D&D General Do You Use a DM Screen?

[CleverNickName]

In that other thread, folks are talking about the new four-panel DM Screen for D&D 2024. The ad copy describes it as a "quintessential companion," something that "every Dungeon Master needs," and the ongoing discussion makes me wonder:

Is it really quintessential? Is it truly something that every Dungeon Master needs?

What do you think? Choose the answer that best fits.

 

[CleverNickName]

For my vote: we don't play D&D in person anymore. And even when we did, I didn't use a DM screen--they just get in the way, and table space is already at a premium with the battle map, books, dice, beverages, etc.

That said: I really enjoyed the old AC2, Combat Shield and Mini-Adventure. I didn't use the screen, but "The Treasure of the Hideous One" was a really fun one-shot adventure.

 

[thullgrim]

I use one but only a low profile landscape screen. A letter height panel is too tall for my tastes. Obscures my vision and relations with players.

I don’t use them to hide dice rolls generally. Just to have easy reference for things. I often make my own panels to insert.

99% of dice rolls are made in the open. The oracular power of dice is important.

 

[schneeland]

Not playing in person anymore, but when we did, I also struggled with DM screens a bit and abandoned them relatively quickly. I have contemplated that something half the normal height might work better for me, but my crafting skills are limited and these days I play exclusively online anyway, so screen- rather than desk space became a concern.

 

[payn]

I havent done F2F since 2020, but then I used a laptop to run games. I'm not sure if that counts as a GM screen?

To answer the OP on quintessential; nope. I think many folks enjoy using them, but not universal. This just sounds like marketing to me.

 

[CleverNickName]

I havent done F2F since 2020, but then I used a laptop to run games. I'm not sure if that counts as a GM screen?

Hmm, fair point. I think that if you're using the laptop to "screen" the maps and encounter keys from view (because they're on the computer), I'd say it counts as a DM Screen.

 

[Seramus]

Never really have. I roll in the open (but don't always explain why), and have piles of papers and a few books open, that's it.

Once laptops were common, I suppose that unintentionally became a screen.

 

[Clint_L]

I usually set one up for home games, but don't use one anymore at school. It's mostly just for hiding any rolls that the players shouldn't see for story reasons. And because my spouse once gave me a beautiful, carved wooden DM screen for X-mas, and I love it. It has an angel wing on one side (natural 20s) and devil wing on the other (natural 1s).

 

[payn]

I use the laptop because it holds my tules references, adventure material, and dice roller. It keeps me very organized and takes up little real estate on the table.

I’ve never bought a cardboard screen and likely wouldn’t use one. I get them as kickstarter unlocks and they just sit on the shelf.

 

[Katarhas]

I use a screen but replace some of the tables/references with my own by printing my own version out and taping it over the old table that I didn't find useful. It's helpful for rules that I tend to forget. The top of the screen is also useful for putting post-it notes or clothespins with character names for initiative tracking that the players can see.

I've contemplated moving over to digital with a laptop, but I struggle a lot with reading text on a screen in general and enjoy sticking with my handwritten notes. I'm a very analog DM with the only tech I really use at the table are bluetooth connected speakers for some music. Probably not the most efficient way to play, but it hasn't failed me yet.