Cheat Sheet [Archive] - Wizards Community

Cheat Sheet [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Another_Poet
07-30-07, 10:29 PM Occasionally, I get to play D&D with my wife and mom. My wife has been into the game far longer than me; my mom has played only a few times. So far she is really into it!

But since she doesn't get to play very often and is a bit older, she gets pretty lost with her character sheet and the rules, even basic ones. I plan on making a cheat sheet for her to make life easier.

What would you guys put on a cheat sheet for a new/forgetful player? What is the most essential stuff to have he read over, understand, and have at arm's length while playing?

She is a human barbarian, btw.

ap
Thomar_of_Uointer
07-30-07, 10:44 PM I would use the new encounter block for the character. This keeps things simple and condensed, and places all of a character's abilities on one page (most of the time).
Another_Poet
07-30-07, 10:47 PM I'm sorry, new encounter block? I haven't heard of the term, and now you've got me curious!
swallowyersoul
07-30-07, 10:49 PM The best thing I've found for my wife (who likes to play, but isn't interested in the details of most rules) is to have multiple pages.

Page one is general character info.
Page two is all the stuff she needs to know in combat.
Page three is all her skills and feats.
Etc.
Each page also contains enough explanation of each ability to remind her how to use it.
swallowyersoul
07-30-07, 10:50 PM The best thing I've found for my wife (who likes to play, but isn't interested in the details of most rules) is to have multiple pages.

Page one is general character info.
Page two is all the stuff she needs to know in combat.
Page three is all her skills and feats.
Etc.
Each page also contains enough explanation of each ability to remind her how to use it.
Thomar_of_Uointer
07-30-07, 11:18 PM I'm sorry, new encounter block? I haven't heard of the term, and now you've got me curious!

I forget which book it's in. Here's what I use (this is slightly modified, everything in caps should be filled in, everything not used should be totally deleted):

NAME CR #
RACE CLASS
SIZE TYPE (SUBTYPE)
Init +#; Senses VISION, Listen +##, Spot +##

AC ## (BREAKDOWN), touch ##, flat-footed ##
Def Options OPTIONS
hp ## (## HD) DR ##
Immune IMMUNITIES
Resist RESISTANCES
Fort +## Ref +## Will +##
Weakness WEAKNESSES

Speed ##' (# squares)
Melee WEAPON +##/+# (DAMAGE/CRITICAL)
Ranged WEAPON +##/+# (DAMAGE/CRITICAL)
Space #'; Reach #'
Base Atk +#; Grp +#
Atk Options OPTIONS
Special Actions ABILITIES REQUIRING ACTIONS
Combat Gear EQUIPMENT
Spells (CL #):
2 – ... (DC ##)
1 – ... (DC ##)
0 – ... (DC ##)

Abilities Str ##, Dex ##, Con ##, Int ##, Wis ##, Cha ##
SA SPECIAL ATTACKS
SQ SPECIAL QUALITIES
Feats FEATS
Ranks SKILL RANKS
Skills SKILLS WITH TOTAL MODIFIERS
Possessions OTHER EQUIPMENT

ABILITY BREAKDOWNS

These are, in order, the encounter block, the defensive block, the combat block, the statistics block, and the ability block. They're arranged that way because you can quickly look to the relevant piece of the sheet anytime something happens to your character or your character does something.

In the case of this barbarian character, any line that is affected by rage should have a line below it with the character's stats while raging. Alternately, you could just copy all of the modified lines and put them below the rage description. If you're feeling special, you might just want to write a whole new stat block with stats for raging.

Ability breakdowns can be as detailed as you need them to, just name them the same as they're named in the higher entries.

There are examples of this format in all the recent monster articles on the D&D website. Again, I don't have the book, I probably got a few things wrong here.
Another_Poet
07-31-07, 10:16 AM That makes sense, maybe I will reorganize those blocks to be more intuitive. Thank you!

At this point I am thinking of making a project out of this. I think I'll get oversized paper, do some design work, have a little picture of each weapon next to its stats, and highlight some key numbers of her.

I will definitely make the regular/raging stats more clear.

Any other ideas?
Mai_ariti
07-31-07, 10:26 AM I've started 2 groups now and I've noticed that with them, the tables for things that provoke Attacks of Oppertunity and the like are the most important to start.

