A new DM here, looking for kit

[Twinbladez]

Sorry to take up some forum space with my questions but when 4E comes out I will be heralding some adventures with some friends, I was wondering what sort of Kit you would reccoment for dming ((e.g. battlemat, dungeon tiles or one of those PDF builder programs to print))
IUf this is in the wrong forum I apologise, Couldnt see one for this sort of thing

 

[bento]

Sorry to take up some forum space with my questions but when 4E comes out I will be heralding some adventures with some friends, I was wondering what sort of Kit you would reccoment for dming ((e.g. battlemat, dungeon tiles or one of those PDF builder programs to print))
IUf this is in the wrong forum I apologise, Couldnt see one for this sort of thing

I'm assuming a "kit" you mean the miniatures aspect of gaming.

Chessex battlemat is probably your most flexible solution, and over time, your most cost effective. With the right markers, you can use this for years and years and never wear it out. There are other solutions, such as the dungeon tile series, but really these are good for specific types of adventures, and every time you want to run something different, you have to buy a new set or do without. I also have some sets of SkeletonKey Games maps, and these are also good for specific types of settings, but I find that I still use the battlemat the most.

As for miniatures, see if your local gaming shop sells individual DDMs. Often you can find the more common figures relatively cheap. And as they are already painted, no extra time of funds spend on getting them dolled up. Another solution is Fiery Dragon's Counter Collection sets, many of them drawn by our board's very own Claudio Pozas. With their Gold and Summoned Monsters sets you have nearly every monster from MM1. You can find these over on RPGNow.

 

[Twinbladez]

yeah I meant that, sorry for the lack of specifics and thank you very much

 

[Aus_Snow]

Flipmat, markers, plenty of dice, something like EN Publishing's Buff Cards and Status Cards, but appropriate to the system being used, of course - assuming that system requires such things (as 3e assuredly does, IMO.) Maybe a DM's screen - pays to be fussy here though. Possibly initiative cards (easy to make.) A whiteboard can be handy too. YMMV.

If you're feeling well off or extravagant, D&D minis are probably reasonably cost effective, and suit the game just fine too.

 

[frankthedm]

Got a fabric store near you? Marine vinyl can be used for a home made battlemat. Use children's washable markers on it.

Do you have away to get a sheet of 1" / 25mm perforated hardboard?

http://www.answers.com/topic/perforated-hardboard

If so lay the peg board over the vinyl, doting each hole with a permanent marker making your battle grid.

marine vynil - fabric stores often have it.

Pegboard should be available at a hardware store.


Heck the pegboard, if slick enough, could be used as a battle mat [I'd still put a layer of plexiglass or clear plastic vynil over it]

 

[blargney the second]

We use a 24"x36" easel pad of 1" graph paper for our battlemaps - they come with 50 sheets for about $10. A box of Crayola markers will run you another $6. You can draw out a whole pile of maps before the session starts, then just flip over as needed.

Have a look at WotC's galleries and grab some minis on eBay. The better sellers will either charge a flat $2 for shipping or even do it for free. You shouldn't need to pay more than $0.50 for a common or $2 for an uncommon. Some sell at $1 per three commons or $5 per three uncommons. Don't pay more than $4 or $5 for huge uncommons.

Hope this helps!
-blarg

 

[TerraDave]

FDM: you are a crafty man.

We use a 24"x36" easel pad of 1" graph paper for our battlemaps - they come with 50 sheets for about $10.

Where can you get these?

 

[blargney the second]

TerraDave: Staples or any office supply store.

 

[Twinbladez]

Sorry about the double post

 

[Twinbladez]

Im probably going to go with the bought battlemat and the minis ((gonna use The H1 adventure to ease my first few session rather than complicate things with my own storyline to begin with)), anyone situated in the Uk know any reputable online stores I could use?

Thanks in advance ((and thanks to everyone who has already posted))