Knight of Argenis Corim Danex Warlord
 6802 Posts



 West Valley City, Utah
 | | 08/18/2005 12:03 AM |
| | recovered topic 7500 | | "Look to God and live." Alma 37:47 Vindicated Champ of Hippogriff (Arcadian Hippogriff) and Uncommon Horse | |
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Knight of Argenis Corim Danex Warlord
 6802 Posts



 West Valley City, Utah
 | | 08/18/2005 12:03 AM |
| | What do you mean by problems when playing D&D? Are you talking about the environment you play in? Like where to put cups, dice, character sheets? | | "Look to God and live." Alma 37:47 Vindicated Champ of Hippogriff (Arcadian Hippogriff) and Uncommon Horse | |
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Sean-Khan Commander
 2720 Posts




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Yo Hon Sneak
 93 Posts




 | | 08/18/2005 9:30 PM |
| quote: Are you talking about the environment you play in? Like where to put cups, dice, character sheets?
Yep | | | |
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arbados Underboss
 1430 Posts



 New York, USA
 | | 08/19/2005 10:55 AM |
| As far as the DM goes it all comes down to space behind the DM's screen. With numbers of maps, creature stat sheets and other things there is often not enough space.
Ideas: Some sort of clip board which is attached to the table with an "arm" that can be rotated so it can be viewed by only the DM when necessary and flipped around for the players view would be good. It would save space on the table as well.
A little spot attached or built into the table where dice could go would also be good.
And finally my favorite.....A drawer beneath the table which slides out with compartments would be excellent to hold minis for encounters. Right now I keep my potential minis to be used in the game in a small tackle box on a table behind me. It would be much easier and cooler to just slide out a drawer beneath the gaming table and pull out the minis you need from there. Those are just some of my thoughts. Hope this was helpful. | | Give me more MIND FLAYERS! | |
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Knight of Argenis Corim Danex Warlord
 6802 Posts



 West Valley City, Utah
 | | 08/19/2005 10:18 PM |
| arbados,
I liked several of your ideas, especially the sliding drawer for minis. If the table I am planning on making was not going to be a folding table (fold up legs actually) then the drawer idea would be more feasible for my table.
I am thinking that maybe something with drawers and wheels that could sit to one side or other of the DM might be a good idea. It's just a second piece of furniture.
There are a few threads about gaming tables over in "Crafter's Corner". Darkfather made a Gaming Table, and it sparked a few conversations. | | "Look to God and live." Alma 37:47 Vindicated Champ of Hippogriff (Arcadian Hippogriff) and Uncommon Horse | |
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Can of the Cave Beer Commander
 2838 Posts




 | | 08/19/2005 11:24 PM |
| I would think that a Texas Hold'em table would do reasonably well, too. You'd have to check the exact features, but generally the tables are oblong, and some have drink holders and slots for chips which could easily hold dice.
Size would also be an issue, as some of those tables get big.
Come to think of it, many poker tables would probably work. There are plans all over the place for DIY-types.
Then again, I've got poker on the brain. | | Champion of the Werewolf Lord, Knight of Anything Duergar, and Squire of Things Gnollish List reset with the start of previews for each new set...got Chainmail®? | |
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Master of the Awesome Sauce Teflon Jeff Warlord
 7535 Posts



 Sector 2814
 | | 08/21/2005 5:06 PM |
| | I've found that the best thing to do is a two tier table. I have a 5x8 table, with a 3x5 table 18 inches above it. Player's have plenty of room, and no one has to work around the battle mat, just under it. Monitoring dice rolls is the only real prob i've come across. | | Official Delegate, Wizards of the Coast Against The Giants Called Shot: Huge Green Dragon Icons Called Shot: Gargantuan Prismatic Dragon "Rejoice, for bad things are about to happen." | |
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arbados Underboss
 1430 Posts



 New York, USA
 | | 08/23/2005 1:28 PM |
| | Thanks Corim Danex! Now if I only remotely had the skill to do something like this I would be in business [:p]! | | Give me more MIND FLAYERS! | |
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Count Dooku Commander
 4637 Posts



