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{{short description|Tabletop role-playing game supplement for Dungeons & Dragons}}
{{Infobox book
{{Infobox book
| name = Dungeon Masters Screen
| name = Dungeon Masters Screen
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| image_size = 250px
| image_size = 250px
| caption = 1st edition ''Dungeon Masters Screen''
| caption = 1st edition ''Dungeon Masters Screen''
| author =
| author = Various
| genre = [[Role-playing game]]
| genre = [[Role-playing game]]
| publisher = [[TSR, Inc.|TSR]]
| publisher = [[TSR, Inc.|TSR]]
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'''''Dungeon Masters Screen''''' (later called '''''Dungeon Master's Screen''''') is an accessory for the ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' [[fantasy]] [[role-playing game]].
'''''Dungeon Masters Screen''''' (later called '''''Dungeon Master's Screen''''') is an accessory for the ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' [[fantasy]] [[role-playing game]].


⚫
==Publication history==
==Contents==
⚫
The 1979 ''Dungeon Masters Screen'' was the original [[dungeon master]]'s screen for the first edition ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' rules and came in two pieces: a two-panel piece and a four-panel piece. It included the most important combat rules for quick reference.<ref name="HW"/>{{rp|95}} The 1985 revision REF1 ''Dungeon Master's Screen'' contained revised combat charts and tables.<ref name="HW"/>{{rp|111-112}}


===''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons''===
⚫
The 1989 second edition ''AD&D'' version of REF1 included a scenario called ''Terrible Trouble at Tragidore'', which contained suggestions on how to be a better, more experienced DM.<ref name="HW"/>{{rp|111-112}} The second edition's revised ''Dungeon Master Screen & Master Index'' contains a screen and an index. There are two screens included with a complete list of tables for quick reference including every table: critical hits, miscellaneous equipment and the location of various planes.<ref name="Arcane3"/> The two indices contained within the Master Index codify rules and lists from the seven core second edition books, detailing every rule, adjustment, bonus, modifier, magic item, spell and scroll in alphabetical order and cross-referenced with their location in the books.<ref name="Arcane3"/>
⚫
The 1979 ''Dungeon Masters Screen'' was the original [[dungeon master]]'s screen for the first edition ''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' rules and came as a two-panel piece with a separate four-panel piece. It contained the most essential combat rules for easy reference.<ref name="HW"/>{{rp|95}}


⚫
The first ''Dungeon Masters Screen'' featured a cover by [[Dave Trampier]] and was published by [[TSR (company)|TSR]] in 1979 as two cardboard screens; a second printing in the same year consisted of two cardstock screens, with an [[Erol Otus]] painting featuring a warrior fighting a dragon on the title panel.<ref name="HW">{{cite book|last=Schick |first=Lawrence|title=Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role-Playing Games|publisher=Prometheus Books |year=1991|isbn=978-0-87975-653-6 }}</ref>{{rp|95}}
⚫
==Publication history==
⚫
The first ''Dungeon Masters Screen'' featured a cover by [[Dave Trampier]] and was published by [[TSR (company)|TSR]] in 1979 as two cardboard screens; a second printing in the same year consisted of two cardstock screens, with an [[Erol Otus]] painting of a fighter vs. a dragon on the title panel.<ref name="HW">{{cite book|last=Schick |first=Lawrence|title=Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role-Playing Games|publisher=Prometheus Books |year=1991|isbn=978-0-87975-653-6 }}</ref>{{rp|95}}


The original screen was revised, repackaged, and retitled as REF1, ''Dungeon Master's Screen'', designed by Bob Blake, and published by TSR in 1985 as two three-panel cardstock screens.<ref name="HW"/>{{rp|111-112}} This one included a Dungeon Master's Screen, a Players' Screen, and a covering sheet, giving a summary of player character abilities by level and prime requisites for each class.<ref name="Imagine28"/>
The original screen was revised, repackaged, and retitled as REF1, ''Dungeon Master's Screen'', designed by Bob Blake, and published by TSR in 1985 as two three-panel cardstock screens.<ref name="HW"/>{{rp|111–112}} The 1985 revision REF1 ''Dungeon Master's Screen'' contained revised charts and tables for combat.<ref name="HW"/>{{rp|111–112}} This one included a Dungeon Master's Screen, a Players' Screen, and a covering sheet that gives a summary of abilities for [[player character]]s by level and what each class has for prime requisites.<ref name="Imagine28"/>


