Reddit mentions: The best dry erase & wet erase markers
We found 145 Reddit comments discussing the best dry erase & wet erase markers. We ran sentiment analysis on each of these comments to determine how redditors feel about different products. We found 47 products and ranked them based on the amount of positive reactions they received. Here are the top 20.
1. EXPO 16078 Vis-A-Vis Wet-Erase Overhead Transparency Markers, Fine Point, Assorted Colors, 8-Count
- EXPO Vis-a-Vis wet erase markers that easily wipe off with a damp cloth
- For use with whiteboards, hard plastic, laminated sheets, and other nonporous surfaces
- Works great on calendar dry erase boards, plastic bins and dry food storage containers
- Fine tip for detailed lines that stand out
- Includes 8 wet erase markers in assorted colors: black, blue, red, green, purple, orange, yellow, and brown
Features:
Specs:
Color | Assorted |
Height | 0.5 Inches |
Length | 5.7 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | October 2020 |
Size | 8 Count (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 0.1 Pounds |
Width | 3.8 Inches |
2. Pilot Frixion Colors Erasable Marker - 12 Color set /Value set Which Attached the Eraser Only for Friction
- Combines the convenience of a retractable with the incredible FriXion erasable gel ink
- Erase and rewrite repeatedly without damaging documents - Eraser is at the top of the pen, tip is retractable by pressing clip down
- Unique Thermo-Sensitive gel ink formula disappears with erasing friction
- The eraser only for friction was attached the sake [ when you would like to erase broadly ].
- Colors/Black/Red/Blue/Light Blue/Green/Soft Green/Yellow/Orange/Baby Pink/Pink/Violet/Brown
Features:
Specs:
Color | Multi |
Number of items | 12 |
Size | 1-Pack |
Weight | 0.3 Pounds |
3. Crayola Washable Dry-Erase Crayons, 8 Classic Crayola Colors with Built In Sharpener & E-Z Erase Cloth Non-Toxic Art Tools for Kids & Toddlers 3 & Up, Easily Wipes Off Any Dry Erase Surface
- CREATE, ERASE & CREATE AGAIN: Draw colorful art, wipe away and start again. No odor, washable, Dry-Erase Crayons easily erase from wipe-off surfaces and wash cleanly from hands and clothes. Includes E-Z Erase Cloth and built in sharpener.
- CRAYOLA DRY-ERASE CRAYONS: The perfect choice for those looking for an easy and economical way to play. We offer dry-erase markers, crayons, easels and boards for kids, covering everything your little one needs to get busy creating!
- CREATIVE PROJECTS: Whether you're creating a landscape masterpiece or decorating t-shirts with your Girl Scouts troop, Crayola has the markers, pens, kids markers, paints, colored pencils & crayons you need to make your project pop in bold, bright colors.
- CRAYOLA CRAYONS are a must-have art supply for your tiny Van Gogh. The classic colors are always a hit with kiddos, from My First Palm Grip crayons for toddlers, to Silly Scents, & Ultra Clean washable crayons, to the 152 piece Ultimate Crayon Collection.
- FROM MARKERS TO SIDEWALK CHALK: Markers for kids or adults, washable paints, bright crayons, even scented markers, we've got it all! Crayola gives kids the power to express all that inspires them as they explore, discover, play, pretend, create & dream.
- TRUSTED QUALITY: Crayola is passionate about helping parents & educators raise creative children who will become inspired, original adults. We've inspired artistic creativity in children since the first box of Crayola crayons rolled off the assembly line.
Features:
Specs:
Color | Vibrant Colors |
Height | 6.25 Inches |
Length | 1.13 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | May 2015 |
Size | 8 Count (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 0.02 Pounds |
Width | 3.88 Inches |
4. EXPO Low Odor Dry Erase Markers, Chisel Tip, Assorted Colors, 12 Count
Consistent, skip free marking and brilliant color optionsLow odor ink formula erases cleanly and is ideal for classrooms, offices and home officesVersatile chisel tip allows for broad or fine writingFor optimal results, use on non porous surfaces such as porcelain or melamine whiteboards and glassIn...
