My favorite tool is a variation on your initiative cards. I have folded index cards like those, but with PCs' and monsters' names on both sides instead of numbers. When we roll initiative I hang them in order over my DM screen. (The order has to be right to left for one side, probably the DM since they're just one person who had to read "backwards".) This way everyone can always see the initiative order. You can also get fancy and put information on the DM side (stats like AC etc. for PCs, abbreviated MM entry for monsters) and art on the players' side. It's also handy just to have the PCs' names on display even outside combat, particularly early in a campaign when I tend to forget their names in the heat of the game.
I love the simple monster/player token idea. As a GM that thinks you really only need dice to play the game, this would help bridge the gap with players who want to play the traditional board game style D&D.
I love the DMG in prep!! I never use it during the session, but it's lovely in general. I definitely consolidate my monsters onto a single A4 sheet for a session... I also have a list of names. (That works with the NPC deck) but this is a great setup!
I like the descriptive features you give your lettered baddie tokens...probably more immersive than me calling the zombies Amos, Bryan, Carter, Dwayne, and Ethan 😆
One of my players gave me a set of dice for criticals. Crit hits for Nat 20s and Crit fails for Nat 1s. I had previously purchased two decks of cards. It lets me do something special, especially for the fails.
Mike, As a fellow lover of all things DND and a Patreon I am so glad for the prospect of returning my games in person. Unfortunately, my day job as a physician has shown me that COVID is back and more deadly than ever. I greatly love this content and I want all my fellow gamers to stay healthy so we can game on! Please make sure that if you are playing in person, you either do it outdoors or with masks on. Delta is no joke. I just watched 3 people my age (mid 40s) die from COVID that were healthy. That was yesterday. Tomorrow maybe 2 more. Please be safe. If you’re gaming in person- get vaccinated please and mask up as there are breakthrough cases. I love all of you all and I will continue to support your channel! Jason
Is it safe if everyone is vaccinated at the table in an area of low cases? We’re following the CDC guidelines ourself but recognize we might need to go back to remote gaming.
@@SlyFlourish I would still social distance. If you are watching the map and your cases are low and you’re all vaccinated ( which is fantastic BTW) then by all means enjoy your game. But even at the best rates in the country right now it’s about 60%, so if you’re going to FLGS assume half aren’t vaccinated. Delta is 4-5x more contagious than alpha and produces 1000x more virus particles per host so your margin of error is much lower. I live in New Orleans and our case rate has risen 600% in 2 weeks. Didn’t want to hijack good gaming advice with COVID and I love your kit! Just add a mask and hand sanitizer to it!
I like to put the critical monster stats directly in the session notes and keep the Monster Manual nearby just in case. 9 times out of 10 you only need a creatures Perception, AC, HP, Attack details and anything special (like poison or the first 2 spells they're likely to cast). In the rare event that you need more than that you can open the book. Also I pre-roll NPC's initiative during design/prep time and write it in the notes. Seriously, you have enough to keep track of already, why keep track of the modifier and then take the time to roll it mid-game and then fit them in the order with the PCs?
@@SlyFlourish Yes, in the end you only need use yours buttons and some object props like: Boxes, cornerstones, doors, bookcases, etc... For more information search for this video: Zoned Dungeon Terrain for D&D & Pathfinder (Ep. 100). Dungeon Craft
That's a huge mat, where do you get that? Mine is much smaller in dimension than an 8.5x11 graph paper so it can be hard to get some of the entire dungeons onto the table. Love the sticker resin token idea. Thank you.
@@SlyFlourish yeah we use them at work, stops you accidentally smudging your writing but they do take a bit more effort to rub off and limited colours but a lot better than dry wipe in my opinion.
The DMG is hated because it fails to do the things its most important readers - new DMs - need it to do. It doesn't teach core rules, it doesn't teach how to run a game smoothly, it gatekeeps many important character items to a 2nd book and it focuses too much on creating a unique campaign setting instead of being a DM at the table in the moment.
This is a wonderful and timely update, especially since many of us will be resuming face-to-face games in the coming months.
Exactly!
OOOHHH the letter prompt idea on the monster tokens is 🔥🔥🔥🔥
"Crown Royal bags of dice"
I feel personally attacked.
My favorite tool is a variation on your initiative cards. I have folded index cards like those, but with PCs' and monsters' names on both sides instead of numbers. When we roll initiative I hang them in order over my DM screen. (The order has to be right to left for one side, probably the DM since they're just one person who had to read "backwards".) This way everyone can always see the initiative order. You can also get fancy and put information on the DM side (stats like AC etc. for PCs, abbreviated MM entry for monsters) and art on the players' side. It's also handy just to have the PCs' names on display even outside combat, particularly early in a campaign when I tend to forget their names in the heat of the game.
I do this, as well. Good idea!
Yep! This is common. Only problem is that you can’t use the same cars for different characters or monsters.
I love the simple monster/player token idea. As a GM that thinks you really only need dice to play the game, this would help bridge the gap with players who want to play the traditional board game style D&D.
