D&D 5E Physical and/or Tactile Gaming Aids, Tips, and Tricks

[happyhermit]

When I think about 5e I find that I am often attracted to a number of tangible ways to keep track of things at the table. Setting aside why that might be, I thought I might try to come up with a list of possible things that can be done, and how that can work well in this edition. Mostly the focus is on things for the physical table, though some are undoubtedly also useful online as well. Here is what I have so far; (Will edit to add if possible)

DM screen (custom or published)

Spellcards (GF9 or custom)

Inspiration dice

Bardic inspiration dice

Monster cards?

Short/long rest pile

ETA;

Gale force 9 condition markers and tokens

Initiative tracker

Tactical aids; Map, Mat, Minis, zone markers, condition markers.

NPC cards

Cards or tokens for items


In hopes of keeping the list concise I will explain my experience with these in subsequent posts.

Please tell me what I am missing!

 

[happyhermit]

Bardic inspiration dice.

Method;

I like to use "unique" dice for this. The bard gets their allotment of them and keeps them in a pile that is visible. When they grant someone inspiration they give them a die. The player keeps the die in a noticeable (preferably standard) place. When bardic inspiration is expended, or the 10 minutes in-game has elapsed, the dice gets returned to the bard who keeps it separately (or potentially the GM or short-rest pile)


I find this does several things that I like. It essentially removes the need to "keep track" of how many uses the bard has available. It gives an additional reminder to the player if not used immediately (and makes it much easier for others to help remind them, particularly new players). It makes it easier for the whole table to remember that a use has expired and needs to go away. On a less technical note, new players especially seem to love this, but most players IME seem to like how it makes B.I "feel" more interesting.

Questions, comments, different ideas?

 

[rballison]

Please tell me what I am missing!

The obvious (to me) ones are an initiative tracker (to track combat order) and map/minis (to track tactical position when needed)

 

[ccs]

Pen, paper.
Pencil
Several colors of wet erase markers to mark on the mat.
Several slightly larger bases in clear yellow, purple, & blue with some sticky tack - we use them to denote where the torch light/dancing lights/light spells are coming from.

An extendable bear claw back scratcher - used as a pointer & to move minis about .

In the 1e game my deep gnome character summons earth elementals & xorns as a racial ability. So I made an index stat card. Beats dragging my MM to the game for 1 page.

 

[pdzoch]

Here is the round tracker I built and use (directions at the original post and photo included):

Visual Tracker to help keep track of turns, minutes, hours, and daylight in my D&D game. The design also allows me to keep track of when spell effects end.

 

[pdzoch]

Spellcards (GF9 or custom)

Here is a template I created using the Magic Set editor to create spell cards.

Spell Cards for D&D 5E using Magic Set Editor (MSE)

[FLOAT_RIGHT]

www.enworld.org

 

[happyhermit]

Inspiration dice.

Method;

The GM has a pool of "unique" d20s. When awarding inspiration, they give one to a player, who puts it in a noticeable spot (preferably a standard one). When the player uses the inspiration it gets returned to the GM. This also works for alternative inspiration granting, such as players giving it to other players.

Pretty straightforward imo, makes keeping track of it extremely easy and helps to remind everyone at the table of it's state.

 

[pdzoch]

The obvious (to me) ones are an initiative tracker (to track combat order) and map/minis (to track tactical position when needed)

Monster Cards?

Here are the initiative tents I created using the Magic Set Editor. I also use them for monster cards, NPC Cards, etc. Pictures are on the second post.

Initiative Tents

[FLOAT_RIGHT]

www.enworld.org

Initiative Tents *Updated*

 

[pdzoch]

I also made perishable item cards to keep track of arrows, daggers, rations, torches, etc. However, I have seen other great methods also (discussed in the original thread below).

http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?453040-Ammunition-and-Thrown-Weapons-Counter

 

[pdzoch]

Lastly, I use treasure cards. I have a custom set I created using the Magic Set Editor. I use it for the gems, coins, magic items, relics, etc.
However, the using it for coins has been a mixed bag. It did create the sense to the players that they were carrying around a lot of coinage when their card stack started getting think, so they are now more apt to spend money and exercise the economy, if for no other reason than to whittle down the coin stack. But it did require some significant amount of printed. (I made denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 in copper, silver, electrum, gold, and platinum each with a visual difference)

Custom Treasure Card maker using Magic Set Editor (MSE)

[FLOAT_RIGHT]

www.enworld.org

Improved Treasure Card Maker for the Magic Set Editor (MSE)

[FLOAT_RIGHT]

www.enworld.org