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So, for my better education and others around us. I wanted to discuss how a GM or a heavily loaded player travels in style and ease with their favorite gaming supplies. So, how do you transport your goodies? What ways do you think you could improve it, or would like some improvement on your current method?
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Could you describe or link to a product for your rolling tubs?
I was at Wally World the other day and saw their folding luggage cart in the luggage section, and saw clear plastic crates that were just large enough to fit books in and see the spines, but were also sturdy. I was thinking something like that and stacking them on it, and securing with bungee cords. What do you think?
Venture-Captain, Michigan—Mt. Pleasant
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You might have seen my rolling crate I had at M-Dog last weekend. I picked it up at a garage sale for $2. Its been a back saver for sure.
For my maps I have an expandable artwork storage tube
My minis I have in craft storage container though they are starting to get packed in there.
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This is the tub I use. You can get it at any Lowes, Home Depot and Ace Hardware. I have bought them at all three.
I can get two back packs of books and two boxes of scenarios and maps and etc into one of these and my printer, more boxes of scenarios and maps and mini cases into another. When we do a large event I will use two of these to carry the SCARAB PFS library and two more to carry a huge chunk of the SCARAB Board Game library. I can bungee the tops down and they keep everything dry in the event I drive through bad weather and they roll easy.
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That rolling crate is neat. Similar to my folding dolly and containers idea. My maps travel in an Ice tube, similar to that from dickblick.com. I have an extra one if the first one gets full. Minis currently travel in a citadel foam case from games workshop. Mostly for my painted and metal minis since I'm protective of them. Though, in time I'll displace my plastic minis currently housed in it with metal ones and need to put them in a box, bag, or some other arrangement.
So far it seems I'm on the right track for travel. I wonder what other ideas are out there.
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The problem with many of those Options is that many of them take up a lot of floor space, and I have to say as a Fellow gamer, I can't stand that.
Nothing worse then having some Huge *or more then one for 1 person* carrying casses blocking the gaming room and making it hard to get around.
I would suggest going Lite, only bringing exactly what you need and no more.
A big step towards this for me was going all PDF on my iPad.
I was really worried with doing this, but I tested it out last year at GenCon and it worked extermly well.
For Minis I only bring exactly what I need for the game plus a few more for player characters, I seperate each set of minies I need for a scenario and put then in small/large zip-lock bags and then putting all those bags in a larger one.
Everything you need for gaming should be kept to being able to fit in a case like this.
The only issue is Maps, the expandable artwork storage tube mentioned above works well with that.
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A number of my gaming friends swear by Zuca rolling bags (they have a fairly small footprint, too), but I'm not sure that there's enough room in those for a lot of minis.
Now that I'm on an iPad for gaming, it does drastically cut down on how much I need to haul around for cons (especially if I'm not DMing much).
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Yea, but an Ipad is not an "affordable" option for most of us. Trust me, if it was, I'd have one. I find laptops too bulky to carry around, and tend to have too short of a battery life.
Fair point on the iPad issue. (As far as laptops and batteries go...I've seen too many players trying to get a table near a power outlet so they can plug in their laptops, and I know that, last year, they forbid people from using the outlets in the RPGA hall at GenCon.)
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I have a medium sized rolling duffle that I generall have stuffed full of all my things... it can either go up against the all if I have a wall table or on an inner table it's sized right to fit on a chair next to me .. in reality doesn't take up more space than another gamer. Maps are kept in ice tubes.
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Unfortunately, I have to also bring every book I used in making a character....that's a lot. Essentially my entire book collection. That doesn't fit in my backpack anymore. Since I play, and GM.
Since money seems to be an issue, I am assuming PDFs with just the pages needed printed not being an option?
If you travel a lot to conventions, I would suggest not using options from many books, if you don't have an easy way to transport them.
For future reference, obviously it is too late to go back and change your characters.
That PFS rule can be a b+!%$ if you are book only.
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I lug a lot of stuff as an event coordinator I am forced to take hardcopies of books and tons of board games. A printer and extra toners and paper etc... People use my books and board games I usually have a couple of copies of all the hardbacks for PFS. Plus I haul a ton of prizes around too. I also take a laptop, droid and nook with me - which are the devices I personally rely most heavily upon. I highly recommend if you are going to use ANY electronic devices you spend the money on extended batteries or portable battery devices that you can connect a USB plug into, etc... Otherwise you should bring your OWN extension cord and/or power strip. Don't depend on the event have plugs readily available.
Some conventions I even take up to 4 desktop computers with me.
If I were traveling to a convention just to play or run 1 or two sessions I am not sure I would take anything more than my three electronic devices and my character minis and the core rulebook. Dice, a spiral notebook and pens and pencils. Which will all fit in my laptop backpack nicely with room left over for souvenirs.
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Since money seems to be an issue, I am assuming PDFs with just the pages needed printed not being an option?If you travel a lot to conventions, I would suggest not using options from many books, if you don't have an easy way to transport them.