 New York
 | | 08/23/2005 3:39 PM |
| I have a gaming room.
I have a dining table that seats 6. Nice felt tablecloth for dice rolling.
I sit at the head of the table. To my right is a small cofee table where I put all my notes and books and the minis I will need that day.
To my left is a CD player with a selection of soundtracks that go really great with D&D (alot by Midnight Sydacate, The Soundtracks to LotR, conan, Army of Darkness ect). There are speakers mounted to the walls around the room for perfect mood music.
In one corner is a file cabinet. The file folders are tabbed "Visual Aids" "Maps" "Character Sheets" "Graph Paper" ect.
In another corner is a tiny fridge stocked with soda and beer.
In yet another corner is a bunch of shoeboxes. Each box is clearly labeled on the side "Undead" "Humans" "Giants" "Humanoids" "Outsiders" "Amimals and Vermin" ect....Those of course are my minis.
I have a huge bookshelf with almost every D&D book WotC put out for 3rd edition...and every issue of dragon and Dungeon since 3rd edition.
I have easle pads with 1-inch graph on them. I lay a sheet down and draw the battlefield for combat.
Lastly is a huge corkboard where I mount poster maps. I use colored map pins to represent where the party is and where their destination is ect.
I really love my room...its my baby :)
| | Champion of the Skulk Vindicated Champion of the Twig Blight | |
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griffrat Commander
 3506 Posts




 | | 08/23/2005 3:58 PM |
| I agree with you on the room as a "baby". I just posted some links to some pics in the Crafter Corner.
Have you found that the room makes the game better? Or has your room made you want to host more games, or invite more people to sessions? | | Ambassador of FUN!!! | |
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Mama Cass Warrior
 286 Posts




 | | 08/23/2005 7:30 PM |
| I have converted my basement as the gaming room. We use 3 plastic 6' banquet tables arranged like "|=". On top is a 4'x 8' peg board, the holes are 1" apart. We use the peg board for most outdoor encounters adding terrain as needed. We typically use the 1" graph paper pad for underground and things needing more detail (it's neat to go back and see previous campaigns in the pad!). We also use painted peg board pieces for specific terrain bases (green for woods, white for snow etc.) The 1" grid works out well!
I have five shelves on one side 8' long with miniatures on them sorted by type (undead, demi-humans, animals, etc.) under that is plastic rolling carts and shelves with terrain and other props. 2 book cases, a fridge, microwave, wi-fi network (few people like to use laptops, maps on the walls (we also laminate maps that we use frequently on the table like FR world etc.)
There a back entrance that everyone uses so no on is disturbing my wife and kids in the house and when they go to sleep we are two floors below so we can make as much noise as we want and they don't hear us. It works out great! | | CHAMPION OF THE REDSPAWN ARCANISS
One day I will have to explain to my kids why they have to pay for their own college, but when they realize that I have a full set of Harbinger it should make sense to them... | |
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kestrel.ca Underboss
 1684 Posts




 | | 08/23/2005 11:27 PM |
| | Ahhh, to dream of having a dedicated gaming room. Great description Mama Cass, and nice pics Griffrat. I'm just waiting for my sister to move out (she's been staying here while attending college) so I have enough rooms for my kids, let alone my hobbies! Guess I'll eventually have to take after Zenako (and others) and build a better house. | |
Completed Trades/Transactions: 94 || Bad Trades: 3 (Chaotic Good x2, MackeyV) | |
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Mushroom King Thor Underboss
 1938 Posts




 | | 08/25/2005 9:12 PM |
| Setting up a good gaming area is an art form... I've tried most everything twice.
Grin. The search for perfection. Never ends..... | | Cheers !! ----THOR (Atlanta GA) Kauke@Juno.com (E-Mail me for a current Trade List) www.maxminis.com/hwlist.asp?user=Thor
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griffrat Commander
 3506 Posts




 | | 08/25/2005 9:33 PM |
| | Thanks, when we finished off the basement. I desinged the room around gaming and insulated the bejezzus out of the celling and the walls so the wife would not be as disturbed to the screams of, "NATURAL!!! ToooWhenty!!!" It happens...[:p] | | Ambassador of FUN!!! | |
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Knight of Argenis Corim Danex Warlord
 6802 Posts



 West Valley City, Utah
 | | 08/26/2005 11:56 AM |
| quote: Originally posted by griffrat "NATURAL!!! ToooWhenty!!!"
LOL...good idea on the insulation | | "Look to God and live." Alma 37:47 Vindicated Champ of Hippogriff (Arcadian Hippogriff) and Uncommon Horse | |
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Mama Cass Warrior
 286 Posts




 | | 08/26/2005 5:04 PM |
| | We get pretty loud too sometimes and we usually game until 1 or 2 AM, but in a year since we bought the house, my wife says she never hears us...hope I didn't just jinx us... | | CHAMPION OF THE REDSPAWN ARCANISS
One day I will have to explain to my kids why they have to pay for their own college, but when they realize that I have a full set of Harbinger it should make sense to them... | |
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 dj-chuckles Underboss
 2455 Posts



 The State that invented Spam!
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