A device, software, procedure or process used for a specific purpose in relationship to roleplaying games.
35
votes
16answers
876 views
What tools or strategies have you found useful when not all players can be in the same physical space?
Having recently moved most of the way across the US, I am looking for effective ways to continue to game with roleplayers from my previous home. What tools (Skype, mapping applications, etc.) and ...
33
votes
13answers
2k views
What software is available for virtual table tops?
As the younger members of our group get older, they are going off to college or {gasp} getting on with their lives. We still game but are finding it harder to get together as distances increase. ...
28
votes
9answers
448 views
How do you track the PCs' reputation?
I'm currently planning a game with a significant amount of intrigue. I envision the players undertaking actions and adventures that will endear them to one group, and anger others. It occurs to me ...
23
votes
11answers
1k views
What ebook readers work well with roleplaying PDF?
Given the advent of various tablets, netbooks, and ebook readers which works best for viewing AND using roleplaying PDFs. Unreleased products should be mentioned as well as the field is constantly ...
22
votes
14answers
3k views
How to keep track of statuses and conditions?
Every round someone is getting dazed, marked, bloodied, quarried, cursed, blinded, slowed, penalized, buffed, stunned, or taking ongoing damage... the list goes on.
At paragon tier with a six-player ...
22
votes
5answers
614 views
GMing for [dis]abled players, specifically blind players?
What kind of measures should one take when running a game which includes a [dis]abled player (or players) such as a blind of deaf player? Are there any technologies or styles which are particularly ...
22
votes
4answers
7k views
Random Dungeon/Maze Generator
I'm looking for a good random dungeon/maze generator. Some key features I'd like it to have:
Can generate a regular maze (one entrance & exit, even passage width, every spot within the area is ...
21
votes
6answers
546 views
What are some character development tools?
I have a character that I want to develop slowly through the campaign. By this I mean I want him to slowly mature and change his personality through the sessions. What tool or trick can I use to ...
18
votes
9answers
1k views
How to keep track of abilities for D&D 4e?
What are some effective ways to keep track of my character's various abilities? I would prefer cheap or free tools.
18
votes
11answers
2k views
What is a good combat tracker for D&D 4th Edition?
As my players go up levels there are more and more variables in combat. I need help. What solutions exist out there and what makes them good?
17
votes
20answers
2k views
What iPhone / iPad apps do you use for gaming?
What iPhone / iPad applications do you use for your gaming? One per answer, please, and vote up ones you have used and like.
17
votes
5answers
527 views
Mapping software for dual monitors
I'm looking for a piece of software that will allow me to show a player map on an external monitor and a GM map on my laptop screen. I don't want to be dragging the player map back and forth from ...
16
votes
7answers
2k views
How reliable are dice rolling programs?
Dice programs and their use around the table are on the rise:
Are there any characteristics, qualities, or quirks of results obtained by using dice programs which might detract from play? Improve ...
16
votes
5answers
2k views
What is the optimal way to design a well balanced party
Confession - I just TPK'd my group....again.
One of the reasons that has been identified is that while the party is composed of 5 pretty well optimized characters, as a party they just aren't in ...
16
votes
2answers
436 views
Tools/techniques for optimal tabletop gaming with one remote user
A member of our group has moved to Dallas and we're involving them in the game using Skype. The rest of us are sitting around a table. We have one laptop being used to show the player, and usually ...
15
votes
6answers
2k views
What do I need to set up and use a projector as a tabletop?
I have a really nice projector for my home theater, and I am considering using it for a tabletop gaming setup as well.
What do I need to know about mounting it? What are the tricks or issues? What ...
15
votes
1answer
415 views
Are there any serious smartphone apps for handling combat in a LARP situation?
I've seen several apps that aren't seriously meant to be used - are there any ones which are meant to be used, and have actually been used by players?
14
votes
6answers
1k views
Using the iPad as a GM-tool
Anyone have any experience using the iPad as a GM-ing tool?
If so, how did you use it?
Any apps that are particularly good for GMs?
13
votes
2answers
3k views
How can one make a DIY “Silent Dice Tower”?
I currently use a Chessex Dice Boot for rolling dice at the table. It's fairly compact, very portable, and does a great job of minimizing the table area required for a good roll of the dice.
There's ...
13
votes
5answers
6k views
Is there a tool to make custom character sheets?
Is there a tool out there, preferably free, specifically for making custom, system-agnostic character sheets? I'm looking for something a little more focused than a general program like ...
13
votes
5answers
203 views
Is there a campaign wiki solution with mobile support?
I've been looking around for a campaign wiki for a Dawn of Worlds game my group is in the middle of. I've looked at the usual sources (Obsidian Portal, Epic Words), but they don't really have support ...
13
votes
1answer
910 views
Are there any guides for hacking DND4E files?
The offline Character Builder had some houseruling support, but it was somewhat limited and the new online Character Builder has even less. Even if you have a fully legal character, some powers, ...
12
votes
6answers
417 views
How to track character resources (spells, ammo, items)
I am playing a Wizard in a pathfinder game and despite several different reworks of his character sheet I've still not found a decent way to track his daily spells which can change daily (plus how ...
12
votes
3answers
425 views
How can I depict three dimensional combats?
The dragon hovers 2 squares over the paladin, the ranger is perched 5 squares up in a tree, and the fighter is magically flying 3 squares off the ground. Aerial minions soar all about.
In tactically ...
12
votes
3answers
2k views
Does anyone have any templates for Scrivener?
I want to start using Scrivener to plan a game and am looking for some templates for characters, locations, encounters, etc.
11
votes
8answers
394 views
Any free and private wiki-like services for campaign tracking?
