5 Life Hacks For Your Roleplaying Table


Gamer Life General Discussion


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This week Improved Initiative put together a series of 5 life hacks to help make your table just a little bit better when game day rolls around. This has nothing to do with stats and feats, class and level, but it focuses instead on things like how to keep a table organized, how to create affordable 3D terrain, and how to keep your mats and dice as clean as possible.

Check it out right here! You'll be glad you did!


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It forgot a box Kleenex for the tears of my players and a shovel for all the dead characters.


I thought those were just common sense things to have around?


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I recently started making 3D terrain for my games.
TheDMGinfo youtube channel is pretty great although I think he makes somethings overly complicated.
We also made a 2 tiered gaming table. The second tier is just tall enough that a 2 liter of Mountain Dew fits underneath. This lets everyone have their food and drink and books and dice out with out having it on the board. The original table was super easy modify and it cost less than $10. The best part is that the top tier just comes right off so the wife can't complain about the stupid look table.


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Can we stop using the phrase "life hack" now?


Am I the only one that has to remind myself that people actually play these at tables and not everyone plays with people in different states and countries?


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Avoid the click bait.

The answers are (1) books tabs, (2) vinegar, (3) cardboard cutouts, (4) markers, (5) dice boxes.

Please don't click the bait.


Why vinegar?


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GypsyMischief wrote:
Why vinegar?

Haven't you watched Courage the Cowardly Dog? It's the secret ingredient to everything!

Shadow Lodge

Also because cleaning


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Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Roleplaying Table Hack #6: One thing I've discovered years ago was that index cards with the characters' names on them, when doubled over and hung from the GM screen, make great initiative trackers. Not only can the GM see them (assuming you put the name on both sides), and thus better keep track of initiative order, the players can too! Changes in the initiative order is easily reflected by simply shuffling the cards around.

Cheap, easy, and really cuts down on the mistakes.


Maneuvermoose wrote:
Can we stop using the phrase "life hack" now?

Your DM banned the phrase "life hack" why not call it a soul tip and see what happens?

Liberty's Edge

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Pretty obvious stuff in that link...and none to life hacky...or soul tippy...
Tip #1: Tab Your Books
Tip #2: Use White Vinegar For All Your Clean Up Needs
Tip #3: Add Terrain (For Cheap)..ie get dirt and sticks from outdoors
Tip #4: Use Your Markers To Keep Your Mat Rolled Tight
Tip #5: Dice Boxes Are Your Friend

RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32

I'm kind of a Luddite, so I like to write all the monsters out on looseleaf paper for ease of use. I re-arrange all the monster stats so they're like the way I like my PC character sheets. It makes it easy for me to find stuff, so I don't have to look up info. Also, writing stuff out by hand helps me learn, know, and memorize stuff about my monsters.

Also, I can run 2 or 3 types of monsters in one encounter with ease, since they all fit in front of me. Maybe even 4 if I'm being ambitious.

And since I've switched to 5th Edition, I can often fit 2 full write-ups on one side. And I just write what is on the verso along the top to make searching my shuffled sheets easier.

Also: Rolling attack roll dice and damage dice at the same time. I just read my dice left to right, so the leftmost attack roll die goes with the leftmost damage die, the next-leftmost attack roll die goes with the next-leftmost damage dice, etc. etc. No need to color coordinate!

Grand Lodge

Ravingdork wrote:

Roleplaying Table Hack #6: One thing I've discovered years ago was that index cards with the characters' names on them, when doubled over and hung from the GM screen, make great initiative trackers. Not only can the GM see them (assuming you put the name on both sides), and thus better keep track of initiative order, the players can too! Changes in the initiative order is easily reflected by simply shuffling the cards around.

Cheap, easy, and really cuts down on the mistakes.

We did the same thing with clothes pins, clipped to the top of the GM's screen.

Each one had a piece of masking tape running down the length of it on both sides with the characters name on it.

RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32

EvilTwinSkippy wrote:
Ravingdork wrote:

Roleplaying Table Hack #6: One thing I've discovered years ago was that index cards with the characters' names on them, when doubled over and hung from the GM screen, make great initiative trackers. Not only can the GM see them (assuming you put the name on both sides), and thus better keep track of initiative order, the players can too! Changes in the initiative order is easily reflected by simply shuffling the cards around.

Cheap, easy, and really cuts down on the mistakes.

We did the same thing with clothes pins, clipped to the top of the GM's screen.

Each one had a piece of masking tape running down the length of it on both sides with the characters name on it.

I might try the same thing with freestanding index cards, since I don't use a DM screen.


RedDogMT wrote:

Pretty obvious stuff in that link...and none to life hacky...or soul tippy...

Tip #1: Tab Your Books
Tip #2: Use White Vinegar For All Your Clean Up Needs
Tip #3: Add Terrain (For Cheap)..ie get dirt and sticks from outdoors
Tip #4: Use Your Markers To Keep Your Mat Rolled Tight
Tip #5: Dice Boxes Are Your Friend

Actually no, not really "obvious stuff", pretty clever actually.


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I've found that I'm using maps more once I found a little trick to make it easier for everyone. I print off the map, laminate it (picked up a cheap laminator for $25 and a 50 pack of sleeves for another 10 at office works) and then paint it with a mix of cheap acrylic paint and dish soap. Approximately 60/40 paint/soap works best for me.
The players use a cut popsicle stick to scrape it off and reveal the map as they progress. Works like a giant scratch and win ticket. I'd suggest black paint as nothing shows through it.

The Exchange

I learnt this from another GM, but I draw 3/4 of a circle then draw lines out of it pointing to where the players are seated. I write their init on those lines. My init for monsters is in centre of 3/4 circle.


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A friend does the initiative trick with clothes pins, but has player cards glued or pasted to the tops (also has a heavy duty GM screen). One side has the player's character 'GM' cheats' for easy reference and the opposite side has the name in big letters. Monster pins have a few important notes on the GM's side and Greek letters in place of names on the public side. All his regular players are either real Greeks (US born) or were college Greeks, so they have no excuse for not knowing them.

Not being either, I get grief for calling letters by descriptive names, even when I 'know' what they are (delta/triangle, Omega/horseshoe), but I recognize the utility.

These are MtG sized cards and are in sleeves so he can make notes on them as the game goes on, then wash the sleeve clean.

Liberty's Edge

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HyperMissingno wrote:
Am I the only one that has to remind myself that people actually play these at tables and not everyone plays with people in different states and countries?

No idea, but I have the reverse problem ...

I always play RPGs in person at the table - I've actually never played online etc. To me personally, RPGs were meant to be, and are best when, played "live" in person at a table.

Nothing at all against those who play differently, but for me, I can't imagine *not* playing at a table! So, I guess I sometimes need to remind myself that there are actually folks out there who don't play in person at a table ...


Marc Radle wrote:
HyperMissingno wrote:
Am I the only one that has to remind myself that people actually play these at tables and not everyone plays with people in different states and countries?

No idea, but I have the reverse problem ...

I always play RPGs in person at the table - I've actually never played online etc. To me personally, RPGs were meant to be, and are best when, played "live" in person at a table.

Nothing at all against those who play differently, but for me, I can't imagine *not* playing at a table! So, I guess I sometimes need to remind myself that there are actually folks out there who don't play in person at a table ...

Honestly I can't see how you can stand it, not having a button for initiative stuff, a dice roller that does the math for you, a ruler tool you can use to help plan your turn, editable character sheets with handouts to handle skills, inventory, and spells, character portraits, quickly sending information via links to the PFSRD, not having to voice a character you couldn't voice properly, saving gas money, , not wearing-ahem-anyways, there's just so much that speeds up gameplay on it or makes it easier to remember what is what that I can't imagine how people did more than one combat in the old days, because even with all of our stuff combat still takes a long time.


