Is there a variant for solo play on the base game and expansions? I know about the co-op adventure packs, but I was wondering if the actual game can be played solo. I know it would be hard controlling the Over Lord and Hero's at the same time. Any thoughts?

I have been playing it solo. One reason is so I could become familiar with how the game runs so that as the OL/GM I can answer questions when I play it with my friends and new people. Second reason is... I like playing the game. If you want to play it Solo, you have to have the mindset that you want both sides to win. As the OL, you need to grief the heroes as hard as possible...for the Heroes, it's all about finding the best strategy to win. Keeping track of everything that goes on in a playthrough can be a chore. It's best to Read the OL Cards before the start of each turn. Then if you can decide if you want to play something. Some OL cards can only trigger during the heroes turn (Like Traps) so bear that in mind. As for the heroes, different effects can be activated on each depending on where they are standing and what ability they are using.

I don't really like the Campaign Log that comes with the Box. If you are solo playing a Campaign, I suggest you come up with a Log of your own. In fact, I suggest that you do it even if you are playing with friends. Layout of the Log should be like this or similar:

Hero:

Rune:

Class:

Abilities:

Equipped Items:

Experience Points:

*Repeat if there are multiple heroes*

Party Gold:

Additional Items:

Overlord: Overlord Cards:

Experience Points:

Relics:

Available Monsters:

I also like to label each equipment with an Abreviation so I know where they came from. For instance: (A1) For Act 1 Shop card and ® for Relic. For the Overlord Cards, you might want to abreviate the kind of card it is: (U1) For Universal, (M2) For Magus II

It's important to double check everything at the beginning and end of a session. I usually start and end a Session Before the Spend Experience Phase.

I have yet to get any expansions yet, So I can't give you any advice on how to factor in Rumor cards or Lieutenant Decks. As the OL I would probably just play a Rumor the first chance I get and leave it as an available quest option.

Anyhow there you go.

And once you get the hang of it, you can add a "dice brain" to the overlord role. Minor adjustment to add a bit of randomness to the game.

Nerdook made a very easy addon for this: http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1160543/nerdooks-d6-overlord-variant

I would use the RAOV (Redjacks Automated Overlord Variant) that comes with a set of cards and some rules to automate, completely, the overlord. Very handy!