toucanbuzz
No rule is inviolate
Attached are my custom DM inserts for a pirate campaign using D&D 2024 rules (Skull and Shackles, Golarian setting (Pathfinder) conversion) and reasons why this vs. that. I use a DM screen with 4 inserts on the DM side (8"x11") and 4 on the outside for players. Every campaign I do gets its own set of inserts.
Page 1: Conditions, Actions, common modified combat rules.
Conditions are a must. I can't remember them all. Actions are generally easy, but Hide and Grapples/Shoves I need a reminder. The rest of the space was for special house rules likely to come up in combat. I've also got these in my DM Binder for House/Errata.
Page 2: DC Chart, reference pages for common threats, swimming rules, names, misc rules.
Since I'm converting from 3E/Pathfinder material, a handy DC chart is useful. The reference pages are a must. I also mix systems, and A5E has some great stuff. Since it's nautical, I have emphasized water rules. Of course, random names are must have, varying by campaign (this one is a melting pot, Caribbean-like, so names generally blend even amongst species, but in other campaigns, I'll have unique expressions and names for each). There's also space for misc rules that need a home. I put them in a text box so they visually stand out.
Page 3 & 4: Pirate/Nautical Roleplaying.
Gestures, insults, and superstitions, terms. My pirates don't talk civilized, never. An entire page is devoted to flavor and I expect to use it a lot. Also needed a home for resting rules, handy.
Page 5 (for players): Actions. We've been playing a 3d6 system. It may take a few sessions to get back into the D&D mindset and this might be temporary. In the past, I've also had custom Initiative and variant Vitality rules. All need giant font to be seen at the end of the table.
VS 2024 SCREEN. I can't fault it at all. It's hard to make a screen for beginner to veteran DMs. There's several charts that, for me, are simply burned into my brain and not needed (e.g. Concentration, death saves). Others I find I really don't use enough or care about the minutiae enough to make the cut (jumping, objects, light source radii, desert foraging DC for an ocean campaign). I also avoid pricing charts (inns, weapons). They take up too much space and tend not to get useful use. My screen is for "must know this instant" material. When I need to know drink prices, I'll open my "Inns and Drinks" section of his DM binder and tell them about the 4508 vintage wine.
Anyhoo, curious what others have done who customize their screens as well (so I can plunder their ideas for the next campaign)!
Page 1: Conditions, Actions, common modified combat rules.
Conditions are a must. I can't remember them all. Actions are generally easy, but Hide and Grapples/Shoves I need a reminder. The rest of the space was for special house rules likely to come up in combat. I've also got these in my DM Binder for House/Errata.
Page 2: DC Chart, reference pages for common threats, swimming rules, names, misc rules.
Since I'm converting from 3E/Pathfinder material, a handy DC chart is useful. The reference pages are a must. I also mix systems, and A5E has some great stuff. Since it's nautical, I have emphasized water rules. Of course, random names are must have, varying by campaign (this one is a melting pot, Caribbean-like, so names generally blend even amongst species, but in other campaigns, I'll have unique expressions and names for each). There's also space for misc rules that need a home. I put them in a text box so they visually stand out.
Page 3 & 4: Pirate/Nautical Roleplaying.
Gestures, insults, and superstitions, terms. My pirates don't talk civilized, never. An entire page is devoted to flavor and I expect to use it a lot. Also needed a home for resting rules, handy.
Page 5 (for players): Actions. We've been playing a 3d6 system. It may take a few sessions to get back into the D&D mindset and this might be temporary. In the past, I've also had custom Initiative and variant Vitality rules. All need giant font to be seen at the end of the table.
VS 2024 SCREEN. I can't fault it at all. It's hard to make a screen for beginner to veteran DMs. There's several charts that, for me, are simply burned into my brain and not needed (e.g. Concentration, death saves). Others I find I really don't use enough or care about the minutiae enough to make the cut (jumping, objects, light source radii, desert foraging DC for an ocean campaign). I also avoid pricing charts (inns, weapons). They take up too much space and tend not to get useful use. My screen is for "must know this instant" material. When I need to know drink prices, I'll open my "Inns and Drinks" section of his DM binder and tell them about the 4508 vintage wine.
Anyhoo, curious what others have done who customize their screens as well (so I can plunder their ideas for the next campaign)!