I'm just impressed he can so reliably coordinate the lives of a group of working adults for in person games.

Sovereign Court

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We just schedule our games during work hours. #greattobesalary


Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

Huh, I work with a bunch of nerds and I'm the only gamer. Coincidentally, I'm also the biggest drinker.

Anyway, I use the GM initiative board sold somewhere on the left column. Before that, we just put a piece of white paper inside a plastic folder sleeve and used wet/dry erase markers. Also, I'm guessing white vinegar on a Chessex mat would be no bueno, but I'll admit, I don't care to test it out.

I'm fortunate in that we rarely use our dining room table for actual dining, so I can leave my mats out. My wife does not like it, though, but a broom stick handle seems like as good an idea if she puts her foot down.

Finally, yes, tabs. I need to do this.


Ravingdork wrote:

Roleplaying Table Hack #6: One thing I've discovered years ago was that index cards with the characters' names on them, when doubled over and hung from the GM screen, make great initiative trackers. Not only can the GM see them (assuming you put the name on both sides), and thus better keep track of initiative order, the players can too! Changes in the initiative order is easily reflected by simply shuffling the cards around.

Cheap, easy, and really cuts down on the mistakes.

On my side, I've also added the PC's :AC and Passive Perception.

I have a couple marked NPC and a couple in red-highlight labeled Monster 1, 2 as well. Agree it is easy to see, quickly updated, and packs away in folder.


passive perception is not a thing.


Table Hack #7: Tool box or tackle box greatly organize your key equipment. I'm using this one:
Stanley Plastic Connectable Box and Oranizer

My CRB, Bestiary and GMG, multiple bags of dice; and small bag of legos for terrain/clutter fit inside the main box deep drawer and an insert; the top end compartments hold wet-erase markers, pencils, erasers, whiteout, and the initiative teepee folded index cards.

The bottom organizer which clips solidly underneath (you can actually add more of these underneath each other indefinitely) holds my PF Pawn set, and about 40 home-made dungeon tiles. The size of the compartments is changeable by adding/removing the provided dividers.

I considered putting my 200+ mini's in the bottom style bin, but found there was too much movement, so I've opted for the basic Plano fishing lure containers, with a thin layer of felt in bottom and home-cut cardboard dividers to make more individual or 2x mini sized areas. 5 of these fit perfectly in a small reusable grocery store bag. So other than my battle mat I can carry everything for a game in 2 hands.

Since 95% of my gaming is right on our kitchen table, the ability to quickly pack it up and put in the storage room makes my wife (and fellow gamer happy). So, I guess the real life-hack is by a tool box and make your wife happy.


BigNorseWolf wrote:
passive perception is not a thing I use in my game .

minor grammatical disagreement, I offered another way you could have said it.

But since when I GM I always assume my players are taking 10 on their perception, its useful for me to have on the back of the initiative trackers to know if they'd just notice something w/o telling me they were specifically investigating for such and such.

The nice thing about the index cards is they have enough room, any GM can put info that they personally find useful to keep close at hand on their side of the card. Passive perception, Saves, HPs, or the player name and PC name if you're running pickup games. Customizable for your GMing desires, and the battery never goes dead either.


Write the stats of creatures you expect to be summoned a lot on index cards for quick reference.


GM 1990 wrote:
BigNorseWolf wrote:
passive perception is not a thing I use in my game .
minor grammatical disagreement, I offered another way you could have said it.

If i'd wanted to say it that way, i would have said it that way.

Don't quote me and then not use my words.

It's not a thing.

It's not a rule, its not a recommendation, it's not a system. It's not listed anywhere in the rules and it changes the game. Four people rolling or taking ten have ~the same average result but for finding something the high roll is all that matters and that's far higher with other people rolling.

