How Pro DnD DMs Actually Use Their DM Screens

Lets see how the different DM's of #criticalrole and others use their DM screens.
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[@samseaton7682]

Damn, this was perfectly timed - I am trying to DM for the first time soon and just stumbled on your channel. And now bam, this is exactly what I wanted, uploaded 18 minutes ago. This rocks, thank you

[@gmjjjones]

As a professional DM, let me tell you this is some of the absolute best advice on DM screens. Mine has vinyl and magnets so I can dry erase on it, and quickly systems between games. The most important advice here, in my opinion, is keeping the experience collaborative. Ask players their recaps, engage in their ideas and goals, and have some way to keep secret information. If you shed the screen, I recommend a notebook for the game. I do it for custom settings and campaign notes, but it is a *lot* more work to keep the flow of game if you're trying to remember which page had which note. Name lists also make life much easier.

[@BigDaddyWes]

You'll do great!

[@thesystem4025]

Same here, I’m DM’ing for the first time tomorrow

[@lydiasteinebendiksen4269]

Check out Matt Colville's "Running the Game" series. It's the best guide on the internet for new DM's to get started and improving.

[@dafrgama]

Having players do the recap is an absolute gamechanger - my second ever DM offered players an inspiration for delivering a good recap that captures everything, and if we couldn't, then they (the DM) got inspiration. Massively increased note-taking, and meant that if we knew a session that was gonna focus more on one character was coming up, we'd pool our notes to ensure that the player who had the focus for that session went into it with an inspiration. Such a simple thing, but meant we all focused more, worked together as players out of session, and all were on the same page going into the next session. I've carried this rule over into my DMing, and I've noticed that players also listen a lot more when it's a fellow party member doing the recap. Cannot recommend this enough.

[@CatherinePuce]

I tend to write down what happen in the game after a session to keep track of the important stuff. Specially since some DM I had seem to conveniently forget plot points when it didn't suit their need.

[@thebeatles9]

this is genius

[@kelpiekit4002]

For a handy extension of the full cover screen you can just store your DM in a packaging box from something big, like a fridge. When it's game time just knock on the outside so they know to start. And when the campaign ends you get to open up the box and enjoy a display of all the campaign notes scrawled across it as you feed and water them and transfer them to a fresh box for the next campaign.

[@sky0kast0]

crazy plan

[@GwynInRealLife]

@@sky0kast0how did you make that face

[@SillyRobot]

@@GwynInRealLifeyt sticker I think

[@g_glop]

bocchi the DM

[@fraisergallant6216]

I tend towards using a DM screen as kind of a safety net as a new DM. I only really started like a month ago after a couple years of playing, and am kinda anxious in social situations, but when the screen is up and in front of me, it's like a mental thing that switches on and I'm ok with being in the spotlight and fumble my words less often. Fumbles still happens, but I'm only human

[@Potatooie]

That ending is perfect. Makes me wish I still did physical sessions.

[@artistpoet5253]

I don't use DM screens as intended. They're more like a group reference card. The 'secret' stuff, like encounter notes, are kept in a folder or are part of the module and referenced as needed. Like you mentioned, 'connection is the reason to gather for games'. No phones or lap tops at our table either. If we're playing music, it's coming from the stereo. Maps are sketched on paper and battle is theater of the mind. It's as analog as possible at our table.

[@timesthree5757]

That's what I do.

[@xexus101]

I personally have been using a laptop with 5etools DM screen and have been loving it. My favourite feature is the initial tracker, paired with creature viewer that's linked to their bestiary. This video helped me realize what I've been missing and how I could improve it, greatly appreciated!

[@xexus101]

I have physical dice because the math rocks are necessary, but the digital screen also gives me quick and easy access to other resources I need on the fly. This isn't an ad for 5etools, but if you're not using it, you're missing out!

[@vannwallnutt8823]

"I've been here the whole time" Triggers my fight (watch) or flight (save to watch later) mechanism

[@Dlnqntt]

Playing online, without cameras, feels like a full body screen...

[@cyanscholar5498]

Yeah youre right, its kind of like the room youre in is your dm screen

[@ion_eyes]

Great advice. Playing on computer does help because you can just do Ctrl+F to find a specific table or number. But that also means you need to have access to it digitally...and some systems which require you to pay for that info make that more annoying.

