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Author Topic: GM screens: Do you use them?  (Read 1370 times)

JongWK

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GM screens: Do you use them?
« on: September 25, 2006, 04:08:50 PM »
I wonder how many people actually use a GM screen? I've basically gone most of my gaming life without using them, and I'm curious.
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jrients

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GM screens: Do you use them?
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2006, 04:11:41 PM »
I use a screen whenever the table size allows it.  It's my DM's security blanket.
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flyingmice

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GM screens: Do you use them?
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2006, 04:15:35 PM »
Nope. I tried it once, and felt cut off from my players.

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Wandering Monster

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GM screens: Do you use them?
« Reply #3 on: September 25, 2006, 04:18:54 PM »
I haven't used one in years.  I tried a few times, but I'm a very animated GM with a tendency to jump around and gesticulate wildly, which more often than not led to my launching the screen across the table...  Plus, I found that it obstructed my view of the battle mat (side note:  I often knock over the battle mat too, but my players won't let me get rid of it... pesky players).
 

Caesar Slaad

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GM screens: Do you use them?
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2006, 04:26:36 PM »
Yeah, but I don't rely on it. I use it less since I started using the "on screen DM screen" in the sage/solevoir SRD.
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Mystery Man

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GM screens: Do you use them?
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2006, 04:35:29 PM »
I threw my screen out many moons ago. I never used the tables on the back of the thing, and it kept falling down.
 

Vellorian

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GM screens: Do you use them?
« Reply #6 on: September 25, 2006, 04:49:52 PM »
I usually use a "screen" to the side, mainly for the charts that are necessary so I don't have to go looking them up (presuming I'm using a game that needs charts).  I don't like it between me and the players.

Of course, I generally do a lot of standing up and pacing about to run my games, which makes it a bit impractical.  I also improvise a lot.  I'll ignore rules in the book, especially if they get in the way of the story.  When I get a rules-lawyer in the group, this will usually come up a time or two before I explain: Rule #1: I make the rules.  I may (or may not) choose to use the rules that the dude whose name graces the cover suggested that I use.  My prerogative.
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JongWK

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GM screens: Do you use them?
« Reply #7 on: September 25, 2006, 05:03:02 PM »
Here's another question: Do you think official screens are worth their price? Which ones do you find useful or a waste of time?
"I give the gift of endless imagination."
~~Gary Gygax (1938 - 2008)


Caesar Slaad

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GM screens: Do you use them?
« Reply #8 on: September 25, 2006, 05:06:49 PM »
Quote from: JongWK
Here's another question: Do you think official screens are worth their price? Which ones do you find useful or a waste of time?


The Spycraft 1.0 Screen sucked.

For D&D, I found the Kalamar screen very cool and useful, but practically it was a bit overbearing. I really only use 1 or 2 tables and repeatedly used those, so I find an over-huge screen to be less than practical, and am considering seeking out and buying some of those customizable screens that you insert your own printed panels into.
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Mcrow

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GM screens: Do you use them?
« Reply #9 on: September 25, 2006, 05:10:41 PM »
I have used them in the past for more crunchy games where things like Gm screens are helpful.

But now I make a point of not playing games that I would need a GM screen to keep track of stuff.

Bagpuss

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GM screens: Do you use them?
« Reply #10 on: September 25, 2006, 05:39:34 PM »
I tend use a long and low one, or just a small one to one side.

I find the tall ones cut you off from the players.
 

Mr. Analytical

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GM screens: Do you use them?
« Reply #11 on: September 25, 2006, 06:04:07 PM »
In the real world, where the adults live, you don't need to hide what you've written in case people try and copy you.

I don't use them and frankly, I look down on the people that do as n00bs and peasants who deserve little better than to be blood-eagled and to have their family sold as slaves.

Bagpuss

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GM screens: Do you use them?
« Reply #12 on: September 25, 2006, 06:16:13 PM »
Quote from: Mr. Analytical
In the real world, where the adults live, you don't need to hide what you've written in case people try and copy you.


It's not so much seeing what I have written down I worry about, but seeing how little I have written down, so they can tell when I'm bluffing and making it all up as I go along.
 

Mr. Analytical

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GM screens: Do you use them?
« Reply #13 on: September 25, 2006, 06:24:22 PM »
Well if players can't tell when you're blagging it you're either not good enough at blagging it or you're putting too much prep time into it.  The aesthetic I go for when GMing is heroin-using jazz musician, furiously improvising and making things up as I go only for me to pull it all together in a final moment of genius.

EDIT: Like the youtube btw, but the girl could really do with a sandwhich.  Mmmm... boney cunt.

beejazz

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GM screens: Do you use them?
« Reply #14 on: September 25, 2006, 06:25:35 PM »
I like to obscure dice rolls.

It allows me to roll the dice and say no anyway.

That said, I don't always need a screen to do it.