Dungeon Master Screen - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Dungeon Master Screen

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
xraydnd
Aug 15, 2008 1:41:04 Any news on the release date of the 4e Dungeon Master screen? I live in the UK and Ive seen the 19th mentioned and later dates.
#2
wazza
Aug 18, 2008 3:31:10 The Screen is out on the 20th. Check out this link to Orcs Nest:

http://www.orcsnest.com/blurber.asp?title=Dungeons%20and%20Dragons%204th%20Edition%20DMs%20Screen
#3
gamerfour
Aug 19, 2008 6:37:05 Gote mine one hour ago!
#4
w01f3
Aug 21, 2008 10:55:42 Is it acceptable to ask/share what the "Easy-to-reference rules and tables appear(ing) on the inside panels of the screen" are?

I'd like some idea of exactly how useful it is before I buy it.
#5
Belorin
Aug 21, 2008 11:43:00 Well, first off the screen itself is in landscape format, meaning it's much longer than it is tall. There are four panels'
1) EXP rewards (DMG pg 120)
Damage by level (DMG pg 42)
Food, drink and lodging (PHB pg222)
Light souces (DMG pg 66)
Character advancement (PHB 29)

2) Actions in combat (PHB pg 286)
Attack modifiers (PHB pg 279)

3) DCs to break or burst common items (PHB pg 262)
Target DCs (DMG pg 42)
Fall severity by character level (DMG pg 44)
DCs for commonly used skills
Rolling attacks and checks
Cover (PHB pg 280)
Concealment (PHB pg 281)

4) Conditions (PHB pg 277)
Healing a dying character (PHB pg 295)
Death and dying (PHB pg 295)

Great underdark scene on the reverse.

Bel
#6
w01f3
Aug 21, 2008 12:42:18 Awesome! Thank you!

I do really like the cover panel of the Fire Giant (Titan?) with the Hellhounds.
#7
ethilrist
Aug 21, 2008 13:22:46 Something I haven't seen mentioned in other threads on the screen is that it's fairly heavy construction--it's built like the covers to the rulebooks; about 1/2 to 2/3 as thick, but the same kind of construction, so it should be fairly sturdy. Also, kind of glossy, so it'll resist the occasional spray of spilled soda or oversplash from zealous battle-mat cleaners, which is kind of important in my house...
#8
Belorin
Aug 21, 2008 16:05:27 It is about 1/2 the thickness of the core rulebook covers and very sturdy, also glossy on both sides. And since it is landscape format, it is lower and longer than previous editions. This gives the DM a larger area behind which to store minis for future encounters and things like handouts, snacks and extra sodas.

Bel
#9
russ_charles
Aug 22, 2008 3:30:24 I got mine on Wednesady and would point out a couple of really nice things I felt were great-

Construction of this screen is probably the best I have seen. The standard for really solidly built screens had been set by GW's (now FFP's) Dark Heresy for me; that screen can stop a bullet at a pinch. The DM's 4E screen, whilst *slightly* lighter weight cardstock however, is of higher finish quality and has glossy finish *around* the edges so is completely sealed. This means the chances of liquid spillages or grease monkeying it up are very slim. the cardstock is still of the heaviest I've seen on a screen (DH's bullet shield not withstanding). You'll be safe from hurled dice launched by raging players at least!

Artwork is gorgeous and well presented. It's also an original peice designed with the screen in dimensions mind, rather than the usual photoshop composite of artwork for the game that most screens have. Best of all, NO LOGO! Screens are normally marred with a game logo which spoils the composition of the art. Not this baby!

It's landscape, which means it conceals a greater area of my table for me to hide my notes behind (not dice though-I'm an "open roller, take 'em as they fall", DM) and also means I can *see* the dungeon tiles and minis if sitting down. As our sessions are monthly and last 7 hours, not having to keep standing is a big plus!

As indicated above, the tables presented are a very useful crop. I am particularly glad to see XP rewards and monsters by level and damage experssions on there, which makes improvised encoutners quick to sort in the fly. These charts are arranged (mostly) by theme, so you have a section on XP and level based stuff, an exhaustive combat section and a goodly chunk on DCs for common actions. The odd chart is slid in wherever it fits around these sections,but it's all very clear and cleanly presented.