The other thing is a list of example action and what equals what. My players often forget what actions they can take after movement, for example, and swift/immediate/quick actions throw them for a loop.
RobbyPants
07-31-07, 10:29 AM A while back someone posted these color-coded character sheets (http://www.scribd.com/doc/4521/DD-v3-5-Character-Sheet-All-Class-Compatible-Color-Coded). I haven't personally used them, but I've printed off a few for the players in my game. It has a different color for each of the six ability scores, and any place on the sheed that requires that ability mod is colored the same.

It may or may not be helpful to a new player.
Phrennzy
07-31-07, 01:42 PM As a player, I prefer to avoid as much clutter as possible.

I use the following, built on Excel:

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/Phrennzyd/cheatsheetexample.jpg

It has all the skills, and the combat matrix. That's it. All modifiers are figured out long hand on the character sheet.

This makes it easier for me to find info for my guy.

(It might look cluttered here because the lines of excel show, but they don't print on paper).
Samotep
07-31-07, 01:49 PM She is a human barbarian, btw.

Sorry, I don't have a fix for you, I just thought this was great! It reminds me of my Grandmother. My cousins got her into listening to Metallica! Raging Ma Attack! Awesome! :D
Teh_username
07-31-07, 02:18 PM The best thing I've found for my wife (who likes to play, but isn't interested in the details of most rules) is to have multiple pages.
On this subject, I'd highly suggest using the Magic Item sheet (from the Compendium; found on this website under "Character Sheets"); it helps sometimes to have a visual representation of equipment.
Phrennzy
07-31-07, 04:43 PM On this subject, I'd highly suggest using the Magic Item sheet (from the Compendium; found on this website under "Character Sheets"); it helps sometimes to have a visual representation of equipment.

Checking out that sheet, it's such a good idea, but so poorly executed.
Another_Poet
07-31-07, 10:20 PM Wow, teh_username, I didn't know that existed. I will check it out. Of course, I'm hoping Phrennzy's critique is exaggerated, but given the coolness of Phrennzy's other posts on the forums, I won't let those hopes get too high.

ap
Phrennzy
08-01-07, 04:42 PM Well, thanks :)

To elaborate - I like the idea of a silhouette, but that one is too dark and too large - and too specific. We can tell who it is.

I'd like to see a more generic outline, that you can (if you want) add to:

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/Phrennzyd/outline.jpg

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Another_Poet 07-30-07, 10:29 PM	Occasionally, I get to play D&D with my wife and mom. My wife has been into the game far longer than me; my mom has played only a few times. So far she is really into it! But since she doesn't get to play very often and is a bit older, she gets pretty lost with her character sheet and the rules, even basic ones. I plan on making a cheat sheet for her to make life easier. What would you guys put on a cheat sheet for a new/forgetful player? What is the most essential stuff to have he read over, understand, and have at arm's length while playing? She is a human barbarian, btw. ap
Thomar_of_Uointer 07-30-07, 10:44 PM	I would use the new encounter block for the character. This keeps things simple and condensed, and places all of a character's abilities on one page (most of the time).
Another_Poet 07-30-07, 10:47 PM	I'm sorry, new encounter block? I haven't heard of the term, and now you've got me curious!
swallowyersoul 07-30-07, 10:49 PM	The best thing I've found for my wife (who likes to play, but isn't interested in the details of most rules) is to have multiple pages. Page one is general character info. Page two is all the stuff she needs to know in combat. Page three is all her skills and feats. Etc. Each page also contains enough explanation of each ability to remind her how to use it.
swallowyersoul 07-30-07, 10:50 PM	The best thing I've found for my wife (who likes to play, but isn't interested in the details of most rules) is to have multiple pages. Page one is general character info. Page two is all the stuff she needs to know in combat. Page three is all her skills and feats. Etc. Each page also contains enough explanation of each ability to remind her how to use it.
Thomar_of_Uointer 07-30-07, 11:18 PM	I'm sorry, new encounter block? I haven't heard of the term, and now you've got me curious! I forget which book it's in. Here's what I use (this is slightly modified, everything in caps should be filled in, everything not used should be totally deleted): NAME CR # RACE CLASS SIZE TYPE (SUBTYPE) Init +#; Senses VISION, Listen +##, Spot +## AC ## (BREAKDOWN), touch ##, flat-footed ## Def Options OPTIONS hp ## (## HD) DR ## Immune IMMUNITIES Resist RESISTANCES Fort +## Ref +## Will +## Weakness WEAKNESSES Speed ##' (# squares) Melee WEAPON +##/+# (DAMAGE/CRITICAL) Ranged WEAPON +##/+# (DAMAGE/CRITICAL) Space #'; Reach #' Base Atk +#; Grp +# Atk Options OPTIONS Special Actions ABILITIES REQUIRING ACTIONS Combat Gear EQUIPMENT Spells (CL #): 2 – ... (DC ##) 1 – ... (DC ##) 0 – ... (DC ##) Abilities Str ##, Dex ##, Con ##, Int ##, Wis ##, Cha ## SA SPECIAL ATTACKS SQ SPECIAL QUALITIES Feats FEATS Ranks SKILL RANKS Skills SKILLS WITH TOTAL MODIFIERS Possessions OTHER EQUIPMENT ABILITY BREAKDOWNS These are, in order, the encounter block, the defensive block, the combat block, the statistics block, and the ability block. They're arranged that way because you can quickly look to the relevant piece of the sheet anytime something happens to your character or your character does something. In the case of this barbarian character, any line that is affected by rage should have a line below it with the character's stats while raging. Alternately, you could just copy all of the modified lines and put them below the rage description. If you're feeling special, you might just want to write a whole new stat block with stats for raging. Ability breakdowns can be as detailed as you need them to, just name them the same as they're named in the higher entries. There are examples of this format in all the recent monster articles on the D&D website. Again, I don't have the book, I probably got a few things wrong here.
Another_Poet 07-31-07, 10:16 AM	That makes sense, maybe I will reorganize those blocks to be more intuitive. Thank you! At this point I am thinking of making a project out of this. I think I'll get oversized paper, do some design work, have a little picture of each weapon next to its stats, and highlight some key numbers of her. I will definitely make the regular/raging stats more clear. Any other ideas?
Mai_ariti 07-31-07, 10:26 AM	I've started 2 groups now and I've noticed that with them, the tables for things that provoke Attacks of Oppertunity and the like are the most important to start. The other thing is a list of example action and what equals what. My players often forget what actions they can take after movement, for example, and swift/immediate/quick actions throw them for a loop.
RobbyPants 07-31-07, 10:29 AM	A while back someone posted these color-coded character sheets (http://www.scribd.com/doc/4521/DD-v3-5-Character-Sheet-All-Class-Compatible-Color-Coded). I haven't personally used them, but I've printed off a few for the players in my game. It has a different color for each of the six ability scores, and any place on the sheed that requires that ability mod is colored the same. It may or may not be helpful to a new player.
Phrennzy 07-31-07, 01:42 PM	As a player, I prefer to avoid as much clutter as possible. I use the following, built on Excel: http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/Phrennzyd/cheatsheetexample.jpg It has all the skills, and the combat matrix. That's it. All modifiers are figured out long hand on the character sheet. This makes it easier for me to find info for my guy. (It might look cluttered here because the lines of excel show, but they don't print on paper).
Samotep 07-31-07, 01:49 PM	She is a human barbarian, btw. Sorry, I don't have a fix for you, I just thought this was great! It reminds me of my Grandmother. My cousins got her into listening to Metallica! Raging Ma Attack! Awesome! :D
Teh_username 07-31-07, 02:18 PM	The best thing I've found for my wife (who likes to play, but isn't interested in the details of most rules) is to have multiple pages. On this subject, I'd highly suggest using the Magic Item sheet (from the Compendium; found on this website under "Character Sheets"); it helps sometimes to have a visual representation of equipment.
Phrennzy 07-31-07, 04:43 PM	On this subject, I'd highly suggest using the Magic Item sheet (from the Compendium; found on this website under "Character Sheets"); it helps sometimes to have a visual representation of equipment. Checking out that sheet, it's such a good idea, but so poorly executed.
Another_Poet 07-31-07, 10:20 PM	Wow, teh_username, I didn't know that existed. I will check it out. Of course, I'm hoping Phrennzy's critique is exaggerated, but given the coolness of Phrennzy's other posts on the forums, I won't let those hopes get too high. ap
Phrennzy 08-01-07, 04:42 PM	Well, thanks :) To elaborate - I like the idea of a silhouette, but that one is too dark and too large - and too specific. We can tell who it is. I'd like to see a more generic outline, that you can (if you want) add to: http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/Phrennzyd/outline.jpg