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GREETINGS PATHFINDERS!
After 30 years of gaming I'm ready to cut wood and build a "perfect" tabletop size, but I need your advice please.
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Question:
1) Allowing 1 standard Pathfinder "book-size" to fit along all edges for all players and GM (8 1/2 x 11"), and
2) Allowing enough room for a 3d display, game tile display, or projector digital display in it's center and
3) Allowing comfort for 6 players plus the GM and
4) Allowing a little extra space for the GM (for screen and accessories, etc.) (4" extra) and
5) Assuming the projector displays a horisontal screen size of 30" x 39" across the width of the table perpendicular to the GM
6) Assuming we allow 2 additional inches for pencils, minis, markers, and whatnot along all sides (thus allowing each players books not to fall along the edges but within this 2" buffer)
What do you think about the perfect gametable size of 5 feet 6 inches x six feet 0 inches (5'6" x 6'0") ??
? Would this be a perfect "reach" width for players?
? Would six players fit comfortably (with 2 on each side)?
? Would there be enough room for the GM?
? Would you add additional "side-tables" for the GM, extending out on either side of the GM seat?
? Would you bother with adding personal lamps or cupholders?
Note: I find the design of the GeekSheik tables to be poor for usability. I also prefer functional/usable over fancy and dislike the lower "pull out shelves" they are designing - very awkward in use.
Final important question[/b} Would you make the top all white laminate to allow dry erase writing on the whole table or would you in-set (drop-in) the 30x39 removable white erase whiteboard for reflecting the projector (assume as ceiling projector has been installed with 45 degree mirror)???
In sum, I would like everyone's thoughts please. Imagine you were playing at this table? Would you be comfortable? Would you all be able to reach your minis? Would you have enough room for books, drinks, and accessories? If you were GMing, would you have enough space, and would you feel close enough to the table to manipulate minis and objects? If you were the GM would you create "side tables" that are permanent or removable?
THANKS PATHFINDERS - HELP ME WITH THE PERFECT GAMETABLE SIZE (Your advice is valued, I hope to measure twice and cut once. The top will likely be white coated laminate with wood edgings, and the base of the table will be a CENTER circle of weighted iron to keep the top stable and allow leg room all around.
Regards,
Pax
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My current table is 5'4 x 4'0.
On the GM (wide) side is a 23 inch table, and two side tables for minis, books, notes, calculator, accessories, 2nd monitor, and printer.
I run digital maps through the projector to a 45 degree mirror hanging from ceiling then onto the tabletop. A dry erase whiteboard lays on the table for the projector display.
The issue I have is my "reach" is too short to move most minis, so I use an extending rod to move them now, but I'd like to be a bit closer.
I worry that the new estimate size of 5'6 x 6'0 might be too big for reach, however does offer comfort to all players with ample room for books and elbow room.
Compared to my current table (5'4" x 5'9 (including the GM extra table)) the new design would be about the same size.
Advantages of the new design is that the players on the sides would benefit (as right now the main table ends at the 4' mark on both sides and would then be up to 6'0". This extra room I think will be more comfortable for players, but still not get me any closer to the action.
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my group has been using 2 of the plastic folding tables side by side. I believe around 5'x6' in size total with a raised battlemap area that fits a large battle map (3'x4' or thereabouts). It works but I would tweak some stuff if I constructed my own table like slide out drawers under the raised area and a bit more room on the GMs side of things. I would also make the raised area easily flippable, but that is minor stuff...
I would personally increase the sizes to 6'x7' for 6 players and a gm.
couch, love seat, and the coffee table for every map and mini.
people hold their own books and they know not to place drinks on the coffe table when a game is in session.
a separate smaller folding table is for drinks and snacks, away from the action.
thus, no cheetoo smears on the pages, and no whoops moments on the maps.
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@ Face Healer - I like the idea of a 6x7 however I find that bigger isn't necessarily better. There's a perfect roleplaying distance i.e. the distance to hear, see, and communicate with players when in-character. Then there's the "reach" distance factor. Some days, when I'm closer and can easily draw (if using vynal mat or gaming paper, or manipulating 3d stuff) it feels more like I'm participating more fully.
@ ravenharm - I've got couches and cofee table, I've got a stocked beer/refreshement refrigerator, I've got corkboards for pictures and maps, I've got side tables available if needed... but what I've found is nothing seems to beat being all at the same table, and within arms reach of everything. There's a proximity factor that makes the game more compelling. I just need to figure out the right distance. We've had a few whoopse moments, but nothing that cannot be cleaned up. I don't mind drinks and food at the table (its a gaming tradition).
