samyjane
Tool Gatherer
Craftoholic!
Posts: 95
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Post by samyjane on Jul 9, 2014 8:54:07 GMT
So I'm currently working on making myself an awesome DM screen for Pathfinder for my games. So far I'm planning on putting in there a place for random encounter charts, some basic combat rules (since I still get mixed up on those sometimes), some random treasure tables, a chart for my player's AC's and then things like tokens or markers that we may need during the games. My goal is to get as much off the table as I can so I have it in front of me but it's not impeding my dice rolling, reading my campaign and not taking up extra time because I have to keep shuffling around with papers or a big laptop on the table. I do feel like I'm missing stuff though that I should really have in there. I was wondering if anybody here might have some more ideas of things to put on the screen. The other thing I could use some advice on is the crafting itself. It's not hard, I'm looking to just make like a trifold sort of DM screen, but my problem is that I'm really short so if I put a big DM screen in front of me I can't actually see the gameplay. Makes it pretty difficult to like, do combat and stuff if I have to keep reaching over the DM screen. But my players have to sit so close to me I feel like I can't really go without it. If anybody has anything that might work for someone with a shortness problem like me I'd appreciate it!
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Post by darkslayer on Jul 9, 2014 9:12:47 GMT
A while back i made myself a dm screen out of a usps cardboard box. i didnt break the cardbord since i wanted to keep the lips it had in order to make the screen actually stand and still be foldable. The way i did mine was i looked at an official dms screen and saw what it had on it, then i got the charts i needed either online or from the pdf versions of the books. Thats the best advice i can give you, print out some charts from the actual dm screen! As for your shortness problem, that will depend on how large you want your charts to be. you could have a laptop sized screen and print the charts a little smaller?
Best of luck!
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DM Screen
Jul 9, 2014 11:00:13 GMT
via mobile
Post by gnomezrule on Jul 9, 2014 11:00:13 GMT
Yeah you can find the official one on line pdf. I still need help.with combat maneuvers and how they play out. Also some APs have sub systems.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2014 11:22:02 GMT
I'm about to make a DM screen for D&D and a friend of mine suggested I put pictures on the cover that hint at things to come in the campaign, and not tell my players anything about it, just see if they notice.
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Post by indigo777 on Jul 9, 2014 11:39:18 GMT
One thing I would suggest getting for your pathfinder game as a GM is the 3rd party SORD document (pathfinder System Operational Reference Document). Its 2.99 on Drive thru RPG currently rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=81817&affiliate_id=296418 My group pitched in and bought one then got it printed at the local Fed EX. It speeds up gameplay so much and makes my job as the GM so much easier as it puts every rule that needs to be referenced in one handy super organized and easy to read 36 page booklet organized similar to GM screens. I use it more than my GM screen nowadays. One of the biggest problems I have with the official pathfinder screen is that its way too tall even though I own it I rarely use it anymore because its too tall to see over if you are playing on a normal height table. You'll definitely want to make a landscape style DM screen with the paper on its side instead of straight up if you make one. They are great for screening your notes and dice rolls while allowing you to see the rest of the table. You can make them using foamboard/cardboard sheets cut to size with a clear plastic sheet protector attached to them. Then use duct tape to combine the foarmboard pieces into a foldable screen. Insert your DM charts into the clear plastic sheets. Cover the opposite side with printed art, drawings, or whatever you want to. Campaign Mastery has a couple articles about making DM screens that may spark some ideas. www.campaignmastery.com/blog/11-homebrew-dungeon-master-screens/www.campaignmastery.com/blog/top-9-dungeon-master-screen-hacks/Here's a vid of a landscape GM screen someone made I stumbled onto this GM screen that's made out of binders that's brilliant and I think I will be making one now and putting the Pathfinder SORD into it. You might be able to take this binder method and use the smaller recipe/index card binders to make a small GM screen that's easy to see over.
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Post by curufin on Jul 9, 2014 13:26:09 GMT
If you have enough room at the table, I would suggest two screens. If you position them a little to the left and right of you, you can still reach the table between them. Otherwise you will likely have to stand up to manipulate things on the table. These are two screens I made for my Star Wars game. They are made from mat board and I printed the images on crack-and-peel sticker paper. Or you could just glue them on. The GM screen should provide two functions above all else. 1)keep things secret from the players and 2) provide helpful game material for the GM. I hated the official SW GM screen because it didn't have helpful material for me. I was very selective about what I put on my screen. But their was a so much info I wanted on it, that I ran out of space and had to add three extra flaps. It's your screen, Personalize It. AJ makes a good point about pictures on the front of the screen. Adding interest for the players can help them "get into the game".
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DM Screen
Jul 9, 2014 13:58:24 GMT
via mobile
Post by dmagamus on Jul 9, 2014 13:58:24 GMT
I used the binder method to make a triple screen and it has worked out pretty well. I've got all my campaign notes, maps, random generation stuff, puzzles, and most of the 4e hammerfast PDF in it. On the pockets I keep my player back stories. It is a tad high though.
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samyjane
Tool Gatherer
Craftoholic!
Posts: 95
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Post by samyjane on Jul 9, 2014 14:05:41 GMT
This is some great advice, thanks everybody! I think I will be using a few things from different people so far! I'll make sure to post pictures when I'm done with it. Keep the creativity going though you guys are awesome!
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Post by wilmanric on Jul 9, 2014 18:05:13 GMT
I made a DM Screen out of an old Scrabble board. I cut it into two pieces on the middle fold. Then, I used spray adhesive to glue plastic sheet protectors (cut to size) on the front and back.
