D&D 5E Do you use a DM screen?

[Wepwawet]

So, the next thing to be published by WotC is the Deluxe DM screen, and that got me wondering how much use they get.
Do you use a DM screen in your games?

 

[Wolfskin]

Yes, as long as I have the necessary space and guarantee nobody will spill their drink or whatever on it. About half of the time, one or both of these conditions aren't fulfilled, though!

 

[Wepwawet]

I don't use DM screens and I don't like the idea of being behind one, I like having a full view of the table. Actually the one time I used a screen I stood up the whole the time.

I tend to have all the rules in my memory (5E certainly made it much easier than before), and if I need to clarify something I just open the book. My notes are unreadable by the players sitting next to me, and if I need to hide things from their view I open the books in a special angle. Also, when I roll secretly I simply put my hand in front of the dice.

And... in my mind DM screens are a bit nerdy, like wearing silly hats and capes in a game...

 

[Umbran]

Usually, yes. The things are just so useful - if I don't need the charts, I can use them to hold the really important stat blocks and maps in easy view, without havign to spread stuff out.

 

[ExploderWizard]

Yes. I use a custom landscape screen. All combat rolls are made on the open table, but wandering monster checks, stealth checks for monsters, and a few other things get rolled behind the screen.

 

[ExploderWizard]

And... in my mind DM screens are a bit nerdy, like wearing silly hats and capes in a game...

Screen or no screen, RUNNING a D&D game is about as nerdy as it gets! Own it.

 

[Nebulous]

I'm going to get their DM screen, but i don't use one currently. I used to. Most of my rolls are in the open anyway. Occasionally i do like to hide miniatures or props before I bring them out. I do have a cheatsheet for 5e so I guess that amounts to about the same thing.

 

[Joe Liker]

I seem to have gained a reputation among my players for running tough-but-fair encounters. I stopped using screens a while back because I don't want the players thinking I'm fudging anything. In fact, I never fudge rolls -- if the players are in over their heads and I believe it's my fault, I'll have the monsters make tactical errors (usually provoking more opportunity attacks). Of course, the flip side of that coin is that when I believe the players are dying because they've been foolish or careless, I'll go ahead and kill them.

I feel that when they can see I'm not fudging rolls, it's vastly more satisfying overall.

And, of course, the best thing about 5e is that you seldom need to look at charts. In fact, I'm curious what they'll put on there that they think will actually be helpful.

 

[Tormyr]

I don't use a screen, but every once in a while I will hide a roll. At one point the wizard used suggestion on a cleric of Hextor to lead them through the next area so they could take out the next bad guy. I hid the roll for the cleric and rolled a nat 20. He led them into the middle of all the bad guys and then betrayed them. The viciousness they displayed to make sure the cleric didn't get another chance to betray them was a sight to see.

 

[Raunalyn]

No, but there's a caveat.

All of my games now are online, so a DM's screen is superfluous to me. I'm also of the school of thought that I don't mind the players seeing what I'm rolling...I don't pull punches, and I let the dice fall where they will.

At the table, yes, I do sometimes use a DM's screen, but mainly for the handy charts.