Of course, I'm talking about things OTHER than rewriting your new total on a piece of paper. Something along the lines of an abacus-type device or soem other tool?
For a spontaneous caster I just tick off used spell slots.
For prepared casters I usually have a blank sheet with a table in it in which I write down my prepared spells with pencil. And put a mark in front of it when I cast it.
What's driving your desire for an alternate method?
An HP counter would be great for him to "visualize" how many HPs he has left.
Red ones are 1 HP, white ones are 10 HP. When he is hit he removes an amount of HP's from the stack.
And he uses diffrently coloured glass beads to keep track of his spells.
HP: 50, 40, 30, 25 - this system is simple, and you only need one single look at the notepad to know how much HP you have left, and don't have to waste time calculating anything.
As for spells, simply write them down. For a spontaneous caster, I have a unique method that's hard to describe, but you just need 1 paper sheet for it, and nothing more. What you do, is take a big paper sheet (standard size). On the left side, you mark numbers from 0 to 9, which are your spell levels. You write these numbers with a pencil that can't be erased. With an erasable pencil, you write your spells known for each spell level listed beneath the number. On this side, you can always see what spells your spontaneous caster knows and can always see and quickly decide which one to cast. Next to the spell level, with an erasable pencil, you write down the DC of your spells. Spells known and their DCs will keep changing, so you need an erasable pencil.
Now for the right side. On the right side you also write down the level of the spell, and with an erasable pencil, you write the number of slots of that spell level. If your caster can cast 5 spells of level 2, then you write 5. 1 row beneath that, whenever you cast a spell of that level, you put a certain mark, whichever you like. Maybe an "X". I use slash ("/") because it's easier to erase. You must write these marks with an erasable pencil because you'll rest eventually and be able to use the same slots again.
I used this system for my lv 16 sorcerer character that I had, it worked like a charm. You can easily see all spells you can cast and you don't need to look too much, you can pick a spell in a second. The DCs of the spells are also marked right there where you choose them, so when you choose a spell to cast, you immediately see its DC above, so in a second you're all set. Then you just make a mark on the right side on the appropriate spell level as a sign that you expended a spell slot and that's it. Here's an example of a level 1 sorcerer.
Left side of the paper sheet (marks the level of spell, and the DC of the spell next to it - below every spell level is your spells known):
Cantrips - DC 13
Read magic, Detect magic, Prestidigitation, Resistance
1st level - DC 14
Color spray, Mage armor
Right side of the paper sheet (3 slashes mean 3 spell slots expended, the number next to "Cantrips" is the number of spells slots):
Cantrips - 5
/ / /
1st level - 4
/ /
For casters who prepare spells, I just write the level of the spell, and then which spells I have prepared. I usually do this on a note pad because you have to use the eraser a lot, which wears out the paper. At first I use the eraser so I don't waste too many pages, and when the page is worn out, I throw it away and use another page.
Another good thing with casters who prepare spells, is to have a sheet where your spells known are listed. You basically write down the spell levels, from 0-9, write all spells known of that spell level, each spell written BENEATH the other. That means that in one single row, you write only one spell. This allows you easy access to spells, and easy preparation - simply put a mark (a "/", for example) next to the spell you prepared. Let me show you an example of a level 1 wizard using this system. (Remember, "/" marks a prepared spell
) Also, write down the number of spells you can cast next to where you wrote the level of the spell. See an example below.Cantrips - 3 (don't write these down, simply write "All", since there are too many to list - you can have only 4 cantrips prepared, so basically just write down the ones you use most frequently)
- Detect Magic /
- Read magic /
- Resistance /
- Light
- Message
- Prestidigitation /
1st level - 2: - Mage armor /
- Grease
- Color spray /
- Enlarge person
- Identify
- Magic weapon
As other have mentioned, you can use colored beads. I do not think they are expensive, and it could help your son "visualize" his character's HP. Me and my group have a whole bag of colored beads, and we usually use it to form dungeons and rooms on the battle grid, mark its walls, mark chest, tables, etc. I suggest colored beads because they are cheap, and I believe kids like them a lot, at least from my experience
Hope that helped.
[ ] magic missile
then if you prepare the spell put a slash in the box
[\] magic missile
and when you use the spell cross it
[X] magic missile
alternatively for spont. casters group spell names by level then at the top of the page have something like this:
1st level
[ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
2nd level
[ ] [ ] [ ]
and you just dot the boxes, or mark them some other method when ever u use them, all the temporary marking of course being with something easily eraseable. This method is a bit longer lasting than using paper although the permanant marker can wear off sometimes
As long as you play fairly low level games, you could probably do fine with a handful of beads or something to mark hit points (don't use edibles :P). Put them in a cup as you subtract hit points.
Kids still play card games right? Maybe? For spells you can put the names on slips of paper or index cards, and when used, you put them in a discard pile.
When he rests he can choose more to put in his "hand."
Personally I use paper and pencil. For spells, I make a grid divided by spell level and slots, fill the slots with the name of the spell, and put a small 'x' next to it when it is used. I typically memorize the same spells every day, so erasing the small 'x' is simpler than the whole spell name.
For HP, I took an old picture frame, and strung 10 black pipe cleaners across it. Then on each pipe cleaner, I put 10 red beads. This allows him up to 100HPs. As he uses up HPs, he slides the beads across to the right side.
For spells, I've been working on spell cards. Each spell is on it's own card, showing all of the basic and advanced info on it. As he uses up a spell, he siumply flips the card over. The spell cards are printed in 3X5 cards that I got super cheap at Staples.
