What are the "essential" tools for DMing?

[Mouseferatu]

Wow. You use a whole lot more than I do.

I have my books, dice, paper and pencil, and my DM's screen. Occasionally I keep notes on my computer, but that's just a text document. I don't presently use any computer DMing tools, and I don't weven own a laptop. I occasionally use a CD player for music. For big battles I may bring out a battlemat, but most of the monsters wind up represented by dice or slips of paper.

Books, dice, paper, pencil, a bottle fo soda and a bowl of chips. These are the essentials. All else are conveniences.

And yet again, for perhaps the third or fourth time in a week, Umbran has posted my thoughts exactly. (I gotta dig up my tinfoil hat.) I'll make notes on my computer beforehand, but they day I start using a computer during the game is the day I hang up my DMG. I use CDs (and I've even, one or twice, created campaign-specific mix CDs). I only break out the battlemat for really complex fights; anything that can be clearly done through discription alone, is done through description alone. And most figures on the mat are usually dice, or pieces from board games.

Essentials? Exactly as he said. Books, dice, paper, screen (heck, even the screen's optional sometimes), and possibly munchables. Everything else is at best a convenience, and at worst a distraction.

 

[kirinke]

a plan/campaign
a place to meet (online is good)
imagination
patience (lots and lots of)
dice
books
pen, paper, pencils
the ability to hide the bodies of those who don't show up for the game
the ability to throw dice (at people)
munchies
oh yeh, players those are good.

 

[Galethorn]

One of these. Along with being a good 'ol d20, it also works as a paperweight, and a handy tool for intimidating players who just won't shut up.

 

[Keeper of Secrets]

All this stuff sounds great - laptops and MP3s and all. However, I need patience some days. Lots and lots of patience.

Oh, and booze.

 

[Elton]

I learned to DM under a guy in the navy that often ran with a pair of percentiles. That’s it! Just D100. 'course that was first edition which makes it a little easier, but I can still do it if I absolutely have to. But yes the munchies are required too.

 

[Jolly Giant]

The 3 core books, a set of dice, pencil, eraser and plenty of notepaper. Oh, and coffee helps! Add more books as you want and can afford.

 

[Gez]

Essential DM tools? As few or as many sourcebook as wanted, paper, pencil, eraser, imagination, and a trusty ol' computer with an Internet access. So as to check ENWorld.

 

[shilsen]

PHB, DMG, MM, printed out relevant NPC stat blocks and maybe a page or two of notes, pencil, paper. That's about it.

 

[Stone Angel]

I find keeping a couple of supermodels bound in the basement, and promising them they can look only if they play and pay attention really well.

It is a nice little bartering tool, plus it allows me to charge admission, but I need to scale back, the 50 people plus the line at the door is getting a bit excesive.

The Seraph of Earth and Stone

 

[Tuzenbach]

A DM screen
a dungeon
a plan
a back-up plan
confidence
ANTICIPATION!