D&D 5E DM Toolbox

[Soul Stigma]

I used to be happy with a myriad notebooks and a mechanical pencil, but life changes made time a precious resource as I got older. It took a long time to find the right "tools" for the job when I moved to using a laptop and I'm sure there are people still searching.

My aim with this thread is to gather a collection of tools that DMs can turn to, according to their taste and wallet, so anything paid or free is fine. In my case I purchased software and it has been worth it to me, so thought I'd start out sharing on those and then open it up to everyone else!

For mapping I use the Hexographer (world), Dungeonographer (dungeons) and Cityographer (cities/towns). Use hexes and grids, easy to use, use Java (can be slow at times for this reason) and do a great job for me on limited time.

For my campaign prep and actual play I use the tandem of Realm Works (campaign management) and Hero Lab (character creation, encounter building, tactical console for combat) from Lone Wolf Development. Those two work so well together that it really streamlines the whole process and organizes everything (from places and people to monsters and other threats) in such a way that it's easy for me to keep track of my campaign - much easier than it used to be.

So those are my recommendations. I could elaborate a lot more but don't want to create a wall of text and the tools can be found through your friendly neighborhood search engine.

Discuss!


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[Henry]

Always have a good fantasy name generator handy - http://www.fantasynamegenerators.com/

However, I will generate a list of names of each type (human, elf, orc, etc.) and copy/paste them to a document. Luddite that I am I usually print this, so that I can reference them quicker (paper is still just quicker to me for some things). When I need a spontaneous name, I grab it, make a one or two word reference on the page to act as a mnemonic trigger so that later after the game, I can write up more notes on the NPC in detail.

To the players, It looked like I had the "Rando's" name already written, and I was making notes about their meeting rather than inventing him on the fly like I was ACTUALLY doing.

I also find Initiative Cards a Godsend. The first ones I ever used were by Owen KC Stephens and Super Genius games for 3e and Pathfinder; ever since then, a host of cards have been made for PF, 5t edition, etc. which make initiative rounds in combat super-easy to track and deal with. I have essential stats for each person (passive perception, key skills, hit point max, etc.) and I rotate the cards as the next person's turn comes up. Readies or delays I turn the card sideways in the stack, i move them to the back of the stack after turn is done, and I usually announce which character is "On Deck" after the current actor, so that that person can be thinking about their action and be ready when I focus on them.

Side note - If they take more than 4 or 5 seconds to respond I have a 30 second mini-sand timer that I turn over. If they have not decided in that time span, they lose their action and go defensive (or Dodge in 5e) for their turn. That way, they are less likely to be injured by inaction, and They can't say they were skipped completely. It's something another GM introduced to me, and I like it a lot.

I've heard complaints about this on online forums, yet never at the table. My justification is that we have 3 to 4 hours to play, and Time is precious - if everyone took three minutes to decide and resolve their turn, one round of combat would take 15 to 25 minutes (one group i'm in has seven players), and that's unacceptable to me for a fast paced fun game.

 

[MNblockhead]

This would be a good candidate for a wiki thread.

I also use RealmWorks and HeroLab to run my games.

I've started to use DnD Beyond for looking up rules. Now that it has universal search it is amazingly helpful. Much easier than searching PDFs, flipping through books, and does away with the need for quick reference tables.

I used to use Inspiration Pad for random name and place generators, but now I just use sites like fantasynamegenerators.com

I started using Alea Tool's magnetic status markers. I really like them, but it does requires a not insignificant cost in money and time.

Measuring sticks for gridless play or just to help you quickly measure movement and show line of sight grid or no grid. I used DM Scotty's instructions (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTT1ZU5pDBg) to make mine.

Felt battlemaps. I have a number of felt battlemaps from different companies. They are all gridless and have different terrains. you can fold them up and they still will lay flat. They don't move around the table and help keep terrain and minis from sliding around.

But I still have my trusty Chessex battlemap and wet erase markers.

 

[Li Shenron]

Pen & paper.

Online SRD for rules checking.

Lego for minis and simple environment features.

Spotify for soundtrack.

Customer character sheet and action cards, when I finally get around to design them.

 

[S'mon]

My main online tools are
http://rpgtinker.com/ - 5e NPCs
http://redkatart.com/dnd5tools/ - 5e Treasure Generator
http://donjon.bin.sh/fantasy/random/#type=encounter;enc-type=Dungeon - generates generic fantasy encounters, NPCs, worlds and planes - pretty much everything, really.

Together with http://www.5esrd.com/ that's pretty well enough to run a campaign!

 

[monsterworkbench]

I use Monster Workbench for my Campaign Software and 3d printed models for visual/landscapes/tableside.

