Proposed rules: Backwards Screen, End-of-Round Recap

[TheFan]

Here are two ideas for my game I'm considering implimenting in order to speed things up and help my players get into the game more:

1) Backwards Screen: I have a very nice DM screen I bought a while back, but I hardly ever use it. Sure, I roll behind it, but I almost never have to look at the tables. I know the rules too well. On the other hand, my players know jack about the rules and constantly forget about a lot of things they really should know.

Solution: Turn the screen around and have it facing them, so they can use it as reference.

2) Recap: I love combat description, but sometimes it can bog things down a bit. Also, it's easy to forget this is just 6 seconds when it's several minutes between sword swings. It's also really frustrating when players and GM alike feel the need to avoid using OOC terms during play. We dance around subjects like DR, HP, AC, etc, instead of saying what comes naturally.

Solution: During the normal combat round, only use game terms and strict tactical dialogue...no real combat descriptions. Just the facts, mayam. During it all I take notes on what happened, and at the end of each combat round I give a dramatic recap of the actions as if the players were watching a movie.

Sound like good ideas?

 

[Aaron2]

Solution: Turn the screen around and have it facing them, so they can use it as reference.

Doesn't the Hackmaster GM screen have player stuff on the front side of it?

Solution: During the normal combat round, only use game terms and strict tactical dialogue...no real combat descriptions. Just the facts, mayam. During it all I take notes on what happened, and at the end of each combat round I give a dramatic recap of the actions as if the players were watching a movie.

I do this on the monster's turn (that's -my- turn). I describe the previous turns actions as if the monster was considering his next move (this pause also gives me time to consider the monster's next move )


Aaron

 

[Ferret]

Both seem like good ideas. Me likey.

 

[Pielorinho]

I think I'll try that combat recap thing; it sounds like a great way to make the combat cohesive and coherent. Great idea!

edit: Just reread, the post, and two comments:
1) Another Asheville gamer? Excellent!
2) I don't know that I like the idea of the DM getting all the descriptive fun. At least one player in my group really loves buckling swashes in the middle of combat, and is always giving four-color descriptions of his maneuvers; I'd hate to deny him that fun. Especially since we're round-robining the DMing, and he's up next, and I wanna be able to describe my own actions when I'm a player . A quick recap of what happened would work great for us, as long as the players got to contribute a bit of stuff during the round.

Daniel