How to Play Dungeons & Dragons When You Don’t Have Anyone to Play With — Thanks to AI Like ChatGPT and Gemini

Dungeons & Dragons has always been a game about connection — a group of friends sitting around a table, rolling dice, and telling epic stories together. But what happens when you want to play D&D… and there’s nobody around to join you? Maybe your friends aren’t into tabletop roleplaying games. Maybe your schedule doesn’t line up with other players. Or maybe you just want to explore a fantasy world on your own terms, without the pressure of organising a group.

This is exactly where artificial intelligence comes in — and it’s changing the way people experience Dungeons & Dragons forever.

Today, tools like ChatGPT and Gemini allow you to play Dungeons & Dragons completely solo. No group needed. No waiting around for schedules to match. Just you, your character, your imagination — and an AI Dungeon Master ready to guide you on an adventure whenever you want.

Why AI is the Perfect Dungeon Master for Solo Players

For a long time, playing Dungeons & Dragons alone was difficult. Sure, there were solo modules and choose-your-own-adventure style books — but nothing quite captured the experience of a living, responsive Dungeon Master who reacts to your choices.

AI has completely changed that.

When you use a tool like ChatGPT or Gemini, the AI acts as your personal Dungeon Master. It listens to your decisions, describes the world around you, creates challenges, and even controls monsters or NPCs. It’s like having a DM in your pocket — always ready to play.

This makes AI perfect for people who:

• Don’t have a regular D&D group
• Are new to the game and want to learn privately
• Want to experiment with a character idea or story
• Have unpredictable schedules and need flexible playtime

Best of all, you don’t need any fancy software or expensive tools. You can start playing Dungeons & Dragons with AI using just a browser or mobile app.

How to Set Up Your Solo D&D Adventure with AI

The beauty of using AI for Dungeons & Dragons is that it doesn’t require any elaborate setup. All you need is a device that can access ChatGPT or Gemini, and the willingness to dive into an adventure. You can start by creating your own character — perhaps a brave half-elf ranger, a mysterious tiefling sorcerer, or a humble dwarf cleric seeking redemption. You can write down your character sheet the old-fashioned way or use free tools online to help you build your stats.

Once your character is ready, the real magic begins when you start talking to the AI. You can tell it that you’d like to play a solo game of Dungeons & Dragons, and explain how you’d like it to act as your Dungeon Master. The AI will then craft the world around you — describing the setting, presenting you with challenges, and reacting to your choices in real-time. It’s like sitting across the table from an endlessly patient and creative storyteller who is always ready to continue the tale.

Simply tell the AI what you want to do. You might type:

“Hi ChatGPT, I want you to be my Dungeon Master for a solo Dungeons & Dragons 5e adventure. I’ll describe my character’s actions, and you’ll describe the world and the results. Please follow the D&D rules when needed.” 

Or you might try a different prompt.

“Gemini, let’s play a text-based D&D game. I want to play as a brave human fighter named Anya. She’s skilled with a longsword and has a strong sense of justice. The setting is a medieval fantasy world you create, focusing on a region known for its ancient forests and hidden ruins.”

From there, the game begins.

Playing at Your Own Pace

What makes this experience so special for solo players is the freedom it offers. There’s no need to coordinate schedules with friends, no waiting around for a group to assemble, and no feeling like you’re missing out on the D&D experience just because you’re alone. With AI, you can play for as little or as long as you like. You can pick up where you left off days later, or you can start an entirely new adventure at the drop of a hat.

More importantly, playing Dungeons & Dragons with AI allows you to explore the game on your own terms. For beginners, it provides a safe space to learn the rules without pressure or embarrassment. For experienced players, it becomes a way to test character ideas, experiment with creative storytelling, or simply enjoy a personal adventure that unfolds just for them.

Of course, there are things to keep in mind. AI Dungeon Masters, while impressive, are not perfect. They may occasionally forget details, interpret rules loosely, or require gentle reminders about the story so far. But much like playing with a human Dungeon Master, part of the fun comes from working with the storyteller to create something memorable together. You become both player and co-author of your journey.

Beyond Solo Play — Using AI as a Creative Tool

Beyond simply playing solo campaigns, many people are also using AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to enhance their traditional Dungeons & Dragons games. AI can help create backstories for player characters, generate names for non-player characters, build entire cities or dungeons, and even write descriptions for magical items. For those who eventually find a group to play with, AI becomes an invaluable creative assistant, ready to provide inspiration at a moment’s notice.

Yet, for those who find themselves still without a group, who perhaps stare wistfully at their unused dice, or who scroll through online forums hoping to find players nearby, the discovery that you don’t actually need other people to play Dungeons & Dragons can feel life-changing. AI becomes the companion you didn’t know you were waiting for, always ready to guide you into a world of adventure, no matter the time or place.

Things to Remember When Playing D&D with AI

While AI Dungeon Masters are surprisingly creative, they aren’t perfect. Sometimes they might get the rules wrong or forget a small detail. That’s okay — think of it like playing with a human DM who occasionally makes mistakes.

It’s a good idea to:

• Keep notes on important story details
• Remind the AI of past events when needed
• Be flexible and creative — AI loves it when you engage with the story deeply
• Use online dice rollers or physical dice for your rolls

Remember: this is your game. The AI is there to guide you, but you have the freedom to shape the story however you like.

The Future of Solo D&D is Already Here

At the heart of it all, Dungeons & Dragons has always been about storytelling — about stepping into the shoes of a character and facing the unknown. While the game is often associated with groups of friends sitting around a table, the rise of AI shows that the spirit of D&D can thrive in a solo experience too.

So if you’ve ever wanted to play but didn’t have anyone to join you — if you’ve ever dreamed of exploring ancient ruins, fighting dragons, or uncovering lost treasures — know that the adventure is waiting for you. All you need is your imagination, your character sheet, and an AI Dungeon Master ready to guide you into the unknown.

And maybe a lucky dice roll or two.

And perhaps, after a few thrilling sessions of solo Dungeons & Dragons, you’ll discover that you were never truly alone on your adventure after all.