 

[Oofta]

I use several aids, including the list of random names others have mentioned. I also through in a list of random tavern and business names. Some random generators will also give you random descriptions which may be handy.

I use monster cards (see attached example). Basically I type up 4 monsters per card, print them up laminate the cards using self-adhesive laminating sheets.

View attachment Monster Cards.rtf

I use the monster cards for reference and to keep track of initiative (PCs also have cards). You can make temporary notes with dry erase markers, more permanent with wet erase.

I use a whiteboard and dry erase markers for tracking HP and so on.

We use minis so I use 3-dimensional aids to show terrain/buildings. I've tried various things, but finally just ended up making my own with Crayola air dry clay. I have cubes that are 1 inch square, along with some other shapes (4X4, 5X5, 1X5). I then use the blocks to represent buildings, rocks, cover or whatever. You need to create a jig/template for the first one but after that it just takes time and is cheaper than anything you can buy.

We keep a wiki for campaign info, however while I'm using ObsidianPortal I really can't recommend it. I think google docs or similar would work nearly as well for content, but the forum is handy.

That's most of the tools I use except perhaps the most important one of all. A notebook that I take notes in. NPCs I introduce, a quick after-game summary for reference and so on. Nowadays it's just a txt document, and nothing fancy. Just enough so I can look back and remember that it was Ragnar from the Rotten Mushroom that told them about the goblin king.

 

[robus]

Side note - If they take more than 4 or 5 seconds to respond I have a 30 second mini-sand timer that I turn over. If they have not decided in that time span, they lose their action and go defensive (or Dodge in 5e) for their turn. That way, they are less likely to be injured by inaction, and They can't say they were skipped completely. It's something another GM introduced to me, and I like it a lot.

I've heard complaints about this on online forums, yet never at the table. My justification is that we have 3 to 4 hours to play, and Time is precious - if everyone took three minutes to decide and resolve their turn, one round of combat would take 15 to 25 minutes (one group i'm in has seven players), and that's unacceptable to me for a fast paced fun game.

This has to be one of my pet peeves as a DM - I'm always ready when a monster's turn comes around despite also having to narrate the combat. Even when it's a spell casting monster I know which spell I'm going to cast when its turn comes around. It drives me crazy that players don't show the same courtesy and sit wasting others time while they ponder their options. I'm trying to tighten it up (and your suggestion seems like a great "fair" way to put pressure on them). And perhaps fear of the dreaded timer will encourage them to think faster.

I'll give it a go next session (now to find a big intimidating timer with skulls and stuff on it )

 

[Blue]

However, I will generate a list of names of each type (human, elf, orc, etc.) and copy/paste them to a document. Luddite that I am I usually print this, so that I can reference them quicker (paper is still just quicker to me for some things). When I need a spontaneous name, I grab it, make a one or two word reference on the page to act as a mnemonic trigger so that later after the game, I can write up more notes on the NPC in detail.

To the players, It looked like I had the "Rando's" name already written, and I was making notes about their meeting rather than inventing him on the fly like I was ACTUALLY doing.

I'm with you - I do the same thing. I have pre-genrated a bunch of names sort by race, social/culture, and gender (except for my elves). And pull them out as needed. to my players, I shuffle though my session notes and immediately start like it was already pre-generated. In addition to a few notes I also note a "voice" - one of my strengths is I can do lots of accents and vocabulary choices to match the NPC so I want to make sure that stays consistent. Thugh for must quick NPCs my notes are more like "dry and creepy like Wednesday" or "southern gentleman".

But the part I wanted to add is that I printed out a bunch of NPC portrait. (3x3 on normal paper then cut to a bunch of wallet-sized) so that I can also quickly pull out a photo for anything that the characters seem to be getting more involved with / looks like they will be recurring. It's also a great recourse for me to make them memorable since the image will often inspire me.

 

[Oofta]

This has to be one of my pet peeves as a DM - I'm always ready when a monster's turn comes around despite also having to narrate the combat. Even when it's a spell casting monster I know which spell I'm going to cast when its turn comes around. It drives me crazy that players don't show the same courtesy and sit wasting others time while they ponder their options. I'm trying to tighten it up (and your suggestion seems like a great "fair" way to put pressure on them). And perhaps fear of the dreaded timer will encourage them to think faster.

I'll give it a go next session (now to find a big intimidating timer with skulls and stuff on it )

I'd be curious how this works for other people. There is always "that guy" (you know who you are, Robert) who takes forever on their turn trying to determine the utmost optimum strategic option. Then after 5 minutes of staring at the board silently, throws up his hands and says "The heck with it, I'm just going to waste my turn on a cantrip because there's nothing I can do." Then rolls. One. Die. At. A. Time.

On the other hand I don't want to pressure people because I don't want to take away their fun.

But that should probably be another thread.