I just received my combat pad yesterday, and I think this will be a really useful aid at the game table - I have computer software that handles this (DM's Familiar), but I find that I don't like messing around with a computer at the game table and like a low-tech solution like this.
I do have a couple of suggestions for how to improve the combat pad if a second "edition" is ever produced:
1. My biggest complaint is that the initiative tracking box is just too small. There is room for only 10 magnets. I often play with 6 players and this doesn't leave a lot of room for NPCs, opposition forces, etc. Also the initiative hash marks on the left side only go up to 25. With a high dex and the proper feats it isn't hard to get an initiative bonus of +11 or more, so the hash marks should go to at least 30.
This can be solved by eliminating the unnecessarily large margins at the top and bottom of the pad. A full 1.5 inches is devoted to the Combat Pad label in large font. Is this really necessary? We already know it is a combat pad. Likewise, 1.25 inches at the bottom is occupied wasted by a vertically printed Open Mind Games logo in the left corner. If this were either printed horizontally or shifted to the left margin a lot of space would be saved. Combined the top and bottom margins take up 2.75 inches (25% of the entire combat pad!). Using this space to increase the length of the Initiative and Notes boxes would improve the functionality of the pad tremendously.
2. In addition to the readying and delaying bars on the right hand side, I think it would be useful to also have a refocusing bar to denote characters spending a turn to improve their initiative - there is already enough room in the right margin to include this.
3. Do the two "Next Round" magnets serve any useful purpose? When you get to the bottom of the intiative list that's the end of the round. Including a magnet to tell you so is a bit redundant, like writing "The End" on the last page of a novel.
I'd like to add onto this list as I just got a pair yesterday of these (one is a gift, one is for me).
1. I felt like it was really solid when I felt the package before (at GenCon SoCal last year), but when I opened it I found that it was actually rather flexible instead of rigid. It would be nice if it was a bit more rigid (I plan on taping that cardstock insert to the back of the pad to make it so).
2. The web site states that there are 6 NPC magnets, when only 5 come with it. Minor quibble, there are plenty of markers to go around.
3. Overall size of the pad at 8.5 x 11 seems a bit limiting. How about a deluxe pad that is 11x17 and has a built in easel backing on it (like the cheap frame you get with your prom picture)
I'll likely use it, but in conjunction with my index cards. My plan is going to be to hand off the duty of maintaining the pad during combat to a nearby player and I'll continue to use index cards myself.
All good suggestions, and I will point the pad's designer to this link, where he can answer them directly.
Please note that the NEXT product from Open Mind Games will be the XMP - Extra Magnet Pack! I haven't seen what all will be in it yet, but it sounds like it'll be most cool, and take care of that problem with running out of critter magnets. I know I do from time to time...
My main suggestion would be to package the Pad with some kind of heavy envelope for ease of storage, specifically something that you can seal to prevent magnets from slipping out and being lost. I haven't had this happen yet (I store the Pad in the plastic sleeve that it came in and the magnets seem to stick to it just fine) but I am always worrying that I might end up losing one!
I was going to mention this too, but forgot. Yes, a storage envelope would be great for keeping everything together. I was going to use the sleeve that the pad came in, but it tore the first time I tried to get the pad back in. Perhaps a PVC envelope?
I played a bit with the pad last night. The first thing I did was took the heavy cardstock card that was the backing for the packaging, and taped it along the top edge of the pad (behind it) so that I could now "tent" the pad on the table. A cheap fix for it but it worked well.
The second thing I did was got a ZipLock snack baggie and put all the bits into that, and taped that to the back of the backing so that I wouldn't lose any of my magnets.
Edit: The tape I used was clear packing tape, not regular tape that would tear easily.
I played a bit with the pad last night. The first thing I did was took the heavy cardstock card that was the backing for the packaging, and taped it along the top edge of the pad (behind it) so that I could now "tent" the pad on the table. A cheap fix for it but it worked well.
The second thing I did was got a ZipLock snack baggie and put all the bits into that, and taped that to the back of the backing so that I wouldn't lose any of my magnets.
Edit: The tape I used was clear packing tape, not regular tape that would tear easily.
Great ideas - I think I'll give them a try. Thanks for sharing, Festivus.
My main suggestion would be to package the Pad with some kind of heavy envelope for ease of storage, specifically something that you can seal to prevent magnets from slipping out and being lost. I haven't had this happen yet (I store the Pad in the plastic sleeve that it came in and the magnets seem to stick to it just fine) but I am always worrying that I might end up losing one!
Here's an item you might want to try out:Office Depot® Project Case, Clear
The description reads:
Keep all of your letter-size documents and folders in this sturdy plastic case. Keeping documents neatly together, it is clear to allow you to see the contents.
I'm sure Staples and others will have something similar - take the Combat Pad to the office supply store and try it out.
You are now tasked with reporting back to us here how well it fits into the project case! :D
Creative Director
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Some good comments there... but in the 3.5 rules "refocus" as an action that can manipulate initiative rank went away. It didn't really have a purpose, and was kind of an evolutionary fragment from the way 2nd edition worked. Since initiative in 3rd initiative is cyclic, there's no tactical advantage to skipping a turn in the first round just so you can go first in the second round.