Specs:
Color | Assorted |
Height | 8.38 Inches |
Length | 7.25 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | July 2018 |
Size | 12 Count (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 0.26 Pounds |
Width | 1.5 Inches |
5. EXPO Vis-A-Vis Wet-Erase Overhead Transparency Markers, Fine Point, Assorted Colors, 5-Count
Ideal for overhead projectors, transparencies, and all other types of films, acetates, and laminated calendarsWon't fade or bubble under intense lamp heat.Specially formulated ink provides clear, bright images.Durable, fine point tip for thin, detailed lines.Erases with a damp cloth or tissue.
Specs:
Color | Assorted |
Height | 7.63 Inches |
Length | 0.63 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | November 2019 |
Size | 5 Count (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 0.15 Pounds |
Width | 5.75 Inches |
6. Staedtler Lumocolor Correctable Pens (305FWP4)
- Teach. Create. Communicate. When you need fine point dry erase markers for the office or classroom - reach for Staedtler's marker pens with erasers
- Not limited to whiteboards alone! Write on overhead projector film, sheet covers, white boards, almost any smooth surface with correctable confidence
- Durable and dependable -- Staedtler's dry erase pens will make your point in vibrant, easy-to-see ink, then wipes easily off with the integrated cap erasers
- Need colored markers for your kids? These thin markers are easy for small hands to grip, and the ink's water-soluble. It won't bleed through paper
- Benefit from the best. For office or classroom supplies, in the studio or in the field, Staedtler helps bring ideas to life
Features:
Specs:
Color | Multi |
Height | 0.6692913379 Inches |
Length | 5.9448818837 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | May 2020 |
Size | 1 Pack |
Weight | 0.06 Kilograms |
Width | 2.0078740137 Inches |
7. Pilot Frixion Colors 12C SFC-120M12C (japan import)
- Special ink allows to erase your writing by frixion with rubber on cap
- Erase and rewrite any number of times without damage on papers
- 12-colors set of brown, violet, pink, baby pink, orange, yellow, soft green, green, light blue, blue, red, black
- Not recommended for use on legal or official documents
Features:
Specs:
Height | 5.8 Inches |
Length | 5.8 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Weight | 0.29 Pounds |
Width | 0.5 Inches |
8. EXPO 1752226 Neon Dry Erase Markers, Bullet Tip, Assorted Colors, 5-Count
- Fun, vibrant neon colors for use on both black and white dry erase surfaces.
- Bright, vivid ink is specially formulated to be low-odor.
- Durable bullet tip allows for broad, thick lines that are easy to see from a distance.
- Perfect for classrooms, offices, and homes.
Features:
Specs:
Color | Neon Assorted |
Height | 8.4 Inches |
Length | 7.5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | December 2012 |
Size | 5-Count |
Weight | 0.22 Pounds |
Width | 5.8 Inches |
9. Board Dudes SRX Magnetic Dry Erase Markers 6-Pack Assorted Colors (DDM77)
- package dimensions :1.295 cm L x 15.392 cm W x 18.110 cm H
- Product type :MARKING PEN
- country of origin:China
- Package weight :1.15lbs
- Low odor and non-toxic
Features:
Specs:
Color | standart |
Height | 6 inches |
Length | 0.6 inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | November 2020 |
Size | 6 Pack |
Weight | 0.14 Pounds |
Width | 7.5 inches |
10. EXPO Low Odor Dry Erase Markers, Chisel Tip, Assorted, 16 Count
Consistent, skip Free marking and brilliant Color OptionsLow odor ink formula erases cleanly and is ideal for classrooms, offices and Home officesVersatile chisel tip allows for Broad or fine writingFor optimal results, use on non porous surfaces such as porcelain or melamine Whiteboards and glassIn...
