I always use a GM screen.  I used a lot of them from the manufacturers, but always wished there was other layouts.  I made a couple of my own, but then I found the MasterScreen and bought that.  Never purchased another GM screen again!  I just create my own sheets and put them in the MasterScreen.

I like being able to keep my notes behind the screen, keep die rolls behind the screen, and be able to WRITE notes to players without other players being able to read what I'm writing.

Plus, like one other mentioned, by putting a good image for the setting on the front, it helps set the theme.

Don't forget the best thing a DM can do to revitalize the table or draw attention to something.

Roll some dice behind the screen for no reason at all.

Quote from: Blackhand;601197Don't forget the best thing a DM can do to revitalize the table or draw attention to something.

Roll some dice behind the screen for no reason at all.

...and then hastily stuff them back in the dice bag as he mutters "Oh, shit."

Quote from: Blackhand;601197Don't forget the best thing a DM can do to revitalize the table or draw attention to something.

Roll some dice behind the screen for no reason at all.

I have a little box lid that I roll dice in. I also roll dice for no reason at all, especially when the group goes off on a discussion/tangent. Then everyone stops and looks at me and says, "What was that?" and I reply, "Oh, don't worry about that."

then, out of paranoia, they get back on track.

I rarely used them in the past. When I did they were reference cards. However the 4e Screen with it landscape format was way useful so I bought a couple of customization screens in landscape. First a three panel and then a four panel. The lower height makes it a lot less intrusive.

Never used them. Not my style. My notes are actual notes. The players wouldn't make any sense of them if they did read them.

-clash

Totally depends on the game, meaning how much suspension/surprise involved. S for Call of Cthulhu/Paranoia...yes. For a sandbox fantasy adventure, not so much.

Quote from: everloss;601308I have a little box lid that I roll dice in. I also roll dice for no reason at all, especially when the group goes off on a discussion/tangent. Then everyone stops and looks at me and says, "What was that?" and I reply, "Oh, don't worry about that."

then, out of paranoia, they get back on track.

Hehe...my group doesn't bother to ask anymore, they just look at me expectantly with strange smiles on their faces...

I don't use them, but then since I sit apart from the players and have my own separate table to roll on, that makes it kind of unnecessary.

RPGPundit

I use them as reference, not to hide stuff behind. I usually put it down flat on the table. A nice screen is like an elaborate summary of the rules.

Quote from: HombreLoboDomesticado;601528I use them as reference, not to hide stuff behind. I usually put it down flat on the table. A nice screen is like an elaborate summary of the rules.

I've never found them that useful myself; there's a problem with screens which is a kind of catch-22:
if they put too few things on the screen, you're stuck having to go look shit up anyways.
If they put too much, you spend almost as much time trying to find the info you're looking for on the screen itself.

That's my experience, anyways.


RPGPundit