I admit, thoguh, I'm not sure why there's two "next round" magnets. Maybe so you have a spare if you lose one?
I have really appreciated this product and my group thinks it is a great tool.
I do, however, agree with much of the critique. Too much dead space, to low of initiative numbers, weak backing, etc.
To solve the backing issue, I took the sheet that is left over after punching out the magnets (it is magnetic) and put it back to back with the combat pad. It isn't perfect, but it made the whole thing *much* sturdier than it was before. Since then, it has worked much better.
Some good comments there... but in the 3.5 rules "refocus" as an action that can manipulate initiative rank went away. It didn't really have a purpose, and was kind of an evolutionary fragment from the way 2nd edition worked. Since initiative in 3rd initiative is cyclic, there's no tactical advantage to skipping a turn in the first round just so you can go first in the second round.
I admit, thoguh, I'm not sure why there's two "next round" magnets. Maybe so you have a spare if you lose one?
Also, the delay action handles "refocusing" just as well.
Some good comments there... but in the 3.5 rules "refocus" as an action that can manipulate initiative rank went away.
I really ought to get around to buying the 3.5 rules one of these days. My 3.0 books are still in fine shape though, so I just can't bring myself to toss them. Of course with all the 4th edition rumour-mongering maybe I should embrace my inner miser and hold tight:)
You are now tasked with reporting back to us here how well it fits into the project case! :D
Okie dokie...I picked one up and it works just fine. The pad fits nicely in the box and there's lots of room for all your magnets, pens, a pad of paper, and your Dungeon mag with the evening's adventure. This is a great solution for keeping everything together, thanks for the suggestion.
I shoulda bought stock in Office Depot first...their sales are gonna *skyrocket* now!
:D Glad I was able to help!
Office Depot/Office Max/Staples - all places like that are a DM's candy store - there are a gajillion things that you can pick up there that will help with your game. Post-it notes, sticky flags for books and maps, dry erase pens, wet erase pens, transparencies, a place to get things laminated...
Ahh...
LILITH!! HUSH! Yer giving me shortness of breath and I'm starting to drooooooool.....
:D
Hi All,
This is Ryan Thomas from Open Mind Games, designer of the Combat Pad. Thanks everyone for your interest. I really appreciate the complements and suggestions alike! I'll definitely consider them as we dig into developing the next product.
A lot of people have requested a bigger version, or a version with more space. The reason we chose to go with a thin 8.5x11 board was to make it easy to stash in a folder, or in between your DMG and Monster Manual. Another very cool advantage is you can slide it into “The Worlds Greatest Screen”, a product from Hammerdog Games, or similar products. (Check it out: http://paizo.com/store/byCompany/h/hammerdogGames/) That said… we do plan on making creating a larger version! I don’t have any specifics yet, but we’re working on it.
FYI, the purpose of the “Next Round” magnet is simply to be a visual reminder to advance the “Round Arrow” magnet. I would always forget… Now, when I see “Turn Arrow” magnet point at “Next Round”, I automatically advance the “Round Arrow”. I know a lot of people that don’t use it, which is fine by me. I like it though – I don’t really have to think, I just do what the magnet tells me to! Also, there are two each of the Next Round, Round, and Turn magnets, so you have a back-up in case one gets lost or eaten.
Cheers!
Ryan
Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 6
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Also, there are two each of the Next Round, Round, and Turn magnets, so you have a back-up in case one gets lost or eaten.
And in fact, one of my dachshunds has chewed on my next round magnet a bit :) I'm pleased that I still have a full set of magnets, even if one is damaged. It's been a big help for me, but I have to admit, I don't use the turn/next round magnets. I just push things a half-inch to the left at the start of each new round.
But otherwise, I love the pad.
I like the current size, something bigger would just be too much trouble to carry back and forth (I run my game at the FLGS). At the current size, it fits snugly into a folder in my milk-crate-o'-books, and all the magnets go into my dice box (which is a fairly large plastic bait box from Wal-Mart - I also use tackle boxes for my minis).
I agree with the request for higher initiative numbers on the pad. I'd definitely purchase a new version that included initiative counts up to 35.
I was fortunate enough to score a magnetic bulletin-board at a previous job that measures a tad over 23"x35" and has a "white board" surface. It isn't exactly portable, so Ryan's board has me beat there, but since we game at my house pretty much exclusively, that's not a problem. Now, I've not yet figured out magnets and markings for it, so Ryan has figured out how to get my money after all by offering extra magnet sets.
I'm looking forward to actually *using* my board to track combat with moveable magnets!
LILITH!! HUSH! Yer giving me shortness of breath and I'm starting to drooooooool.....
:D
Hee hee!
A lot of people have requested a bigger version, or a version with more space.FYI, the purpose of the “Next Round” magnet is simply to be a visual reminder to advance the “Round Arrow” magnet. I would always forget… Now, when I see “Turn Arrow” magnet point at “Next Round”, I automatically advance the “Round Arrow”.
Thanks for the comments, Ryan. Just for the record, I like the size of the pad the way it is - I'd just prefer to see the space used more efficiently in a future version. Thanks, too, for explaining the rationale behind the "Next Round" magnet.
The combat pad is a very nice game aid, I look forward to using it.
I removed some spam.
just curious,
why perform thread necromancy just to remove spam?