Thanks so much for the content Mike! Your guides have been instrumental in growth as a new DM.
Glad they work for you! Thank you!
I really like these short videos that cover a simple point or concept. Thanks for doing these!
My pleasure!
I love the DMG in prep!! I never use it during the session, but it's lovely in general.
I definitely consolidate my monsters onto a single A4 sheet for a session...
I also have a list of names. (That works with the NPC deck) but this is a great setup!
Ultra Light, love it. I can dump the file box I have been lugging around. Thanks for another great vid.
Neat! I remember you did a twitter thread on the topic some years ago, other DMs chiming in. Would love an update too!
I like the descriptive features you give your lettered baddie tokens...probably more immersive than me calling the zombies Amos, Bryan, Carter, Dwayne, and Ethan 😆
One of my players gave me a set of dice for criticals. Crit hits for Nat 20s and Crit fails for Nat 1s. I had previously purchased two decks of cards. It lets me do something special, especially for the fails.
Those DIY monster tokens would be a fantastic way to make condition tokens too for people like me who track turn order on a small magnetic whiteboard.
Nice to see this updated. I think about the original all the time.
Mike,
As a fellow lover of all things DND and a Patreon I am so glad for the prospect of returning my games in person. Unfortunately, my day job as a physician has shown me that COVID is back and more deadly than ever. I greatly love this content and I want all my fellow gamers to stay healthy so we can game on! Please make sure that if you are playing in person, you either do it outdoors or with masks on. Delta is no joke. I just watched 3 people my age (mid 40s) die from COVID that were healthy. That was yesterday. Tomorrow maybe 2 more. Please be safe. If you’re gaming in person- get vaccinated please and mask up as there are breakthrough cases. I love all of you all and I will continue to support your channel!
Jason
Is it safe if everyone is vaccinated at the table in an area of low cases? We’re following the CDC guidelines ourself but recognize we might need to go back to remote gaming.
@@SlyFlourish I would still social distance. If you are watching the map and your cases are low and you’re all vaccinated ( which is fantastic BTW) then by all means enjoy your game. But even at the best rates in the country right now it’s about 60%, so if you’re going to FLGS assume half aren’t vaccinated. Delta is 4-5x more contagious than alpha and produces 1000x more virus particles per host so your margin of error is much lower. I live in New Orleans and our case rate has risen 600% in 2 weeks. Didn’t want to hijack good gaming advice with COVID and I love your kit! Just add a mask and hand sanitizer to it!
I like to put the critical monster stats directly in the session notes and keep the Monster Manual nearby just in case. 9 times out of 10 you only need a creatures Perception, AC, HP, Attack details and anything special (like poison or the first 2 spells they're likely to cast). In the rare event that you need more than that you can open the book.
Also I pre-roll NPC's initiative during design/prep time and write it in the notes. Seriously, you have enough to keep track of already, why keep track of the modifier and then take the time to roll it mid-game and then fit them in the order with the PCs?
Foldable flip mat fits perfectly in the pocket of a folder
I was waiting for this! Thank you :)
Nice update! 👍🏽
Always good to see this content easy dming
You are a godsend to DMs man!
For the terrain my suggestion`s to use the idea of Ultimate Terrain (Dungeon Craft) + ICRPG movement mechanic. It`s simple, and work with everything.
Is that the banana!?
@@SlyFlourish Yes, in the end you only need use yours buttons and some object props like: Boxes, cornerstones, doors, bookcases, etc...
For more information search for this video: Zoned Dungeon Terrain for D&D & Pathfinder (Ep. 100). Dungeon Craft
Good stuff!
Chess pieces as monster tokens. YW.
That's a huge mat, where do you get that? Mine is much smaller in dimension than an 8.5x11 graph paper so it can be hard to get some of the entire dungeons onto the table. Love the sticker resin token idea. Thank you.
Paizo makes a bigger flip mat but I don't like it on the go. I only use it under my big acrylic sheet at home.
@@SlyFlourish thank you. I am seldom on the go so this works great as i have a nice sized table
Have you considered using a chinagraph pencil rather than the dry wipe pen?
No! Do they work well?
@@SlyFlourish yeah we use them at work, stops you accidentally smudging your writing but they do take a bit more effort to rub off and limited colours but a lot better than dry wipe in my opinion.
Begging your pardon, but do you use a DM's screen? Or did I miss that in there somewhere?
I do not!
The DMG is hated because it fails to do the things its most important readers - new DMs - need it to do. It doesn't teach core rules, it doesn't teach how to run a game smoothly, it gatekeeps many important character items to a 2nd book and it focuses too much on creating a unique campaign setting instead of being a DM at the table in the moment.
Is there any digital tools you've picked up in the last year that you've thought about bringing into your in-person games now?
Notion almost certainly. D&D Beyond for sure. Maybe even Discord for sharing images.
What about Owlbear rodeo?
Didn’t even watch already thumbed up
Are you really recycling your videos to your blog couple weeks later. Truly a lazy dm