Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 DevoDog Jan 22, 2010 20:35:34	A thread in the 4e General Discussion forum was getting derailed, so I'd figured I'd start a new thread. Internet-only games are a different animal that face-to-face games.  I'm curious as to what tools folks are using in face-to-face games, what they do, player reception, etc.  If you use a specific template for a certain application, please indicate what template you use. For example: Before I began with my current face-to-face 4e group (for the past year), I looked at different applications that could be using for gaming via the 'net.  I ended up choosing MapTools. Shortly after taking over DMing responsiblities for my group, I bought a new flat-panel TV with a PC input.  Since I had been playing around with MapTools, I wanted to see how this might benefit my game. I started with a very basic custom framework that I had set up and extended it from there. Current Setup: - Laptop for me (DM) - Separate PC (networked) that outputs to the TV with a wireless mouse/keyboard for the players - MapTools - Custom MT framework that I tweaked (www.devodog.us/maptools.aspx based off of Rumble's Combat Manager) - Digital tokens from www.fierydragon.com - Map images primary from Skeleton Key Tiles My first time using MT, I told the players that it was an experiment (which it was) and that if they felt it took too many things away from them, that I'd stop using MT.  My players liked seeing their opponents become bloodied or defeated (seeing skulls) and were happy with how it worked out. I'm using MT to keep track of initiative, conditions (and their expirations), hit points, healing surges, power usage, etc.
#2 nightwalker450 Jan 23, 2010 10:07:24	Our group uses maptools for our map as well as tracking conditions.  But you've got one up on me, I'm still saving up for a tv or projector for the players. Right now we just have multiple laptops in use.  We had started using it for our face-2-face games, but then one player couldn't make the drive  anymore, so we started using Skype alongside to keep him in our game.  We're still mostly face-2-face, but we have also brought in another friend who hadn't gamed with us in a long time due to moving halfway across the country. Overall, the use of some tech has gone a long way towards speeding up our games... As long as I keep some of the players on the oldest laptop, it keeps them from browsing/YouTube during the game. :D
#3 Ramius613 Jan 26, 2010 3:39:15	I also use MT for our face to face games.  I have been running Scales of War, and have been using Veggiesama's framework.  I have been looking at switching to Rumble's or Devnull's framework, as they have more features, but my PC took a crap on me so I am trying to get that back up & running before I make any changes.  I will probably wait til we hit paragon before we change frameworks.  I have been tossing around the idea of including a friend of ours that moved away in the game, but I haven't talked it over with my current players.  We currently have the setup of me on one PC w/ 2 monitors (one for MT, one for the adventure/ other tools) networked to a laptop that the players use.  They still play PnP, so Maptools is mainly a visualization tool for them.  I use it for everything else, and I love it. Other options that I am looking at are the DM battle masters screen.  Hopefully I will be able to incorporate this more into my game, so as to cut down on the Monster creation time for MT. Ramius
#4 poseidon88 Feb 05, 2010 17:30:07	When I'm DM'ing, I use a couple of tools:  MasterPlan: I use this to create and manage my campaign.  It makes creating encounters and skill challenges much faster.  Everything is then displayed as a flow chart of plot points, for easy access.  It has way more features than I actually use. Dungeon Master Battle Screen: I use this to track combat order, HPs, and conditions.  My favorite part is the conditions tracker that automates things like ongoing damage, conditions ending, and reminds you when you need to roll a save. CompendiumSearch: Actually, I wrote this one myself  It's just a Windows desktop app for accessing the compendium.  It's faster and less cluttered than the web interface.  Useful during sessions if I want to quickly find a magic item to give my players, or look up a power's effects. When I'm not DMing, I mostly just use iPlay4e to manage my character.