DM Screen Dilemma

[pjrake]

my players began using miniatures for combat (something that's still very new to me and having a hard time narrating it, but that's another topic), and since i use a DM screen, i find it's difficult for me to draw the scenario, and control my NPC's.

tried removing the screen during combat, but it reveals everything i have behind my screen: adventure, notes, and rolls.

suggestions, thoughts, ideas? thanks!

-PJ

 

[Nightson]

Have you tried a landscape DM screen?

Have you tried just placing the screen down over your notes?

 

[Gilladian]

I gave up using a screen a long time ago for that very reason. I have a setup where my DM table is about 6" taller than the table the PCs sit at (a folding banquet table and a sewing "cutting table"). This works perfectly, but assumes you're always gaming in one location that you can furnish.

When I travel to DM, I have a rollaround cart with drawers. All my stuff goes in the drawers, and my notes go on top of the cart. I don't use a DM screen on the table, but the only thing up there are my dice, my DMG and MM, and a few minis for later in the game.

In those situations, I do all my dice rolling "in the open". It means I can't cheat, but the PCs seem to like it just as well or more.

 

[pjrake]

the GM screen is landscape (from Savage Worlds).

i DM at a friend's house in the basement... the rolling cart sounds like a good idea, but it might be a problem transporting it around

i also enjoy having my netbook behind my screen, and not having the screen of the computer stick out from the screen. used to have a regular laptop and for some reason, that has always bothered me! LOL

keep the suggestions coming, this is good!

-PJ

 

[Lhorgrim]

I've had success with this:

I made a small elevated "table" to sit on top of our game table. It's just a piece of plywood about 2 feet by 3 feet with a five inch tall leg at each corner. This allows the players to spread their books and character sheets on the main table, and we put the maps and minis on the elevated surface. It makes it easier for the DM to reach over the screen, and gives the players more table space.

You could make the elevated surface any size that fits your table. I made mine out of some scrap lumber we had around the house.

We make people roll dice on the elevated surface so everyone can see the results.

 

[Woas]

Do you use some sort of dry or wet erase piece with the minis? If so, you could alphanumerically number the grid. Then when you need to move you could ask one of the players to place "the ogre at G9, could you move him to H15 for me? Thanks." like a Chess or Battleship board.

For drawing on the board, is there room enough to get up, move out from behind the GM area and draw from a different part of the table? That's what I always did.

 

[pjrake]

this is a great idea!

maybe i can get the measurements of the table we're currently using and shave off 4" from all sides to create a "smaller" version of the table and raise it 5".

what do you guys think? if you guys have pictures i would love to see it!

-PJ

 

[Lhorgrim]

this is a great idea!

maybe i can get the measurements of the table we're currently using and shave off 4" from all sides to create a "smaller" version of the table and raise it 5".

what do you guys think? if you guys have pictures i would love to see it!

-PJ

I don't have a working camera anymore, but it sounds like you have a good idea of what I was describing.

I would suggest that you rough together something and give it a trial run. If you like the way it works, you can build a nicer version or upgrade the prototype. I haven't gotten around to it, but I've thought about covering mine with felt and adding some trim around the edge to help keep dice from rolling off the elevated surface.

I hope it works out well for you.

 

[Dykstrav]

What I've been doing with the screen for years is paper-clipping my adventure notes, encounter plans, and all that directly to the DM screen itself. The big reason for this is that I don't have to break my eyeline with my players as much to check my notes. I find that to be the most distracting part--looking away from a player removes some of the focus that we're working to achieve.

This also has the added benefit of me being able to fold up the screen and lay it down, conveniently hiding my notes whenever I like.

I like this method so much that I stopped using my laptop and went back to a DM screen with printed notes.

The 4E screen is much thicker than previous DM screens, so paperclips won't cut it. I'm using acco clips to hold the notes to the screen now.

 

[pjrake]

interesting. other than hiding my notes, i never reference the GM screen. granted, i'm using the Savage Worlds customized screen, but the inserts are the default core rule screen.

maybe instead of clipping the adventure notes, i can slide them inside the screen. but i still love my netbook it's gonna be hard getting rid of it.

-PJ