The DM's Screen

[MerricB]

Once upon a time, to save wear and tear on your rulebooks, a DM screen was one of the essentials of AD&D. You needed one to hide your notes, find the Turn Undead tables, the Combat Matrices, the Saving Throws.

With the rise of the "Compleat Statblock" in D&D 3E, I feel that to a large extent the DM's screen has been reduced in usefulness. I use the 3.5E Deluxe DM screen from Wizards, and mostly just for Turn Undead and the odd skill check reference. Oh, and hiding my notes.

Do you feel the same way about the role of the DM's screen in the 3E D&D world?

Cheers!

 

[reanjr]

Once upon a time, to save wear and tear on your rulebooks, a DM screen was one of the essentials of AD&D. You needed one to hide your notes, find the Turn Undead tables, the Combat Matrices, the Saving Throws.

With the rise of the "Compleat Statblock" in D&D 3E, I feel that to a large extent the DM's screen has been reduced in usefulness. I use the 3.5E Deluxe DM screen from Wizards, and mostly just for Turn Undead and the odd skill check reference. Oh, and hiding my notes.

Do you feel the same way about the role of the DM's screen in the 3E D&D world?

Cheers!

Not at all. You've just got the wrong screen Check out the Kingdoms of Kalamar DM's Shield. I no longer bring the DMG or PHB. They're unneccessary. I may need to ask a player for a PHB about twice during the session for a rules clarification on a spell or the intricacies of grappling, but other than that, the DM's Shield has everything I need.

I only wish I had saved $20 by not buying the books in the first place. (I've lost my Monster Manual, so I don't use that anymore either..., but I would bring that if I had it.)

 

[pogre]

Do you feel the same way about the role of the DM's screen in the 3E D&D world?

Cheers!

You get more use out of your 3.5 screen than I do. I was criticized at GenCon for using my old AD&D screens at an RPGA event. "That must be really useful," somebody said. Just as helpful as most screens - a screen to hide my notes.

 

[dave_o]

I'm typically up and moving around when I run a game, so my notes are usually in my hand, or far enough from the players that they can't read them. However, back in my own 2E days I loved the DM screen with all the critical charts on it -- in fact, I typed 'em up and use 'em in my current campaign. The 3E DM screen had some neat artwork on it, too.

What I'd like to see is a hinged, multi-panel double-sided whiteboard as a screen.

Oooh -- now I might have to make one.

 

[reanjr]

I'm typically up and moving around when I run a game, so my notes are usually in my hand, or far enough from the players that they can't read them. However, back in my own 2E days I loved the DM screen with all the critical charts on it -- in fact, I typed 'em up and use 'em in my current campaign. The 3E DM screen had some neat artwork on it, too.

What I'd like to see is a hinged, multi-panel double-sided whiteboard as a screen.

Oooh -- now I might have to make one.

Actually the screen I mentioned is hinged, multi-paneled and supports dry erase markers (I'm not absolutely positive on the last claim, but I am pretty sure).

 

[LeapingShark]

I never used the charts on DM screens anyway, I just use screens to obscure my maps and notes. Most of the retail screens are too flimsy for me anyway (the slightest touch always seemed to send them crashing).

The screen I use the most is a hand-constructed one, made of 6 blank cardboard panels bound by tape. The cardboard is thick and sturdy, so it'll survive a glancing blow without falling over. I can expand the screen for big tables, or fold it into a smaller size for small areas.

I like to enhance the game with lots of pictures and graphics for different encounters and specific scenes too, so I often use paperclips to fasten my visual aides on the outside for the players to see.

 

[Plane Sailing]

I used to use a handmade screen with Angramainyu's charts on it, but once I got a laptop that became my DM screen/notes both together!

 

[sellars]

IMO, the most useful function of the screen is add to the creepyness of the DM.

A DM gniffling behind his screen, throwing dice really builds tension in the group.

All the tables are nice added extras

 

[kolikeos]

the dm screen for me is to hide my notes and fake dice rolls

 

[MonsterMash]

Back in the old days I used to use the tables on the Judges Guild screen a lot, but with 3e I'm using the rulebooks more, and the screen more as a screen, but at the moment I only have the freebie which came with Dragon so its not that good. Once finances allow I'm going to check out the Kalamar screen.