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Post by voodoo on Mar 30, 2015 3:01:33 GMT
Sorry I didn't know where to post this question. I'm older (grey hair and beard like gandalf. You think I would be wise......) anyway, like I said I'm an older gamer and I love DM screens. I love the artwork, nostalgia etc etc. My question is Doy you guys use DM screens or not. and why do you use them or not. I use an Ipad or laptop while I DM and still use a DM's screen. (the new one for D&D, yes I have added my own quick reference charts on my Ipad). Just curious. Thanks for humoring this old guy.
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Post by DnDPaladin on Mar 30, 2015 5:54:10 GMT
there is no shame in playing with or without a DM screen. to each its own. for me the answer is no. i dont use them. i use to do it. but it was in a time where i wasn't playing with things on the table. ever since i started playing with battle maps and 2.5d stuff. i removed my DM screen entirely.
Reasons... numerous to say the least, but the major ones being... - i'm using my laptop which does the very same thing but better. - i started hating on not being able to get to the table because of my screen and having to walk around the table to see stuff and move stuff around was just not right. - i'm a gritty DM. no cheating at my table, not even myself. so i roll in front of the players. let the die roll the future, thats it.
those ar ethe main reason why DM screen was removed from my table.
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Post by michka on Mar 30, 2015 6:25:39 GMT
I still use a screen. Mostly so I can hide the monster miniatures and what not. I also fudge dice rolls when needed, and sometimes I like to roll dice just to keep the players on their toes. Nothing unnerves a rogue like rolling the dice and checking your notes after you tell him he sees no traps. I do admit that the screen gets in the way when combat starts, so many times I'll set it aside when the bad guys show up.
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Jayzhee
Paint Manipulator
What should I work on today?...
Posts: 106
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Post by Jayzhee on Mar 30, 2015 7:20:16 GMT
I don't use one, but it's only because of where I play. We play at the coffee table. My players are on the couches and I'm on the floor. The table acts as my screen!
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Post by Alexis on Mar 30, 2015 9:13:27 GMT
So far I haven't used one because first I didn't know about their existence and then simply because I didn't have one. I really liked the idea of the whole concept though. Having some important information readily available without having to go through all my notes and also be able to hide some stuff behind it, like some minis or props. That's why recently I made my first DM Screen. That thing is going to get tested the first time next friday But playing without one so far has worked out just well. I guess it's just personal taste. Some people seem to love them and others just despise them. I still have to figure out whether I like it or not
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Post by curufin on Mar 30, 2015 12:03:31 GMT
I use two DM screens. I hide dice rolls, miniatures, dungeon dressings, and maps. I also stick post-it notes to the inside and/or binder clip up larger pieces of paper with notes, maps, etc. And of course the reference of rules is also very beneficial.
As a player, I always liked it better when the DM was behind a screen. I don't like to see the rolls (s)he makes. Or see monster minis before they hit the table. I don't want to know what they are doing or planning back there...and I shouldn't know. I also really liked the artwork on the outside of the screen.
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Post by voduchyld on Mar 30, 2015 13:11:53 GMT
I use my dm screen mainly for the reference tables on it, but other than that, i wouldn't need it.
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Post by dragon722 on Mar 30, 2015 15:05:30 GMT
All my figs are in nuts and bolt cases well within reach to the table and takes a sec to grab what i want since i keep all minis in alphabetical order and each "group" of monsters has its own case (kobolds, goblins, orcs, hobgoblins, bugbears, orogs, Etc.). These are all in one. I do not use a screen persay, but I do hide dice rolls, manly to scare my players because they "ALWAYS" think they know what I am rolling for. though they can not always see the dice rolled and if dice are rolled infront of them they get even more scared....When they see the DM's Green critter dice they whimper. I have most of the rules in my head of the game style I play and 99% of all players i have had are of like mind and had played and DM'd for for years.Though a place to hang notes would be handy. I also have a side tray to keep "Other" notes and props on that they cannot see.
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siaeda
Cardboard Collector
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Post by siaeda on Mar 30, 2015 15:38:51 GMT
So far, I've really liked using a screen, but I think it depends on the players' expectations for the game. In the campaign that I'm running, we prefer to use a screen because it's a more roleplay-oriented story, so there's going to be some times where I roll and tell them what they know and such. For instance, if they see a 1 and I tell them they know something, they're instantly going to be thinking that the information they received is either false or there's more to the story. I do, however, use a screen that is a little shorter than typical screens. This way I can still reach and manipulate pieces on the table but have a little privacy. Really, I just need it to hide my dice rolls and some major notes. In another game where I'm a player, the DM doesn't use a screen, with the understanding that we won't rubberneck at her notes. It's also a more combat-oriented campaign, and we like the transparency of doing rolls without a screen so we all know what happened. So when she rolls a die, and it's a 1 or a 20, we tremble with fear in awe of her power to ultimately destroy or empower our party.
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Post by rane on Mar 30, 2015 21:49:46 GMT
I like my screen - it opens wide enough to hold everything i need and the quick reference tables are always a lifesaver in a pinch.