For future reference, obviously it is too late to go back and change your characters.
That PFS rule can be a b$%$# if you are book only.
It is an option, but I really prefer having the actual book there. Since some books don't print all of the rules in the same spot ie T10. *Watches Dragonmoon's head explode* Not to mention I like having my books available to my players when I GM. It's a Boy Scout thing, "Be Prepared"
Most of my books I do not have a copy of the PDF too, and going through with a copier is a royal pain in the butt.
Lastly, the whole don't use options from books I've purchased to use options from idea seems very counter-intuitive to a campaign that is essentially a giant marketing tool to get people like me to buy those books.
Lastly lastly, I have yet to encounter a con where space was that high of a premium that I could not have something that was compartmentalized and able to be tucked under chairs and/or the table, or sat next to me between me and the next player. Though, my mileage may have varied compared to yours.
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Personally, Ive never needed anything bigger than my Bag of Holding.
I know pretty much everyone is wanting something with wheels to avoid shoulder pain, but this thing works well enough for me, and holds a TON of stuff.
It has a separate pocket I use for pens, pencils, dicebag, and condition cards. Figs are kept in a generic card box. Books, initiative tracker, and scenarios (one or two per 3-hole folder along with drawn maps, chronicle sheets, faction missions, handouts, monster print outs from the Bestiarys, and notes for infrequently used rules (like suffocation, or cold weather rules), so I dont have to look them up mid-session) in the main area.
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Lastly lastly, I have yet to encounter a con where space was that high of a premium that I could not have something that was compartmentalized and able to be tucked under chairs and/or the table, or sat next to me between me and the next player. Though, my mileage may have varied compared to yours.
Every Convention I have been to, Large Containers, Cords and other stuff that take up lots of space, people feel then need to bring have just been a nuisance, so was trying to hop in this thread before you became one of my nuisances. ;). Most times people just leave them where everyone walks, and many times there is not enough room under the table other then to fit you feet. Also Table space can be a premium, so the less books you have on the table the better. Paper character sheets work so much better in this respect compared to a lap top, though a tablet works well in comparison just hard to take notes on your character sheet with a tablet... ;)
Also Avoid Dice rolling boxes!!! I can't stand them and they take up space for no reason. I have told players at my table to put them away.
All I have on the table when I play is my Character sheet, pen, pencil, Mini and dice. All my books or other items go under my chair.
To Delbert, being an event coordinator is a whole other bag.
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BOX BANDS
These are awesome! Thanks for the link. Just dropped some into my shopping cart.
saw their folding luggage cart in the luggage section
I would caution you against this one. The tubing is too light gauge to be durable. I have one and it has not stood up to the riggers of moving plastic tubs, especially one filled with books. I would look for something sturdier.
You might have seen my rolling crate
This is another one I caution on. I had it for roughly 6 months before the plastic handle shattered. Prior to that it was a nice cart.
Having gone through three cart systems (on number four and it's failing) in three years, I am always looking for the perfect version. I am rough on my carts. Being a GM is one thing, but being an organizer/VC you tend to have a lot more stuff to support your GM's. Maps, minis, books, extra copies of scenarios, etc. I often have as many as four banker-box sized plastic tubs, plus some smaller odds n ends. And then my luggage in addition to that.
If you are just a GM (that sounds strange to say), you should be able to keep your needs down to roughly a single, banker box sized container. Most of the time, I follow the GenCon MO and keep an extra chair for myself. If what you are bringing to the table cannot be maintained in the footprint of that chair (under and over are available) then you are probably bringing too much.
This all assumes you are driving. If you are flying, you might have to make due with less because not only do you have to limit the number of containers you take, but also weight is an issue. Not to mention, trusting the luggage handlers not to toss your stuff across the room and break anything.
Also Avoid Dice rolling boxes!!! I can't stand them and they take up space for no reason. I have told players at my table to put them away.
I am sooo bringing mine and using it anyway. :-P
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Though Gencon should be more limited for me. I only need the beginner box. Not sure how maps are with that yet, since I haven't gotten it yet, and the only minis I'll need come with, and I'll bring my one case of minis for my "cool" ones.
Other than that, I'll need the books for my character when I get a chance to play. Just need to avoid Kyle's table since he'll kill me again.
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Though Gencon should be more limited for me. I only need the beginner box. Not sure how maps are with that yet, since I haven't gotten it yet, and the only minis I'll need come with, and I'll bring my one case of minis for my "cool" ones.
Other than that, I'll need the books for my character when I get a chance to play. Just need to avoid Kyle's table since he'll kill me again.
For the Beginner Box you should only need to bring the Beginner Box minis from WizKids for the players.
And the adventures you will be running for that are here..
The Minis you will need for yourself as GM are all pawns in the box.
