Laser Pointers at the Gaming Table

[harmor]

With a large group we have a large table and can't necessarily reach the figurines.

I've been using a Laser Pointer to point exactly where my figurine is to go, however, I seem to get some snide looks from the others thinking I'm too lazy.

What's your experience with Laser Pointers at the gaming table?

[Shifty]

harmor wrote:

What's your experience with Laser Pointers at the gaming table?

No experience...

That said, at a busy table I'd be fine with it, the less people crowding the limited space, the better!

[cereal6]

Try a dice stick.

You can move the mini's that way...who knows it may give the battle a "war" feel as well. instead of a "power point" feel.

As for doing it myself we never played a game so big we needed anything of the sort. we did the whole "can you move him there?" ..."sure."

[James Jacobs]

Laser pointers are handy; we've had them at my game tables on and off for a few years. The problem with them is that it's pretty easy to accidentally zap the GM in the eye with a laser... especially considering all of the shiny stuff on a game table like dice or tac-tiles or whatever... so beware! A lasered GM can be an angry beast!

[Shifty]

James Jacobs wrote:

A lasered GM can be an angry beast!

Quick, set the pointers to STUN!

[brock]

Shifty wrote:

James Jacobs wrote:

A lasered GM can be an angry beast!

Quick, set the pointers to STUN!

Please do not stare into laser with remaining eye.

[Darkwolf]

Very handy at a large table or with a large group. I will gladly move someone's mini for them rather than have them jostling between me and the player next to me. (I am very particular about my 'personal space'.)

But as said, be careful about the reflections.

[Denim N Leather]

Never thought of this before, but I think that is an AWESOME idea!!

[Doug OBrien]

I think it's a superb way to work around the problem of tight quarters. I could see how someone using it when not needed might provoke annoyance or derision on the part of some, but, generally speaking, snide looks usually indicate more of a problem on the part of the person giving them.

[Rezdave]

Whatever works, go for it.

I don't have a laser so if I can't reach a mini or token or item (which is common) I just have someone else move things and give directions on via a grid-reference, either a cardinal system (3 North and 2 West) or something like a Chess-board system, or simply "move that one five squares towards Bob". It seems to work.

Rez

[wizard]

BE CAREFUL OR YOU'LL PUT AN EYE OUT !

[Freesword]

Never needed it in any sessions I played, but I see nothing wrong with the idea. It's a good way to communicate exactly where you want your figure if someone else is moving it because they can reach it more easily. As others have said you need to be aware/careful of reflections. Also make sure that there are no cats in view of where you are pointing lest the decide to change the game to one involving them.

[cibet44]

James Jacobs wrote:

Laser pointers are handy; we've had them at my game tables on and off for a few years. The problem with them is that it's pretty easy to accidentally zap the GM in the eye with a laser... especially considering all of the shiny stuff on a game table like dice or tac-tiles or whatever... so beware! A lasered GM can be an angry beast!

Lasers are very dangerous to the eye. I won't bother with the details here as you can Google them. Suffice to say that your eye has no nerves and does not feel pain so a laser can destroy your eye without you feeling anything. Depending on the strength of the laser this can happen in less then a second or in hours. Since common laser pointers vary wildly in strength and construction I would not take being hit in the eye with one lightly.

I have a pen shaped green astronomy laser pointer that can burn dark materials in seconds, if someone brought this to a game and hit someone in the eye with it blindness would most likely be the result.

[cereal6]

I guess with the dice stick you could leave a nasty welt? ...Or poke them in the eye? ...or get a complxe and get the stick gem tipped and covered in velvet and refer to your self as Gorlax DM Pimp with every crit you roll acompany it with a pimp slap?

I don't know I'm not a doctor. But still safer than then a laser it sounds.

[Uchawi]

Move my character from square G4 to G3 ... you sank my battleship!

[Rezdave]

cibet44 wrote:

Lasers are very dangerous to the eye.

As an absolute, this statement is true.

In regards to most commercial laser-pointers, it is not.

R.

[Selgard]

Laser pointers are also an awesome way to keep cats (and some dogs) away from the mini's and gaming table.

Just point it on the floor, wiggle it to get the furball's attention, then "run" it out of the room.

Rinse and repeat as necessary.

-S

[TriOmegaZero]

Also works on small children. :)