Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 UlgarrRedsplee Jul 16, 2015 19:01:09	So the people I intend to be playing this game with do not own any material such as the Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, or the Monster Manual. This shouldn't be too much of a problem as I intend to DM and I own all three (and I doubt they would look over the rules much anyways haha, it just means a little more work for me). My group will be about 2-3 people besides me, so it's a little smaller then usual. I was wondering, should I just make note cards for them, where each note card lists their features, weapons (and the damage for the weapons), and spells (and the damage of those spells) and such, so theres a little less waiting and flipping through the one PHB, or is this information what you put on the character sheet? There wasn't anywhere too clear on exactly what to put on the character sheet so I'm a bit confused.
#2 DM_HEEGZ Jul 16, 2015 21:19:41	The character sheets are really well made in 5e. I would recommend using them to start with, and only make modified ones if they don't work out during the early sessions.   You don't even have to fill out the character sheet completely. There are also premade character sheets you can look at to reference. I'll look up the link real quick:   http://media.wizards.com/downloads/dnd/StarterSet_Charactersv2.pdf
#3 UlgarrRedsplee Jul 16, 2015 23:29:04	I agree, thanks for showing me that! It helped me get a much better idea of how to handle them. As far as spells go though, I feel like that's alot of information to write down for each one as you have to detail a description of what it does, the damage, casting time, etc. even on a character sheet like the one in the PHB that focuses mostly on a players spells. Any tips for that? And on the topic of note cards, should I make ones for each monster in a monster encounter? Perhaps that way it would be easier to keep track of their health and other things, especially when dealing with multiple and different kinds?
#4 Imaculata Jul 18, 2015 2:10:36	Here what I do:   When I list the spells for any character, I usually note how much damage the spell does behind the entry. And thats all I list. Most spell names give you a good idea of what it does, and anything else can be looked up in the book. You say you own all the books, so what's the problem? Just look it up when you need it.   As for monsters, I generally feel that having a big monster manual at my side is a bit cumbersome, plus I don't want the players to recognize what page I'm picking a monster from. So I print out sheets with the stats of any monsters that I'll be using for myself (as a DM). I often leave out a lot of stats too, because the monster manual includes a lot of details that aren't really relevant for running the combat encounter.
#5 UlgarrRedsplee Jul 17, 2015 14:07:14	Thank you, that sounds perfect. I'm just trying to make the game flow as best I can for them.
#6 treacle Jul 19, 2015 10:52:04	From a spells standpoint, Gale Force Nine (GF9) makes spellbook cards.  You can get a link to GF9's website from the D&D website...somewhere under the "Product Info" area.     The spellcards are divided into sets based on the class or type of magic, e.g., arcane, elemental, cleric, ranger, etc.  Of course, this means you may need to buy a couple of sets depending upon the type of spells your players need.  Each pack is not too awful expensive but if you need many sets it can add up.     The great thing is that the players just pick out the individual cards/spells they need and have all of the info right-at-hand.  I also find them very usefull for my purposes as a DM as I make a reference page for particular spell-heavy villains.  Keep in mind, you players will have to share cards if they all pick the same spell(s).
#7 BRJN Jul 19, 2015 16:19:06	I would use the Official Character Sheets. I also would Xerox the PH pages for each character class, so the players can see what their character will be able to do in future. Xerox the pages with the characters' spells. Hand around all the xeroxes. Encourage each player to hand-type out a file that lists all his character's capabilities.   My HotDQ / Tiamat Paladin8 is 5 pages long, including Spells and a pg1 "summary" where I keep his AC, HP, and already worked out his Skill ranks plus the math for his Attacks.