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If you are just a GM (that sounds strange to say), you should be able to keep your needs down to roughly a single, banker box sized container. Most of the time, I follow the GenCon MO and keep an extra chair for myself. If what you are bringing to the table cannot be maintained in the footprint of that chair (under and over are available) then you are probably bringing too much.
I probably could pack just about everything into one banker box (but sturdier), a backpack for my pens, pencils, dice, scissors, etc., A single briefcase sized mini case for my awesome minis, and an ice tube for maps. The rolling luggage thing could hold it all in transit on foot, and all in all take up no more than one chairs space.
When playing I tend to have one pile of books relevant to my character out to my left, the rest in my bag under my chair. My character sheet directly in front of me, my dice in front of that, drink/snack to the right of my sheet. I take up at most 2-3 feet. I tend to stack my books in towers, and hold them in my lap when referencing.
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I probably could pack just about everything into one banker box (but sturdier), a backpack for my pens, pencils, dice, scissors, etc., A single briefcase sized mini case for my awesome minis, and an ice tube for maps. The rolling luggage thing could hold it all in transit on foot, and all in all take up no more than one chairs space.
IMO that is too much.
A few things you need to remember
As a GM you are not responsible for bringing any books but what you need to run the scenario. It is nice to have all that reference material for players to have for their PCs, but for conventions it is just not feasible and not your responsibility, it is the Players. This is even a stronger point for you since you only have the Book option.
Anything you take with you have to take where ever you go. You can chance leaving it in the gaming room, but as seen last year they may get stolen.
Try to keep to one case.
Maps: Yeah you will still need the map carrying case, I have tried folding them, but it does not work well.
Edit: Also have a smaller bag jus to carry your stuff as a player, since that should be less stuff.
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I don't see any better way to slim down, since I only bring the books for my characters (all of them), and what I need to GM. The case of minis has my minis in them which are painted ones that I'm protective of, so not having a mini case is not acceptable. My chronicles, sheets etc are in the backpack along with my other office supplies that I keep handy. The box would hold my books. I can't think of any way to slim down with out dropping $500-$800 on a tablet.
Edit: I do normally leave my modules and AP's at home, along with a "Elves of Golarion" book.
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The case of minis has my minis in them which are painted ones that I'm protective of, so not having a mini case is not acceptable.
I would suggest in the future investing in another option for traveling so you don't need to bring along your painted miniatures.
It gets a bit annoying after awhile being yelled at by the GM... "Don't touch my miniature!".
You are not set up well for a light traveling GM.
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The case of minis has my minis in them which are painted ones that I'm protective of, so not having a mini case is not acceptable.
I would suggest in the future investing in another option for traveling so you don't need to bring along your painted miniatures.
It gets a bit annoying after awhile being yelled at by the GM... "Don't touch my miniature!".
You are not set up well for a light traveling GM.
Edit: By the end of the weekend, you are either going to
Regret bringing all this stuff
Getting something Stolen
Losing something
Getting a Miniature Broken
Not Leaving the PFS room
Have a sore Back
Or none of the above
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(the following is a non-helpful suggestion, but I am in a silly mood, and the title of the thread just ... calls to me).
How to travel from Con to Con?
1) By car/van with friends - get enoung traveling at the same time and run an event in route.
2) By plane - then car. This option should only be used if the distance between the events is more than 60 miles. If you are traveling with friends see #1 above.
3) By ship. see #1 above.
4) Teleport. (Word of Recall, Dim Door, etc) - then maybe by car (depending on how well you know the location of the Convention) and see #1 above).
5) Shadow walk. - this option should be taken as a last resort, as it limits chances to running events in route - everything looks washed out and grey. But see #1 above anyway.
There. I feel better now.
6)TARDIS. Better yet, have the convention inside, it's bigger on the inside. And you can really make your point when you kick out disruptive players in Pompeii. Actually, Pompeii is where you schedule the LARP sessions.
Seriously, as a minimalist, I have all the maps premade on gaming paper. Any unusual rules for the module are printed out. I usually have the core rulebook, minis and dice. I basically use one folder which acts as my DM screen.
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The best option I've found for traveling minis is birch tiles that I bought. They are numbered, come in all the requisite sizes and fit into a dice bag ... easy peasy
Birch tiles? After a 30 second check of google, I find wood tiles and carpet tiles...and I don't see how that helps transport minis. Could you give me an idea of how that works?
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The best option I've found for traveling minis is birch tiles that I bought. They are numbered, come in all the requisite sizes and fit into a dice bag ... easy peasyBirch tiles? After a 30 second check of google, I find wood tiles and carpet tiles...and I don't see how that helps transport minis. Could you give me an idea of how that works?
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birch tilesThe best option I've found for traveling minis is birch tiles that I bought. They are numbered, come in all the requisite sizes and fit into a dice bag ... easy peasyBirch tiles? After a 30 second check of google, I find wood tiles and carpet tiles...and I don't see how that helps transport minis. Could you give me an idea of how that works?
Well, now that's what I get for over thinking things! Brilliant solution!