[@TheLogicMouse]

Good video! I liked your exploration of the "full body" GM screen, and agree with your assessment, but I had an odd thought while you were demonstrating it: If you're really nervous/shy as a GM and wanted to hide your face from your players, you could make a costume (or just a fancy hat) with a veil to cover your face, but let you see your players through it. Wouldn't provide space for secret-keeping, but could be fun to cosplay as "the voice of Fate" or some such

[@miritallstag336]

I had a wild magic sorcerer in my party, so i photocopied the wild magic surge table, cut it in half so it was shorter than the screen, taped it together to double the width bc idk, and used one of those binder clip things to attach it to my screen. Didn't want to tape it on in case i damaged the screen taking it off. Eventually i added the ACs of all the pcs.

[@llamatronian101]

When you use a name, write down who it was. They're a recurring NPC now.

[@adriannaoshea]

I've been meaning to make a half-height DM screen. I want a little space to have reference, hide notes, and make secret rolls, but I do not like having a big screen separating me from the rest of the table. Its so cumbersome to reach over a screen to draw a map or move a mini.

[@VaennMiten]

Okay but honestly the loading screen is genius, I need to prepare some for my players.

[@undine120]

I tend towards no-screen, but the big thing I do is have index cards folded in half to be little tents, with the character's name on one side, and the name, ac, save, passives and any notes (ex: has alert feat, ignores lightning resist, etc) that are relevant. Then when we roll initiative, I just re-order the index cards based on initiative so everyone knows where we are in the order and once the enemy acts, I move the cards slightly to leave a gap for when they act.

[@anselmoffrisia2930]

You weren't off to the side "the whole time" unless you used a hand double to take your place after getting back there.

[@miscelaunius]

I LOVE the loading screen idea! I love this in video games when they give tips or lore while screens load. Brilliant! Thank you!

[@ManrayO_O]

I love being an online DM cuz I have the internet at my finger tips and I can just look up ruling. STILL GONNA WATCH THE VID THO TO SEE IF ANY ADVICE SEEMS USEFUL. Love the channel ❤

[@dorianthegrey2685]

Fantastic video with a ton of useful advice. One request/suggestion though for making your content more accessible--if the background music could be tweaked just a hair lower in future videos? Your voice and the music are just close enough in volume that it's hard to understand at points. Not impossible, just takes a loooot of focus to differentiate here and there with an audio processing disorder. Like I said though, really useful info--especially liked the tables for npc names!

[@thebeatles9]

I dont have a loading screen, I verbally tell the players "fill in the gaps while I look this up" prompting them to RP or make a plan etc

[@cyanscholar5498]

I do something that I have never seen anybody else do... I use my Meta Quest VR headset for all of my notes. I stream my laptop to my headset and use wireless mouse and keyboard. I barely take up any space at the table, and theres litterally no way for my players to see spoilers while Im wearing the headset. Plus, it can help with roleplaying since my players dont have to make eye contact for me

[@therealmaisanhasan]

I keep: -Notes -Passive Skills -Spell Saves -Minis -Books -Condition Rings -Dice -Phone for music -Battle Fields

[@BautzCat]

Actually going to my first session zero (as a dm) today, so great!

[@Eriatha]

Player written recaps are a must. They don't have to be spectacular, but it involves the players and often tells the DM what that player thinks was remarkable and important from the previous session. But names are the biggest thing. The absolute #1 thing to have on your DM screen or in your prep notes is names. I have 308 individual person or place names in my world. This includes important characters and options for randomly named NPCs. No one could remember all those off the top of their head. Make notes, people!

[@AnotherDuck]

"What's your passive perception? Oh, 17?" *rolls dice* "Okay. Anyway..."

[@jackiecooke1851]

I borrowed a taller dm screen which was great for it gave me more privacy and less likely to look at my players and think they judge me. Along with more space to put my npc/pc list and a possible monster along with what I have in mind for the session. I also had a mini as a backup monster, my notepad for things as they happen. Phone for quick info, cards for treasure and of course dice. I hope to get one for myself to keep information on hand.