Specs:
Color | Assorted |
Height | 2 Inches |
Length | 8.25 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | December 2012 |
Size | 16-Count |
Weight | 0.55 Pounds |
Width | 8.74 Inches |
11. Expo Low Odor Chisel Point Dry Erase Marker Pack
- Chisel tip for broad, medium, or fine lines
- Low-odor ink formula erases cleanly and is ideal for classrooms, offices and home offices
- For use on whiteboards and most non-porous surfaces
- Bold color is easy to erase and easy to see from a distance
- Includes 4 dry erase markers in assorted colors: red, blue, green, and black
Features:
Specs:
Color | Assorted Colors |
Height | 0.9 Inches |
Length | 4.9 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | October 2020 |
Size | 4-Pack |
Weight | 0.1322773572 Pounds |
Width | 3.1 Inches |
12. Expo 16001 Vis-A-Vis Wet Erase Markers - for Use on Overhead Projectors, Transparencies and Laminated Calendars - Fine Point, Pack of 12 Markers,Black
Provides clear, bright markings on overhead transparenciesInk will not fade or bubble under lamp heatFor use on overhead projectors, transparencies and laminated calendars
Specs:
Color | Black |
Height | 0.3 Inches |
Length | 5.5 Inches |
Number of items | 0 |
Release date | December 2012 |
Size | 12 Count (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 0.02 Pounds |
Width | 0.2 Inches |
13. EXPO 1871774 Low-Odor Dry Erase Markers, Ultra Fine Tip, Black, 4 Count (Pack of 1)
Sold as 4/PackIdeal for classrooms, offices and homes.Consistent marking, bold color and great erasability.Marks are easy to see from a distance.For optimal results, use on nonporous surfaces such as porcelain or melamine whiteboards and glass.
Specs:
Color | Black |
Height | 4 Inches |
Length | 0.5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 4 Count (Pack of 1) |
Weight | 0.06 Pounds |
Width | 6.38 Inches |
14. EXPO Low Odor Dry Erase Markers, Fine Tip, Assorted Colors, 12 Pack - 86603
Bright, vivid, non toxic ink is quick drying, smear proof, easy to see from a distance, and provides consistent color qualityFine point tip is ideal for use on smaller boardsErases cleanly and easily with a dry cloth or Expo eraserInk is specially formulated to be low odor. Perfect for use in classr...
Specs:
Color | Assorted |
Height | 1 Inches |
Length | 6.25 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | October 2018 |
Size | 12-Count |
Weight | 0.1 Pounds |
Width | 7.25 Inches |
15. Quartet Dry-Erase Magnets with Marker, 2.86" x 2.86", ReWritables, Assorted Colors, 3 Pack (79201)
Erasable and reusable2.86" x 2.86" size magnet is like a reusable post-itIncludes 3 dry-erasable magnetComes with 1 Rewritable markerFor lists, reminders or notes
Specs:
Color | Multi |
Height | 6 Inches |
Length | 0.5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | Assorted Pack of 3 |
Weight | 0.34 Pounds |
Width | 4.7 Inches |
16. EXPO 1751667 Click Low-Odor Dry Erase Retractable Markers, Fine Point, Assorted Colors, 6-Count
- Retractable design offers easy one-handed operation with no cap to remove or lose.
- Bright, vivid ink is quick-drying, smear-proof, and low-odor.
- Durable, fine point tip for thin, detailed lines.
- Ideal for use on whiteboards, glass, and most non-porous surfaces.
