What are the "essential" tools for DMing?

[Terwox]

...pah, all you people just using these outdated methods!
First time I ever DM'd I used a database during the game to reference NPCs.
...and that sucked.

I've used a laptop and mspaint to do combat once... that was ok, but it wasn't worth repeating, and having the laptop around was temporary.

I've used campaign specific music before -- I've had a DM who did it VERY well, and my attempts and using music were generally ignored, except for a specific instance during a vampire game where it worked incredibly well, but it was dumb luck.

I'd be MUCH slower at making NPCs without the character traits generator, or at least the sheet to do it with the dice -- it gives me many ideas for little personality quirks to make characters three dimensional. I'm not sure where a link to that can be found, I can post/host it if need be.

Gonna try this heroforge thing. I use Jamis Buck's stuff for virtually any NPC I want statted, although I wish there was something that would just automatically outfit people with NPC appropriate amounts of loot.

I guess the main thing I need is the (sadly limited) amount of fantasy fiction I've read and consistently ripped off time and time again. Ahh, Sabriel, so many ideas have I lovingly taken from you... (Not that they're unique to Sabriel, it's just where I encountered them. Necromancy using bells, tongues being bound except on sea... whee.)

 

[MonsterMash]

As a DM, I find having a few players around are really helpful tools.

Oh personally I find they get in the way and don't do what I want them to

On topic - not that much I use a DM screen, Pocket players Handbook, DMG, somtimes the MM or Tome of Horrors if I haven't remembered to copy out monster stats, dice, sometimes a mat and minis/counters at the table. I'll prepare notes on a PC before and do things like use a online XP/treasure calculator for encounters (the one I use is a copy of Arcady's one), but not use a laptop at the table.

 

[Psion]

Would it be a crime to admit that I feel naked without my Laptop?

Admittedly, most of the time the only file I use is my NPCs file and perhaps my "adventure to-do list", but when I need something more, like to pull up a quick NPC with NPCgen, or to find a rule real quick with the solevoir-sage SRD, it's priceless.

 

[Rasyr]

To me, the only essential GM tools that are required are the following (this presumes that the GM has players to begin with):

1) A basic idea for where the campaign/adventure is to go
2) A good imagination
3) An ability to think on your feet (for those unprepared/unusual for situations)
4) A good working knowledge of the rules to be used (no need to have them memorized, just so long as you know where to find them)
5) A good sense of organization (you have to know where what you have is located)


Everything else is just gravy that makes the above easier for the GM(including books, dice, utility software, etc...).

Psion - no it would not be a crime to admit that. All that says is that you have become accustomed to a certain level of "gravy" when GMing. While you may no longer be comfortable without those tools that you use, the point is that you CAN get by without them in a pinch.

"Essential" basically means what tools are required, can you not get by without. Notice that I did not list books or dice as essential either, they are helpful, but it is possible to run a game without them.

 

[MetalBard]

Screen, notebook, dice, pencils, core books + relevent sourcebook(s)/adventure and a beverage of my choice (caffeinated or alcoholic, depending on my mood).

When I start DMing again, I'll use a large wet-erase mat with counters. I've introduced that to the couple of games I've played since putting a hiatus on my DMing and it has worked really well where there used to be confusion, wailing and the occaisional gnashing of teeth.

Waiting for the space and future counters from Fiery Dragon in February... Traveller T20 is just too good to ignore...

 

[Sammael]

"Sufficient time to prepare" is about the most useful tool a DM can have. I used to "wing it" all the time, but as I grow older, I realize that preparing in advance allows for a much less stressful experience. The preparation varies from a few notes on a piece of paper to a fully written and statted out adventure, depending on my plans and how sure I am of what the party will do.

 

[Scotley]

Required:

Core books--can be used from memory if the need arises.
Dice--The magic dice in my head work in a pinch.
Players
Diet Coke
A place--pretty much anywhere.

Helpful:

DM Screen
Optional books--especially more monsters
Initiative cards--from the game mechanics, these things are great!
Notes
Maps
Improvised battle mat with beer bottle tops, dice and bits of paper for monsters/players/scenery
Beer
Snacks
Dry erase board
Notebook Paper/Graph Paper/pens/pencils/notepads/binders/folders/sheet protectors
Adequate lighting
Table and Chairs
A computer--for game prep and research only, not at the table. Also good for information sharing between sessions and character generation.
Power drinks such as red bull or rock star if the game exceeds 5 hours or so.
Prep time.

Things I don't need:

Rules Lawyers
Too much alcohol
Laptops--One fellow DM's experience with a power cord and a passing dog was enough to convince me--I can't afford a new screen for my aging laptop.
Too much rich food
Distractions--cell phones, TV, non-players wandering in if they can’t watch quietly.
Drugs—illicit or even legal if they impair the player.
Work the next day—unfortunately my DMing skills have not provided an income to date.

Things I’d like to try:

Mood Music
Props
Supermodels in the basement—gotta start digging one.

 

[Waylander the Slayer]

Hmm...I think i might have misstated what i was intending. As always, imagination, dice etc. are the prime requisites of DMing. What i was wondering was what other tools people use.

For Example, i checked out Heroforge after a post here by PirateCat about it; it is one of the best tools i have used since it cuts down the time i need to create a high level NPC by 70%.
It is also incredibly useful because you can add numerous PrCs and even add templates and select different non PHB races. It used to take me abt 3-4 hrs to create a detailed NPC and if i was to add a prestige class with lots of special abilities it extended the process even more. Unfortunately, i dont have 6-7 hrs per week to create one NPC - hence it is an "essential" tool for me (oh yeah, its free too!)


As for the laptop- i no longer have to carry around numerous books or flip through pages to reference something obsure. The searchable SRD of the DMG, PHB, MM and all the spells listed in detail by level, class etc. (i think i got most of this from CMG) makes my life so much easier where i can focus on the game, the plotting and other "essentials" of the game during game time.

I just got tact-tiles and i do have to say it is better than a regular battlemat.

 

[DonAdam]

Core books
Screen
Paper
Stats
A SPOTLESS GOAT TO OFFER AS A BLOODY SACRIFICE TO THE DARK LORD OF GAMING