D&D General Do You Use a DM Screen?

[Sulicius]

I don't like the big barrier between me and the players, neither do I have enough room on the table for it.

I have learned to play without, though I do use an iPad for my prep notes and reference.

 

[Aldarc]

I usually use my laptop. It's not so much about shielding players from anything and more about where my reference materials usually are located.

As a GM, I roll in the open.

 

[Li Shenron]

Is it truly something that every Dungeon Master needs?

Since only 1/3 or so voted 'always' then the correct answer to this question is technically 'no'.

 

[Meech17]

I have a couple, and I really like them from a looks and vibes point of view.. But I've been using them less and less. A couple of sessions ago I started with it out, and ended up putting it away mid session, and last session I brought it, but didn't set it up.

I DM out of a trapper keeper, and last session we were dungeon delving.. So while I appreciated being able tor reach the board easily, I was worried about having my notes exposed. I trust my players to not try and spoil themselves, but the tables we play at are tight enough that it could happen accidentally.

I've been looking for a book stand to get for my binder. I think that might be a nice middle ground. Just elevate the binder a bit so it's pointed towards me. I was also thinking about trying to construct a little ~6in tall mini screen just for funsies. I could stick it in front of the binder just for looks. Maybe make it look like a little castle or something.

 

[payn]

I have a couple, and I really like them from a looks and vibes point of view.. But I've been using them less and less. A couple of sessions ago I started with it out, and ended up putting it away mid session, and last session I brought it, but didn't set it up.

I DM out of a trapper keeper, and last session we were dungeon delving.. So while I appreciated being able tor reach the board easily, I was worried about having my notes exposed. I trust my players to not try and spoil themselves, but the tables we play at are tight enough that it could happen accidentally.

I've been looking for a book stand to get for my binder. I think that might be a nice middle ground. Just elevate the binder a bit so it's pointed towards me. I was also thinking about trying to construct a little ~6in tall mini screen just for funsies. I could stick it in front of the binder just for looks. Maybe make it look like a little castle or something.

Trapper keeper???

 

[Cordwainer Fish]

Trapper keeper???

That's, like, a thousand OG points there.

 

[billd91]

Trapper keeper???

It's basically a 3-ring binder that's really good at keeping stuff in it. The original trapper folders in the 1980s were like your typical folders with an additional flap that helped secure the stuff you put in it even if you flung the folder around. That flap also usually had useful conversion tables for various measurements. The keeper is a 3-ring binder that holds trapper folders. And some are quite cool, these days.

 

[payn]

That's, like, a thousand OG points there.

I think meeeech is like 17 years old! So, an additional thousand points.

 

[Meech17]

Haha. It might be a little bit of stolen valor.. You can buy them new on Amazon.. It's not like I'm still sporting my OG Trapper Keeper from the 90's or whatever.

I think meeeech is like 17 years old! So, an additional thousand points.

I'm approaching twice that age... But I guess here on EN World being 31 still puts me in "Young Whipper Snapper" range, relatively speaking.

Edit: I'm a big fan, and advocate of the Trapper Keeper. Like @billd91 says. The flap keeps everything tucked in well. I tuck a lot of stuff into the binder that isn't held by rings (Like a legal pad for notes) and the velcro keeps it locked in. It also folds under the cover easily when open so it doesn't get in the way.

It's got a clip-board style back panel which is great for storing extra graph and lined paper to share with the party. It does have a front pocket.

And, it looks really cool.

 

[Scott Christian]

No. I find it disingenuous. If I have built an encounter, and the group runs through it, so be it. If I built an encounter and the group nearly dies, so be it. I always err on the side of caution when building an encounter and try to add more things that are interesting than deadly. But the last thing I worry about are the swing of the dice. That, at least to me, is part of the fun of the game. If we wanted to tell a story with predicted outcomes, we would choose a different game.

I can see some people's wheels turning about how a DM screen doesn't mean the DM fudges rolls. No offense, but I call bull. It may be my experiences, but every time I've played with a DM that uses the screen, magically, the big-boss battles are hair-tight and only at the last second does the group win. And in those moments when the big-bad managed to get another round or two because of bad player rolls, the big-bad either does something stupid (even though they are brilliant) or they magically miss a bunch. Meanwhile, all the DMs I've played with that don't use a screen, the battles go exactly as the dice go. It doesn't mean you die, but if your third level and miss three times in a row, and the rest of your group is rolling poorly, you're in trouble. With the no screen DM, I've seen TPKs, reboots (as in that went horribly bad, let's make it all a vision you had that night), divine interventions, etc. With screened DMs, that doesn't happen.