My hunt for a good 2e DM screen has been somewhat unsatisfying. There’s the official screen which does the job, but the layout and arrangement of the tables leaves something to be desired (a criticism I extend to the books, generally). There are some fan creations online, but there’s always something about them that doesn’t quite meet my needs.
My 2e Primer’s Quick Reference has served me for many games, but it contains much information that I don’t immediately need during play, while also missing some tables that I’d like quick access to. Really, what I’d love is a DM screen that has the Primer’s information, but laid out in a condensed format, with related tables arranged near each other.
So I made one.
Actually, I made two: One in landscape orientation and another in portrait.
I tried to keep everything to four panels, but good lord this edition is lousy with tables. Instead, it’s five panels, but the final panel is completely monster-based and can be considered an optional loose reference sheet.
It’s been helpful in the handful of sessions in which I’ve used it, but I can’t call it battle-tested. If you find it of use in your games, or if you see errors to be corrected or additions to be made, please let me know!
Note: I’ve also updated the 2e Primer with additional corrections and amendments. Nothing major, just thought you should know I constantly update it to reflect any new information I find that helps illuminate the darker recesses of this edition.
[I've made some edits to the document based on feedback. Morale and surprise modifiers have been cleaned up. The Common Equipment table has been axed in favor of Turn Undead. I'll keep a version number on the document from here on, and will update based on feedback. Thanks Lord Torath and Downingman.]
Oooh thanks for posting the screen! I also made one for myself (from fragments of the Primer, heh), but this is laid out better.
ReplyDeleteYour comment about using the tables from the Primer in your DM screen is what got me to finally make one. So, thank you.
DeleteI'm really stoked you're delving into 2e. I was really young when I first played it so I never got into it since 3e came out around the same time. I've been looking at the books on my shelf and wishing 2e got more attention, and for someone to do a nicer reorganization than For Gold & Glory.
ReplyDeleteI fear I may not be your guy! I'll end up making more of a spiritual kin – a creature halfway between Into the Odd and AD&D 2e – than a reorganization of the original rules. I'll leave the 2e Primer for getting to the game as written. Otherwise, For Gold and Glory is still going to be your best bet if you want to play according to Hoyle.
DeleteI think Justen Brown did the best one could hope for with what he had; if you're coming to the rules with a scalpel rather than a sledgehammer, you'll still need to make a massive book with endless tables. Actually, that's the same problem Zeb Cook had.
I have an easier time of it: I have neither nostalgia nor Lorraine Williams. I'm going with the sledgehammer. Hopefully whatever comes out on the other side will be worth a look.