Features:
Specs:
Color | Assorted Colors |
Height | 7.5 Inches |
Length | 7.5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 6-Count |
Weight | 0.17 pounds |
Width | 0.7 Inches |
17. PILOT V Board Master Refillable Dry-Erase Markers, Medium Chisel Tip, Assorted Color Inks, 5-Pack Pouch (43917)
- Cartridges For V Board Master Dry Erase Markers: This combo includes 5 assorted high quality refills your Pilot V Board Master Dry Erase Marker; Includes black, blue, green, yellow and red ink colors
- Smart Choice: Pilot's high quality refills and accessories extend the life of Pilot products, creating an economic and environmentally-friendly option, and ultimate value
- Packs and Refills Available: Refillable V Board Master Dry Erase Markers help you save money when compared to traditional dry erase markers; Made from 91% recycled materials, V Board Markers are a smart and sustainable choice
- Trusted Quality: We've been making pens for over 100 years; Whether you're taking notes, stocking up on school or office supplies, or writing in a bullet journal, Pilot has the perfect pen for you
- Power to the Pen: Pilot makes exceptional writing instruments to suit all your needs; We have fountain, ballpoint, retractable, erasable and gel ink pens, whiteboard markers and more for every writing style
Features:
Specs:
Color | Assorted Colors |
Height | 5.38 Inches |
Length | 4.5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | December 2012 |
Size | Pack of 5 |
Weight | 0.306875 Pounds |
Width | 1 Inches |
18. EXPO Click Low-Odor Dry Erase Retractable Markers, Chisel Tip, Black, 3-Count
Retractable design offers easy one-handed operation with no cap to remove or lose.Bright, vivid ink is quick-drying, smear-proof, and low-odor.Versatile chisel tip allows for broad or fine writing.Ideal for use on whiteboards, glass, and most non-porous surfaces.Erases cleanly and easily with a dry ...
Specs:
Color | Black |
Height | 7.5 Inches |
Length | 1 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 3-Count |
Weight | 1.21 Pounds |
Width | 6.5 Inches |
19. EXPO Original Dry Erase Set, Chisel Tip, Assorted Colors, 6-Piece
- Bright, vivid, non-toxic ink is easy to see from a distance.
- Erases cleanly and easily with a dry cloth or Expo eraser.
- Quick-drying, smear-proof ink erases easily for no ghosting.
- Versatile chisel tip allows for broad or fine writing.
- Set includes 16 markers, two each of black, blue, brown, green, purple, orange, and red, and one each of lime and turquoise. Made in the USA
Features:
Specs:
Color | Assorted Colors |
Height | 7 inches |
Length | 1.6 inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 6-Count |
Weight | 0.35 Pounds |
Width | 7.5 inches |
20. EXPO 1884309 Low-Odor Dry Erase Markers, Ultra Fine Tip, Assorted Colors, 8-Count
- Consistent, skip free marking in 8 vibrant colors
- Low odor ink formula erases cleanly and is ideal for classrooms, offices and Home offices
- Ultra-fine tip is perfect for precise writing
- For optimal results, use on nonporous surfaces such as porcelain or melamine whiteboards and glass
- Includes: Black, Red, Blue, Green, Orange, Brown, Pink and Purple dry erase markers
Features:
Specs:
Color | Assorted |
Height | 4.02 Inches |
Length | 5.5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | December 2017 |
Size | 8-Count |
Weight | 0.1500025230648 Pounds |
Width | 6.25 Inches |
🎓 Reddit experts on dry erase & wet erase markers
The comments and opinions expressed on this page are written exclusively by redditors. To provide you with the most relevant data, we sourced opinions from the most knowledgeable Reddit users based the total number of upvotes and downvotes received across comments on subreddits where dry erase & wet erase markers are discussed. For your reference and for the sake of transparency, here are the specialists whose opinions mattered the most in our ranking.
