Dungeons and Index Cards

[bryant]

I tried using a stack of index cards instead of an initiative tracker last session, and it worked out pretty well. I put most of the monster stats on each card, plus checkboxes for hit points. I think it was smoother than using the tracker.

I may need to put more of the stats on each card; I kept having to go back to the book. Maybe only for more or less simple monsters, and Big Bads can still require book reference?

I really like the ease of having defenses and hit points all in hand, though. The checkboxes in particular fit how my mind works.

Originally published at Imaginary Vestibule.

Comments

[telepresence.livejournal.com]

So, if you're in the mood, talk to me about this Dee and Dee. I hear there are 10x10 rooms and Satanism.

[head58.livejournal.com]

squeeeeeeeeee

[mgrasso.livejournal.com]

Wow, that sounds like a really good idea. I guess it only became possible after the average stat block reduced in size from gi-fuckin-normous to slightly large. :)

[carneggy.livejournal.com]

Easy enough to use the larger 5x8 index cards, too.

[bryant]

Not as good a form factor, but yeah.

[merlinofchaos]

Get your printer to print to index cards. Set up all your monsters ahead of time. I know you've got the layout chops to easily set something up to make this easy, then before you play, print all the index cards you need.

I really like the idea; hit points on the card, you can discard the card when the monster is no longer on play. Keep placeholder cards for players, too, and you can get instant view of their stats and easily have the initiative order in one convenient pile.

If I ever get to play again I will try this.

[bryant]

That's exactly what I'm doing. If I get superambitious I'll do a mail merge.

[promethius.livejournal.com]

I really dig this idea...

The only conflict I have is that I hate using up things that are one-shot-and-throw-away during RPGs. It's the conservationist in me. Even so, this is probably the best suggestion so far for keeping track of stats, damage input/output, and initiative all in one spot.

Edit: I guess I don't have to toss them if they're cookie cutter monsters and I mark temporary stats or hit points in pencil. (Duh.)

[gconnor.livejournal.com]

Very small post-its over/near the hp/current status section might work too.

[bryant]

... WotC should do this as a web app, actually.

[gconnor.livejournal.com]

Here's an expansion of that idea: have cards for all the monster types you expect to use, and when our team encounters something, grab the card and put a small post-it where the checkboxes might go. THat way you can totally write on the card, then remove the post-it and use it again later.

[bruceb.livejournal.com]

Checkboxes are great. I love 'em for this kind of thing. There's a great feedback cycle in seeing the unit and marking the unit. And it gives a nice tangible sense of magnitude to "didn't hurt it a lot" versus "really messed it up".