Cut out all the stuff you didn't need and add the stuff you do! Here's how I make my DM's screen inserts. join the discord -- / discord all my links -- linktr.ee/getflappy #getflappy #dnd #dungeonmaster #dmtips #dmscreen
This is CRIMINALLY underrated. As someone who's suddenly been charged with being a DM for the first time without playing the game before, this is so so helpful while I scramble to prepare everything I need and trying to learn the entire handbook. You have earned yourself a very grateful new subscriber!
played a few one-shots, and couldn;t find any new-player, intro campaigns (loads of homebrew, indie stuff that used more rule books that I had and I didn;t want to be reliant on others for the rules for my characters). So I ran DoSI with a few friends and strangers, and now we're running LMoPwith the ArcKnight terraina dn characters set, all having a great time.
Same thing here! I never played the game but i suddenly have to dm for a group of friends so it is so helpful to see videos like this that help understanding ur job as a dm
Not gonna lie, I have been searching for a good, high-quality, in-depth example of what a good DM screen looks like where every part can be adjusted at will. Accidentily stumbled upon this gem, and I must salute you for this piece of brilliant information! Thanks!
I DM for a diverse group of players with many different experience levels, from beginners to experts. On the OUTSIDE of my DM screen, I have inserts with large fonts, with information useful to the players. Two Panels are taken up with Actions in Combat, Two panels are the description of Conditions. I might take out the Conditions inserts, and replace them with descriptions of the Types of Damage and Types of Magic on one panel and Movement and vision abilities. (I got this idea from your video).
As someone who feels like they know rules and mechanics fairly well, this looks like the most helpful thing! Instead of using all my brainpower remembering what the rules are/looking them up when I'm not 100% sure, we use that brain power improvising all the things I maybe should have prepared! AWESOME video! And nice DM screen 😉
Your Character Card section wow’d me. Thought this was really good (but nothing I hadn’t seen in 15 years of DMing) until that. Using this idea going forward!
Ok bro, I am gonna share what I have on my DM screen too, so maybe you can get ideas if you ever remake the video some of them are situational on the campaign - Light sources and the range they light (you only need torches, lanterns and candles, spells are the players job to know) - travelling distance/day, since it comes up very often - random encounter chances, if you use random encounters - random weather table just so I remember weather is a thing -lifestyle expenses, because how much the drinks cost will certainly happen often -object AC and object hp I used to put a lot of other things too, but I have found out that most of them I never use. Next time I will make a dm screen it will have way more space for sticky notes...
I like the variety of what you're including, not just being focused on one aspect, such as only combat related, spell related, etc. Well presented and perfectly explained. Many thanks.
It's so interesting seeing how different DMS handle this. Almost everything on your list is completely useless to me but it's clear you need it. I have a whole other list of things I need for my personal reminders
I really wanted a beginners dm screen with the basic maths, and it was impossible. On my first campaign, i bought a card holder. Then put note cards with nit reminders but the actual math. Such as how to roll attack. How to roll initiative. How to determine weight lifting. Math for the simple. How to cast a spell. How to use spell slots. What is upcasting. So, all this might seem basic or simple. But if you are like me and you read the dmg and the plb and still don't understand how to dm, it is worth it. Like math is important and is more handy than anything else on there. I wanted a thing to look at when the players ask a question and be like yes this is how.
I’m not even finished watching but I can tell ALREADY this will be the most helpful video about DM screens I’ve seen so far. I’m preparing to DM for the first time and I’ve been feeling super overwhelmed about how to set up, so thank you!
Also thank you for keeping it succinct. Very frustrating to watch some videos that are 20+ minutes long and still come away with no useful information.
Been DMing for a few years now, can say definitely some useful stuff here I will be implementing. I already had some of this on my DM screen but I'll be adding quite a bit. Thanks!
Solid work! It’s funny; I completely redesigned the Witcher RPG GM screen because it was so unusable. But the DnD DM screen was decent enough that I only taped a few sections to it that I find helpful. Now you’re inspiring me to just do a fully custom DM screen design for myself. Haha. Great vid, Flappy. First video I’ve watched of yours. Liked and subscribed.
I think the take away here is to make a DM screen. Use a simple tool to create pages for it. And add pages with rules you have difficulty remembering when playing.
I'm a semi-forever DM, this is oddly similar to my layout. I wrote all my screen sheets by hand on homemade parchment paper but yours is more organized. Wish I had done the description of the schools of magic, that's super useful and is something I'm always looking up.
Watching this as a player, makes me _really_ appreciate all the work that goes into GMing TTRPG games. THANK YOU to everyone who puts in this energy and time for us, the players. ♥
Back in first edition all you really needed was combat tables and saving throw tables if you ignored stupid things like weapon speed factor. Add in spell and class descriptions and weapon damage tables and you were ready go. No need for a battle map. The modern game looks quite complicated to run by comparison.
You don’t need to use a battle map if you don’t want to. People like using mats cause it can actually speed up the game as you don’t have to keep a good image of the encounter in ur head
What i realised from this is that there are some useful stuff on your screen, but also some stuff i would never put there because i know a lot by heart, so i need to make my own custom screen at the end
There are some of these DM screens with pockets on both sides. If players ask a number of questions, or often make references on certain rulings. These answers can be provided within the outside pockets for the players to view.
We make cards for conditions and combat. They also include Concentration. This way, you can just hand the card to the player and away you go! Let me know if you’d like a set to try!
Can you post a link to your slides? That would be so helpful. This looks absurdly useful and I'm not thrilled to take the time to build one of these from scratch.
Great video. I always thought the store bought screens were not very helpful and I discovered the 'fill your own' screen a while ago, but this video reminded me of some other info I could put in the screen, so I will revamp the whole thing now. Also, huge thank you to the other comment, their ideas helped a lot too.
Where did you find the charts and different list that aren't typed out. I looked through images etc but can't find ones that are quality enough. Super helpful though I will be adding stuff forsure!
Are you willing to share your slides? I’m sure with the new OGL developments it makes things harder for you, so I totally understand if not. But your hard work is very valuable and thanks for sharing how you made your own.
How did you get the chart to work and read clear in slides did you hand draw it or import it from sheets I got mine to come over but it’s black and white one and the print is soooo small! Please help
I don't usually recommend putting stat blocks on a screen. I prefer them somewhere where I can write and rechange health and where space isn't a issue. But what I also find handy is the price chart for adventuring gear (kinda takes up a whole page) and for magic items just to help price if things are bought As well as dmg rules that might be handy since let's be honest if the dmg needs to be opened you are fucked for rules. Extreme weather and travel is found in the dmg. As well as sky ships random encounter tables, or owning a business
Is this file available anywhere? I'm already thinking of adding some stuff about travelling and more nature interactions (as my party loves that) but using this as a base might be a good idea. (Found it on discord I apologize)
Thank you for this great practical advice! My GM screens have been a post-it laden mess for years, and I love to see what actual charts and lists other GMs use to make their lives easier. Any chance you could link a sample slide or spreadsheet with some of the tables you use as a jumping-off point for people?
Looks great! I see these alot but never printed my own because all the things in them didn't seem to apply. Like. I could never figure out "what" things to put because literally every session I'm looking up new stuff. Anyone else have that?
I buy screens just for the art anyway. I don't think I have ever looked at any of the info. I have a total of 4 screens now, couldn't even tell you what's behind any of them lmao
