What sort of DM screen do you prefer?

[EricNoah]

I like the landscape ones -- the others are too high for me to see over.

I don't use them for charts or for anything other than hiding my notes and the occasional secret die roll.

 

[BluSponge]

"New" 8" landscape screens? Chaosium has been doing them this way for yeeeeeaaaaaars! I've been in love with them since I bought the Elric! screen in the mid-90s, and always modeled my custom screens after them (even the limited run of 3e screens I did for the rest of my RPGA BK Triad members back when the LG campaign premiered, complete with art panels from the preview scetches posted here and on the wizards website). I like to be able to see my players across the table when I'm sitting down.

Then Pinnacle released their landscape oriented masterscreen and that was that. I haven't bought another screen since (though I may buy another of these screens in case I ever need a spare).

Tom

 

[Kae'Yoss]

I believe that the age of DM screen is over. I am rolling everything in front of the players, I comment on the game, I give advices on e.g. combat options if appropriate. I don't believe in the dichotomy DM vs. players of which the DM screen is a symbol. I thing we all are players, I am just the one with more options given (and with more characters to play).

It's one thing to make all rolls in the open (which I don't like - not only can't I fudge some rolls to improve the game, it will also tell the players too much about the enemies' capabilities), and not everyone has a map printed out or written down, but I prefer to keep my players' eyes away from the enemies' stats. I don't use my knowledge about the characters' stats against the players (not beyond what an enemy could deduce himself - the fighter will have to reckon on having to make will saves, and so on), and I don't want to tempt the players to peek and use what they see, either.

 

[el-remmen]

I like a tall screen, but I stand for the majority of a session, and even when I am sitting it is on a stool that is a good foot and a half taller than anyone else's seat so I can still see everyone.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

My preference would be for a table with a shelf covered by a sheet of polarized glass that allows me to view what is on the shelf, but would obscure others view. OF course I would also like it to have a built in computer and display as well.

Since I am not rich and cannot do that, I prefer the portrait style screens.

 

[painandgreed]

The back of my laptop hides all info I look up, if I use one at all. Never bother hiding die rolls.

 

[kenobi65]

I would argue, that this poll is not representative of the target population

Well, I tend to agree...I suspect that many DMs who don't use screens wouldn't even check this thread out in the first place. I see a lot of different DMs through my RPGA play at conventions and game days, and I'd say that, IME, it's now a minority who use a screen anymore.

That said, I do still use a screen. Maybe I'm just old-school (I *have* been doing this for 25 years now...). I do still keep my dice-rolls secret, for the reasons already described (though, I'd say I fudge no more than a roll or two per game). And, I like to keep the module away from casually-wandering eyes.

I also like to have tables that I use frequently, so that I don't have to go flipping through the books for them. "OK, let me look up the Diplomacy DCs again..."

 

[RFisher]

But I do not need the manufactured screen for that, do I?

Nope. I'm perfectly happy with homemade screens. Or sometimes no actual screen, but using other techniques to achieve the same effects.

Really, what are the tables good for? I never get this idea? The important numbers I know by heart, the unimportant I make up if needed. Which tables do you check on the screen actually?

I don't have the best memory. I don't always improvise numbers well. I have to remember & improvise enough. When I can have a quick reference to rely on, I like to. e.g. In the current campaign I keep forgetting the modifiers to the party's movement rate for each terrain type. So, when they move from one terrain to another, I check the table.

But the quick reference isn't the purpose of the screen for me. It's handy to put them on the screen if the screen is there, but I can just use paper on the table for them as well.

Oh and one more... what is the whole thing about covering the rolls. I knew, I did it myself, but is it because of the surprise or so that you can forge the rolls or not reveal the monster stats or why? Is it because you want to save the players in case you roll to good, or rather make them hard time even if you roll bad. Or is it because you want to make the encounter really cool whatever you roll (and then why to even bother with rolling dice?)

Yeah, I tend to roll in the open these days. So, my screen isn't for hiding rolls.

(Actually, I do still make a lot of the "roll just to make the players nervous" rolls behind the screen. But that's really just a gag at this point. I obviously don't even look at the dice half the time I do that.)

When I'm a player, however, I don't mind the DM fudging rolls in my favor, but I don't want to know when he does it. So, if he's going to fudge a few rolls, I prefer him to roll behind the screen.

So what is left? Maps probably. What would happen if players woud by accident see the game structure (be it dungeon of set of mystery clues - both could be made in form of map?)

That's what I use a screen for. In my experience screens don't prevent the accidental glimpse. Screens prevent the consistent glimpses or plain views.

 

[Pbartender]

I use the 3-panel landscape version of the Savage World's Customizable GM Screen...

I prefer the landscape version, because, as others have said above, it's easier for me to see not only the players but also the table over the top of it. It's also easier to reach over, when I need to move minis around, hand something to my players or grab a handful of whatever's in the munchy bowl.

The customizable screen I use has six insert pockets with see-through panels, much like those you find on slightly fancier three-ring binders. On make my own inserts for each game, usually printed out on card-stock and with tabs added for ease of insertion and removal. My inserts have useful notes... essentially a cheat-sheet for house rules and other rules that are used often but are hard to remember and a chart of certain player stats that are handy for me to know -- AC, BAB, Saves, Listen, Search, Spot, etc. The outside panels typically hold pretty pictures, maps or other handouts for the players to look at.

I often have extra slips of paper or post-its tucked into the pockets, or stuck on the screen as reminders or notes for things that come up in game.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Hmmm, for published ones I prefer 'landscape', though I would not call them 'new' - Call of Cthulhu has had them for donkey's years. (At least 10.)

I have also made my own, mostly as gifts, using World Works PDF terrain (the DM peering at the players across his ramparts...). These have sometimes had built in dice towers.

I also have a soft spot in my heart for the Kingdoms of Kalamar DM's Shield - the thing is just so darned 'uge!

The Auld Grump