The Mobile DM

[ZephyrTR]

Does anyone have any solutions for storage options for tokens and maps for on the go?

When I don't DM at my house, its a real pain in the ass bringing everything over to other peoples' houses and I imagine maybe there's a tackle box or something that fits what I'm looking for? I just haven't found one.

Any suggestions?

 

[Katana_Geldar]

One of those tool boxes for holding screws and nails would be great for tokens. If you're willing to roll maps, a poster tube.

 

[Ktulu]

I bought a ton of snapware carrying totes. They stack together, so you can have a tray for markers/pens/etc.., a tray for minis, a tray for maps, etc...

You can find them at Target and various other stores for about $10-15 for 2-3 trays and one lid. Multiples stack together.

Craft Storage Box - Large 2 Layers - Blue Snap 'n Stack™ by Snapware® : Shop by Brand | Organize.comSnapware | Organize.com

 

[TheClone]

There should be some kind of "DM suitcase", with an integrated poster tube and some boxes for minis, token, tiles, dice sets and the like. I had my first 4e DMing out of house shortly and I carried a cardboard box for the tiles, dice and tokens. That sucks!

 

[hutchback]

Every game I have run has been away from home. Usually at my FLGS. I carry a Bag of Holding which contains my laptop, dice, pens, pencils, paper, several Plano Pro Latch Utility Boxes filled with minis and markers and anything else you might need.

I am planning on getting another Plano Box with no compartments for my dungeon tiles.

One may scoff at the themed messenger bag, but seriously, it is the best bag I have ever owned. It has loads of space and plenty of compartments to keep thing organized. The material is heavy-weight and durable and the zippers and clasps are all metal. Of all my "frivolous" gaming purchases this one was the best value. I have much nerd-love for this bag.

 

[El Mahdi]

There should be some kind of "DM suitcase...

I keep eyeing my wife's scrapbooking case. It has a telescoping handle like a roll-around suitcase, but a huge inside area for stacking plastic organizer bins. They can be a bit expensive, but it would be awesome for carrying my DM stuff to games. I really wish I'd had one ten years ago, when almost all of my playing meant travelling somewhere.

Here's a link for some of them at Jo Ann Fabrics.

 

[IronWolf]

Every game I have run has been away from home. Usually at my FLGS. I carry a Bag of Holding which contains my laptop, dice, pens, pencils, paper, several Plano Pro Latch Utility Boxes filled with minis and markers and anything else you might need.

This looks like a nice setup for a mobile GM.

Another possible route would be to use plastic storage cases similar to what's above and to also use a decent sized rolling suitcase, possibly picked up from a garage sale/craigslist to store that stuff in. It would have wheels for easy rolling and the plastic storage cases to help keep things protected inside during transport.

 

[TheClone]

I keep eyeing my wife's scrapbooking case. It has a telescoping handle like a roll-around suitcase, but a huge inside area for stacking plastic organizer bins. They can be a bit expensive, but it would be awesome for carrying my DM stuff to games. I really wish I'd had one ten years ago, when almost all of my playing meant travelling somewhere.

Here's a link for some of them at Jo Ann Fabrics.

That really looks promising. It just lacks the presence of a poster tube, but the rest seems mostly fine. But it will look pretty strange being followed by your large DM suitcase. Hopefully nobody thinks you're a vacuum cleaner agent.

 

[Voadam]

PDF counters, print out what you need and cut them out.

Counters are very easy to store/pack compared to minis, ziplock bags work well.

 

[SiderisAnon]

My Solution

I use a rolling toolbox I picked up at WalMart on sale. You can get better ones at a Home Depot or someplace (which I recommend because the WalMart one has warped and is hard to close up now). Basically it's like one of those rolling suitcases with 2 wheels and a handle that comes out, just with two toolbox size compartments.

Office supply places may also be a good place to look. They make things designed for those who do presentations on the go, with slots for laptop, papers, and other briefcase items, as well as a box compartment for a projector or (gaming) books. Watch your price though as some "professional" stuff is far more expensive than a similar product you can get elsewhere for "regular" people.