Favorite DM's screen ever?

[haiiro]

I love screens, and I was curious how others feel about them and which one(s) you like the most.

My all time favorite is a Call of Cthulhu screen that came out in the late 90s. It has four panels (pretty uncommon then), and the panels are longer than they are tall, making it wider and shorter than normal screens; the cardstock is stiff and it stands up marvelously - you pretty much can't blow it down. I find it gives much better coverage than vertically-oriented screens. I've used this screen for every game I've run since I bought it, and it's great.

Another good one is the limited edition Vampire screen (the one that came boxed with the leatherette rulebook). Instead of being made of cardstock, the panels are the same material as the covers to a hardcover book. Except for being too thick to accept paperclips, it's a great screen as well.

There's also a special place in my heart for my first screen: the orange and yellow 2e one that came with Terrible Trouble at Tragidore (if memory serves). Not as useful as the others, but very nostalgic.

I haven't had a chance to try it out yet, but the Kalamar 3e screen (little brother to the Hackmaster ultrascreen) is very cool indeed.

Anyone else care to share their screen stories?

 

[Marius Delphus]

I still have my 1E screen from a-waaay back when... it still has facsimiles of 2E tables taped in with "weak" masking tape (that's been there so long I don't think it can be removed without annihilating the inside of the screen)... I used to combine it with the 2E "Terrible Trouble" screen for a 9-panel frontage. I own(ed?) the PO "black" screen but never much used it.

Good DM screens are all about intimidation, if you ask me. I liked being able to scrutinize the inside of the screen in response to a question, roll a couple of dice, and mutter purposely to myself... and with 9 panels (6 customized), the players could only guess what I was on about.

These days, I pack customized versions of angramainyu's sheets into a presentation binder in addition to the WOTC 3E screen and the S&S Ravenloft screen; I sit at a table while the players relax on the sectional sofa. I *do* like not having to switch books. Flipping pages, fine; switching books, annoying.

I don't know if there's a point to all this, but it *is* anecdotal after all.

 

[diaglo]

the 1ed one was the best.

i like the 4ed HM one too.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

The HackMaster screen is unbelievable. I can't think of any other game screen that can compare to the sheer size and comprehensive nature of the HM screen.

 

[Fevil]

The Kalamar screen is really good aswell. It has a couple of panels that are campaign specific, but its still the best 3rd ed D&D screen I have ever seen.

 

[Arravis]

I still have the original Gamma World screen... that thing brings back alot of memories .

 

[Bagpuss]

My homemade five panel Cyberpunk one which had everything I needed and a funky collection of pictures on the player's side.

 

[Winterthorn]

I second that on the Kingdoms of Kalamar DM's Screen--modelled on the Hackmaster one--which I think is the best instance of table top gaming equipment engineering I've ever seen!

I'm very happy with mine, but then again I should be since I DM a KoK game

-W.

 

[Maldur]

I never liked screens but the screen for theold dutch rpg "het oog des meesters" ( in germany known as Das swartse auge) had a really funky shape (sorta like a tribal tatoo) with a really creepy shady eye on the front. Totally useless info on it and it was small but the players side was kinda disturbing

 

[Psion]

The KoK DMs screen. Despite the fact I don't use the Kalamar specific panels, its a great and occasionally useful DM toy.