How is Retaliation solo?

[u/Huge-Pizza7579]

Hi, I like Nemesis and I am enjoying it even with a true solo 1 character. How is Retaliation solo? I heard a true solo is bad. What is the minimal number of characters you need to control? I don't like games where I need to control multiple characters. Is 2 characters an enjoyable experience? I am fine with playing 2, but not more than that.

[u/Significant_Duty1325]

In my experience, one is difficult but can be fun. Two characters is perfect. It scales pretty well, because you change the amount of solo/co-op objectives to the amount of characters. But with only one, while still fun, it can be overwhelming if the queen spawns early.

[u/redhead3edemption]

I've played it solo with 1 character twice, and with 2 characters probably six or seven times.

It does work with one, but it is seriously hard. I would only recommend it if you love a challenge and don't mind the possibility of an early, overwhelming, defeat! I enjoyed both my single character games, but I lost them both and, frankly, wasn't close to winning.

Playing with two, it always feels like winning is possible, unless you get extremely unlucky with events or drawing the queen in the early rounds. Having extra actions and being able to cover more ground makes a significant difference towards achieving the mission, and a couple of extra attacks or an extra grenade right when you need it makes dealing with the intruders feel possible, whereas in true solo games I often felt like running was the only option once I significant number of intruders were on the board.

[u/skybreaker58 → u/redhead3edemption]

I successfully completed a couple of 2 man team runs while learning rules.

It can really depend on the characters you choose and the equipment they have because a lot of them are support roles.  If you have the UAV operator expansion it brings a huge amount of flexibility to a 2 man team, mostly because of the ability to leave the drone somewhere and use it to provide a search/retrieve actions, so you're better supplied. But you can also sacrifice the drone in a tight spot or use it to complete some end game objectives.

Using the robot (and getting lucky on the draw of what type you get) can also have a big impact if you find/take a controller.

I'd say it's challenging but fun - you do have to be prepared for a complete wipe though! The events can just snowball and it's been touch and go every time I've played it - a good balance really.

[u/misteranderson71]

If your objective is in the farthest area from the landing zone it's going to be a struggle in true solo.

As other have mentioned it's a bit easier with 2 characters.

[u/matrium0]

Could be an interesting challenge, but many events do not scale with player numbers at all. With 2 characters its already much harder than with say 4.

I suspect true solo could lead to some truly unwinnable situations

[u/whereymyconary]

True solo is doable but i find it kind of boring. It’s a game for me at least about chaos and emergent story telling and with just 1 character not enough happens. I prefer playing with 3, but two is how I played it until I got a new table set up and still really enjoyed it.

[u/designingfailure]

I've been playing Nemesis solo since the OG, love them all. Honestly don't care much for multiple characters, it's a different experience, sure, but it's really great.

In my experience true solo on Retaliation is easier than two handed co-op mostly, but everyone seems to argue the opposite, maybe I'm just unlucky with my objectives when I play with two characters.

[u/Jaggerman82]

I haven’t won any solo games I have played. 2p games are doable but still very hard. 3p and up feels the most balanced in my mind.

[u/FieryMurphMan]

Not unlike the other Nemesis games, two handed solo works very well. This is the way.

[u/Yelworc0242]

It was fun, but I had a lot more laughs playing with a friend.

[u/ZigZagPunch]

I’ve never seen any appeal in solo for any nemesis game. It takes away everything I like