105
votes
Accepted
Need way to physically track initiative in face-to-face D&D game
Our group writes the names on pieces of colored paper, about half the size of 3x5 index cards. These are folded in half and the names of each combatant written twice upon the card, so that it forms a ...
- 31.1k
78
votes
Need way to physically track initiative in face-to-face D&D game
I recently saw an excellent post by Matthew Colville on Twitter and use a slightly modified version of this system. It consists of a dowel rod and clothes-pins with names written on both sides for the ...
- 730
43
votes
Accepted
What's the name of cardboard wall DMs use to hide their part of table?
That would be the Dungeon Master's Screen. Sometimes referred to as a DM Shield, or Game Master's Screen (especially in non-D&D games), they are designed to give the Dungeon Master quick access to ...
- 6,496
42
votes
Accepted
How can I enjoy being a DM when I have an explorer personality?
A Style or Category More Than a Tool
There is a style of games in which the GM gets to be surprised and explore unknowns. These are games where the players also have the right to add story details, ...
41
votes
Accepted
What's the purpose of the same page tool?
How you use it
The Same Page Tool is designed to help avoid social conflict. It does so by setting players' expectations about the game.
The Same Page Tool advocates that you answer the questions in ...
- 526
40
votes
Accepted
What software does the WOTC design team use to layout the rulebooks?
According to Mike Mearls, Wizards of the Coast does their design and layout in Adobe InDesign, which is the industry standard for any sort of graphical book publishing. InDesign is a layout program ...
- 5,288
40
votes
Accepted
How can we allow remote players to effectively interact with a physical tabletop battle-map?
For remote play at our table, we use a camera that is stuck on a microphone-boom-arm that can be rotated by 360°. We found out that we prefer it to have our rest position at about 45°, instead of top-...
- 18.7k
37
votes
Accepted
How can I effectively map a multi-level dungeon?
Use a Ring Binder and Poly wallets
I once ran a similar scenario, but mine was a dungeon that went down a whole lot with plenty of sub-levels.
For this, you will need two ring binders, a whole bunch ...
- 2,911
31
votes
Accepted
How can I examine the distribution of successes-counting mixed dice pools?
Here's the link to the program, and here it is in its entirety:
...
- 14.6k
31
votes
Why is it a bad idea to use Same Page Tool as a survey?
The entire purpose of the Tool is to start a discussion, and only secondarily to record the results.
The paper and its exact options are far less important than the discussion prompted when using ...
- 239k
30
votes
Accepted
In Roll20, how to program a macro that mimics the built-in attack function?
If you roll from the character sheet, you should be able to hit the 'up' key in the chat box to see what the character sheet macro actually entered automatically for you (hitting 'up' in the chatbox ...
- 18.8k
30
votes
Accepted
Why is it a bad idea to use Same Page Tool as a survey?
SevenSidedDie's answer is underestimating the damage it can take to use the SPT as a survey. It is not just a waste of time, it is actually harmful.
If you let every player make up their mind on their ...
- 11.4k
28
votes
Cheat-proof online die roller?
Giant in the Playground’s roller is tamper-resistant; any edit to the roll-code after posting, and the post gets a big red angry message and it messes up the roll.
But the real solution, of ...
- 321k
26
votes
Need way to physically track initiative in face-to-face D&D game
My groups usually use a wet erase mat or a whiteboard as a battle mat (grid optional). We always write the names1 of the characters or monster identifiers in the initiative order on the mat itself. If ...
- 15.7k
26
votes
How can I effectively map a multi-level dungeon?
Draw the map in isometric.
Usually isometric maps are just for fun, but where they truly shine is for maps with a lot of verticality. It takes some time getting used to drawing them, but it's not ...
- 644
25
votes
Accepted
What's the legality of making a character editor?
I am the developer of Wild Card Creator, a commercial character creator for the Savage Worlds RPG. While I don’t have direct experience working with Catalyst Game Labs or Shadowrun, I think that my ...
- 15.6k
23
votes
Accepted
Cheat-proof online die roller?
The website Invisible Castle had this exact functionality, and with this exact purpose in mind. It saved the rolls with tags for character, campaign, etc. You could look up the entire roll history of ...
- 841
22
votes
Is the FastCharacter website incorrectly calculating HP for my Sorcerer?
Creator of FastCharacter.com here. Y'all are right, sorcerers were getting d8 instead of d6 hit dice. Fixed it.
20
votes
How can I make intelligence less of a dump stat?
Use intelligence checks, in particular, the Arcana, History, Investigation, Nature, and Religion skills.
From the Ability Scores and Modifiers section of the basic rules, under Intelligence:
An ...
- 27.7k
19
votes
How do I model the fighter's Great Weapon Fighting fighting style in Anydice?
It's a common mistake with anydice to look for a procedural solution- anydice models dice. Therefore cast your problem as "What does the dice look like that gives the answer?"
Think about how Great ...
- 188k
17
votes
Is the FastCharacter website incorrectly calculating HP for my Sorcerer?
Your HP calculations look correct to me. Sorcerers have d6 hit die, the average of which is 4, which gives me the same result you came up with (assuming a CON modifier of 2):
Level 6: (6+2)+5x(4+2) = ...
- 77.1k
16
votes
Accepted
Is there a complete character planner software for Pathfinder?
PCGen is a completely free Open Source character generator and maintenance program, and can do what you are looking for. And even a bit more.
I personally use it for GMing a group of six very ...
- 3,314
16
votes
Is there a complete character planner software for Pathfinder?
Hero Lab is the premier character generation software for Pathfinder (and a variety of other game systems). It's commercial and costs more than PCGen but it's also way more usable. You have to buy ...
- 172k
16
votes
Accepted
Is there a way to browse Scabard's characters, irrespective of their campaign?
Go to the Query Category page on Scabard.
Returns pages across all campaigns that have that category, sorted by campaign score.
Example: Searching for 'City' pages:
Pick "Place Category" on the ...
- 617
16
votes
What writing utensil should I use on gaming paper?
You should have a look at the manufacturer's FAQ. It does appear to have a coating on it, and they recommend using color pencils for things you want to remove.
- 47.5k
16
votes
How can I enjoy being a DM when I have an explorer personality?
Don't invent and plan your entire world in advance.
It's always a good idea to have a basic plan ahead of time. Knowing that your players will start in a city and you want to throw a hook at them ...
- 1,316
15
votes
Accepted
Location generation system?
Use Chaotic Shiny's Civilisation Generator.
Setting-agnostic: Yes. It covers a few date ranges from the past to the future, and is generically applicable enough.
Scalable: Yes. As you take this ...
- 36.9k
14
votes
Accepted
Will there be D&D Insider content & features for D&D 5e?
The tools for 4th edition will stay online as long a people continue to pay for them. D&D insider will continue to be a subscription service for 4th edition content (compendium, character builder, ...
- 102k
14
votes
What's the purpose of the same page tool?
From how it's described by the Author and the quote about not using as a survey I believe there is only 1 intended use: To have all involved know what "Game" they are playing.
Meaning as a group or ...
- 1,103
14
votes
How can we allow remote players to effectively interact with a physical tabletop battle-map?
The boom camera suggested by Akixkisu is a good way to solve the vision problem.
For directions as an alternative to the numbered grid I would suggest just defining N,S,E,W. "I move 3 squares west, 2 ...
- 6,981
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