One tiny crit would be that this print run doesn't include the revisions to difficulty rolls table from the 4E update, but as it was probably printed prior to this I can hardly complain about that and I don't doubt this'll be revised for future print runs. This doesn't spoil the quality or usefulness of the product and I'm very glad I bought it. In all, an excellent product that combines beauty and function at a good price- I can heartily recommend it. Plus mine arrived with my Pyramid of Shadows order and my Knights of the Old Republic guide so I am in RPG geek heaven right now
#10
shoveljon
Aug 22, 2008 18:04:29
It is about 1/2 the thickness of the core rulebook covers and very sturdy, also glossy on both sides. And since it is landscape format, it is lower and longer than previous editions. This gives the DM a larger area behind which to store minis for future encounters and things like handouts, snacks and extra sodas.

Bel

The lower screen is also ideal for reaching over to manipulate the map/tiles/what have you. I only knocked it over twice placing hordes of minis out. Compared to my usual klutz rating, that's saying something.
#11
crazy_monkey
Aug 22, 2008 18:48:48 One thing I noticed about the one on display at GenCon (and the Star Wars Screen I recently acquired which is constructed the same way) is that the fold points are a lot more flexible than previous screens.

One thing that's always annoyed the snot out of me about screens is that they want to fold back up which means you have to prop things against them to keep them open. This one doesn't suffer that problem, which makes me happy. :D
#12
Aaron_Highcolor
Aug 22, 2008 19:07:15 Other than the skill challenge errata (which I already knew about and is NOT a major sticking point for me), I'm very pleased with this DM Screen (and the Star Wars one too!).
#13
Belorin
Aug 22, 2008 19:47:45
One thing I noticed about the one on display at GenCon (and the Star Wars Screen I recently acquired which is constructed the same way) is that the fold points are a lot more flexible than previous screens.

One thing that's always annoyed the snot out of me about screens is that they want to fold back up which means you have to prop things against them to keep them open. This one doesn't suffer that problem, which makes me happy. :D

And a happy monkey is a good thing.