In one of our long running (3+ years) campaigns we've wound up with a wealth of information the DM and players can't keep track of.
All of us agree on introducing a wiki to track our information (a ...
11
votes
2answers
1k views
What is DDI (D&D Insider)?
I have seen this referenced in several questions. I've actually seen people use links into the DDI website in their answers that I can't get to since I don't have a subscription. I know its an online ...
11
votes
2answers
3k views
Random Island Name
I know about several random island generators. What I would like is a table or program to generate names of islands randomly. I found a Greek island version but would like something for English ...
11
votes
4answers
4k views
Alternative means of rendering .dnd4e files
Besides the .csl file for DDI Character builder available here, are there any novel ways of creating printable 4e character sheets that are more effective than the default printed sheets? Are there ...
11
votes
2answers
336 views
Eye Contact as a Game Master's tool
Do you consciously use eye contact to help control or encourage players?
When an extroverted or otherwise dominant player adversely affects the group experience, do you use eye contact to seize ...
10
votes
2answers
291 views
How do I grant free weapon expertise in WotC's new Character Builder?
In one of the games I run, I grant the players free Expertise as a heroic level power-bump. The players really like the format of the new Character Builder sheets.
While I would like to use the new ...
10
votes
4answers
2k views
Is there a Masterplan-like tool for 3.5?
I'm looking for a tool like Masterplan or something near, but for a 3.5 / Pathfinder d20 game.
I don't mind if you know of something better ;)
9
votes
7answers
382 views
What are best practices for the use of flowcharts in RPGs
For gamers who use flow charts, process models and diagramming in their game what set of graphical representations work best at representing story components. I'm looking for what set of notations can ...
9
votes
2answers
522 views
How to update a monster using the D&D4 Monster Builder?
I'm new to Monster Builder (part of Adventure Tools) and I'm hoping there is a good way to update pre MM3 monsters to the latest standards (in the errata).
As an example, I'm trying to update the ...
8
votes
3answers
8k views
Is there an official 3E D&D character generator?
Is there a good D&D 3E character generator online or downloadable? Is there an official one somewhere? (Not just a character sheet or tracker.)
If there are no official generators, what are ...
8
votes
6answers
754 views
How can I make paper minatures?
How can you take an images and easily (automatically) turn them into paper minis?
8
votes
7answers
483 views
What are some persistent, virtual, web based, battlemats?
For the chat based playtest of various questions on this site, I find myself wondering about online battlemaps.
My current intension is to use Google spreadsheets to present an abstract, if ...
8
votes
4answers
574 views
Are there good tools for managing custom (homebrew) classes?
The D&D 4e character builder works OK for the official classes, but doesn't seem to have much support for anything custom. Are there good tools for managing characters with custom (homebrew) ...
7
votes
3answers
869 views
What happened to Irony Games' tools?
About five years ago, there used to be a site called Irony Games that hosted a variety of useful map generator tools (Non-functional list of tools shown here). Have these tools ever been re-hosted ...
7
votes
5answers
620 views
Is there a random encounter generator online, for color/minor city detail stuff?
I thought somewhere on www.seventhsanctum.com there was a generator that would get me random city encounters, just minor NPC things like so:
"You meet a(n) ANGRY, YOUNG... DWARF SHIELDMAIDEN... ...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
Is there anything that can create a .dnd4e file that is not the official editor?
Linux is a plus. Even documentation of the file format would do.
7
votes
3answers
2k views
How do I manage created content in D&D Character Builder
I love Character Builder. But I'm wondering how I manage creations specific to my campaign, like gods, boons, magic items or rituals (let alone feats, powers and backgrounds).
What are the ways ...
6
votes
7answers
4k views
Is there a spell managing program/app for D&D 3.5e?
I'm playing a necromancer wizard in a D&D 3.5e game via Roll20.
I've found that it's very tedious to manage and choose my spells because I have to look in the list of the wizard/sorcerer spells ...
6
votes
2answers
81 views
Does there exist an application for tracking your library of games?
I'm thinking of something along the lines of Goodreads or LibraryThing... or even Steam. As these are both books and games (and some of them are free PDFs without even so much as an ISBN number), I'm ...
6
votes
1answer
252 views
How to create shadows in RPTools maptool?
I'm testing out RPTool's MapTool.
So far it's pretty OK, but there are a few things I'm missing.
One of the most important is how to create drop shadows underneath platforms (elevated pieces of ...
6
votes
2answers
140 views
What tool(s) have you used to manage spell lists, especially in a home-brew?
There are a couple of great questions on this site about tools to manage campaign notes. I'm looking for something more specific; it may not exist.
What tool or tools have you used to keep track of ...
6
votes
4answers
307 views
Play-by-web tools for Universalis
I've seen Wiki's being used as a technological base for playing Universalis, but I'm not aware of any wildly successful runs with that.
Are there any other good web tools for universalis?
5
votes
2answers
174 views
Where can I find a list of sources for D&D 4E?
Where can I find a resource that will let me look up the name of something (mostly mechanical) and find out which supplement it came from? I don't need stats or anything else that is restricted, just ...
5
votes
4answers
453 views
How do you transition from 1-page dungeon map to battle mat?
I have a bunch of different ways I use to make maps for my tabletop game. Sometimes I draw one on graph paper. Sometimes I use Dungeonographer. Sometimes I copy a map from a published adventure or ...
5
votes
1answer
5k views
DnD 3.5 Character sheet in Microsoft Excel?
I remember founding, a long time ago, a DnD Character sheet that was all based in excel, and calculating all your stats.
I'm looking for it again, and cant seem to find it anymore. Somebody would ...
