When you use the DDI Character Builder, you can have it print off a single action point card for you. Now instead of tapping this like normal card what i have done in my group is we have a pile of about 20 of them all individually laminated.I pass out new cards to each player each milestone, and they spend (toss back) the action point card back to me when they spend an action point. The players find that this is a great way to keep track of points, especially considering a full month in real time may go by before the players get to rest.
I began thinking about magic items, now i noticed that the DDI Character Builder also prints out a magic item card for each item you have, (not to mention any custom items like a non-magical regular key) But players can't use this in the same manner, or at least its harder to keep track of.
So player has 4 magic items, and every time they use a magic item they toss one back to the DM. This doesn't keep track of how many they might have gained from milestones, and they now lose track of the item and forget what its properties are.
I think the magic item cards are fine and great but they don't seem to fit my little nieche.So instead using a bit of fireworks and screen shots i have created a make shift Magic Item Use card. I treat the card in the same way as action points.
Now im not saying that this tip is for everyone, WilliamPall and Exedore6 had some tips on twitter and may say that this is too much and a solution is already in place. and that's fine, each DM and group needs to roll with what works for them.
It just so happens that my group likes this idea, and i hope that other DM's will find this useful as well.
I've seen some DM's order custom Plexiglass tokens and i fell this solution is simple and cheap, about 9 tokens for 25c (laminating cost)
I hope this post explains my idea a bit better, as always i am more than welcome to feedback and hear other suggestions you and your players use to track uses of magic items.
Posts
I think having physical resources infront of you like tokens and cards can add a lot to the game. At the very least, you'll remember they're there!
ReplyDeleteGrr.. just typed out a response and the internet ate it.
ReplyDeleteAnyways. to sum up what I said in the now deleted comment. the magic item cards that have properties would just sit there in front of the player listing whatever on-going properties they have. the iagic item cards that have powers can sit in front of the player and be tapped/untapped just like any of the power cards the player has. I'm at a lose as to how/why a secondary card would be needed to tell you if you can use your magic item. Is the power from the card available (according to if you have had the appropriate size rest from last using it)? if it's avaialble, then just use the power, if it's been used then use a different power. No secondary magic item card needed.
Joshua
ReplyDeleteThe main reason is beacuse players don't rest for a good 4 sessions, at the end of the night they pick everything up and go home.
Excellent idea. This is especially useful as the PCs gain new items. I think my 9th level Paladin has 10+ magic items (plus potions) and at least 5 of them have Daily powers. Having a "Magic Item Use" card would help me keep track of how many Daily powers are still at my disposal.
ReplyDelete