D&D 5E What's really useful on a DM screen?

[Stalker0]

A write on board for initiative tracking. Conditions are a good one

 

[R_J_K75]

When you buy a DM screen, what info do you find really useful?

Content is relative/subjective, I think it shouldn't be difficult for a 5e game designer to determine what's must see info; but you're not going to please everyone. There are other things as important to me as content. It needs to have font and formatting that's easy to read. I prefer a 3 panel portrait format with tables on front and back. If it were up to me, absolutely no art which to me IMO is wasted space. Perhaps some option for customization but don't necessarily have a suggestion of how. Needs to be sturdy and durable. I'd be willing to pay a decent price $25-$30 as long as I was able to see a full preview of what content is on it.

 

[TheSword]

The most useful things for me…

Conditions
Weapon & armour table (as DM I’m always looking those things up)
Skills and which stats they link to (if you’ve played other games)
List of random names and surnames (though campaign specific)
Spell progression chart
Wealth per level and random treasure tables.
XP per CR creature table

 

[billd91]

On the outside - art. None of my players ever use it for a reference, and never have in my experience.

On the inside, tables I may have to look up while playing so nothing about XPs, or wealth and treasure generation because I do that sort of thing between sessions and don’t need the quick lookup.
So I want conditions, DC tables, tracking and other defined skill DCs, the social interaction table, object ACs and hit points, travel rates, improvised damage table, mob attacks.

 

[R_J_K75]

On the outside - art. None of my players ever use it for a reference, and never have in my experience.

On the inside, tables I may have to look up while playing so nothing about XPs, or wealth and treasure generation because I do that sort of thing between sessions and don’t need the quick lookup.
So I want conditions, DC tables, tracking and other defined skill DCs, the social interaction table, object ACs and hit points, travel rates, improvised damage table, mob attacks.

This is a pretty good summation. I disagree with art only as it allows for more info at perhaps a somewhat larger font than what would appear on a single sided screen. Contanier capacities, light, thrown weapon direction tables were always useful for me too. IDC what edition it is bring back the 2E fighting/wrestling table.

 

[Steampunkette]

For a Level Up screen here's a list of things I'd want:

1) Conditions
2) Strife and Fatigue values
3) Page Number Chart for Journey Activities, Region Types, and Weather
4) A rollable table for Journey Hazards and Rewards
5) Travel Rates
6) Rules for Bulk Items
7) Renown Information for ease of tracking the party's fame
8) Expertise Dice Size Increase Reference
9) Initiative tracker (Just a set of numbers from 24 down to -2 where I can slide a paperclip down the side of the Screen or put paperclips to mark different people's initiatives)
10) A Banner across the inside top of the screen that says, in bright pink or red letters, "Remember to give out Inspiration liberally"

 

[R_J_K75]

For a Level Up screen here's a list of things I'd want:

This was my thoughts to exactly where this may be heading. If so, I'd be surprised if a poll didnt follow.

 

[ECMO3]

When you buy a DM screen, what info do you find really useful?

Conditions are the most useful thing by far IME.

 

[toucanbuzz]

I use the Stratagem customizable DM screen (4 pockets on each side, all dry erase compatible). It was built high quality (e.g. after years of play, none of the sleeves have torn or given way). It came with default sheets for 5E (albeit with an error on a condition) and Pathfinder.

Need:

• Conditions & Exhaustion. These get referenced all the time.
• Player Tracker. Thanks to dry erase, I can change these. Names, passive perception, passive insight, misc section (e.g. profession or a RP note I don't want to forget), maybe an initiative tracker (though I find it faster to use paper).
• Random Names. Because these vary from campaign, I find an insert much better than trying to guess ethnic flavor.
• Sayings, Customs, Swears. Again an insert, but flavor to make my campaign come alive. The last 2 wouldn't work in a preset screen.

Useful:

• Ability checks with examples or actual rules for each one. Likely 2 pages small print to make this work.
• Combat cheat sheet. Possible actions and 1 line rules for things like Shove.

Outside Screen:

Exterior art is nice, but players aren't going to be spending their time staring at my DM screen. In my campaign, I have an insert spot for (1) map of the area, (2) homebrew rules, and (3) free spot for anything I want, such as major NPC art portrait.

 

[el-remmen]

I always make my own and haven't bought a screen since 1E days.