Best Game Aids

[Varianor Abroad]

Dude, you're lucky. I just checked ebay and, same as the last time I checked, I get nothing for "tact-tiles."

That's a bummer Buzz! I didn't mean to steer anyone wrong. I know that I saw several folks selling full sets when I bought mine, so I think it's a case of just checking back frequently?

 

[FunkBGR]

I enjoy building models from World Works Games - http://www.worldworksgames.com/

I purchased the Maiden, and the ArenaWorks, and am in the process of building an Arena for "Age of Worms". Planning on retrofitting the Maiden into the Sea Wyvern from Savage Tide.

I'm not too good at it, but it's fun.

 

[DonTadow]

The best overall aids I've ever purchased has been my laptop (now Media PC) and Projector. Expensive, but I no longer buy minis, maps, campaign planner supplemnts and expensive hard cover books. I have a game management software that speeds up combat severely. I use maptools to switch maps on the fly without having to draw, assemble or waste any in game time preparing where the pcs go. I use the images to show enemy pcs so that I don't have to use any overused and character descriptions.

My preperation time had diminished because I can now do so much stuff on the fly. Players want to track to some exotic dungeon i didnt have statted up, I just draw a jpg of any of the dungeons i have in my director. PCs meet an NPC that wasn't suppose to have states, I use npcdesigner and generate an npc in 10 seconds. If I need a rules reference in game I got all my references there. I stick a monitor under the table so it doesnt interfere with the games and the notes are in an open word file so i can quick reference and not have to poss and flip through pages.

 

[JoeGKushner]

It is pretty fun.. unless of course, you Age of Worms DM, Erik Mona, decides to give it a vigorous playtest. Poor Gar (my PC) took a point of Cha drain and nearly got decapitated last night.

Dangerous.. but fun!

Jason Bulmahn
Managing Editor of Dragon
www.paizo.com

Isn't that the core problem with all critical hit systems including the default in that the characters are going to be suffering through those rules in every encounter while the bad guys generally top out at the one encounter they're in?

 

[dagger]

For us thats a feature not a problem.

 

[00Machado]

I get lots of use out of a 1" grid easel pad and crayons.

I can draw out good sized maps in advance. Save them if I want (no need to erase etc. like on a battle mat), don't have to lay then out one piece at a time like dwarven forge stuff, and have the 1 inch grid map in color.

If I'll need it later, I roll it op and save it. If I don't I toss it into the recycle bin.

 

[buzz]

I get lots of use out of a 1" grid easel pad and crayons.

This is what I used when I first started playing 3e.

The downside is that easel pads are not very portable, not reusable, not erasable, and (IMO) awkward to store unless you have somewhere to hang them (they tend to get bent easily if you stand them up). On top of this, you can buy erasable battlemats for about as much as a single easel pad. Nowadays, I only use pads for the occasional pre-drawn map, i.e., I tear off a sheet and just bring that to the game.

OTOH, we used some of WotC's Dungeon Tiles at our game this weekend, and they rocked so hard that I ordered all the sets as soon as I got home.

 

[dragonlordofpoondari]

I have a game management software that speeds up combat severely.

DonTadow, aside from maptools and npc designer, what are all the progs that you customarilly use in a gaming session (along with your projector, etc.)? I'm especially interested in the ones that might speed up combat.

 

[DonTadow]

DonTadow, aside from maptools and npc designer, what are all the progs that you customarilly use in a gaming session (along with your projector, etc.)? I'm especially interested in the ones that might speed up combat.

Aside from those, the biggest help at the table for me is dmgenie. It does a great import of npc designer stats and the old stat block (though weapons get a bit fuzzy).

Wotc is now selling a lot of its books in pdf form, and dmgenie does a good import of the monster block that wotc uses.

I also use rpgsoundmixer for sound. Nifty little tool even if you just use it for background music

 

[Steel_Wind]

I've been wanting to get some Steel Sqwire Spell Templates but I just can't convince myself to spend that much money on some metal wires. A set of just 3 templates cost twice as much as a battlemat.

I would've snatched up 1 of each if they were $10-$15 for all of them. I would even buy 1 complete set of each color. But they want about $65 for all of the templates.

I bought the Gen Con 2006 Collector's Set (all templates, plus Flip Mat and some bonus stuff, LOS measure, dry erase marker, Sharpie, etc) from Steel Sqwire's booth last Gencon.

I went there with a view to buying it - did so - and was very pleased that I have ever since.

My only complaint is that it can often be difficult finding the right template when you buy them all!

Seriously. It's a great product and if you use miniatures - you'll love it.