D&D 5E What Do You Think Is Essential in a Bare-Bones Character Sheet?

[DND_Reborn]

I'm designing a new character sheet for 5E and I got to thinking about what elements are really essential to playing. I thought it might be fun to also design a bare-bones character sheet.

So, what do you think? Choose any or all that you feel are essential to playing.

Note: Some items are pretty commonsense, but I am including them in the list just to be complete.

 

[Yaarel]

I want the character sheet to have the monster statblock organization, listing the three or so "favorite" actions.

 

[payn]

Bare bones? Half those options wouldnt fit on a single sheet!

 

[DND_Reborn]

I want the character sheet to have the monster statblock organization, listing the three or so "favorite" actions.

I have one of those (sort of) that I designed already. If you want it, p.m. me and I'll upload it for you.

Bare bones? Half those options wouldnt fit on a single sheet!

LOL actually, I have designs I made will everything on that list -- only one sheet (back and front, of course).

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

Yeah, I'd also vote for Monster Stat block style, but cram Ideal/Flaws/Bond/Personality somewhere in there.

 

[DND_Reborn]

The problem with Monster Stat block style is you need variable amounts of space for features and then for actions.

Here is an example of the Stat block "inspired" character sheet.

 

[TwoSix]

I think it’s important to distinguish if we want to use the character sheet as a record of overall choices, or as a recorder of temporary changeable information.

Like I know using the character sheet to record current hit points and such is the norm, but damage is ultimately temporary, like any other condition, and can be recorded on a separate sheet.

As such, for an “essential” sheet, I only marked down items that are driven by deliberate decisions about the character and are normally permanent. I also avoided numbers that are easily derivable, like weapon attacks. Name, race, class and subclass, scores (not mods, you can derive the score from the mod but not vice-versa), feats and skills.

 

[Charlaquin]

At bare minimum? Name, ability modifiers, AC, hit points, hit dice, proficiency bonus, blank or lined field for proficiencies, blank or lined field for features and traits, blank or lined field for equipment. Maybe a blank or lined field for spells known/prepared and a simple chart for spell slots if you’re a caster, or for “miscellaneous resources” for Ki and the like.

 

[DND_Reborn]

I think it’s important to distinguish if we want to use the character sheet as a record of overall choices, or as a recorder of temporary changeable information.

I suppose whatever is considered "essential" to you?

Personally, I might use scrap paper for temporary things, but otherwise my character sheet is my only "record" for my character.

 

[Charlaquin]

I think it’s important to distinguish if we want to use the character sheet as a record of overall choices, or as a recorder of temporary changeable information.

Like I know using the character sheet to record current hit points and such is the norm, but damage is ultimately temporary, like any other condition, and can be recorded on a separate sheet.

As such, for an “essential” sheet, I only marked down items that are driven by deliberate decisions about the character and are normally permanent. I also avoided numbers that are easily derivable, like weapon attacks. Name, race, class and subclass, scores (not mods, you can derive the score from the mod but not vice-versa), feats and skills.

Funny, I kinda feel the opposite. Between the tight range of ability modifiers, universal proficiency progression, and generally small number of character build decision points, I feel like I could get away with just a piece of scratch paper to record those ephemeral values like current HP, XP, HD, spell slots, etc. and maybe a set of spellbook cards and keep the rest in my head no problem. My players are always impressed by the fact that I can guess their modifier to a roll so reliably while they have to check their sheets, but like… If I know what class you’re playing I can probably guess what ability scores you prioritize, and if I know what level you are I know what your proficiency bonus is and how many ASI levels you hit, so the only thing I have to guess at is if you have an applicable proficiency or not. And if the party picked you to do a thing, it’s probably because you are. So, yeah, I don’t feel like it’s that impressive to know offhand that your 5th level rogue has +7 to hit with their rapier, or that your 8th level cleric’s spell save DC is 16.