What sort of DM screen do you prefer?

[Firebeetle]

Two basic choices

Do you like your screen with "landscape" panels (8" high) but longer across the table, or do you like your screen tall with "portrait" panels (11" high) but not as long.

Do you like something else? Please detail.

Do you not use a screen? Why not?

Thank you.

 

[Ry]

I lay my screen flat, as I'm often standing while GMing. I've never found a screen that works for me 100%.

 

[Random Axe]

I voted for the standard 11" screens, because frankly I've never heard of or seen any 8" tall panel screens. Anyone have a pic or demo of what that is like?

 

[Emirikol]

I leave my DM screen up BEFORE the game and then take it down. I use an "Easy Reader" platform to shield the valuable secrets of the scenario from prying eyes.

The easy reader can be found at: http://www.amazon.com/Maxi-Aids-The-Easy-Reader/dp/B00014VVX0

Ironically, I discovered this device while at chiropractic college.

jh

 

[el-remmen]

My screen is just shy of 16 inches high and has four panels.

I hate hate hate the long "landscape" screens - the one for M&M 2E was a joke of a product - and have not liked a store-bought screen since the ones printed for 1E.

Homemade, all the way. . . I posted pics of my screen in another screen thread, recently. . .

 

[Aus_Snow]

Custom, preferably. 'Portrait', not 'landscape' mind you. I hate those flattened-looking types.

For some systems, I need no screen. D&D is not one of those.

 

[blargney the second]

A 17" screen with a keyboard and Internet connection.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

The new-fangled "landscape" ones, without a question. That way, I can see most of the table, and my players' faces, without standing up all the time.

 

[Michael_R_Proteau]

Landscape all the way. I hate the 11 inch portrait screen, it is harder to see over for me, harder to reach over when using battlemat/minis, and generally the extra height serves no uselful purpose for me. The landscape is wider allowing me to spread out notes/maps/minis a little more behind it and have more material visible to me only for easy reference. I use the custromizable landscape screen that was put out for Savage Kingdoms, so I was able to play out and print pages with landscape layout in mind, organizing the references I wanted for that layout.

So easier to see/reach over, more material accessible and screened on the table, and less obtrusive presence on the table are my reasons for the landscape over the portrait.

-M

 

[amethal]

I don't need a screen.

Among my many talents is my incomprehensible handwriting and complete lack of artistic ability, so I'm not worried about my players reading my notes. (By popular demand, all my handouts are typed .)

Also, I have no trouble fudging rolls I have made in plain view, and my players are very good at not metagaming when they see their own search checks etc.

There's not enough space on the table as it is, and I don't like putting up a barrier between myself and the rest of the group.