D&D General Do You Use a DM Screen?

[Scott Christian]

Except, as I previously posted, you can choose when to use the screen (or whatever) to hide dice rolls. So using a DM screen does not, in fact automatically mean the DM fudges rolls. Context matters. So I call “bull” on your “bull.”

Fair enough.

I roll everything openly if the characters have access to the information. So that includes combat rolls. But a screen of some kind is important for situations where the characters will have to make some guesses because they don’t magically know what is happening in an NPC’s mind, for example. And I think the game is way more fun that way.

Edit: also, Matt Mercer always rolls behind a screen and his every roll has been scrutinized for evidence of fudging. So it does demonstrably happen that there are DMs who always use a screen for rolls and not to cheat.

I understand your point. But what "thing" are you hiding from the players? Could you give me an example please? Thank you.

 

[Reynard]

GMs? I agree. There are some games where specific and commonly used information is needed. Rolemaster is an example of this. (Although why it can't lay flat is beyond me.) DMs? No. There is nothing a DM (especially 5e) needs to have on a screen in front of them. The only exception is if they change the screen for each session so they can have references to NPCs, creatures, rumors, etc.

There are lots of reasons to use a screen that aren't hiding rolls. I am not sure how this is controversial.

 

[Oofta]

There are lots of reasons to use a screen that aren't hiding rolls. I am not sure how this is controversial.

Other than keep reference sheets hidden?

 

[Reynard]

Other than keep reference sheets hidden?

'Reference sheets" is doing a lot of work here.

First of all, some people do in fact want reminders for 5E stuff like cover and other rules.
Second, I might hide my notes or a map or the minis I have pre-selected or any number of other bits that would spoil the fun if the players saw it.
I need a place to keep my coffee and my beer and my water and my beer.

 

[CleverNickName]

There are lots of reasons to use a screen that aren't hiding rolls. I am not sure how this is controversial.

The "controversy" has nothing to do with the DM screen or lack thereof; it's about whether or not it's "okay" for a Dungeon Master to fudge their rolls. The screen is just another way to re-re-re(x9999)-introduce that subject. I think it stems from a lack of trust: some players don't trust the DM (or vice-versa) to report their dice rolls fairly.

For my part: I play on Roll20, and it's a lot harder for anyone to fudge their rolls--every roll is reported to the chat window for everyone to see. It's not without its own problems, but at least we don't have to deal with that issue of trust.

But anyway. I can think of lots of other reasons why someone would want to use a DM screen. Hiding the maps and encounter tables from view, to hide the next Awesome Monster Mini that they're about to drop onto the battle mat, to hide their notes, to hide the Google-able name of a book they're using, and to keep fingers out of their stash of almonds, just to name a few. Yes, a screen can also hide dice rolls that they don't want to be made public...but that's only one of several things it can be useful for.

 

[Oofta]

'Reference sheets" is doing a lot of work here.

First of all, some people do in fact want reminders for 5E stuff like cover and other rules.
Second, I might hide my notes or a map or the minis I have pre-selected or any number of other bits that would spoil the fun if the players saw it.
I need a place to keep my coffee and my beer and my water and my beer.

Makes sense, I was just curious. I guess I've never been too worried about it. Even before I had my laptop, I just have a slim notebook with world and background info. My notes? I can barely make heads or tails of them myself half the time and if someone can read them while reading upside down, more power to them.

 

[Reynard]

The "controversy" has nothing to do with the DM screen or lack thereof; it's about whether or not it's "okay" for a Dungeon Master to fudge their rolls.

That wasn't the discussion and I don't think anyone really wants this thread to turn into an argument over fudging.

 

[Reynard]

Makes sense, I was just curious. I guess I've never been too worried about it. Even before I had my laptop, I just have a slim notebook with world and background info. My notes? I can barely make heads or tails of them myself half the time and if someone can read them while reading upside down, more power to them.

Sure but they don't need to be able to properly read them to still be a little bit spoiled by a map or a mini or the word DRAGON in all caps and colored red and purple like I do.

 

[Oofta]

Sure but they don't need to be able to properly read them to still be a little bit spoiled by a map or a mini or the word DRAGON in all caps and colored red and purple like I do.

See, I would have DRAGON all caps and colored red and purple indicating that there's a kitten name DRAGON just to mess with my players*.

I always have a typed up sheet with general notes I can put on anything to hide other papers. Of course I also rarely have detailed maps so that is a difference.

*I did once have a small black paw reach out of a dark hole that batted at a PC. It really was just a kitten ... which the PC immediately killed.

 

[CleverNickName]

That wasn't the discussion and I don't think anyone really wants this thread to turn into an argument over fudging.

I think you might have some people blocked. There are several posts in this thread about fudging rolls.