Bel

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 xraydnd Aug 15, 2008 1:41:04	Any news on the release date of the 4e Dungeon Master screen? I live in the UK and Ive seen the 19th mentioned and later dates.
#2 wazza Aug 18, 2008 3:31:10	The Screen is out on the 20th. Check out this link to Orcs Nest: http://www.orcsnest.com/blurber.asp?title=Dungeons%20and%20Dragons%204th%20Edition%20DMs%20Screen
#3 gamerfour Aug 19, 2008 6:37:05	Gote mine one hour ago!
#4 w01f3 Aug 21, 2008 10:55:42	Is it acceptable to ask/share what the "Easy-to-reference rules and tables appear(ing) on the inside panels of the screen" are? I'd like some idea of exactly how useful it is before I buy it.
#5 Belorin Aug 21, 2008 11:43:00	Well, first off the screen itself is in landscape format, meaning it's much longer than it is tall. There are four panels' 1) EXP rewards (DMG pg 120) Damage by level (DMG pg 42) Food, drink and lodging (PHB pg222) Light souces (DMG pg 66) Character advancement (PHB 29) 2) Actions in combat (PHB pg 286) Attack modifiers (PHB pg 279) 3) DCs to break or burst common items (PHB pg 262) Target DCs (DMG pg 42) Fall severity by character level (DMG pg 44) DCs for commonly used skills Rolling attacks and checks Cover (PHB pg 280) Concealment (PHB pg 281) 4) Conditions (PHB pg 277) Healing a dying character (PHB pg 295) Death and dying (PHB pg 295) Great underdark scene on the reverse. Bel
#6 w01f3 Aug 21, 2008 12:42:18	Awesome! Thank you! I do really like the cover panel of the Fire Giant (Titan?) with the Hellhounds.
#7 ethilrist Aug 21, 2008 13:22:46	Something I haven't seen mentioned in other threads on the screen is that it's fairly heavy construction--it's built like the covers to the rulebooks; about 1/2 to 2/3 as thick, but the same kind of construction, so it should be fairly sturdy. Also, kind of glossy, so it'll resist the occasional spray of spilled soda or oversplash from zealous battle-mat cleaners, which is kind of important in my house...
#8 Belorin Aug 21, 2008 16:05:27	It is about 1/2 the thickness of the core rulebook covers and very sturdy, also glossy on both sides. And since it is landscape format, it is lower and longer than previous editions. This gives the DM a larger area behind which to store minis for future encounters and things like handouts, snacks and extra sodas. Bel
#9 russ_charles Aug 22, 2008 3:30:24	I got mine on Wednesady and would point out a couple of really nice things I felt were great- Construction of this screen is probably the best I have seen. The standard for really solidly built screens had been set by GW's (now FFP's) Dark Heresy for me; that screen can stop a bullet at a pinch. The DM's 4E screen, whilst slightly lighter weight cardstock however, is of higher finish quality and has glossy finish around the edges so is completely sealed. This means the chances of liquid spillages or grease monkeying it up are very slim. the cardstock is still of the heaviest I've seen on a screen (DH's bullet shield not withstanding). You'll be safe from hurled dice launched by raging players at least! Artwork is gorgeous and well presented. It's also an original peice designed with the screen in dimensions mind, rather than the usual photoshop composite of artwork for the game that most screens have. Best of all, NO LOGO! Screens are normally marred with a game logo which spoils the composition of the art. Not this baby! It's landscape, which means it conceals a greater area of my table for me to hide my notes behind (not dice though-I'm an "open roller, take 'em as they fall", DM) and also means I can see the dungeon tiles and minis if sitting down. As our sessions are monthly and last 7 hours, not having to keep standing is a big plus! As indicated above, the tables presented are a very useful crop. I am particularly glad to see XP rewards and monsters by level and damage experssions on there, which makes improvised encoutners quick to sort in the fly. These charts are arranged (mostly) by theme, so you have a section on XP and level based stuff, an exhaustive combat section and a goodly chunk on DCs for common actions. The odd chart is slid in wherever it fits around these sections,but it's all very clear and cleanly presented. One tiny crit would be that this print run doesn't include the revisions to difficulty rolls table from the 4E update, but as it was probably printed prior to this I can hardly complain about that and I don't doubt this'll be revised for future print runs. This doesn't spoil the quality or usefulness of the product and I'm very glad I bought it. In all, an excellent product that combines beauty and function at a good price- I can heartily recommend it. Plus mine arrived with my Pyramid of Shadows order and my Knights of the Old Republic guide so I am in RPG geek heaven right now
#10 shoveljon Aug 22, 2008 18:04:29	It is about 1/2 the thickness of the core rulebook covers and very sturdy, also glossy on both sides. And since it is landscape format, it is lower and longer than previous editions. This gives the DM a larger area behind which to store minis for future encounters and things like handouts, snacks and extra sodas. Bel The lower screen is also ideal for reaching over to manipulate the map/tiles/what have you. I only knocked it over twice placing hordes of minis out. Compared to my usual klutz rating, that's saying something.
#11 crazy_monkey Aug 22, 2008 18:48:48	One thing I noticed about the one on display at GenCon (and the Star Wars Screen I recently acquired which is constructed the same way) is that the fold points are a lot more flexible than previous screens. One thing that's always annoyed the snot out of me about screens is that they want to fold back up which means you have to prop things against them to keep them open. This one doesn't suffer that problem, which makes me happy. :D
#12 Aaron_Highcolor Aug 22, 2008 19:07:15	Other than the skill challenge errata (which I already knew about and is NOT a major sticking point for me), I'm very pleased with this DM Screen (and the Star Wars one too!).
#13 Belorin Aug 22, 2008 19:47:45	One thing I noticed about the one on display at GenCon (and the Star Wars Screen I recently acquired which is constructed the same way) is that the fold points are a lot more flexible than previous screens. One thing that's always annoyed the snot out of me about screens is that they want to fold back up which means you have to prop things against them to keep them open. This one doesn't suffer that problem, which makes me happy. :D And a happy monkey is a good thing. Bel