Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="thegrumpyyoungman" data-source="post: 5594642" data-attributes="member: 97257">first of all, i really dont bring that much to my games because i'm really trying to go the more digital route for dnd.  i know that may make some of you old school players cringe, but i'm wanting to go paperless if i can.  so the "stuff" i bring is probably not as much compared to others.  with that in mind here's my setup right now (DnD 4e):1.  dice2.  miniatures3.  dungeon tiles stuck to black foam board for my encounters4.  laptop - i use this as my dm screen, notes, music, etc during my games.  i use the following software:- Masterplan - awesome software, but i'm finding that i dont need to use the digital map creator to run my encounters as it just takes too long to do it and doesnt add anything to the game.  so if i take that away, i really only use masterplan for the story board part...which i do in other software.- Scene Sound - i play sound effects, mood music, etc and my players LOVE it.- DDI subscription - don't care what everyone says, i love the CB and compendium and the magazine articles.  plus, my players pay for it so it works out for me <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":-)" title="Smile    :-)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":-)" />5.  speakers - for playing sounds6.  external monitor - Masterplan has the ability to output the encounter map and initiative order and what not to an external monitor.  it's cool, but i'm finding it takes away from the concentration of the players.  they pay more attention to the screen than the map on the table.so i know that doesnt really sound like tons of stuff to bring to a game, but i'm wanting cut it down even more.  my laptop is a huge monster that really is a desktop replacement and too big.  the external monitor i'm finding isnt really necessary.  and finally, i'm feeling like i'm trying to "tech-up" dnd a little too much when it doesnt need the added complexity, especially for me as a dm having to prepare all this crap before hand.what i want is a way to minimize the digital stuff i bring and/or prepare for each game session.  here's what im thinking and this is where i need suggestions:1.  use Asus Transformer tablet instead of laptop - suggestions for apps?  i know there aren't many, but i know some use evernote for their "story boarding" if you will.  i could use that instead of masterplan maybe?  the music/sounds i play can be done via either my Android phone through speakers or through my tablet as well, so that's not an issue although i wont be able to use SceneSound to PLAY the sounds...i can work around that.my main problem with the tablet setup is that the compendium isnt accessed as quickly, or really at all.  anyone have suggestions for that?2.  go more old school - instead of using masterplan for conditions/statuses and what not, i've purchased some pipe cleaners to use for bloodied markers, AoE spells, etc.  i'm also going to make status/condition cards that i've seen on the internet.  for initiative i plan on using folded pieces of paper for standup initiative tracking so both players and dm can see them.so what do you guys think?  any suggestions for making my dm'ing more efficient and easier?  i guess what it boils down to is making prep time not take so long so i can concentrate more on the game.</blockquote>

Verification