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What's in your GM "bug-out bag"? Tips for running a TTRPG session on the fly and on the go
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<blockquote data-quote="MNblockhead" data-source="post: 7385429" data-attributes="member: 6796661"><p>I don't get to play DnD or any TTRPG as often as I would like. So, when an opportunity presents itself, I had to let it go because I have nothing prepared. </p><p></p><p>What tips do you have for a quick one-shot, pick-up game? </p><p></p><p>I try to have a number of 4-6 hour adventures that I'm familiar with and which don't require too much prep time. </p><p></p><p>If I'm at home, it is much easier because I have access to all my materials. </p><p></p><p>I can, however, pull together everything I need for a session in a few minutes. This would include the following items that all fit in one large book bag. </p><p></p><p>* I backed Arc Knights latest Kickstarter and have a box of flat 2D minis and bases organized in envelopes, alphabetically. I don't even bother trying to select minis. I just grab that box and have hundreds readily available. </p><p></p><p>* A Bag Of Superior Holding (B.O.S.S.) from another Kickstarter. It is large has multiple compartments of multiple sizes, which are easy to grab from when it is open. I have all the dice I need for myself and 4-6 players in it and ready to grab and go. </p><p></p><p>* Pencil bag with a bunch of sharpened pencils and wet erase markers. The wet erase markers are for the battle map and also to mark numbers and conditions on the flat plastic minis or their bases. At home, I use color-coded, magnetic status markers from Alea tools. But even though I have a nice carrying case for these, I find it easier to have several colors of wet erase markers and just mark right on the flat minis or their bases.</p><p></p><p>* Battle map grid. If I want to keep everything in one bag, I can just use the D&D Adventure Grid, but I usually bring my big Chessex mat and use it more, as I like the larger play area. But if table space is limited the Adventure Grid is often more practical. </p><p></p><p>* Dungeon Master Screen. I prefer the one with the red dragon on the front. When away from my home set up, I rely on the reference charts on the DM screen more. </p><p></p><p>* Books & character sheets / DnD Beyond. Even with the items listed, I can still fit the core books. But I also have DnD Beyond, which I can also share with players. So, I could do without the books, but I tend to take the PHB, DMG, and MM. I'll also have the pre-gen characters and some blank character sheets from WoTC pre-preprinted. Again, DnD Beyond can allow me to forgo all books and character sheets. But not all players have or want to use smartphones, tablets, or laptops at the table. </p><p></p><p>* Evernote. I have a collection of adventures in Evernote. I use tags to make it easier to search by level, theme, etc. I have a few that I mark for "new players" or "one-shot" and also some that flagged because I've run them before and are familiar with them. </p><p></p><p>* Tablet / Smartphone / laptop. I *could* just use my iphone X, but running an adventure from a phone would not be very convenient. My laptop is easiest. I have an old iPad, which is a good compromise. I've thought of getting the 12.9" iPad Pro, but that's a lot of money for something I don't have a great deal of use for outside of gaming. </p><p></p><p>Anyway, what is in your GM bug-out bag?</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="MNblockhead, post: 7385429, member: 6796661"] I don't get to play DnD or any TTRPG as often as I would like. So, when an opportunity presents itself, I had to let it go because I have nothing prepared. What tips do you have for a quick one-shot, pick-up game? I try to have a number of 4-6 hour adventures that I'm familiar with and which don't require too much prep time. If I'm at home, it is much easier because I have access to all my materials. I can, however, pull together everything I need for a session in a few minutes. This would include the following items that all fit in one large book bag. * I backed Arc Knights latest Kickstarter and have a box of flat 2D minis and bases organized in envelopes, alphabetically. I don't even bother trying to select minis. I just grab that box and have hundreds readily available. * A Bag Of Superior Holding (B.O.S.S.) from another Kickstarter. It is large has multiple compartments of multiple sizes, which are easy to grab from when it is open. I have all the dice I need for myself and 4-6 players in it and ready to grab and go. * Pencil bag with a bunch of sharpened pencils and wet erase markers. The wet erase markers are for the battle map and also to mark numbers and conditions on the flat plastic minis or their bases. At home, I use color-coded, magnetic status markers from Alea tools. But even though I have a nice carrying case for these, I find it easier to have several colors of wet erase markers and just mark right on the flat minis or their bases. * Battle map grid. If I want to keep everything in one bag, I can just use the D&D Adventure Grid, but I usually bring my big Chessex mat and use it more, as I like the larger play area. But if table space is limited the Adventure Grid is often more practical. * Dungeon Master Screen. I prefer the one with the red dragon on the front. When away from my home set up, I rely on the reference charts on the DM screen more. * Books & character sheets / DnD Beyond. Even with the items listed, I can still fit the core books. But I also have DnD Beyond, which I can also share with players. So, I could do without the books, but I tend to take the PHB, DMG, and MM. I'll also have the pre-gen characters and some blank character sheets from WoTC pre-preprinted. Again, DnD Beyond can allow me to forgo all books and character sheets. But not all players have or want to use smartphones, tablets, or laptops at the table. * Evernote. I have a collection of adventures in Evernote. I use tags to make it easier to search by level, theme, etc. I have a few that I mark for "new players" or "one-shot" and also some that flagged because I've run them before and are familiar with them. * Tablet / Smartphone / laptop. I *could* just use my iphone X, but running an adventure from a phone would not be very convenient. My laptop is easiest. I have an old iPad, which is a good compromise. I've thought of getting the 12.9" iPad Pro, but that's a lot of money for something I don't have a great deal of use for outside of gaming. Anyway, what is in your GM bug-out bag? [/QUOTE]
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