The Joy of the One-Shot
Back to the Roots of Adventure
There’s something magical about a one-shot adventure that long campaigns sometimes forget.
Recently, I had the chance to jump into a one-shot run by @TMSynd, and it reminded me why these short, self-contained games are such an important part of tabletop role-playing.
First and foremost, one-shots are fantastic for bringing new players into the group. This session introduced @TheJ011yR0ger and @bardsoundlab to the table — and that alone made the night a success. There’s no pressure to understand months of story arcs, no complicated character histories to memorize, and no fear of “messing up the campaign.” You just sit down, roll some dice, and play.
That accessibility is one of the greatest strengths of the format.
A Creative Reset for Veteran Players
One-shots aren’t just for new players — they’re refreshing for veteran players too.
Long-running campaigns often come with continuity, consequences, and established character identities. That’s part of what makes campaigns meaningful — but it can also limit experimentation.
In a one-shot, players can:
Try unusual character builds
Make bold or reckless decisions
Explore different classes or playstyles
Lean into humor, chaos, or classic dungeon-crawl instincts
There’s freedom in knowing nothing has to carry forward beyond the session.
And sometimes, that freedom unlocks creativity you didn’t even realize you were missing.
The Return of Old-School Gaming
What stood out most about this session was how it felt like a step back into old-school gaming - in the best possible way.
No elaborate backstories.
No sprawling campaign lore.
No political intrigue or world-saving stakes.
Just:
A dungeon
A party of adventurers
Monsters to fight
Treasure to find
Dice to roll
Get in. Explore. Survive. Have fun.
It was simple, direct, and incredibly refreshing.
That classic dungeon-crawl energy — the kind that built the hobby — still holds up today.
Fun Fact: The “One-Shot” That Wasn’t
In true tabletop fashion, this one-shot actually became a two-session adventure - thanks to the joys of VTT logistics.
Between getting everyone connected, sorting out character sheets, wrangling tokens, and the occasional “Can you hear me now?” moment, the session stretched beyond its original scope.
And honestly? That’s part of the charm of modern gaming.
Even when technology slows things down, it still enables groups to play together across distances — something old-school gamers could only dream about.
When a One-Shot Becomes Something More
Ironically, one-shots often spark something bigger.
What started as a single adventure has now potentially led to a regular game, one that keeps the spirit of the one-shot alive - simpler, faster, and free from heavy campaign implications.
That’s the beauty of it: one-shots can be both a gateway and a reset button.
They remind us that tabletop gaming doesn’t always need epic story arcs or years-long commitments. Sometimes, all you need is a dungeon map, some character sheets, and a few friends ready to roll dice.
Final Thoughts
One-shots are:
Great onboarding tools
Creative playgrounds for experienced players
Low-pressure gaming experiences
A return to the hobby’s roots
And sometimes, they’re exactly what your group didn’t know it needed.
Here’s to more nights of pure dungeon crawling, creative chaos, and old-school fun.
