The Lazy Soloist's Guide to Fast Sessions
How SOPs can save your solo TTRPG from total chaos!
Funny story—I was reading yet another post about "Playing Solo RPGs when you don't have much time“ by Croaker (because apparently, we’re all just out here raw-dogging adulthood), and suddenly—BAM!—it hit me. My beloved SOPs could actually save us from this chaos. So here we are. Turns out, my obsession with checklists wasn’t just neuroticism… it was divine purpose. (Or maybe sleep deprivation. Hard to tell.)
SOPs – Not Just for Boring Jobs Anymore
SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) are those soul-crushing documents corporations use to turn humans into robots. But! When applied to solo TTRPGs, they become cheat codes for smooth, immersive play.
Why? Because solo gaming is 90% "Wait, how does this work again?" and 10% "Oh right, I’m alone." SOPs cut the crap and keep you rolling.
What’s an SOP?
Is a set of established guidelines or instructions that outline the specific steps necessary to perform a particular operation or task within an organization. These procedures are designed to ensure consistency, efficiency, and quality in the execution of tasks.
And, What’s an SOP in TTRPG Terms?
A pre-written checklist for common gameplay moments. Think of it as:
Training wheels for your brain.
A flowchart for when you forget how to NPC.
The "IKEA instructions" of solo play (but with fewer missing screws).
Why Your Solo Game Needs SOPs
Speed: No more staring at the wall wondering how to start a session. (We’ve all been there.)
Confidence: Know exactly what to do on different situations, like when your PC dies (cry, then roll a new one) or when you need to create a new NPC.
Immersion: Spend less time flipping rulebooks, more time imagining your old wizard tragic backstory.
SOP Examples for the Desperate Solo Player
1. Starting a Session (Without Wasting 30 Minutes)
Roll a random event (1d6: 1-3=Quest hook, 4-6=Weird location)
Scan PC’s sheet for unfinished business ("Oh right, I owe that demon 50gp...")
Light a candle (optional, but makes you feel like a wizard)
2. Building an NPC in 60 Seconds
Roll a trait (1d6: 1=Rude, 2=Liar, 3=Hairy...)
Give them ONE strong opinion ("Hates elves")
Add a physical quirk ("Nose whistles when lying")
Congrats! You’ve just created someone more interesting than your ex.
3. Character Creation Without Existential Dread
Pick a class (or let the dice decide, you coward)
Roll stats (ignore the first set if you’re weak, we all are weak)
Invent ONE life goal ("Find the world’s spiciest cheese")
4. When Your Character Dies (RIP)
Mourn appropriately (throw dice across room)
Roll new PC (or quit forever, no judgment)
Retcon the dead one into a NPC ("Look, it’s my old PC’s ghost! Still useless!")
Advanced SOP Sorcery
Oracle SOP: "If answer is unclear, roll twice and lie about it being planned."
Loot SOP: "1=Trash, 2=Useful, 3=Cursed (always 3)."
Plot Twist SOP: "When bored, add a doppelgänger."
Want More? I’m Making Pre-Made SOPs!
Confession: I love checklists more than a rogue loves shiny things. Out of jokes, I’m brewing up ready-to-use SOPs for different systems and solo playstyles—Shadowdark, Cloud Empress, D&D, you name it.
They’ll be up on my Ko-fi page soon, because even chaos deserves a little structure.
Stay tuned. Your future self—the one who actually finishes sessions—will thank you.
SOPs turn solo play from "What am I doing?" to "I’m a well-oiled delusional machine."
P.S. No SOP can fix rolling three 1s in a row. That’s just God hating you.
Until next time, and remember, keep your blades sharp and your shields up!
-Miroku (Codex Gigas)
“ Congrats! You’ve just created someone more interesting than your ex.”
LoL so, so true.
Cool article! It’s nice to have a process to get the ball rolling when your brain is mud after a work day.