===''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' 2nd edition===
Another screen for the second edition ''AD&D'' rules was designed by [[Jean Rabe|Jean]] and Bruce Rabe, with a cover by [[Jeff Easley]], and was published by TSR in 1989 as a cardstock screen with a 16-page booklet.<ref name="HW"/>{{rp|111-112}} The ''Dungeon Master Screen & Master Index'' was published by TSR in 1995.
A screen for the second edition ''AD&D'' rules was designed by [[Jean Rabe]] and Bruce Rabe, with a cover by [[Jeff Easley]], and was published by TSR in 1989 as a cardstock screen with a 16-page booklet.<ref name="HW"/>{{rp|111–112}}


⚫
The 1989 second edition ''AD&D'' version of REF1 came with an adventure scenario called ''Terrible Trouble at Tragidore'', which contained suggestions on how to improve as a more experienced DM.<ref name="HW"/>{{rp|111–112}} Its author was [[Teeuwynn Woodruff]].<ref name=Eisen/> The second edition's revised ''Dungeon Master Screen & Master Index'' contains two screens with a full list of tables to provide easy reference including: critical hits, lists of equipment and the where the planes of existence are located.<ref name="Arcane3"/> The two indices contained within the Master Index codify the rules and lists found in the seven core second edition books, detailing each rule, numerical modifier, magic item and spell in alphabetical order and cross-referenced with where they can be found in the books.<ref name="Arcane3"/>

Another version, the ''Dungeon Master Screen & Master Index'' was published by TSR in 1995.

===''Dungeons & Dragons'' 3rd edition===
A ''Dungeon Master Screen'' was published in 2000, developed and assembled by [[Dale Donovan]] and [[Kim Mohan]], and featuring cover art by [[Jeff Easley]]. A ''Dungeon Master Screen'' was also published for the [[Forgotten Realms]] campaign, which included a booklet titled "Encounters in Faerûn" designed by [[Skip Williams]] and [[Duane Maxwell]], and featuring cover art by [[Justin Sweet]].
A ''Dungeon Master Screen'' was published in 2000, developed and assembled by [[Dale Donovan]] and [[Kim Mohan]], and featuring cover art by [[Jeff Easley]]. A ''Dungeon Master Screen'' was also published for the [[Forgotten Realms]] campaign, which included a booklet titled "Encounters in Faerûn" designed by [[Skip Williams]] and [[Duane Maxwell]], and featuring cover art by [[Justin Sweet]].


===''Dungeons & Dragons'' 4th edition===
For D&D's 4th edition, there was a basic ''Dungeon Master's Screen'' published in August 2008.<ref>http://archive.wizards.com/DnD/Product.aspx?x=dnd/products/dndacc/218307400</ref> In February 2011, a revised ''Deluxe Dungeon Master's Screen'' was released, with heavier cardstock and newer artwork.<ref>http://archive.wizards.com/dnd/Product.aspx?x=dnd/products/dndacc/280590000</ref>
For ''D&D'''s 4th edition, there was a basic ''Dungeon Master's Screen'' published in August 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://archive.wizards.com/DnD/Product.aspx?x=dnd%2Fproducts%2Fdndacc%2F218307400 |title=Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Official Home Page - Product (Dungeon Master's Screen) |access-date=2022-07-08 |archive-date=2015-05-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518082910/http://archive.wizards.com/DnD/Product.aspx?x=dnd%2Fproducts%2Fdndacc%2F218307400 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In February 2011, a revised ''Deluxe Dungeon Master's Screen'' was released, with heavier cardstock and newer artwork.<ref>[http://archive.wizards.com/dnd/Product.aspx?x=dnd/products/dndacc/280590000 Wizards.com]{{dead link|date=August 2022|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} </ref>

===''Dungeons & Dragons'' 5th edition===
[[File:5th edition Dungeon Master’s Screen.jpg|alt=The 5th edition Dungeon Master's Screen from the core rule book gift set collector's edition by the artist Hydro74.|thumb|The 5th edition Dungeon Master's Screen from the core rule book gift set collector's edition by the artist Hydro74.]]

A ''Dungeon Master's Screen'' was released for the game's 5th edition in January 2015. A revised version, titled ''Dungeon Master's Screen Reincarnated'' featuring revised artwork and charts was released in September 2017. Additionally, campaign-specific screens produced under license by Game Force 9 have been released as tie-ins to the major adventure modules.


