The DM's Screen

[Breakdaddy]

Im in the camp with those that only use their screen for hiding notes/rolls/etc. I purchased the new D20 deluxe screens but they are too small to hide all my notes and rolls, so I dusted off the old 3e screen and it works like a charm. With
8 players currently in my group, its hard to hide anything at the table!

 

[maddman75]

I don't use them myself. I don't like the barrier between me and the players. And I'm one of those DMs that it likely up and walking about when running a game. More often I'll have some reference sheets with relevent charts on them - or sometimes an actual screen folded up - laying on top of the notes to prevent casual glances.

 

[francisca]

I use the Freebie that came with Dragon, though most of the stuff on there is not too useful. I'm currently working on a set of sheets to put in my MasterScreen Quad by Citizen Games, and will not be using the Dragon screen thereafter.

So, mostly I currently use the screen to hide my junk. Hopefully in the future it will be more utilitarian. Of course, my players know better than peek behind the DM screen. <cue evil laughter>

 

[The_Universe]

We don't use a regular table, and so despite the fact that I own several screens, I almost never use any of them. We use a hexagonal coffee table for a centerpiece for the game (miniatures, terrain, rolling, etc.).

Because of the relatively small space, I keep most of my materials on my lap, or on a TV tray off to the side. I generally roll in the open, but when it absolutely positively has to be a secret, I just roll behind a few sections of MageKnight Castle walls...keeps with the ambiance, and they can't be knocked over with a feather like a lot of screens.

As for looking up obscure rules--that's what I have players for.

 

[StalkingBlue]

I don't use DM screens, so no.

 

[Prince of Happiness]

The DM screen we used for the Masters and Minions tournament at Dex Con 7 was two Funkadelic double albums.

Free Your Mind and Your Dice Will Follow?

 

[Arnwyn]

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

Feel the same way about the 3.xe screens compared to previous editions? Yes, yes I do. Feel the same way as you? No.

I don't have skill DCs memorized, nor the situational combat modifiers, nor turning undead, nor concealment (or cover - which I still use the far superior 3.0 version), and a whole range of other things on my two screens (which I've added movement rates, light sources, and more).

I consider that all to be "inefficient memorization", so I still use my two DM screens for reference a lot.

 

[jmucchiello]

Have never used a DM screen in any edition. And I dare my players to try gleen meaningful information from the chicken scratch that is my notes. Double dog dare them, in fact. And if I catch them, I may misread those notes in the future. Is that 6 or 16 8th level fighter bugbears? Wish I'd written that more clearly.

 

[buzz]

A few people have mentioned customiziable screens, and I think if you're going to use a screen at all, that's the way to go. 3e and d20 in general don't require much table referencing, and when I do find my groups refencing the books, it's usually the sort of info that won't fit comfortably on a non-Kenzer-monstrosity screen, e.g., spell descriptions. Ergo, a screen that the GM can tailor to their needs seems ideal. As a GM I'd want to have NPC notes, PC cheat sheets, maps, or custom weather tables on my screen.

I wonder if the whole DM screen concept is really becoming a relic of the early days of D&D. I don't find myself using them when I play other systems. It also seems like a lot of contemporary RPGs have eliminated the concept of adversarial player-GM relationships, maknig the idea that a GM needs a screen to hide things from the players kind of outdated. Does anyone else see this?

Anyway, I tend to fudge rolls a bit as a GM, so I don't mind having a screen to hide them. Still, using a screen at all seemed a knee-jerk reaction on my part when I got back into the hobby full-force with 3e ("I'm the DM. Of course I need a screen."). I find I tend to stand up or move the screen to a side table, as ideally I don't like having a barrier between me and the players. I have a feeling that, the next game I run, I probably won't even bother with a screen.

 

[Iuz]

I used to be obsessed with screens, but no more.

This change has nothing to do with the screens themselves mind you (I own a 3.5 screen that sits flat whenever we play) but just a change in my attitude.

Like some of the other posters here I have come to believe that having a barrier between me and my players has negative psycological effects. (I couldn't believe how different the game felt the first time I got rid of the screen)

Further, I don't want to hide my rolls. I know when I'm a player I constantly suspect the DM of fudging, and it bugs me. As a DM I know given the chance I will fudge. With no screen and open dice rolls my players know that they are earning their victories (and defeats).

Maps, NPC stats and the like reside on my clipboard which is closed whenever its not in my hands.