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Suggestions for tools for DMs?
sxxf
Registered User new member
Registered User new member
I've been DMing/participating in games for a few years, and now that I just wrapped up a fun tabletop campaign, I'd like to run my first CF D&D 4E game. But I'd like to be adequately prepared and efficient so that everyone can have a good time.
Before I bust out the pen and paper, I'd like to update my arsenal of tools to something a little more modern. Do you guys have any suggestions for the following:
Additionally, is there a canonical way to represent actions, statuses, etc., in the forum that I should be aware of? For instance, I very much like SkyCaptain's style style of posting this:
Also, I'm not a D&DI member. Does that have any tools I'd care about as a DM other than the character generator?
Before I bust out the pen and paper, I'd like to update my arsenal of tools to something a little more modern. Do you guys have any suggestions for the following:
- Hex map creator (for overland terrain, wilderness exploration, etc.)
- Dungeon map creator (for local exploration, general adventuring, etc.)
- Encounter map creator (for showing effects, zones, traps, enemies, etc.)
- [any other standard tools that would be helpful for running a game?]
Additionally, is there a canonical way to represent actions, statuses, etc., in the forum that I should be aware of? For instance, I very much like SkyCaptain's style style of posting this:
Formatting Guidelines
Temp HP -- Placed directly after hit points with no space in between like this
Bloodied -- Placed directly after hit points with a space separating them
Conditions -- Please directly below the target they affect, no special formatting. Just add -- in front and make sure you include a duration!
Actions -- Use this only if you're comfortable with bbcode formatting. If a feat modifies an attack, like Polearm Momentum, note that somewhere in the attack as shown below with the fake Archer's Fury feat.
Temp HP -- Placed directly after hit points with no space in between like this
Bob • HP 29/29+5
Bloodied -- Placed directly after hit points with a space separating them
Bob • HP 10/29 Bloodied
Conditions -- Please directly below the target they affect, no special formatting. Just add -- in front and make sure you include a duration!
Bob • HP 29/29+5
-- Slowed until the end of Bob's next turn
-- Slowed until the end of Bob's next turn
Actions -- Use this only if you're comfortable with bbcode formatting. If a feat modifies an attack, like Polearm Momentum, note that somewhere in the attack as shown below with the fake Archer's Fury feat.
Bob the Barbarian
Move Walk to E7
Minor Hunter's Quarry on the Kobold Dragonshield
Standard Basic Ranged Attack + 8 vs Kobold Dragonshield -- 15 vs AC 20, miss!
Action Point Basic Ranged Attack + 8 vs Kobold Dragonshield -- 24 vs AC 20, hit for 17 damage! Kobold Dragonshield is pushed 2 squares (Archer's Fury).
Minor Hunter's Quarry on the Kobold Dragonshield
Standard Basic Ranged Attack + 8 vs Kobold Dragonshield -- 15 vs AC 20, miss!
Action Point Basic Ranged Attack + 8 vs Kobold Dragonshield -- 24 vs AC 20, hit for 17 damage! Kobold Dragonshield is pushed 2 squares (Archer's Fury).
Also, I'm not a D&DI member. Does that have any tools I'd care about as a DM other than the character generator?
sxxf on
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Posts
There's not really a canonized bookkeeping method; use whatever works for you.
DDI has Adventure Tools, which has all the monsters in one place for you. You can also grab book art and such for tokens. I haven't had it in like half a year so I don't know how it looks right now.
For such things I usually load up Manycam and keep shifting my "camera" to show either an establishing shot to build tone, a portrait of the focal npc of a scene, or a more detailed map to give players an idea where they are.
Since I have it anyway and it wouldn't be sinking money solely for my roleplaying I usually use Photoshop for actually drawing my maps. I just load up a grid/hex pattern on one layer, load up some terrain/obstacles on other layers, flatten it for size and go.