New Players(Young'ens especially) and Action Cards

[VonZrucker]

So I play with 2 young boys who've never table-top RPed before I started running for them.

They don't read the rule books. They don't even read their spell lists or their character sheets until the nights we're playing.

So naturally, they have no idea what action can be done where and when.

So I've taken to making Action Cards. One for each standard action that can be performed by Any Class, despite race or PRC.

Then, for them individually I've created cards for each of their Class' personal actions.

Also, for myself I use Initiative Cards, so that I never accidentally go out of turn.

What do YOU do to make the game more convenient for yourself or your players?

-Von

[Kydeem de'Morcaine]

I don't, except when they are first learning.

I find it too aggravating to play with anyone who isn't mature enough to bother reading the rules.

Not say that it's good I'm that way. I know it is kinda self centered. But that's the way I am. {shrug}

Now if someone is trying to read the rules and just having trouble with them, that is completely different. I've done special one-shots just to review specific parts of the rules with NOOBs that need the extra help.

[VonZrucker]

Sure, I agree, Kydeem. But also, what about any other non-Pathfinder visual or material aids do you use -- if any -- to help you along your way?

My brother used to blow up the maps he'd use to 1-inch size on the computer, then convert them and use tracing paper and lay them over the battle map. He'd draw them ahead of time, so that when it was time for that scene, there was no drawing. The area was already there. He'd keep the unexplored areas covered with black construction paper.

Any others?

-Von

[Puna'chong]

I use dice instead of miniatures for my grid space. Players pick a different-colored 8-sided while monsters are represented by 6-,12-, or 20-sided depending on size (pets are 10-sided)

(Edit: my grid is one of those wet-erase, soft ones from like 12 years ago. Not even sure if they make them anymore, but it allows for any setup I want; I just have to draw it)

I find this really helps because you don't have to worry about finding the perfect miniature for a monster or character, you can count initiative by changing the number that's showing, and it lets the players imagine others' characters because that PC has to give details about the person.

I also don't bog down combat with rules-lawyering. I won't crack open a book in combat unless there's a spell that needs to be thrown in or a character would die on an unsure ruling.

[Kydeem de'Morcaine]

The omly thing I've used besides the map and figurine is legos.

If some one is having a hard time with seing barriers and elevations in their head, I have sometimes built a building, corner, bridge, etc... with legos so they can see it easier. But only if it is going to be an important encounter.

[sphar]

At our table,we normally use cards to represent buffs and the like;we fold index cards in half and write the cards effects on them.Ex:"Inspire Courage,+1 attack,damage,and saves vs fear."