SoloDark: Solo Rules for Shadowdark RPG (PDF)

I'm enjoying playing this game solo. The rules are simple yet has complexity in actual gameplay. Recommended.

Can't beat the price. Kidding aside, this is exactly the sort of thing you need if you want to dip your toe into the wonderful world of solo RPGs. The Mythic Game Master Emulator remains the gold standard of these but coming in at well over 200pgs, that tome can feel impenatrable at times, whereas the SoloDark rules are clean and clear just like everything else produced by the Arcane Library. The focus on clear procedures to fascilitate fast fun play continue to make ShadowDark (and SoloDark) standout products in the crowded fielst of RPGs. Also, don't sleep on how useful this tool can be for GMs wanting to see how factions react in the background of their campaign settings. Great times!

First I’d like to complement the books as products. The printed materials, particularly the Shadowdark rulebook, are beautiful. The quality of the book is probably the best rpg book I’ve ever owned. It’s incredibly satisfying to hold, to read, and to use as a resource. I can’t stress enough how high quality this book is. Hardback, compact, chapters marked on the edges of the pages, ribbon bookmark included.
It’s simply a great book.

Next is the content; Shadowdark is a very accessible OSR game that’s simple and fun to play, but feels like a polished modern game.
If you have friends who would like to play a fantasy RPG but find something like 5e intimidating, or requires too many books to play, then Shadowdark is a great option.
For players of more modern and complex games who want a taste of a polished OSR game, you can’t go wrong with Shadowdark.
Or, like myself, if you don’t want to give any more money to WOTC, but want to carry on playing a D20 system and supporting quality content, then this game is for you.

The book is a pleasure to use, rules are laid out in an easy to read manner. Everything you need to know about a rule or mechanic is printed on the same pages, so you don’t need ti keep flipping pages to read the thing you’re looking for.

Finally, communication with The Arcane Library was flawless. I don’t live in the USA so I required international shipping. As such, some additional information was required, this was handled promptly and efficiently by The Arcane Library. There were then some minor shipping issues which resulted in a short delay of a day or so, this was nothing to do with The Arcane Library, a mistake was made by a DHL subcontractor in the UK. The Arcane Library communicated with me at every step, and gave me as much information as I needed. I cannot fault any aspect of the process - thank you Michael P!

Needless to say, I’m now a fan and I’ll likely shop again.

I really like it. I have tried using mythic and that table they have makes.me cross eyed. The oracle in shadowdark is so easy. The solodark is great and its helping me get some good stuff in my solo play.

So far i have tried many games solo, d and d was too complicated. Ironsworn is good but it was hard to use it to come up with new ideas. I play alot of other one shot (apothecaria, anamnesis) games which are fun and helpful too but shadowdark is i think going to be best for what i need to get out of soloplay. Its a free download but it would even be worth buying.

I love shadowdark, thanks for making rpgs simple

What a fantastic little set of rules, basic but still a fantastic idea and well put together. So pleased i found this