DM essentials and organization at the table

[dreaded_beast]

Ever since I started DMing, I've discovered that there are some things I can get away with not having, other things are a must, and a few things may make my sessions run smoother if I took the time to prepare better.

Among some of the things I can do without are the Core Books since my players are pretty good at bringing their own, I can always borrow one of theirs. Also dice, since the players supply that as well.

On the other hand, running an FR campaign, I find that it is always good for me to have as many campaign books around as possible for looking up references and whot not, especially when the players ask a question.

For things that I should take the time to prepare, I was thinking about making a little index box full of the NPCs the players normally encounter. In addition, since I use minis, I was thining of putting numbers on the bases to make the minis easier for me to keep track off.

What about you?

What are your essentials, non-essentials, or tips for staying organized at the table?

 

[Crothian]

Essential, my note book. It has everything I need for that nights adventure. I have some reference books handy as I game at my place, but they are not essential.

 

[shilsen]

I tend to make do with very little. At the least I need just a couple printed sheets of paper, which include my notes for the session, any stat blocks which I think I'll need., and a sheet on which I track initiative and any in-game notes I need to take (in my last campaign, I tracked hp instead of the players, so that went on the same sheet). I'll usually also have some of my general notes for the campaigns, lists of NPCs, etc., but very rarely reference them during the game.

I don't use a DM screen, since I roll in the open (plus, being 5 ft 4 in tall, it's a little hard to look over one ), so I have the papers in front of me, the PHB, DMG and MM next to me, and I'm good to go.

 

[FireLance]

I have recently introduced three things to help me keep a session organised.

First, I have individual summary cards for all the NPCs and creatures in the game listing their game statistics, personalities, motivations, combat tactics, etc. These also double as initiative cards during combat.

Second, I have a combat checksheet which lists down the special attacks and abilities that the creatures have so that I do not forget to use them in combat (I have the unfortunate tendency to do so). When I run a combat, I have the combat checksheet in front of me to remind me of what the PCs' opponents can do, and tick off special attacks as they are used.

Third, I have an adventure checksheet to help me keep track of the overall flow of the adventure. This is basically an adventure summary and listing of key events, encounters, clues, information, etc. to move the adventure forward to its conclusion. Depending on how the adventure progresses, the PCs may skip certain events or go through them in a different order (particularly in non-linear adventures). Its main purpose is to help me get the adventure back on track if it stalls for some reason.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

I am also a minimalist. I print out the monsters I need from the SRD and that's about it.

The snazziest thing I brought to the table in years was my laptop because I wanted to play an MP3 of "Dance of the Sugarplum Faries" whenever a minion of my bad guy got close to the PCs.

 

[Varianor Abroad]

Essential?

My brain. Water.

Really nice to have?

My notebooks full of notes plus the core books I need plus the minis and dice and pencils.

Serendipity?

Snacks. All the books I might need to reference. All my minis. Oh wait, this would imply that I could DM at home*. Well, maybe in 10 years.

*Traveling DM right now.

 

[HiLiphNY]

DM Screen (Ya gotta be the Screen-Monkey!), cope books, and FIREY DRAGON's BATTLEBOX!!!

It rawks!

 

[Henry]

Like Varianor, I have gamed without notes before, without screen, without paper and pen, and once, without all three.

One thing I MUST have is a set of dice. That's really the most important thing. Past that, I'm more effective when I have my notes, my screen, my books, my battlemat and pens, my initiative cards, and my minis. But I have never called off a game for ANYTHING, save lack of players.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

For me its the core books, index cards with encoutner stats, my notebook, my dice and my Creature Collection counters. I usualy haul a ton more stuff thinking I might need it, but usually do not.

 

[Belen]

Essentials: Core books, GM screen, dice, notebook, calculator, clipboard (so I can walk around with relevant info), post it for notes to other players, minis, although they are kept at a different table.