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Post by beerfrog on Mar 31, 2015 0:28:03 GMT
I agree that hiding some dice rolls is important. I will even them roll where they can't see the results sometimes. Thus keeps them guessing. If they are RPing an encounter I don't want them knowing they failed the roll and therefore act knowing the information is not good.
A checks trap roll of 1 and they don't trust a single thing you tell them.
Sometimes they get really on edge, doubting their own ability.
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Post by voodoo on Mar 31, 2015 0:39:22 GMT
Thanks all for the input!! The reason I asked is that I held a community game session at a local store and got torched by two players for using a screen. I gave them the ol' "my table, my game speach." and showed them the door. The other seven players stuck up for me and we had a wicked game session. we played a marathon (well not quite a marathon) seven and a half hour game. (we were scheduled for four and a half). I was just thankful a few extra players showed up haha. Oh yeah in case you were wondering the LGS owner is a close friend and he assisted me in ejecting the two abusive players. Anyway thanks again for everyone's opinion and play style. Cheers!
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Post by DnDPaladin on Mar 31, 2015 20:54:40 GMT
voodoo, i feel ya... but as i said some players plays againstt he DM. and to them if the DM can cheat its way by simply winging his dices. then they feel like they are cheated their win against the DM. those people happens. they are the competitive bunch who play to wreck the DM. those shouldn'T be around a table. this whole thing started in 3.0 when a few articles came out explaining to players how to wreck games at comic cons and the likes.
basically the articles were all about how to screw a DM before the game even starts. and the first thing they explained. is how to rid the DM of his precious little screen !
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j
Cardboard Collector
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Post by j on Apr 1, 2015 13:54:33 GMT
I never use a screen. When I play in a game where the DM uses a screen, I just assume they fudge rolls. I also have never been a fan of rolling for players (such as perception checks).
All of my regular players are also DMs, or former DMs. My players know I never fudge rolls, and enjoy rolling in the open. I also am not afraid to TPK at any moment, though they usually get 1 deus-ex-machina per campaign. When we do char creation night before a campaign, I make players create at least 2 characters, so that dying is not session ending for them. I am lucky that my players never get the DM vs. Players feeling.
As for the data on DM Screens, I work from a session binder that has key info on the front,back,inside covers and haven't felt to bad flipping around if I need anything. I also put most of that data in the player's binders I provide to them.
I do support that "it's my table, so my rules" speech, and if the players get up and walk away, then fine as well. Sounds like it worked itself out right. Good luck!
Hope that helps
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Post by sgtslag on Apr 1, 2015 14:12:18 GMT
I've use one since I started DM'ing back in 1980. Back then, I liked it because it hid my module from prying eyes. Today, I like it because it helps generate a sense of mystery. Years ago, I had two different groups I was playing with. One person, in each group, got up at one point, stepped up to my card table, and grabbed my screen off the table saying, "Where are you getting this?!?" I anticipated their thoughts, and I had the NPC's do the same (in both cases, the NPC's were very street-wise). All they saw on my table was a blank notebook. The expressions on their faces was priceless. That has only happened twice, in 35 years, but without the mystery the shield created, it never would have happened at all. Like I said, it creates a sense of mystery which creates tension. I, and my players, enjoy that, very much. Cheers!
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Post by muadmouse on Apr 1, 2015 15:38:11 GMT
Voodoo, I'm with ya. Players that don't trust their GM shouldn't even try to join the game.
I use a screen only in one of the following three circumstances: 1) I have maps drawn in my notebook, in which case it's nice to have a place to put it without running the risk of accidentally spoiling the adventure for any of my players. 2) the system is of a sort that encourages the use of reference sheets - for example the enemy abilities in The One Ring (which has the most beautiful artwork I've ever seen on a GM screen). 3) the screen is already up and I'm too lazy to clear it away.
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Post by voodoo on Apr 1, 2015 19:08:09 GMT
So here is a screen I made for my cousin, but I will be keeping this one as I messed up a bit. I just slapped some photos on the player's side to show what can be done. Anyway I made it with double thick carboard (that's all I have), Gorilla tape, glue stick for the charts, and see through clear peel n' stick to protect charts/photos. Thanks to Alexis and Sgtslag for their input. Cheers all! imgur.com/a/v5NWz
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Post by DnDPaladin on Apr 2, 2015 20:45:33 GMT
well you could say i do use a screen, but its my laptop screen. and soon enough i'll be having that tablet instead.
as for the mystery of the campaign... i often get nothing and when i asked my players how i fared with the story they often tell me, those where nicely played and we liked how it has gone. then i tell them it was all winged up cause i had no time to prepare for the session. so iguess that means im just that good at improvising stuff.
also, TPK is cool at some point. but im more of the kind that makes Death a taxing matter. first and foremost, dieing removes you a level on your next character so that forces players into thinking twice before dieing. also dieing all the time is not great so you definitely should put them in a situation after their death. like the exemple i've seen on the net is... a bunch of goblins kills the player, next thing they know once they awaken is that they are in cage and one of them is tied to a rope getting soaked into boiling water of the next breakfast. this is fun to do because it gives a second chance to the players. while at the same time making the situation much worse.
come on starting in the middle of the village you were supposed to surprise is far from being ideal !
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