Phew This'll be a long a post, but certainly reward to read by the end of it. Don't worry about 2E replacing anything, as that takes time to do and is at least two years aeay from being a thing, even if it's fulling released this year. Playing D&D/Pathfinder really is the Nerdiest, Nerd thing I've ever done, and it is a lot of fun! Watch +DawnforgedCast's Session 0 video and download his checklist here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0FmGxmJLiw That checklist will help you out greatly in starting out as a GameMaster/Dungeon Master or as a player to learn what you want in a game, for a new group, with or without veteran players. However, if you're one as the GM and you have a vivid imagination, or are good with thinking on the fly (believe me, it gets better with time) then you'll already have a headstart on the majority of GMs out there. A great beginning module that has a little bit of everything, adventure hook (i.e., reason why your players should be doing this), NPC interaction, wilderness adventuring, dungeon crawling, is the Hollow's Last Hope module for 1st Level Players as it works for both D&D and Pathfinder. You don't really need the print version, since you can download it for FREE at Paizo's website https://pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/Hollow%27s_Last_Hope
I greatly recommend you get the Pathfinder RPG: Beginner Box ($25-$35) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1601256302 it is a different game, but the rule set is uber-simplified and honestly, superior to the D&D Starter Set ($15), and is worth the extra money. The Beginner Box literally has the all of the beginning needs for play. Pre-generated characters, blank character sheets for the four classes (Wizard, Rogue, Cleric, and Fighter) with either of the three races (Elf, Dwarf, and Human) that are easy to introduce new players to, a flip out map that you can use dry-erase- or wet-erase markers, and permanent markers on (all of which can be erased off, I use these wet-erase makers that are $9 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IFGW because I'll draw camp fires with brown, yellow, orange, and red colors, green helps with trees and shrubbery, blue for water, and black for everything else), a Hero's handbook, and really, really, good GM guide, plus thick, cardboard punch-out marker pawns of various Monsters, NPCs, Player characters, and other creatures, that amount to a wealth of miniatures that would take a lot of money and time to paint them all up, plus they're easier to store in the box. Unfortunately, it only comes with one set of dice, so it wouldn't hurt to get these on these 7 sets ($12) on the cheap https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MDJNE93 and pass them out to your players, or if they have their own, then you'll have plenty of extra multiples of dice, which will come in handy during combat with spellcasters and sneak attacks by Rogues. I handed them out to my players after they told me what their favorite colors were. =P
That'd would be all you'd really need to start, $30ish Beginner Box, plus $10 for markers, and $10 more if you or your players need dice. Now, what follows is what I used for my first GMing of a game, based on many different people's recommendations. In order to make combat work in a logical way that I could understand, I bought the Pathfinder Combat Pad $20 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1601255470, along with those wet-erase markers from earlier. It's usefulness has been far better, and worth it's price in gold, to use than a cheap $1 store notebook, when I would have to erase or rewrite when players would defeat monsters or would hold their actions, or would tell them the wrong initiative bonus to start (lol!). Again, rather use a dollar store binder, I bought the Pathfinder GM Screen $16ish https://www.amazon.com/dp/1601252161, because it was short enough for me to look over rather than 3-ring binders or a paper folder at the actual game table. Speaking the table, I bought the Chessex Battlemats https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015IQO2O this is a link to the smaller one ($20), since I bought the Megamat ($35), only because I had a large table, and players could use it as a coaster for drinks too (even though I did have coasters, to prevent spillage). As an added bonus, I recently discovered the Condition cards $10 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1601252854, to use with Pathfinder, and they are great to hand out to players (as you would already know these conditions since it's written behind the GM Screen) so they know what condition they are in at a glance. Keep in mind though, you only get 4 or each, so if you are lucky enough to have more players, it wouldn't hurt to buy an extra set (however, it would be strange if all of your players had the same condition).