[@keeop]

My biggest challenge is that I have low vision and reading most DM screens is next to impossible. I get it, there are choices to be made there between the amount of content that needs to be included and the accessibility of the screen. But for the most part I can't really use them, and it's challenging to find or DIY an alternative. For the most part it's just a piece of cardstock that I can hide my piles of notebooks and index cards behind.

[@AltPlay]

I DM more than I am a player and when I do play I'm playing online with friends, but the idea of being a player at a physical table where my DM doesn't have a screen up sounds a lot like what the standard (and unmodded) Baldur's Gate 3 experience felt like before they allowed us to turn off secret rolls and knowing what DC we need to make for every roll. To be honest, I hated it - I don't ever want to know when my DM is taking notes of things I've said or done or letting me see an NPC's roll in a contest. That's added stress. lol

[@RekoneInkings]

I use a universal GM screen: you can copy or build your own. You can use it for any game and you can even use whiteboard markers and magnets if needed 😊

[@azzaelulbrinter]

I don't use DM's screen for various reasons: 1) My table is too small, so it is kinda cumbersome. 2) I got all my notes on a One Note document, so the screen of my laptop kinda acts like a screen with infinite notes. 3) I let my players roll for "Defense" instead of me rolling monster's attack rolls, I barely roll dice during the game so I have nothing to hide.

[@nagranoth_]

As for the full body GM screen... I just use it to my advantage that they read my reactions, I give them nothing if I don't want them to know something, and I show reactions if I want to steer them a bit 😛 Mind you we play Fate, which is HEAVILY focused on cooperative storytelling. In fact, it's really the only thing Fate does. Everything in Fate is centered around storytelling, not around simulation of a (fantasy) reality. I do however hide information that the player characters should not know yet, because the players like to be surprised as well with something that happens in the world, and they're afraid they'd affect their player character choices accidentally.

[@frankprendergast8020]

That full screen idea was ridiculous, because of the amount of cheating the players could do 😂. When I started DMing I used a corn flakes box with photocopied art on the front and information I needed stuck on the back. What I found is that regularly i tipped it over as I reached across it to the table to put down minis or draw a map because of the height, so then I change to turning it sideways and taping it lengthways together making a four tier DM screen. That has worked for me since the late 90s. I keep adding to it and changing things as the game changes. As for Matt Mercer's DM screen with his highlighted concentration role note, I hardly ever see him asked for a concentration role for when a party member is damaged while concentrating on a Spell.🤣🤣 I think he needs it highlighted with electronic flashing lights🚨🤣. Have you seen any of the 2024 edition D&D? And what does it's DM screen look like?

[@kotor610]

Maybe he feels it's unnecessary baggage at this point and just dropped the mechanic as it wasn't adding to the game.

[@BonusAction]

No I have to wait for the 2024 DM screen info :( Though I have high hopes for it!

[@CommunistKangaroo]

smirking/looking worried can completely bamboozle your players

[@topbakka5531]

My players love/hate when they do something and I'm behind my screen and I say "just let me make a quick note" it makes them very uneasy. I don't dm DnD but VtM and the built in DM screen tool tips are amazing and I usually just have my players characters names and some important info about them Sticky noted on there and a copy of their CS opened behind the screen so I can see stats and subtly make the challenged either easier or harder based on which character it is and what they are trying to do.

[@tinaprice4948]

Online games which I feel there are more of those than in person :( is like having a full body screen for everyone. Definitely a different feel to it.

[@beeplk7290]

I love LOVE LOVE the loading screen idea.

[@CommunistKangaroo]

You keep the passive perception behind the screen for when you need it, but when you don't, at random times, "What's you passive perception?" "Okay none of you see anything."

[@ryanatkins5736]

I used to just use a composition notebook, then I got a wyrmwood dm screen... game changer literally. I keep player names on an initiative tracker, I have widgets that track hp, ac, attack bonus, status effects... very useful. I also keep flash cards of reoccurring easy monsters. If you want to use alot of goblins you can keep the card handy to refer to. I also keep npc sheets hidden and at least one "suprise monster" that is higher challenge to throw in if needed. It also helps with keeping track of groups of enemies individual hp during combat. Most temporary notes are on the white board insert. If I have random tables I put them on the magnet board which holds notes with... magnets. I also use a dice tray behind board, my phone for music. You can also keep cards for random npc with names description, and one random trait that is noticeable. They run into a rando... shuffle and pull a card. Whenever my current players find a note from the bbeg I put on a specific ring and change my voice and demeanor. The players notice this change. I also have a dice dragon for my favorite d20 that rolls amazing and I only use against players to punish them. It has a place of honor

