Gamemastery Item Cards

[Wik]

So, I finally picked up a couple boosters of the Gamemastery Item Cards by Paizo, and I've decided that they're AWESOME.

Here's a few reasons why I love 'em:

1) They're cheap. I bought two boosters (and a pack of sleeves, so I can use 'em in play) for around ten bucks. As a gamer on a budget, these things give me a reason to go into my FLGS (which is across the street from where I work!). I like that.

2) They can be used in your game without really expanding on it, making it more confusing. You buy a new book, there's new feats and whatnot - more options that you have to be aware of as a GM. While I like that, to an extent, it's nice to be able to add something to your game that just enhances what you already have, you know?

3) They're well-arranged. Each pack I got had a scroll, two potions, and other "basic" gear that gets used quite a bit in play. In fact, I wish I had more one-short items, as opposed to the longswords and scythes that I picked up. I can tell you right now, three of those four potions have already been accounted for, in my next STAP game.

4) They're flexible. With the sleeves, I can throw in papers to explain what each card does. If you wanted to (I won't, but I could see myself doing it in a later campaign), you can even give each card an "item I.D. number" that would correspond to your own GM logs. For my potions, I intend on inserting a little paper that says something like "potion of haste - HASTE EFFECTS HERE".

5) They look nice. I mean, come on.

Anyways, anyone else have some nice experiences with these things? Anybody else like me, and say "no way I'm gonna use 'em", and then buy a pack and get converted?

 

[Glyfair]

Anybody else like me, and say "no way I'm gonna use 'em", and then buy a pack and get converted?

I'm sort of the opposite. I bought them to use them, and haven't yet.

Once I'm confident every magic item my PCs have can be covered by my collection, I'll do it. When I get a chance to play again, I'll probably do it for my character.

I used to print out item cards on index cards, finding some clip art online to represent the items making sure each is unique.

 

[Erywin]

We have a deck that Blarg bought but only one card has been used so far Altho in my campaign I have plans to start expanding on their use

 

[Wik]

I really just want to use 'em for potions and scrolls and wands... "big" items probably won't see as much use. I think if the PCs had a card that said "potion of haste", it might actually get used.

Last encounter, where they were playing NPCs for a critical battle, they didn't use their potions, and half the group died almost as a direct result.

Something like this might help, I think.

 

[Teflon Billy]

I got a deck and was actually at a loss as to what I was expected to do with them.

I mean it's not like I've ever said "Man, if only there was some other way to keep track of whether or not my character has a backpack than just writing it down on the character sheet"

Nicely illustrated though.

 

[Old_Man_Fish]

I have bought a few decks (Adventure Items and Magic Items I) and I think that I would use them if I had enough for everyone in the party to have out what it is they are holding / wearing. But since that would take, essentially, a deck for each player I don't know if they will get used any time soon...

I do like the art though. And it IS a cool idea....

 

[SavageRobby]

I have a lot of them, and like them. I'm not going to use them for mundane equipment (at least until they fill out their mundane equipment selection more completely), but I will use them for magic items found. I'm a big fan of props, and love handing things to players. When they cast detect magic on the pile of stuff, I hand 'em the cards for the items that registered magic.

 

[Agamon]

I really just want to use 'em for potions and scrolls and wands... "big" items probably won't see as much use. I think if the PCs had a card that said "potion of haste", it might actually get used.

Last encounter, where they were playing NPCs for a critical battle, they didn't use their potions, and half the group died almost as a direct result.

Something like this might help, I think.

I tried this (well, I tried using them for everything) and what a pain the backside. There are too many expendable items in a typical PC party by mid-level to have each PC have a card for each of them and keep track. I plan on just using the cards for more notable and permanent items from now on.

 

[blargney the second]

The first starter deck covers all the major magic items, and it's got some sweet illustrations. I use them for the major loot the group finds.

 

[noffham]

This is actally a big topic. I bought the starter deck and the 10 pack of boosters. I already had the EN publishing "fantasy money". I've since developed my own version of the money cards using clipart of various coins and used laser business cards to print out mundane items and "expendables"- potions, scrolls, alchemist fire, etc.

The Paizo cards are for major and unidentified items. (And I print out the description to put in the sleeve with the picture card once its been identified).

My players love it. I got them big pencil cases for their "money" and 3-ring binder pages for the cards (both business cards at 10 per page and the larger collectible/Paizo size at 9 per).
Now we use cash transactions at the table, they have one or more pages of items right in front of them to see what all they have to use, and if they forget/lose the card, then they learn to be more careful!!

They have all told me that they feel more connected to the game and the props make it all feel a little more real. One guys has an envelope with the cash he is saving to buy an inn when he retires his scout!

Add all this to the stack of Poker chips I use for action points and I've found play has actually gotten smoother. I'll be using these things as long as I play face-to-face.

Cheers!
Noffham