can do it in person that is ideal, but in practice I end up doing it by voice more often than in person, since that’s more flexible.

Using separate sessions of play with just the lone player lets you start and complete the side events without boring other players. For a scenario like yours, where events are “on demand”, I find it works very well for everyone involved. Then too your players all have stories to share when they and their characters meet again during your regular session.

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