Now, let's say you enjoy Pathfinder, and you bought the Core Rulebook $20 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1601258879 (if it's a hardcover, always look inside for the Sixth edition printing, the paperback will already be that edition) but are getting tired of looking up Monster stats online, then grab the Paperback version of the first Bestiary $16 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1601258887 which has the great majority of all of the "regular" monsters in either D&D or Pathfinder. If you're not much of an artist, then there's the recently released Pathfinder Traps and Treasures Pawns Collection $25 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1601259719 but be warned that you only want to place on the board AFTER the players find out what it is or after they trip it since it does have text explaining what it is as a trap, and if you're use the treasure ones, make sure you add whatever is actually printed on the tile is IN the list of treasure you give the players, because they can and will ask about, "can't I grab that cup or sword, it's on the tile?" ;)
Lastly, if you enjoy being the GameMaster/Dungeon Master, the storyteller, the world builder, then I'd recommend getting the Pathfinder Gamemastery Guide $15 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1601259492, which again, can be applied to both RPG games. And if you what better weather effects to throw at your party than what is presented in the CRB and GMG, then Pathfinder Ultimate Wilderness $30 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1601259867 has all that you need, and then some, plus some cool spells and tons of new animal companions and familiars for spellcasters alike, and a new shapeshifting melee-fighting class called the Shifter, which is pretty neat to use (albeit, you may want to check out Paizo's website for any official errata or clarifications, just in case). If you want to actually create a campaign and are having a hard time coming up with ideas, locations, groups/factions, kingdoms, races, then one more purchase, which is what +DawnforgedCast used for his Pathfinder games seen here is the Inner Sea World Guide $45 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1601252692 It is pricey, but again, very much worth it, to create your own world or to use the pre-made world, as well. Remember, the Beginner Box, Markers, and Dice is really all you need, the rest of this is to expand out. I hope this helps you and anyone else out as well. =P
D&D Basics (Getting started)
The Absolute Basics
First you will want to grab either the Basic rules (Free), the Starter Set (Cheap), or the Players handbook, Dungeon Masters Guide, and Probably Monster Manual
Then you need to have at least a few items
The starter set is nice because it does a bunch of the work for you, it has an easy to follow adventure, pre-made characters, Dice, and rules for the DM and players. And at half the cost of just the players handbook AND including an adventure, it is an incredible value.
Once you finish that then looking at at least a players handbook for the extra races, classes, backgrounds, and other things is a good deal. That should let you run free adventures people have put online.
The DM's guide will let you get deeper into rules and the right way to call them, break them, and make them.
The monster manual can be a great tool to make better encounters.
If you want to run a commercial adventure after the one's included in the starter set, "Tales from the Yawning Portal" includes the Sunless Citidel, considered by many to be an excellent adventure for those new to the game and just recently brought up from 3.5e into 5e
Common Tools of the Trade
As you start running more complex adventures you are going to want to have a few tools to keep things moving, either as a player or as a DM.
As a Player
The bare essentials every players should have are listed above, but most players agree having a few extras can make the game run really quick.
Spell Cards
These cards have all the spells available for specific classes or from specific books on really well organized cards that make it easy to set aside your prepared spells and quickly reference all the core details.
Cleric, Arcane, Ranger, Druid, Bard, Paladin, Martial Powers and Races, Xanathars Guide to Everything
Binders & Sheet Protectors
Keeping everything neat and organized can be a huge time saver and make it much easier for you to find what you need. Binders can be a great way to keep your notes and other materials organized. In addition many sheet protectors easily erase dry erase markers making it easy to keep track of spells and other changes without ruining character sheets with constant erasing.
As a DM
DMs have their work cut out for them. But a few simple tools can make the game run smooth and leave everyone having that much more fun.
Index Cards
A set of index cards can go a long way to speeding up the game. Players can put details on spells or magic items on them. You can prepare loot for the game ahead of time and hand it out allowing players to look over the gear as the game continues. You can also use them to hide portions of a battle map or commerical map to give the effect of fog of war.
Game Mats
A game mat let's you make single maps by drawing on them with dry erase or wet erase markers. Many are made of vinyl and can last a long time. Normally they will have either 1" squares or hex shapes.
Minitures
These things can be expensive, but giving your game that 3D upgrade and helping players better manage space in a game can be well worth it. You can use actual miniatures (Like those from Reaper), Create custom ones on Hero's Forge, or even just buy some cheap stand in tokens from Game Mash.