I have never seen this concept used and then not wanted to staple a plush tribble to the DM's head. I have only seen it used to get automatic surprise rounds on players.

RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32

BigNorseWolf wrote:
passive perception is not a thing.

It is in 5th Edition. It's on every single monster stat block.


I tried to hack life once. And then I learned that I didn't live in the Matrix.


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There should be a rule preventing clickbaiting.

I.E. this could very well be a solution:
Instead of a link, just copy-paste the whole article here.
"but this doesn't give me more views on my blog"
that's the point.


Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

Though it's not a hard rule, passive perception is most definitely a thing; I remember it was even recommended in one of the Paizo books somewhere. GameMastery Guide or Ultimate Intrigue perhaps?

Liberty's Edge

HyperMissingno wrote:
Marc Radle wrote:
HyperMissingno wrote:
Am I the only one that has to remind myself that people actually play these at tables and not everyone plays with people in different states and countries?

No idea, but I have the reverse problem ...

I always play RPGs in person at the table - I've actually never played online etc. To me personally, RPGs were meant to be, and are best when, played "live" in person at a table.

Nothing at all against those who play differently, but for me, I can't imagine *not* playing at a table! So, I guess I sometimes need to remind myself that there are actually folks out there who don't play in person at a table ...

Honestly I can't see how you can stand it, not having a button for initiative stuff, a dice roller that does the math for you, a ruler tool you can use to help plan your turn, editable character sheets with handouts to handle skills, inventory, and spells, character portraits, quickly sending information via links to the PFSRD, not having to voice a character you couldn't voice properly, saving gas money, , not wearing-ahem-anyways, there's just so much that speeds up gameplay on it or makes it easier to remember what is what that I can't imagine how people did more than one combat in the old days, because even with all of our stuff combat still takes a long time.

Ha! I actually can't tell if you're joking or not!

Grand Lodge RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32

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Marc Radle wrote:
HyperMissingno wrote:
Marc Radle wrote:
HyperMissingno wrote:
Am I the only one that has to remind myself that people actually play these at tables and not everyone plays with people in different states and countries?

No idea, but I have the reverse problem ...

I always play RPGs in person at the table - I've actually never played online etc. To me personally, RPGs were meant to be, and are best when, played "live" in person at a table.

Nothing at all against those who play differently, but for me, I can't imagine *not* playing at a table! So, I guess I sometimes need to remind myself that there are actually folks out there who don't play in person at a table ...

Honestly I can't see how you can stand it, not having a button for initiative stuff, a dice roller that does the math for you, a ruler tool you can use to help plan your turn, editable character sheets with handouts to handle skills, inventory, and spells, character portraits, quickly sending information via links to the PFSRD, not having to voice a character you couldn't voice properly, saving gas money, , not wearing-ahem-anyways, there's just so much that speeds up gameplay on it or makes it easier to remember what is what that I can't imagine how people did more than one combat in the old days, because even with all of our stuff combat still takes a long time.
Ha! I actually can't tell if you're joking or not!

I'm guessing not. There are some pretty major conveniences for digital gaming.

For example, maybe everyone at your table got As in math at school, but I've been at plenty of tables where somebody has trouble adding things up. This might be because they're counting up a dozen d6s for a spell, or it might be because they never bothered to write down the sum total of their BAB, STR, weapon enhancement, and feats; they add it up piece-by-piece after every single roll. But online solutions will do the math for you, like so: Fireball: 12d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 6, 4, 2, 4, 4, 4, 2, 1, 4, 2) = 40

If you're playing on a grid (which is likely if Pathfinder is the game), it can be a hassle to look across the table and try to count squares where you can't reach, or getting up and moving where you can reach, while somebody else is trying to take their turn.

I won't comment on the conveniences of an electronic character sheet, since those can be brought to a table and therefore don't mark a difference between the two gaming styles.