[@SpencerTheBard]

I use two monitors (one my laptop and a second I connect to the laptop) and mostly keep my notes, the map, and stat blocks for the enemies I have planned. I want to start using a real DM screen tho as theres more room to have everything I need up at once

[@TheTacosAreHere]

I play online only for right now and i have an entire category on discord called 'DM Screen' and it has notes, basic info on characters, tidbits on my players BBEG, and etc. I'm running an Astral Sea adventure of the week type game so there's a lot of notes for future stuff.

[@tinaprice4948]

I try to have things out on the table for the players to look at so that I dont need to know them. I have a fun and easy to use chart that helps players describe their crit killing blow. Before they either didn't say anything or just said a very short generic sentence. where now they get really into and and so do the other players. Also I have a list of all the abilities (str, dex, int, etc.) and what each one does, this helps new players especially see what they can do and what is needed to do it. then I have 3 pages of all sorts of things that seem to come up in game so that people aren't looking up in books and it is super easy to see, like the rules on Jumping, all the conditions, travel per day, actions in combat and things like this. It helps with players looking up stuff not on their turns, or having them on the DM screen and players ask you what things do or mean. I also take note cards folded in half on the top of my screen used for initiative order with the players seeing their char names and my side has char name, AC, passive perception

[@TsymeArtem]

I play with the guys without a Dm-Screen, but I put my notes under the game table. The notes themselves are written in HUGE LETTERS so that I can see them just by tilting my head down. Other players can't see them. It's almost the same, but I'm more equal with them. I'm playing, laughing. It's more cool to everyone =)

[@shadowwhogames6063]

I use my screen to roll my 1lb metal d100 discreetly; that way the players are started by a loud noise out of nowhere

[@zandosdwarf-king]

When i used DM screen I put it flat on the table, and everything under it. And if I needed to cover dice rolls, I'd use my hand

[@amehayami934]

Yes the plays need to see the DM Fact is the DM is role-playing with us to and because the DM is controlling 99.9% of all the other characters we need to read what is the DMs face. Communication is only 10% speech. And while yes most people has a hard time reading people or just doesn't know how To do it very well. We all still do it to some degree it's just how people communicate. And while some of us maybe really good at reading people and use it to our advantage like me I make the excuse that I have a pretty decent Wisdom score 😊 The 3 attributes I always concentrate on. DEX, WIS, CHA. Yes I always play Rogues. Play play them more as scouts and spies. Usually only killing when I need to. Idk there is something so satisfying about talking my way out of trouble or to get what I want.

[@thaddeussweigart6255]

I’m a newer DM and for a while I didn’t see the need for a DM screen to hide my rolls. But that recently changed when my party had an encounter with an enemy who had been telegraphed as being incredibly dangerous for over six months. The tension was high, just like I wanted, until the first roll. The group quickly noticed his to-hit modifier and saw the damage dice I used for the roll. They calculate his average damage and suddenly the fight was just a math problem with 0 tension. I now hide all my rolls.

[@BobWorldBuilder]

09:36 umm Bobert Boberton V is a great name. But overall, list of names is the one thing that feels pretty universal. Everything else about screens is going to be different for every GM. I’d be curious to see what % of GMs who run in person even use one. I never have, but that’s how my first GM did it, and I just prefer my dice in the open.

[@BonusAction]

My biggest use of a DM screen is to hide hp and monster stats from curious player eyes 👀 and the list of names has been a game changer for me! Thanks for the comment Bob, i'm a big fan!

[@chubbypapaya]

I just switched to a homemade two-panel screen made of magnetic 9x12 dry erase lapboards. - Each PC gets a dedicated 3x1 magnetic label that has their AC, PP, DC, hit point max, and whether they have darkvision, with a big spot on the right to write initiative rolls. That way I can reorder the labels in initiative order AND have quick access to relevant stats. - I also write out monster stat blocks and spells on A5 paper (working on a good way to print them instead of handwriting!) so I can stick two pages of monsters on the main panel and a flippable list of spells on the side panel. - All the "DM screen-y" information I need is all on a Notion page I have up on my tablet or laptop on the side. - My dice tray is on another 9x12 magnetic dry erase lapboard, so I can use dry erase markers to write enemy HP. Still a few kinks to work out, but I'm pretty happy with the set-up so far!

