(DRAGON) 3.5 DM screen = very nice

[John Crichton]

I picked one up. (I'm weak). They are very solid, and very customizable. Finally a GM screen that has the information I actually need, rather that they think I might need.

How sturdy is it and how has it held up over multiple uses?

As for the the free DM screen - I'm impressed mostly because it was free. I have no gripes.

 

[Davelozzi]

Mine was a little bent, but not too bad. I like it way better than the original 3e one. The new art is a major improvement.

Good stuff, free.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Very nice, especially for a free screen, I agree.

But I won't be using it.

See, it's lacking one crucial topic that the previous screens I've used have included, and that's the charts on hardness, hit points, and break DCs for items and barriers.

I think I used the screen for that info more than anything else; without it, the screen loses a massive portion of its utility for me.

But that's just me; hope you all get years of use out of yours.

 

[d20Dwarf]

Very nice, especially for a free screen, I agree.

But I won't be using it.

See, it's lacking one crucial topic that the previous screens I've used have included, and that's the charts on hardness, hit points, and break DCs for items and barriers.

I think I used the screen for that info more than anything else; without it, the screen loses a massive portion of its utility for me.

But that's just me; hope you all get years of use out of yours.

Ari,

If you'd let your players take classes other than Carpenter and Lumberjack then you might be able to use more of the rules.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Ari,

If you'd let your players take classes other than Carpenter and Lumberjack then you might be able to use more of the rules.

But... But then I couldn't run a "hyper-realistic" campaign where there's no magic, the peasants are all starving, and a crippled gnome with a sharpened spoon can wipe out the party in two rounds!! What the hell sort of game are you playing?!?!

 

[Jhyrryl]

Wasted space...

I like the screen, except for one thing - too much non-informational junk on it. Why is 20% of the screen across the bottom filled with random B&W pictures of D&D minis? How is this useful to me as a DM?

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

The screen was a pretty good value for what I paid for it.

I'd like to see different information on there besides skill info -- I find myself referring to the condition summary alot, for example -- I'd prefer that over skill DCs (I happen to have some pdf cheat sheets that I use with the condition info).

Art wise, I was disappointed that it wasn't new art, instead of the recycled ad copy that it is, and the mini portraits are a waste of space. Heavier duty cardboard would be nice, too. Just goes to show some people will complain even about free stuff.

That said, since I got it free, it's a great value. It's a great value even for a buck. I may copy the individual pages for use in my DM binder -- I don't use a DM screen.

 

[Greyhawk_DM]

Very nice indeed. My only complaint is that the post office bent mine into some form of origami animal, but I like what's left of it so much I think I will be buying the magazine at the store to get another!

If you go to the Paizo website and e-mail them the situation that you are in, they will probably mail you another one with no charge.
This has happend to me a couple of times with both the Dragon and the Dungeon Magazine. Also I haven't received 2 mangled magazines in a row yet. [knock on wood]

 

[John Crichton]

Re: Wasted space...

I like the screen, except for one thing - too much non-informational junk on it. Why is 20% of the screen across the bottom filled with random B&W pictures of D&D minis? How is this useful to me as a DM?

Concerning the bottom of the screen - I actually don't mind the minis down there. Actually they could have left it blank and I would have been okay with it. I usually have stuff piled up near the bottom or I'm standing up so the stuff near the bottom of the screen would have been nearly useless to me.

When I put together my custom screen at least the bottom 1-2 inches will be for pictures/useless space/etc. for that very reason.

 

[Torillan]

Very nice indeed. My only complaint is that the post office bent mine into some form of origami animal, but I like what's left of it so much I think I will be buying the magazine at the store to get another!

Believe it or not, but the postman actually knocked on the door and handed me mine, saying "Didn't think you'd want this folded"! He was also dropping off a small box, but I thanked him profusely anyway!!! Thank you USPS!!!