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School Smart Chart Table Pad, 24 x 32 Inches, 1 Inch Grids, 25 Sheets, White?
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School Smart Chart Table Pad, 24 x 32 Inches, 1 Inch Grids, 25 Sheets, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003U6KWAY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_SBA5QBEDJGA6BXHP8MBQ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
They’re a little awkward for storage, but amazingly useful to supplement your regular battlemat; you can do whole map sections or cut out rooms; they’re also great for covering up areas that have year to be revealed.
Sheet of lexan over whatever grid I had available. Have used wrapping paper, big easel grid paper, and gridded battle mats. The lexan is dry-erase friendly and provides a nice smooth level surface for minis and the like. It will also work with anything if you need to mix it up between locations or want to use a hex grid and the like.
Try Grid Paper This is a great price - you can find similar for about $30 at an office supply store.
Pros: Cheap. Can draw something and you just have it for as long as you take care of the paper.
Cons: It's not a battlemat, it's paper. You have to store any maps you want to keep.
I do just fine with this, I bought mine at an office supply store, but this link changes my plans going forward. I don't mind the storage challenge and enjoy that I can draw important locations *once*.
> Is the rulebook included in the starter set going to be sufficient for us to share?
Depends... try it first and see. If someone has a copy of the Player's Handbook it contains the same rules (and many more). Wizards of the Coast has also released the "Basic Rules" as a free PDF.
But of your players are organized, and copy their spells and features onto their character sheet, then they shouldn't need to reference the booklet during gameplay. The pregenerated characters in the starter set have copied these already.
Even if you all are not sure of the rules, I would encourage you to play without the rulebooks as much as you can. Frequently stopping to look up rules can dampen any momentum. It's okay if it takes half a minute, but much longer than that and it should be either after the session or during a break. As DM (especially a novice) you will sometimes have to be decisive in situations where you are uncertain. Even experienced DMs need to do this occasionally. This is a "rulings not rules" approach. It is OK to make a ruling and stick to it until you have the chance to look it up later.
> Like I would like to give them maps
The adventure module/campaign that comes with the set, Lost Mine of Phandelver, has maps included. This module is common enough that you can easily find official (and alternate) copies of the map online.
If you want, you can also use something as simple as notepad and pen. One inch grid is popular. I've even used a whiteboard over a webcam before.
You might also want miniature tokens for each player and monster. These do not need to be fancy, steal from a chess set if needed.
> any other useful resources
Dice. Having multiple sets of dice is more important then multiple rulebooks. It is possible to get by with only one set of dice (d4, d6, d8, d10, d100, d12, d20) which is why the Starter Set has only one, but you will want everyone to have at least their own d20.
And Character Sheets. This is the single most important reference for each player. As said before, a good character sheet will have all their relevant information on it so that they do not need to reference the rulebook midgame.
If you want to add a one page guide to combat actions, here is one good example and here is another slightly more detailed one.
You already have the most important resource: a group of friends with the time and interest to play together.
I would love a good way here as well.
I have a custom ship so that is a different issue.
But would love to get a few pre-printed ships made if I could in some way. I was thinking of getting this...and premaking some ships...
https://www.amazon.com/School-Smart-Chart-Inches-Sheets/dp/B003U6KWAY
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Its not pretty, but it would work I think
I just DM'd my first session of the starter adventure on Saturday. I ended up using this graph paper pad to draw out battle maps, and I got these blank dice to use for minis.
First combat, I had everyone choose a color, then gave them an extra to keep in front of them so I could easily see who was who. There are 9 total colors, so depending on how many players you have, that gives you some wiggle room for your own NPC's and monsters.
You can get bulk dice pretty cheap on Amazon as well (I think I paid around $11 for 6 sets), and pencils are a good idea.
Depends on what you want to spend really. I travel a lot to DM myself.
I use the large 1 inch square chart paper as game pads and (sometimes) draw out the maps before hand, or you can use a dry erase game mat and draw as you go.
Lego makes for great mini figures, or there are tons of PDF files of paper cut out ones that are really useful. Official mini figures are really expensive.
Other than that a lot of dice and a DM screen are handy. I use painted cardboard and notes taped to the inside. (Monster stat blocks, names of characters, a map of the area etc etc etc.
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other than that I dont have much else and it has worked out so far!
Good luck! I have some links below to the stuff I got!
Grid Paper
https://www.amazon.com/School-Smart-Chart-Inches-Sheets/dp/B003U6KWAY
Paper figs
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B9wKLjixK7DHd3pMZk92Z2xhdVk
Dice
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