D&D 5E What info should be on a D&D Card?
LordEntrails
Hero
I would not put stats. But, you might put a list of traits (Pack Tactics, Amphibious, etc) though honestly I like the description Li Shenron mentioned. I could see the top half of the card a picture and the bottom half a description of their abilities. Actual stats are not important, that they have this ability or that ability is.
When it comes to items, you can keep a similar theme; name at the top with a picture, then below perhaps stats, but more importantly the description, though I would include any special abilities (flaming, sheds light, etc)
For PC cards, I don't think I would do stats, because those change. But class, sub-class, race, personality, background and any memorable saying / quotes / tactics or defining moments would be awesome. Could even put the quote on the edge of the image or such in italics so it's like speech.
When it comes to items, you can keep a similar theme; name at the top with a picture, then below perhaps stats, but more importantly the description, though I would include any special abilities (flaming, sheds light, etc)
For PC cards, I don't think I would do stats, because those change. But class, sub-class, race, personality, background and any memorable saying / quotes / tactics or defining moments would be awesome. Could even put the quote on the edge of the image or such in italics so it's like speech.
Eltab
Lord of the Hidden Layer
Remember that time Conan* was surrounded three-deep in a mob, so he pulled out a 6-pack of Potions of Healing, chugged them all, and mowed down every last kobold?
* The player brought in a barbarian but he wasn't feeling very creative that first evening. The name stuck.
WBruce
Explorer
Yes, FG let me resize images, so it wouldn't be a problem there. The issue would only come up when I print. I am well versed (well enough at least) in the arts of card creation and the resolution issue. My problem exactly is to filter what is pertinent information and what is everything else. Not that I have no clue, but it's hard to trace a line, and that's what I am trying to find here, some imput besides mine.
Last edited:
WBruce
Explorer
You are joking, but you know, I like the idea to do a special joke card with this kind of stuff.
Noted!
WBruce
Explorer
Are you LordEntrails from FG forums by any chance?
Anyway, that's what I am driving myself towards right now. I've made some cards with a lot of info and numbers, moved to icons and an Icon legend pdf, so instead of write elf I had a pointy-ear icon and a reference table to let people know what that icon means, and now I am moving over to a more non-stats whatsoever.
What I have until now:
1. NPCs Cards - By now I am inclined to go with NPC cards without Stats, only some info that they would know about the character either previously the first encounter, or in a few ones. Here I will take the advice from users here to focus on the abilities and traits.
2. Item Cards - those are easy, just put what the item does, any item is a tool of sort after all. There is plenty of space here.
3. Landscape and city cards - only the name and at most a very brief description. an Image tells more than words here. No point to show that amazing artwork about a city on the waterfals if you can't actually appreciate it because there is a lot of text on it.
4. Condition cards - those are the easiest ones, since they just tell one effect there is a lot of room.
5. Character Cards - Those I will probably go for Cosmic Encounter Big Cards, but here lies most of my doubts. Not sure if I should go for Stats so they could substitute their sheets (well, not totally, but at least 80% of times), or if I should go full description trying to get an emotional reaction. Maybe just a plain demographic description. Not really sure what to do here.
I love the idea of putting some memorable sayings by the players. I will have to find room for that.
Last edited:
aco175
Legend
A 300 year old 1/2elf that still looks like that. That must be a good story or the artist was getting paid a lot.
The cards are good, but most of the words are hard to read. Not sure if you can enlarge the wording by taking the bottom 1/3 of the page, even if it overlaps the picture. Maybe a bit of border in a whitish color to offset the black
The cards are good, but most of the words are hard to read. Not sure if you can enlarge the wording by taking the bottom 1/3 of the page, even if it overlaps the picture. Maybe a bit of border in a whitish color to offset the black
LordEntrails
Hero
Yep
Up to you, but I would avoid stats since those change. But if you do go that route, then I would try to pick a moment in time. i.e. the stats when they defeated some big adversary or completed some milestone.