==Reception==
==Reception==
The first edition version of the ''Dungeon Masters Screen'' was a Gamer's Choice award-winner.<ref name="HW"/>{{rp|111-112}}
The first edition version of the ''Dungeon Masters Screen'' was a Gamer's Choice award-winner.<ref name="HW"/>{{rp|111–112}}

⚫
The revised first edition REF1 screen was given a fairly balanced review by Jez Keen in ''[[Imagine (AD&D magazine)|Imagine]]'' magazine.<ref name="Imagine28">{{cite journal | last = Keen| first = Jez| title =Game Reviews | type = review | journal = [[Imagine (AD&D magazine)|Imagine]] | issue = 28 | pages =42 | publisher = TSR Hobbies (UK), Ltd. |date=July 1985 }}</ref> Keene called the info sheet a useful memory aid but missed information on player character races and the types of weapons and armor available to each class. Keen called the Players' Screen "less useful", wondering what exactly the players have to screen.<ref name="Imagine28"/> The Players' Screen contained standard tables on spells, weapons, and equipment, as well as the "to hit" tables and, according to Keen, allocates "an extraordinary amount of space" to grenade-like missiles.<ref name="Imagine28"/> As for the DM Screen, Keen noted that the tables contain nothing surprising but since the reference tables in the ''Dungeon Master's Guide'' are much less useful than those in the ''Player's Handbook'', the reviewer "has used them and will continue to do so".<ref name="Imagine28"/>

Keith Eisenbeis reviewed the 2nd edition product in a 1993 issue of [[White Wolf (magazine)|''White Wolf'']].<ref name=Eisen>{{cite magazine |last= Eisenbeis|first= Keith H.|date= 1993|title= Capsule Reviews: Dungeon Master Screen|magazine=[[White Wolf (magazine)|White Wolf]]|issue= 38|page= 68}}</ref> He praised the accompanying adventure, but was negative about the screen itself, stating "it is both plain and uninspiring", and noted that it did not make good use of space.<ref name=Eisen/> He rated it overall at a 2 out of 5 possible points.<ref name=Eisen/>

⚫
Trenton Webb reviewed the ''AD&D'' second edition ''Dungeon Master Screen & Master Index'' for ''Arcane'' magazine, rating it a 7 out of 10 overall.<ref name="Arcane3">{{cite journal|last= Webb|first=Trenton|date=February 1996|title=Games Reviews|journal=Arcane|publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing]]|issue=3|pages=71–72}}</ref> He felt that finding information on the screens "can prove a little tricky, since the screens were obviously laid out by [[Jackson Pollock]]".<ref name="Arcane3"/> He called the indices "an exercise in clear and consise functionality" and that using the "effective notation system, it's easy to find anything" listed in the index, but cautioned that "you have to think in TSR terms and titles to find the entry".<ref name="Arcane3"/> Webb summed up his review of the ''Dungeon Master Screen & Master Index'' by saying: "The index is essential stuff; the screens less so, since most DMs have evolved their own screen or alternative system for ready reference. But it's well worth £6 to be able to quickly find every rule you know you've read but forgotten previously where..."<ref name="Arcane3"/>

In a retrospective review of ''Dungeon Masters Screen'' in ''[[Black Gate (magazine)|Black Gate]]'', Scott Taylor said "Those early years using the ''1st Edition AD&D'' mechanics are the times I think screens mattered most. In that system you needed the screens for easy access to the elaborate 'to hit' charts and saving throws. It was the perfect place to house them, and I'm not sure if this was the initial design concept, but whatever the case it worked very well. Assuming this was their primary purpose then the secondary consequence of the screen was, and still is, the true genius behind it all, that being the ability to hide the dice from the prying eyes of the players."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.blackgate.com/2011/05/18/art-of-the-genre-the-dm-screen/ | title=Art of the Genre: The DM Screen – Black Gate | date=18 May 2011 }}</ref>


''Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Masters Screen'' won the 2015 Gold [[ENnies|Ennie Award]] for "Best Aid/Accessory".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ennie-awards.com/blog/about-us/2015-ennie-award-winners/ |title=2015 ENnie Award Winners &#124; ENnie Awards |website=www.ennie-awards.com |access-date=15 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831054410/http://www.ennie-awards.com/blog/about-us/2015-ennie-award-winners/ |archive-date=31 August 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
⚫
The revised first edition REF1 screen was given a fairly balanced review by Jez Keen in ''[[Imagine (AD&D magazine)|Imagine]]'' magazine.<ref name="Imagine28">{{cite journal | last = Keen| first = Jez| authorlink = | coauthors = | title =Game Reviews | type = review | journal = [[Imagine (AD&D magazine)|Imagine]] | volume = | issue = 28 | pages =42 | publisher = TSR Hobbies (UK), Ltd. |date=July 1985 | url = | issn = | accessdate = }}</ref> Keene called the info sheet a useful memory aid but missed information on player character races and the types of weapons and armor available to each class. Keen called the Players' Screen "less useful", wondering what exactly the players have to screen.<ref name="Imagine28"/> The Players' Screen contained standard tables on spells, weapons, and equipment, as well as the "to hit" tables and, according to Keen, allocates "an extraordinary amount of space" to grenade-like missiles.<ref name="Imagine28"/> As for the DM Screen, Keen noted that the tables contain nothing surprising but since the reference tables in the ''Dungeon Master's Guide'' are much less useful than those in the ''Player's Handbook'', the reviewer "has used them and will continue to do so".<ref name="Imagine28"/>


