As a DM I do not use a screen. If I need to make a roll for a player, I will just cover it up by a book or something. But I feel when rolling attack rolls and whatnot is something that doesn't need to be hidden by the players. First off, they know that I won't cheat and second it's easier to see all them not cheat. Generally that's not a problem though, but of course it's happened with everyone I'm sure at some time. Anyway, I feel that not using a screen generates more trust between a DM and his players.
We have another DM who doesn't use a screen either but he uses attack rolls behind a book or something. Often enough I ask something like "Does AC 16 hit?" and he says yes, then a couple rounds later I say "I hit AC 16" and he tells me it's a miss, when NO spellcasting has happened, no special circumstances come up to warrant that and no actions were taken that could have activated some sort of magic item. Also at times I've seen those rolls behind his book, and often he states they are much higher than they really were. I ALWAYS call him on this, and he has the nerve to get pissed off at me when all I ask for is honesty. I can't have fun in his game if he can't be honest. Sure, if you roll too high and feel like possibly sparing a character his life, that's one thing, but to intentionally screw the characters is a whole different story.
That's why I think some rolls (like attack and damage) should always be viewable. After all, eventually we'll gauge in a fight approximately how often a creature can hit us anyway. It's not a major science or anything.
Anyway, that's why I prefer not to use a screen and hide certain rolls and why I also have less fun when a DM does do that sort of thing. What do you guys think?
We have another DM who doesn't use a screen either but he uses attack rolls behind a book or something. Often enough I ask something like "Does AC 16 hit?" and he says yes, then a couple rounds later I say "I hit AC 16" and he tells me it's a miss, when NO spellcasting has happened, no special circumstances come up to warrant that and no actions were taken that could have activated some sort of magic item. Also at times I've seen those rolls behind his book, and often he states they are much higher than they really were. I ALWAYS call him on this, and he has the nerve to get pissed off at me when all I ask for is honesty. I can't have fun in his game if he can't be honest. Sure, if you roll too high and feel like possibly sparing a character his life, that's one thing, but to intentionally screw the characters is a whole different story.
That's why I think some rolls (like attack and damage) should always be viewable. After all, eventually we'll gauge in a fight approximately how often a creature can hit us anyway. It's not a major science or anything.
Anyway, that's why I prefer not to use a screen and hide certain rolls and why I also have less fun when a DM does do that sort of thing. What do you guys think?