Here Comes The STRAHD DM SCREEN

As usual, Gale Force 9 has a DM Screen to accompany the latest Dungeons & Dragons adventure. The Curse of Strahd DM Screen can be pre-ordered now for $15, with an April release date. "This screen is the perfect companion for those Dungeon Masters running the Curse of Strahd adventure, or any trek through Barovia. The front includes contrasting images of Count Strahd von Zarovich while the back provides maps for Castle Ravenloft and surrounding Barovia, as well as random encounter tables for both." Click on any of the below images to go to the product page in GF9's web store.

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[FitzTheRuke]

I'm with you there, personally. When using a battle map and minis, a screen gets in the way. I also tend to stand up a lot when running a game, which means that I can't read the screen anyway.

Me too. I never use screens, even though I'd like the quick reference. I just feel disconnected from the players to have a "wall" between us. Ruins my view of the table, and I don't even use minis anymore!

 

[evilbob]

Well, I thought the back of the screen was useful enough that I started to order it. Couple things.

Their website is awful. Completely changes to a "Flames of War" branding when you start to order. Usability is poor. Second, they don't mention it has $9 domestic shipping (likely more for international). So really, it's a $25 screen, not a $15 screen. (Also $9 for shipping is silly.) And finally, they never really say when the thing will be ready. "April" has 30 days; that's quite a range.

Also, just fyi: check around online. I found the same exact screen for $10.50 + less shipping on another website.

I'm using the Wayne Reynolds fight in snow one myself. I stuck plastic page covers on the inside, so I can just change the interiour for whatever game system I want.

That sounds awesome, although I'm not a big fan of his artwork, but I can always print out the maps myself if it has a nice folder or something to hold them. To what is this referring?

 

[sjard]

I don't know the construction quality of the GF9 DM screens, but I've not been impressed with any of the 5e screens I've seen so far as far as content goes.

The official 5e DM screen is very nicely constructed but has very little of what I'd want on a DM screen, which is quick lookup tables. The GF9 ones have even less use. Now, just so it's clear I'm not bashing GF9, I love some of their other products. I've got the full core spell card sets, plan to get the Tarokka deck, I'm just not seeing the value of their DM screens.

 

[Talmek]

I've followed the GF9 screen releases since the decision was made to start bringing them out with each AP released by Wizards; however, I've yet to purchase one for use in a game. The concept of having a map on the screen would be cool but shouldn't the same map be in the adventure path? If not, then I would have a problem with them releasing an "incomplete" (my opinion) product and forcing you to purchase an additional product to be able to play as designed. Actually, now that I think about it that's what it sounds like happened with the CoS Tarokka Deck - you need this item to play the adventure to the full extent, but there's no option to bundle and due to delays you'd have to wait a couple months until it's released.

I'm typically what some would call a WotC fanboy - I purchase a lot of their material for the simple fact that I collect it and enjoy reading the stuff they put out. It's disappointing to hear that things couldn't be managed better on what was rumored to be the "biggest/most anticipated" adventure path they've released for 5th edition. I don't think people will walk away from what has been an undisputed success in 5th edition, but as others have mentioned I would posit that sales will most definitely be affected by the staccato release schedule.

 

[Maggan]

The concept of having a map on the screen would be cool but shouldn't the same map be in the adventure path?

The maps are indeed in the hardcover book.

I like the thought of having them in front of me like this. The tables I can take or leave, the draw for me are the maps.

/M

 

[Talmek]

The maps are indeed in the hardcover book.

I like the thought of having them in front of me like this. The tables I can take or leave, the draw for me are the maps.

/M

That's an interesting thought - see I would have photocopied the maps and hung them up on the screen and preferred to have the tables available (unless the tables are also in the book - I haven't received my copy yet so I'm relying on others for the information).

 

[Valmarius]

That's an interesting thought - see I would have photocopied the maps and hung them up on the screen and preferred to have the tables available (unless the tables are also in the book - I haven't received my copy yet so I'm relying on others for the information).

All the info on the screen is in the book. It's designed more for the convenience of reducing page-flipping.

 

[JohnnyZemo]

I like the thought of having them in front of me like this. The tables I can take or leave, the draw for me are the maps./M

I like having the maps on the screen since they are on a poster in the book, making them a bit of a challenge to access every time you need to look at a map.

 

[Troy Benton]

My players will not appreciate me bringing this to the table... means somethings afoot in the session!
And I like my Dragon and Kobold screen. Red Dragons and Kobolds are so much more honest in their Evil then Vampires. Vampires would rather capture you, then let you go, confuse you, and have you come crying back to them for death rather then just kill you. And then you're lucky if you actually get that much attention from one...

 

[Awesome Adam]

Actually, now that I think about it that's what it sounds like happened with the CoS Tarokka Deck - you need this item to play the adventure to the full extent, but there's no option to bundle and due to delays you'd have to wait a couple months until it's released.

The COS book has rules for using a standard deck of cards as a Tarroka Deck, so you can play the adventure to the full extent.

I've ordered a deck for myself, since they look cool, and I'll get some use out of it, but honestly it's $10 for a single draw of 5 cards. It wouldn't even take that much effort to just roll some dice for the same effect. The cards are a nice prop, but they aren't really neccesary.

Yes, it would have been nice if they were avaiable at the same time as the book.