==Reviews==
⚫
Trenton Webb reviewed the ''AD&D'' second edition ''Dungeon Master Screen & Master Index'' for ''Arcane'' magazine, rating it a 7 out of 10 overall.<ref name="Arcane3">{{cite journal|last= Webb|first=Trenton|date=February 1996|title=Games Reviews|journal=Arcane|publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing]]|issue=3|pages=71–72}}</ref> He felt that finding information on the screens "can prove a little tricky, since the screens were obviously laid out by [[Jackson Pollock]]".<ref name="Arcane3"/> He called the indices "an exercise in clear and consise functionality" and that using the "effective notation system, it's easy to find anything" listed in the index, but cautioned that "you have to think in TSR terms and titles to find the entry".<ref name="Arcane3"/> Webb summed up his review of the ''Dungeon Master Screen & Master Index'' by saying: "The index is essential stuff; the screens less so, since most DMs have evolved their own screen or alternative system for ready reference. But it's well worth ₤6 to be able to quickly find every rule you know you've read but forgotten previously where..."<ref name="Arcane3"/>
*''[[Magia i Miecz]]'' #25 (January 1996) (Polish)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/MagiaIMiecz199601/page/n9/mode/2up|title = Magia I Miecz 1996 01|date = January 1996}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 44: Line 65:


[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons sourcebooks]]
[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons sourcebooks]]
[[Category:Gamemaster's screen]]
[[Category:ENnies winners]]
[[Category:Gamemaster's screens]]
[[Category:Role-playing game supplements introduced in 1979]]

Latest revision as of 15:00, 10 October 2024

Dungeon Masters Screen
1st edition Dungeon Masters Screen
AuthorVarious
GenreRole-playing game
PublisherTSR
Publication date
1979

Dungeon Masters Screen (later called Dungeon Master's Screen) is an accessory for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.

Publication history

[edit]

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons

[edit]

The 1979 Dungeon Masters Screen was the original dungeon master's screen for the first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons rules and came as a two-panel piece with a separate four-panel piece. It contained the most essential combat rules for easy reference.[1]: 95 

The first Dungeon Masters Screen featured a cover by Dave Trampier and was published by TSR in 1979 as two cardboard screens; a second printing in the same year consisted of two cardstock screens, with an Erol Otus painting featuring a warrior fighting a dragon on the title panel.[1]: 95 

The original screen was revised, repackaged, and retitled as REF1, Dungeon Master's Screen, designed by Bob Blake, and published by TSR in 1985 as two three-panel cardstock screens.[1]: 111–112  The 1985 revision REF1 Dungeon Master's Screen contained revised charts and tables for combat.[1]: 111–112  This one included a Dungeon Master's Screen, a Players' Screen, and a covering sheet that gives a summary of abilities for player characters by level and what each class has for prime requisites.[2]

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition

[edit]

A screen for the second edition AD&D rules was designed by Jean Rabe and Bruce Rabe, with a cover by Jeff Easley, and was published by TSR in 1989 as a cardstock screen with a 16-page booklet.[1]: 111–112 

The 1989 second edition AD&D version of REF1 came with an adventure scenario called Terrible Trouble at Tragidore, which contained suggestions on how to improve as a more experienced DM.[1]: 111–112  Its author was Teeuwynn Woodruff.[3] The second edition's revised Dungeon Master Screen & Master Index contains two screens with a full list of tables to provide easy reference including: critical hits, lists of equipment and the where the planes of existence are located.[4] The two indices contained within the Master Index codify the rules and lists found in the seven core second edition books, detailing each rule, numerical modifier, magic item and spell in alphabetical order and cross-referenced with where they can be found in the books.[4]

Another version, the Dungeon Master Screen & Master Index was published by TSR in 1995.

Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition

[edit]

A Dungeon Master Screen was published in 2000, developed and assembled by Dale Donovan and Kim Mohan, and featuring cover art by Jeff Easley. A Dungeon Master Screen was also published for the Forgotten Realms campaign, which included a booklet titled "Encounters in Faerûn" designed by Skip Williams and Duane Maxwell, and featuring cover art by Justin Sweet.

Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition

[edit]

For D&D's 4th edition, there was a basic Dungeon Master's Screen published in August 2008.[5] In February 2011, a revised Deluxe Dungeon Master's Screen was released, with heavier cardstock and newer artwork.[6]

Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition

[edit]
The 5th edition Dungeon Master's Screen from the core rule book gift set collector's edition by the artist Hydro74.
The 5th edition Dungeon Master's Screen from the core rule book gift set collector's edition by the artist Hydro74.

A Dungeon Master's Screen was released for the game's 5th edition in January 2015. A revised version, titled Dungeon Master's Screen Reincarnated featuring revised artwork and charts was released in September 2017. Additionally, campaign-specific screens produced under license by Game Force 9 have been released as tie-ins to the major adventure modules.

Reception

[edit]

The first edition version of the Dungeon Masters Screen was a Gamer's Choice award-winner.[1]: 111–112 

The revised first edition REF1 screen was given a fairly balanced review by Jez Keen in Imagine magazine.[2] Keene called the info sheet a useful memory aid but missed information on player character races and the types of weapons and armor available to each class. Keen called the Players' Screen "less useful", wondering what exactly the players have to screen.[2] The Players' Screen contained standard tables on spells, weapons, and equipment, as well as the "to hit" tables and, according to Keen, allocates "an extraordinary amount of space" to grenade-like missiles.[2] As for the DM Screen, Keen noted that the tables contain nothing surprising but since the reference tables in the Dungeon Master's Guide are much less useful than those in the Player's Handbook, the reviewer "has used them and will continue to do so".[2]

Keith Eisenbeis reviewed the 2nd edition product in a 1993 issue of White Wolf.[3] He praised the accompanying adventure, but was negative about the screen itself, stating "it is both plain and uninspiring", and noted that it did not make good use of space.[3] He rated it overall at a 2 out of 5 possible points.[3]

Trenton Webb reviewed the AD&D second edition Dungeon Master Screen & Master Index for Arcane magazine, rating it a 7 out of 10 overall.[4] He felt that finding information on the screens "can prove a little tricky, since the screens were obviously laid out by Jackson Pollock".[4] He called the indices "an exercise in clear and consise functionality" and that using the "effective notation system, it's easy to find anything" listed in the index, but cautioned that "you have to think in TSR terms and titles to find the entry".[4] Webb summed up his review of the Dungeon Master Screen & Master Index by saying: "The index is essential stuff; the screens less so, since most DMs have evolved their own screen or alternative system for ready reference. But it's well worth £6 to be able to quickly find every rule you know you've read but forgotten previously where..."[4]

In a retrospective review of Dungeon Masters Screen in Black Gate, Scott Taylor said "Those early years using the 1st Edition AD&D mechanics are the times I think screens mattered most. In that system you needed the screens for easy access to the elaborate 'to hit' charts and saving throws. It was the perfect place to house them, and I'm not sure if this was the initial design concept, but whatever the case it worked very well. Assuming this was their primary purpose then the secondary consequence of the screen was, and still is, the true genius behind it all, that being the ability to hide the dice from the prying eyes of the players."[7]

Dungeons & Dragons Dungeon Masters Screen won the 2015 Gold Ennie Award for "Best Aid/Accessory".[8]

Reviews

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Schick, Lawrence (1991). Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role-Playing Games. Prometheus Books. ISBN 978-0-87975-653-6.
  2. ^ a b c d e Keen, Jez (July 1985). "Game Reviews". Imagine (review) (28). TSR Hobbies (UK), Ltd.: 42.
  3. ^ a b c d Eisenbeis, Keith H. (1993). "Capsule Reviews: Dungeon Master Screen". White Wolf. No. 38. p. 68.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Webb, Trenton (February 1996). "Games Reviews". Arcane (3). Future Publishing: 71–72.
  5. ^ "Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Official Home Page - Product (Dungeon Master's Screen)". Archived from the original on 2015-05-18. Retrieved 2022-07-08.
  6. ^ Wizards.com[dead link‍]
  7. ^ "Art of the Genre: The DM Screen – Black Gate". 18 May 2011.
  8. ^ "2015 ENnie Award Winners | ENnie Awards". www.ennie-awards.com. Archived from the original on 31 August 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  9. ^ "Magia I Miecz 1996 01". January 1996.
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