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Post by rane on Jul 9, 2014 19:42:29 GMT
I own the official Pazio Pathfinder DM Screen - if you can find the PDF/pictures of it - I highly recommend copying down what it has (Basically every table from the Core rule book and some extra detailed info for generic common checks). It is incredibly helpful
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Post by sgtslag on Jul 9, 2014 20:26:56 GMT
I made mine back when I was playing 1st Ed. AD&D, in the mid-80's. I took three pieces of particle board, and used small brass hinges to connect them, two hinges per join. I still use it today. I painted the smooth, outer side gloss black. Then I drew a planet, and a blue dragon, with a rider, and a moon circling the planet. The idea was that the dragon rider was flying through space. On one flanking side piece, I printed, and taped, a color art page, taken from an old Dragon Magazine article, showing a god-like figure, mixing different chemicals together, in the adventure bowl (comic book humor about the DM mixing up an adventure). The other side panel, is still blank -- have not figured out what to do on it yet, some 25 years later...
Anyway, on the inside, I took two official DM screens, made of heavy card stock, printed on both sides, with necessary tables and charts. I glued one set with one side out, and the other set had the opposite side glued down. Unfortunately, the tables and charts are now useless, as I play 2nd Ed. rules. I should update the tables and charts, but I hate to hack it up after so many years. It is obviously durable, but it is also heavy, and difficult to transport -- I host games at my house, so I don't need to haul it around; in those rare cases, I do without it.
I, myself, have learned from this post. It has given me so many new ideas. Thank you! Cheers!
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Post by Jason on Jul 9, 2014 21:02:14 GMT
I have seen a few really nice ones made from old binders with the clear pocket in the front to display pictures that represent the current adventure.
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Post by Jason on Jul 9, 2014 21:04:14 GMT
If you have enough room at the table, I would suggest two screens. If you position them a little to the left and right of you, you can still reach the table between them. Otherwise you will likely have to stand up to manipulate things on the table. These are two screens I made for my Star Wars game. They are made from mat board and I printed the images on crack-and-peel sticker paper. Or you could just glue them on. The GM screen should provide two functions above all else. 1)keep things secret from the players and 2) provide helpful game material for the GM. I hated the official SW GM screen because it didn't have helpful material for me. I was very selective about what I put on my screen. But their was a so much info I wanted on it, that I ran out of space and had to add three extra flaps. It's your screen, Personalize It. AJ makes a good point about pictures on the front of the screen. Adding interest for the players can help them "get into the game". That is a great looking set up!!
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samyjane
Tool Gatherer
Craftoholic!
Posts: 95
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Post by samyjane on Jul 12, 2014 3:27:29 GMT
If you have enough room at the table, I would suggest two screens. If you position them a little to the left and right of you, you can still reach the table between them. Otherwise you will likely have to stand up to manipulate things on the table. These are two screens I made for my Star Wars game. They are made from mat board and I printed the images on crack-and-peel sticker paper. Or you could just glue them on. The GM screen should provide two functions above all else. 1)keep things secret from the players and 2) provide helpful game material for the GM. I hated the official SW GM screen because it didn't have helpful material for me. I was very selective about what I put on my screen. But their was a so much info I wanted on it, that I ran out of space and had to add three extra flaps. It's your screen, Personalize It. AJ makes a good point about pictures on the front of the screen. Adding interest for the players can help them "get into the game". Sooooo I just noticed in the background of the last picture there is like a life size wooden unfinished R2D2, and I want to know more about it!!!
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Post by curufin on Jul 12, 2014 19:09:31 GMT
Right after I made a couple of suits of stormtrooper armor, I thought why not make a 1:1 scale R2-D2. That is just how my mind works I guess. I joined the R2 builders group, collected the blueprints, and started working. Life got in the way, and I moved to New York for a number of years. R2 sat disassembling in my mother's basement for almost 6 years. Now I have moved again...for hopefully what will be the last time, and I put him back together. I plan on continuing work on him soon, but I have to create some time to do so. I still have most of the parts I was working on, including the plastic for the chasse and legs. I could start a thread in the dragons den if people want to know more.
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Post by skunkape on Jul 22, 2014 14:40:17 GMT
Lots of great ideas!
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Post by gnomezrule on Jul 22, 2014 15:25:22 GMT
If you have enough room at the table, I would suggest two screens. If you position them a little to the left and right of you, you can still reach the table between them. Otherwise you will likely have to stand up to manipulate things on the table. These are two screens I made for my Star Wars game. They are made from mat board and I printed the images on crack-and-peel sticker paper. Or you could just glue them on. The GM screen should provide two functions above all else. 1)keep things secret from the players and 2) provide helpful game material for the GM. I hated the official SW GM screen because it didn't have helpful material for me. I was very selective about what I put on my screen. But their was a so much info I wanted on it, that I ran out of space and had to add three extra flaps. It's your screen, Personalize It. AJ makes a good point about pictures on the front of the screen. Adding interest for the players can help them "get into the game". wow that horse show table looks like it would be interesting to try to work from.
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Post by curufin on Jul 22, 2014 16:59:50 GMT
It makes everything much easier on me. I get extra space on the "wings" and I can reach the entire playing surface without having to stand up.
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Post by gnomezrule on Jul 22, 2014 17:18:26 GMT
That is gold. I move between kitchen counter and large table. But if I set up at the table my tablet, screen and so on we lose way to much table and I can't reach the table without shuffling thins. We have 6 players currently too. I really liked that design. It looks like you were right in the middle of the action.
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Post by curufin on Jul 22, 2014 18:35:32 GMT
That is gold. I move between kitchen counter and large table. But if I set up at the table my tablet, screen and so on we lose way to much table and I can't reach the table without shuffling thins. We have 6 players currently too. I really liked that design. It looks like you were right in the middle of the action. I'll post some better pics later, showing its other cool features.
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