Turn the Screen Around

[TikkchikFenTikktikk]

Has anyone ever tried turning the DM screen around so you see the art but the players get at-a-glance descriptions of conditions, lists of what's a standard action vs. what's a minor, etc?

If so, how did it work out for you?

Seems like my new and casual players would greatly benefit from having this info at their fingertips while I really don't need it anymore, having run this game for so long and so often.

 

[Abstruse]

It might be information overload for new/casual players. Most new players have enough to deal with dealing with all their powers and what their stats do and everything else. It's usually easier and faster for new players to just ask me what something is or tell me what they're doing and I tell them the DC or which skill applies or whatever. I'd rather give them a cheat sheet of some sort and keep the screen info for myself.

One thing I never do is roll openly. Unless I'm just critting left and right, I want the ability to fudge rolls to keep someone alive for dramatic reasons (either because I don't want a TPK or I don't want the BBEG to die JUUUUST yet since I can tell the PCs are going to win already and I just want to give them a cool battle). If the dice are falling terribly against the players and I want them to know I'm not trying to screw them over, I'll roll open. Otherwise, I don't bother.

I will say looking at images of the new DM Screen, I think it may come in handy for me far more often than the original 4e one I currently have.

 

[Nemesis Destiny]

I think it would be helpful for players, especially ones new to the game, however, then *I* would have to look at the 'art,' so I don't think this is going to happen at my table any time soon.

A double-sided DM Screen would be most helpful, I think.

 

[Dungeoneer]

I DM with a laptop, which makes the screen somewhat redundant, but I still keep it around as a quick reference sheet. I guess I could just print something out, huh?

 

[Pbartender]

Seems like it would be difficult to read for all but the closest players.

But otherwise, it's not a half-bad idea.

 

[smtwtfs]

In the early days of D&D 4e I created my own Player's Chart and then lamented it. During game sessions I would write down what conditions my PC were under as well as HPs.

View attachment PCA_Updated.pdf

This chart is not updated and for that I apologize (I am a really lazy person).

 

[shadzar]

Just give them a copy of the info they might need. Don't really want to have to play flip the screen when I would need to see something.

So just make them a crib sheet to paperclip tot he character sheet packet that they can pull out and look at. That way you won't have to pass the screen around for people farther away that might not be able to read it from your sitting location.

 

[UnknownAtThisTime]

In the early days of D&D 4e I created my own Player's Chart and then lamented it. During game sessions I would write down what conditions my PC were under as well as HPs.
.

No reason to lament it, the sheet looks great!

(Assume you meant laminate)

 

[Saeviomagy]

I imagine it would just end up with you feeling like your players are squinting at your chest all the time. Or just asking you what they need to roll anyway.

And if you want people squinting at your chest to work out the rules,

try here

 

[MortalPlague]

And if you want people squinting at your chest to work out the rules,

try here

If you need to squint to read that, you're in trouble.

Also, isn't that a Penny Arcade shirt?