It can be difficult at times to maintain an organized table in league play. With the new found popularity of Dungeons & Dragon 5th Edition there is now an influx of new players, as well as Dungeon Master. Even with years of experience these players often have to explain the rules, even as they themselves are learning the new system. One common problem is players interrupting the game to ask about the initiative order and which characters are suffering from certain conditions. The game can come to a screeching halt when someone blurts out;“Who needs healing?” or “Which one of you go after me?” This can be especially disruptive when DMs are dealing with more players than they are use to at the table.
A simple and inexpensive solution comes in the form of using small slips of paper called markers that are placed across the top edge of the player name placards (aka “table tents”). When used in Adventurers League play, information such as, initiative order, conditions, and the number of failed or successful saving throws can be displayed in an at-a-glance method. The DM and players can keep track of who goes, in what order, and help players strategize, while eliminating the need of interrupting gameplay.
There are a few basic types of markers. Initiative, Death Save, and Condition markers. Initiative markers, are simply a set of numbers used to indicating turn order. The DM should also use numbers to indicate NPC turns in the initiative order. (The DM could either display them across a table tent, DM screen, or simply put them on the table where players may easily see them)
Condition markers contain symbols indicating effects that the characters are subject too, such as charmed, poisoned, or prone, as well as being on fire or other circumstances that persist for multiple turns. Death Save markers can indicate the severity of fallen character’s condition, one marker symbolizing succeeded saves and one for failed saves.
There are other types of markers DMs may want to develop at their discretion. Such as Alignment, Damage types, and Spell Effects.
When making markers, they should be large enough to be visible by the DM and by as many players at the table as possible. They should be double sided to drape over the top of the players tent table, this maximizes the marker’s visibility.
The release of Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition has streamlined game-play and to maximize its benefits, it is useful to make changes such as these at our tables to keep the positive momentum in the community going. It is important to have good habits at the gaming table. This is especially true in Adventurers League play, where players with years, or even decades of experience, play side by side with those who have never played before.
Download the DM Aid Markers (PDF)