Your most used accessories?

[not-so-newguy]

An 8 by 11 sheet of Random D20 rolls that I use for determining random encounters. I started doing this 4-5 years ago and it has helped streamline Random Encounters for me at the game-table. I can get an idea of when a Random Encounter will occur and be a few steps ahead of the PCs. This allows me to formulate a strategy for placing the Encounter when/where it would reasonably occur. Also the players don’t hear the clattering of the D20, so they don’t know exactly how often I am checking. Although they’ll usually have a sense through narrative (more dangerous areas = more Encounter Checks).

The important parts to using this method is having a clear sense of how often to roll for random encounters and being disciplined enough to stick to that frequency.

 

[robus]

Yep, this has been an issue for me too, which is why I appreciated the AngryGM’s idea (that this TimeTracker is derived from, and makes so convenient).

What final size did you go for?

Update: Just ordered a fabric version from Vivyx (14"x11") for portability. I'll post a pic when it arrives.

 

[Mr. Wilson]

My Chessex battle map, My minis, the DnD Tiles they created, my homebrewed index cards based off this idea by SabreCat.

I have created multiple versions of those cards for Star Wars, DnD, and Vampire. For 5th edition, they award inspiration and may grant you a bonus d6 for moving the plot in specific directions (usually making it harder on yourself).

 

[Sacrosanct]

vinyl map and dice and miniatures obviously. Less obvious is the AD&D core rules CDROM, because it still has a ton of use outside of the actual 2e mechanics. Seriously, best game aid ever released, and I wished there was a 5e version of it.

 

[thorgrit]

I use a deck of cards as an alternative to initiative tracking, similar to Savage Worlds' initiative system. Being an Eberron themed game, I also use Action Points, which I track by giving players colored aquarium crystals (sometimes with different colors having extra effects). At one point in time I had a bent coat hanger wire in the shape of a Fireball, to lay down over a grid, but I lost it in a move. (I didn't spend a lot of time looking for it, as my group had switched to 4e at the time, where Fireball became Firecube.)

 

[robus]

As we sit around on sofas to play, rather than at a table, this has become a great lightweight play surface for maps, dice etc. It’s placed on top of the ottoman between the sofas:

NEOPlex 22" x 28" Black Corrugated Plastic Replacement Panel for Sidewalk Sandwich Board A-frame Signs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004PBZU14/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_tV8QCbC88Y6Y7 (I think mine is 24” x 36”or maybe larger)

 

[MNblockhead]

Yep, this has been an issue for me too, which is why I appreciated the AngryGM’s idea (that this TimeTracker is derived from, and makes so convenient).

What final size did you go for?

Roughly 8.25 x 6.5 inches with about 0.25 inch of clear laminated "lip" around it. The size works well for me.

 

[Imaculata]

Dungeon tiles! I love these things. Creating maps is a lot of work, and it helps so much if you can quickly assemble a few rooms and corridors, AND have it look good. I'm so glad that 5th edition released Dungeon Tiles Reincarnated, because those are useful regardless of what edition you play.

 

[Mookus]

I have a couple of posts detailing in fetishistic detail all the bits, bobs, and accoutrements I love, but one I don't often see mentioned is this dice shaker I stumbled over on Amazon. Put in whatever dice you need, they shake up nicely, and there are never, ever wild rolls that go careening off the table. I love it.

 

[CydKnight]

Since I now use it in-game as well as to keep track of things out of game, I have to say my laptop. After that I would have to say my Chessex Megamat or my GameScience dice or my various minis.