I have always thought it was natural for players to keep their character sheets in between gaming session so that they are able to consult it and level up and all those things we do with our character sheets.
Now however I start to wander. I have guested another group where the DM keeps the sheets between sessions.
I have started wandering which is best, since I often need players to send my updates of their sheets in part, so I can keep track of their progression and ensure that the less trained players are not making errors when leveling up.
I also need copies of their sheets to make sure they are keeping up with treasure levels.
But I wander what other GMs do. Do you keep the sheets or do the players do it? And do you have any experiences you would like to share about how you solve the GM book keeping task.
In our game, the players keep them. It allows them to track where the have been and plan where they want to take the character. Since we all use some form of digital character sheet, when I need to see them for some reason, They just email me a copy. I like having my own copy of their characters, however. It allows me to track things like the real value of the gem they blew the appraise check on, or the complete powers of that magic item they found and have only sorta started messing with. Plus, knowing that I have a copy on file helps keep honest people honest. Years ago, we had a player who was making changes between sessions because he figured nobody would notice. It was only by accident some one did catch on. He got mad, said it was his character and he would do with it as he wanted, then never showed up again.
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When I GM my home games, I keep the sheets. However, in that situation, I'm the host as well as the GM, so it makes sense that everything stays in one place (at my house).
When I play in the game at my Friendly Local Gaming Store, I take my sheet home with me. That's because things tend to be disorganized and chaotic in the game room, and I prefer to keep track of my own stuff. One of the other players also takes his home, but all the rest leave their sheets there (the two of us that take our sheets home are the only ones that frequent these boards; take that as you will).
It depends on the player and GM, I suppose. As a GM, I like to keep all the sheets.
If there's a player (or two) who really wants to keep his sheet, I recommend one of those GM sheets that summarize all the character sheets. I've got one I can send along to you if you'd like. I can't remember which of the Paizonans made it...
If the possibility of your players "cheating" is a concern try this. I let my players keep their sheets but I require they provide a hard copy of their sheet. Then I use one of the sheets that allow me to track their stats.
Just my 2 cp.
If there's a player (or two) who really wants to keep his sheet, I recommend one of those GM sheets that summarize all the character sheets. I've got one I can send along to you if you'd like. I can't remember which of the Paizonans made it...
I would like that. Do you have a link for it?
In our game, the players keep them. It allows them to track where the have been and plan where they want to take the character. Since we all use some form of digital character sheet, when I need to see them for some reason, They just email me a copy. I like having my own copy of their characters, however. It allows me to track things like the real value of the gem they blew the appraise check on, or the complete powers of that magic item they found and have only sorta started messing with.
We have also done that for years, but my players are becoming a bit too casual about sending me their updates and often I get the the day we are supposed to play, a few hours in advance.
If the possibility of your players "cheating" is a concern try this. I let my players keep their sheets but I require they provide a hard copy of their sheet. Then I use one of the sheets that allow me to track their stats.
Just my 2 cp.
I am not really worried about cheaters. They sometimes make errors though.
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In games I run, and nearly all the campaigns I've played in the gm keeps the character sheet. Although if a player asks to keep it so they can work on a background or plan what they want to level next then they're welcome to. I keep them to not only prevent the occasional cheat, but mainly to protect against absent minded players losing their character sheet. I also keep a party sheet with important stats as well as a journal to keep track of important info like magic items, npc names, how much the inn room cost them and the drink specials. I'm always interested in hearing how other gm's keep track of things though.
As a DM, i don't generally keep my PCs character sheets, mainly because I never play at my home, I always play at a friends.
I do tend to keep a Dungeon Master sheet, though, which has places for stats, HP, AC, saves, basic skills and character info like race and such.
Here is a PDF of a 3.5 D&D Dungeon Master sheet made by Matthias Shoessler: Dungeon Master Sheet.
Here is a PDF of a 3.5 D&D Dungeon Master sheet made by Matthias Shoessler: Dungeon Master Sheet.
That actually looks quite good.
I just purchased the Dungeon Mastery campaign workbook. I have not gotten started filling it out but I expect it will be of great help.
It does not however solve the problem about monitoring player treasure and power level. And as for making encounters based on PC skills it leaves a lot to be desired.
Since I usually host sessions at my house, I make a copy of each character sheet and keep em on hand for comparisons. Keeps everyone honest and saves me having to ask endless questions, as well as make secret Perception checks, etc.
My group games over Ventrilo, so we have everyone's character sheets as individual threads on a forum. The DM - me - has administrator access though, so I can edit errors and collect information from their sheets whenever I need it.
@The Grandfather,
Here is the link to a GM Party Record Sheet. Just scroll down until you find it. This one is based on the Pathfinder RPG rules.
Just my 2 cp.
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I'm my groups DM and I keep the character sheets. I do this for several reasons, but most importantly in case any given player isn't present for the next session. Few things are more aggravating than not having a character's sheet. It 's also handy for me to have them so that I can make sure they don't have an overabundance of errors. Cheating isn't a concern.
I maintain a private messageboard for our gaming group and there is a section for characters. There, I have a character sheet for each character posted as a jpg. Click on the jpg and it downloads the PDF character sheet (along with some additional information on the character). This is actually something new we've down since we started our Star Wars campaign and it's working so well that I think we're going to carry this forward.
-Skeld
I have my players give me copies of their character sheets as well. Helps in case someone doesn't show up, or I need to make a secret check of some kind.
In my gaming group, we take advantage of PBWorks as you can get some stuff for free to set up your own 'HQ' for your gaming group. What we do is have our own pages where we're required (or at least most of us that put in the effort to do so) to update our PC statblock after each session. It's good for a resource for the DM to review and/or to retrieve is a PC forgets his sheets. Our DMs usually reward additional XP when we update our statblocks after each session.
I always keep character sheets as we play at my house although if someone wanted a copy to take home, I would allow that.
Same here. :)
We've been using Erian_7's automated sheets for our game, which allows the players and GMs to have copies of the most current sheets, and easy update and reprint if necessary :)
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Well, I live with my GM so this is less an issue. But I've noticed a trend lately with my iconic paladin. With Hildebraun, I've just been handing the sheet to my wife because she's better at keeping track of things. With other characters, I have a folder that I keep them in.
Not sure what made me do one thing rather than the other, but both work equally effectively in my estimation.
But I wander what other GMs do. Do you keep the sheets or do the players do it? And do you have any experiences you would like to share about how you solve the GM book keeping task.
As a DM, I keep the sheets. The players can make a copy if they want, I guess, but the sheet used "in play" is kept by me.
Reason: My players can be forgetful idiots. I love 'em, but we all are realists. The risk of them forgetting their sheets (thus simply ending up not playing) is far greater than the reward (they can fiddle with their sheets outside of the game).
But I wander what other GMs do. Do you keep the sheets or do the players do it? And do you have any experiences you would like to share about how you solve the GM book keeping task.As a DM, I keep the sheets. The players can make a copy if they want, I guess, but the sheet used "in play" is kept by me.
Reason: My players can be forgetful idiots. I love 'em, but we all are realists. The risk of them forgeting their sheets (thus simply ending up not playing is far greater than the reward (they can fiddle with their sheets outside of the game).
I have that problem as well, heh... the advantage of gaming with the sheets on a forum is that I can pester players via email or PM to update their sheets or just do it myself.