The hardest part is creating the cards. That's a lot of info to go through, spread out over several books.
Each card is color coded to show spell level.
Furthermore, what works well is fake poker chips for HP, and as for spells, you should show your 8 year old son the warlock in complete arcane. That makes it way easier. Otherwise note cards with the spells written on them work well. If using psionics, the poker chips work again, although you might want to use 2 different colors.
I'm curious to know what you guys use to keep track of your HP and remaining spells?
Of course, I'm talking about things OTHER than rewriting your new total on a piece of paper. Something along the lines of an abacus-type device or soem other tool?
I will post my next to last 3.5 character 's spells/day prepared (wow, it might be actually) Slavic Numenstra my Wu Jen.
I'll just post 1-4th. The parentheses is for me to make how many used of total.
1: 1 x Fist of Stone ( ), 1 x Protection from Evil (extended naturally) ( ), 1 x Magic Missile ( ), 1 x Endure Elements ( ), 2 x Orb of Lesser Electricity ( )
2: 1 x Heart of Air (1), 1 x Resist energy ( ), 1 x See invisibility ( ), 1 x Alter Self ( ), 1 x Body of the Sun ( ), 1 x Lightning Blade ( )
3: 1 x SM III ( ), 1 x Dispel Magic ( ), 1 x Heart of Water (1), 2 x Fireball ( ), 1 x GMW (extended naturally) ( )
4: 1 x Snake Darts ( ), 1 x Dimension Door ( ), 1 x Heart of Earth (1), 1 x Polymorph ( )
Simple way. I rarely change my spell list much each level. This way i just increase the number of prepared of a spell and mark how many used in the parentheses.
For spells, I make spell cards on the computer and print them out. Each spell card has everything you need to know right there on the card (components, range, duration, casting time, etc) and has what the spell does quoted right out of the appropiate sourcebook.
The players tell me what spells they have studied for the day and I give them the appropiate spell card. When they cast a spell, they give me the card of the spell they want to cast and I keep the card. If they study 3 of the same spell, I just attatch a post-it note to the spell card with the number 3 on it.
In case of classes that cast spells without preparing them ahead of time, they get "Cast 1st level spell" cards for each spell level. If a sorcerer can cast 6 1st level spells, they get 6 "Cast 1st level spell" cards... and so on up the spell levels. Cast a spell, turn in a card.
Well, here's what I've come up with....
For HP, I took an old picture frame, and strung 10 black pipe cleaners across it. Then on each pipe cleaner, I put 10 red beads. This allows him up to 100HPs. As he uses up HPs, he slides the beads across to the right side.
For spells, I've been working on spell cards. Each spell is on it's own card, showing all of the basic and advanced info on it. As he uses up a spell, he siumply flips the card over. The spell cards are printed in 3X5 cards that I got super cheap at Staples.
The hardest part is creating the cards. That's a lot of info to go through, spread out over several books.
Each card is color coded to show spell level.
You do know you can just buy the cards for $6? This link has spell cards, item cards and monster cards:
http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=29446&it=1
You can click on the spell cards if you just want to buy that by itself. They are already organized by class and spell level, so you could print the first few pages of the wizard section on one color, the next few on another color, etc. The downside is that these only include PHB spells. They have a template for writing your own, but unless you have Adobe Acrobat full version (not just the reader), you can't save what you type.
After you buy it, they give you a PDF to download. You can then print that out onto cardstock with your printer or pay kinkos to do it. In fact, you could download the PDFs, go to the kinkos website, upload the PDF(s) (perhaps only the sorc/wizard section), pay for that, drive to kinkos, and have it all waiting there for you. Bam, everything's set up right from your PC. They even have paper cutters, etc. at kinkos that you can use for free. Or, again, just print it from home like you've been doing anyway. Except now you don't have to type them up.
Here's the kinkos website:
http://www.fedex.com/us/officeprint/main/
Go to online services => print to a FedEx Kinkos. I'm guessing black & white cardstock might be around $0.50 per page. I'm not sure b/c I did color last time.
The main difference with mine is that they are to be printed on plain old 3X5 index cards. The spell cards you linked to are to be printed 6 to a page. What Avery template is that? And what paper is it to be printed on?
He should have at least used a business card template.
The downside is that these only include PHB spells. They have a template for writing your own, but unless you have Adobe Acrobat full version (not just the reader), you can't save what you type.
Note that the freeware suite, Open Office, allows you to modify pdf files.
Cheers, --- Wheldrake
Cut/paste will be much easier than hand-typing each one!!!
A friend of mine just made me aware of a website that lists all of the spells.
Cut/paste will be much easier than hand-typing each one!!!
Agreed, for my current mage character, I start with the spell lists in the online SRD, then paste them into a word document and then add any pertinent details that are missing, so as to avoid consulting the books in most cases.
I just check off the spells prepared, then erase the checks as they are used. No fuss, no worries.
Cheers, --- Wheldrake
When you have 9 levels of spells, even this simple style is fraggin complicated. High level play sucks.
A free download or two and then getting the books in your hands and you can print your own.
For Hp: 2 or 3 ten sided dice. Easy, cheap and fast. Allthough the poker chip idea is also excellent.
For Hp: 2 or 3 ten sided dice. Easy, cheap and fast. Allthough the poker chip idea is also excellent.
Sadly, I must admit, occasionally when I do this, I end up accidently picking up the die for some reason and rolling it