In terms of size - what seems ideal?
I've been looking at this Meet The Press table design; what dimensions do you think it is? Meet The Press Table
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Here is a close up of the table shape: Meet The Press Table Closeup
I am open to cutting an irregular shape. Maybe rectangle isn't the most ideal game table?
What do you think?
I would actually suggest a kidney shape with the GM sitting in the bend and the players not being too far away.
Here is a close up of the table shape: Meet The Press Table Closeup
I am open to cutting an irregular shape. Maybe rectangle isn't the most ideal game table?
What do you think?
I do think an irregular or rectangular choices are the best. I like the table you linked, I would extend it a little though, towards the smaller end, making the angle a little less severe.
We have an awesome table (sorta), our group picked it up at a used office supply store, a 14' conference table for $100. Probably 4' wide at the middle, with a taper down to 2' at each end. The only downside to the table is the best spot to put the vinyl map is the middle, which means the GM is about 5' away from it. We make it work, the shelf with the mini's is behind a player, so he just describes what we see and the player starts pulling out mini's.
Other than it can be hard to find a room where the table fits, or even house, it's hard to make it around corners with this thing, the table is a bit dinged up. It has served us well for close to 10 years though. It's also big enough that we use fairly comfortable computer chairs to sit in and accommodates our bigger nights (we can get up to 9 players plus GM some times).
If you have 6 players and a GM who needs additional room, I would think an octagonal or circular table would be best. Either option could fold up as well.
Rather than pull-out drawers that you dislike, you might consider pull out trays (read: cutting boards) for each player station. It's just a little extra space for the drinks/snacks. I'd recommend placing them in the middle of the 3 player sides and corner of the GM side, but wide enough to reasonably share.
I've considered making a table with a gridded clear plastic surface for dry or wet erase, but vaulted 5-7 inches off the main table top. This allows for 2 things: a space for books that aren't currently in use (or even ones that are open to a specific page) and, more importantly, blast templates on sticks that you can slide under the map to determine your target areas on spells. You also have a space where you can reasonably roll dice that isn't on the map.
When I started playing pathfinder, several players had their laptops with their character sheets on them. Some of them still do this. The GM uses his behind the screen. We have found that having the open laptop screens makes it impossible to see the table. Fortunately I got my hands on an ipad2 and transferred my monk to it. Two players still use laptops and use side tables.
I previous games I remember having my old mac and people connecting to a single power source.
If your group uses laptops or tablets, consider putting a power strip under the table.
I know a lot of people are still going 'analog', but I went digital because I wasn't satisfied with the Monk character sheet.
Also, the more room for dice and munchies the better.
If you should consider embedding a LED into the top (rather than using a projector) you'll need to allow for a screen with a 49" diagonal to render a FlipMat PDF at the 1" = 5-ft square scale.
1920wide / 45dpi = 42.67 wide screen
sqrt ((24*24) + (42.67*42.67)) = 48.95" diagonal
The various hard-bound rulebooks are ~11.5" tall (which is greater than the length of a 10" tablet in portrait mode), and you'd want an inch or two of space between the book and the LED screen and at the edges of the table. Therefore, if you want to allow for something the size of a FlipMat on an HDTV, you're looking at around 4'6" by 6'1" minimum.
43" wide screen + 2×(12" tall book + 3" space) = 73" long
Hope this is helpful...
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I decided against embedding the LED TV into the woodwork.
I decided against adding drawers and slideout tables.
I decided against the Meet The Press rhombus shape.
I decided against the kidney shape.
I decided against cutting a hole in the table like they did for Saint Thomas Aquinus.
I decided against worrying about my "so-called" perfect size of 5"6 x 6 ft.
I DID DECIDE TO GO WITH A CUSTOM BOARD ROOM TABLE MEASURING 6x6 with custom curves in the side (not quite serpantine, just curved treatment).
Downside: assuredly some folks will say, it's too far to reach the minis.
Upside: It's HUGE. Plenty of elbow room, space for my laptop and extra monitor. And plenty of room for player books on all sides, along with extra stuff around the central projector display.
Rarely does one find a 6x6 table that's all one piece on top. This custom table will be a refreshing start to my new year.
Wish me luck.
Pax
Or get some croupier's rakes and wear some military uniforms while informing each other of German troop movements.
Ha is that an old Hero Quest Orc with the cleaver?
Ha is that an old Hero Quest Orc with the cleaver?
Hell yeah, you know it is.