[@dutchielander2478]

I have a dm screen, but i only use it to hide enemy minis. My group thinks there is a treasure trove of info behind the screen. Nope. Just an empty character sheet and some mini's.

[@jbux9128]

I use a laptop and 2nd screen which doesn't leave room for the DM screen I got. I want to use it so bad but everything is too obscured or leaves me with no room left at my DM table.

[@fmbray_]

Gonna make loading screens for real life in addition to sessions now. XD

[@MD-gt6xw]

Thank you for making this video. New DM (well very old DM from the late 70's but starting again after 45 years as my son turned 13 and wants to play and have a nephew living with us for the summer about to start college in the fall nearby and he plays D&D). So, trying to pick this up when all I vaguely remember are 1st edition rules and basic D&D (still have all the original books). I'm sure I'm messing up like crazy as each session I learn a new rule or game mechanic. Son has 3-4 of his friends over (summer break) so parents are happy that I'm keeping the kids entertained at night after work. One thing I've noticed is that either I'm a terrible DM or the kids just don't have the long attention spans. I usually have a few kids playing catch or chasing each other around the room while waiting for their turn in combat situations. Only my 19yr old nephew stays focused throughout the game session. Been keeping an initiative tracker and passive perception sheet attached to my DM screen along with a detailed sheet of all possible monsters and their stats for a session so I don't have to look them up. Still can't find where monster Initiative bonus is located so just been using their Dex bonus as their Initiative bonus (not sure that is right). So far, we've done Stormwreck Island, Sunless Citadel, Some underdark sessions off of the citadel that I created (including a cockatrice lair from Fantastic Lairs). Now they are in session 3 of Forge of Fury. I've modified it to include dwarven smithed weapons with the clan insignia as treasure throughout. They are all serving Runara (Adult Brass Dragon - Stormwreck Isle is ther base) as their patron as they help her investigate rumors of a dragon cult resurgence and adding various plot hooks involving cult activities. The game is much more narrative then back in the 70's or I just don't remember the stories that well from way back when.

[@OnlyZipho]

"ive been here.. the hole time!"

[@patricianorwood1075]

Actually ATM I am not using my dm screen. I have a notebook I refer to, and the rule book. And my dice. Usually the screen is just something else to deal with in set up

[@joeallen7981]

I really don't like the full-body DM screen idea. I had limited space and put a 43" TV between me and my players so I could display some super cool maps and play ambient KZbin videos with something for the players to look at. It was a little cool but mostly sucked. I missed a lot of the subtle conversation and RP elements, failed to give my quieter players screen time, and was generally removed from hanging with my friends playing the game... even though I was running it. If you are a pro-dm playing with strangers or if you must play remotely then do what you need to do.

[@Pupnsuds]

price is easy! just remember 1 SP = 1 Silver dollar. then everything scales from there. And its easy to take real life prices into the game.

[@tsunodaishi]

i hate having art on the outside. i want things that my players need on that side. like conditions or otherstuff like that

[@DragonProtector]

All i care about is how can i bond with dragons and protect them from evil hunter's or greedy adventures

[@petermaldonado7379]

The talking cardboard gives good advice.

[@BonusAction]

I have been called worse.

[@radaro.9682]

I use one exclusively to hide rolls. I dislike them seeming my rolls specifically because it prevents me from overruling the dice in the name of story. Id much rather give my players a good time than remain beholden to rules as written. Sometimes the story rhe dice tell sucks.

[@neepers]

I don't use a DM screen at all. If you find yourself going back to recall certain details, that means you need to remember those details, not keep using a cheat sheet. Learn the rules, players PP, potions, and status effects and you really don't need one. I'm online, so note taking is a snap. If I were in-person I'd still remove all DM screen so it doesn't look like I'm behind a pulpit.

[@LeeJCander]

My laptop is my gm screen.

[@Fadescape]

My DM screen is a laptop.

[@DragonProtector]

Android works to lol