Money can be a big deal as well. Some people in my own face-to-face group are driving nearly an hour each way for each session, which can cost a lot of gas (to say nothing of the time itself). Not everybody can afford to be doing that all the time, especially if your venue charges a fee or if scheduling requires buying a quick meal each session.

Additionally, there some more perks I've noticed in my own PbP games. For example, putting in-character speech in bold, descriptive text in normal font, and OOC comments/questions in light blue font can preempt a lot of confusion and make for good narratives flow. Similarly, having everything in text makes it easy for people to go back and re-read a room's description or remind themselves of the NPCs' names and whatnot. And as GM, I can go into the characters' sheets whenever I need to look something up, with a single click.

Of course, PbP has drawbacks too; most notably the slow pace of play. But whether PbP or VTT, digital gaming has lots of very real perks to assist in gameplay. Not that that's all there is to the equation: for some folks, playing Pathfinder (or whatever) isn't so much "RPG night where the players are your friends" as it is "hang-out-with-friends night where there happens to be an RPG on the table". The less you're really there to game, the less weight the gameplay conveniences carry and the more weight the face-to-face aspect carries. Or even if you are there primarily to play, peripheral factors like really needing some time out of the house or processing information better via speech than text can make in-person gaming a better fit as well.

All kinds of reasons to pick one or the other.

So maybe let's avoid even using the phrase "how it was meant to be played", while we're at it.


Not to mention that digital gaming makes it possible to play with people in different states and countries. One of the players at my table lives in Germany and there's at least two that live in Canada. Timezones are a bit of a thing when it comes to scheduling though.

Grand Lodge

HyperMissingno wrote:
Not to mention that digital gaming makes it possible to play with people in different states and countries.

Yeah, my main weekly game has someone that lives over 3 hours away, and is about to move two states away in a couple of weeks. If it weren't for Skype, he would not be able to play in my campaigns.


I wanted some basic dungeon tiles, and watched a few you-tubes on how to. I didn't want to go as crazy as most of them did (although really-good cardboard ones are not super hard).

My quick cheat.
Buy "stone-texture" spraypaint. Its available in major hobby and home repair stores.

Take any cardboard box, spraypaint as much of it as you want (priming first is optional, but I plan to on my next batch.

Using ruler and exacto/box-cutter cut the sizes you want. I did a bunch of 2"x4" figuring I can build out nearly any size room with those, plus a couple 2"x8" hallways; and lastly several 1"x X for smaller hallways/tunnels.

Lastly, gently mark out your 1" grids with sharpie - just dark enough to see it w/o being too over bearing.

I've found using these with our mini and pawns I like it better than my 2'x3' wet-erase grid since I never "hit the edge". As the PCs advance, I harvest tiles from behind them, and from time to time re-center by sliding the whole set of tiles back to the middle.

I've double-sided mine. Grey/black and Tan on the otherside.

How it looks

RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32

For our World Serpent Inn campaign, I made a bunch of 8 by 8 inch tiles on cardstock, centered doorways on them, and made a mix of 6 by 6 chambers, 4 by 4 chambers, 2 inch wide hallways and intersections, with a good mix of 2, 3, and 4 entrances. Plus some more interesting configurations. I use them to make random dungeons and hallways and chambers in the back rooms of the World Serpent Inn.

One of our players moved away, so we Skype him in. We hang an Ipad from the chandelier over the table (and grid map) on 2 clothes hangers. He really needs to play a swashbuckler one of these days....


Pathfinder Maps, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Maps, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber
SmiloDan wrote:
BigNorseWolf wrote:
passive perception is not a thing.
It is in 5th Edition. It's on every single monster stat block.

And in Pathfinder, that stat would correspond to the result of taking 10 on Perception -- very useful since that is the skill for which taking 10 is the most common. Assuming that the PCs are taking 10 on this skill out of combat is an excellent way for the GM to look up whether the PCs observe something without having to roll for them or raise their suspicions by calling for a roll.

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