If you just need a cheap way to keep track of positions army men, bottle caps, colored game pieces, and even legos can all play the role.
No matter what you use, you can pick up colored rubber bands to mark status conditions or other information.
Where Can I Play?
You can find tons of places to play D&D.
Also:
Critical Role - Voice actors playing DnD, Matt Mercer (The DM) is an amazing Dungeon Master and shows how the game should be played.
Matthew Colville - Amazing videos on being a DM, must watch material for every DM. Even when your opinions differ he gives good reasons and great advice.
Compendiums
These let you ciew all the free open rules (SRD & Basic Rules) for D&D 5e at no cost.
Roll20 Compendium - Has all the open rules for the game, so a good source for monsters, items, spells, etc.
DnDBeyond - A more official source for the content, plus you can buy all the materials released by WotC to use, and has a great character builder.
Adventures & Maps
DMsGuild - Tons of free and paid adventures and other materials. The quality can be varying, but many are free and that can be great.
/r/dndmaps/ - What more can they say, D&D Maps.
Mike Schley Makes many of the maps for the D&D Adventures.
First trick is deciding which edition you want to play, for new players I highly recommend sticking to 4th edition, the rules are simpler and combat is generally more interesting. If you guys are brand and are new starting with nothing, I highly recommend picking up the 4th edition DM Manual 1, Monster Manual 1, and the Player's Handbook 1.
If your DM wants to take his hand at designing his own adventures I also highly recommend picking up a wet erase play mat as well as wet erase markers. I recommend wet erase over dry erase as dry erase can easily be wiped off during combat and such.
You'll also want to buy some dice for everyone to use, there are a few ways to go about that, you can mismatch dice from local hobby shops, you could buy dice sets or you could purchase the Chessex "Pound of Dice" for the whole group's use and ease. I, as a highly superstitious gamer, own 2 dice sets of my own and an additional lucky D20 that I don't let anyone touch (as they'll likely suck the luck out of it), so figure out what kind of gamers you are and what dice will best suit you.
As you guys grow and expand you may want to look into getting the other Player's Handbooks, to increase your options as players, as well as the other monster manuals for easier adventure creation for your DM.
I also highly recommend your DM (for his ease in adventure creation) look into reading materials on the internet (easily found for free) to help create the most interesting and fun adventures possible. One I can recommend off-hand is Chris Perkin's (a writer for the D&D books and "professional DM") "blog" called "The DM Experience."
Also if you have any other questions feel free to ask me in a comment or message me, I love to see new player getting into the game and would like to help in any way possible.
Just be sure to have fun, happy gaming :D
For miniatures, be warned that the Heroclix and Mage Knight minis, while useable, are mostly larger than the 1" standard width (for a medium character or creature) - this is generally not that big of a problem but if you're going with modular terrain it means they may not fit well, especially along with other miniatures beside them.
Ebay is a good choice for miniatures, especially if you have particular needs for certain things - you want that male elf archer in leather armor, or are you looking for a beholder? You can find and get them there. Here's my favorite seller for these things, shipping is definitely reasonable and the choices are expansive:
http://www.ebay.com/usr/auggest?_trksid=p2053788.m1543.l2754
Another option to miniatures are tokens, and they are much, much cheaper. These are small cardboard circles that fit a 1" block as standard size (larger creatures will fill more, of course). The best starter set for this for a DM is the Monster Vault, but there are a ton of others as well. I suggest ebay for these for the most part, there are some that sell them by the sheet and others that sell the full boxed sets. You can get these for characters as well as monsters. Here's a link to the Monster Vault so you can see what you get with it:
http://www.amazon.com/Monster-Vault-Essential-Dungeons-Dragons/dp/0786956313/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1420725056&sr=8-2&keywords=dungeons+and+dragons+Tokens
Cheapest and most versatile "professional looking" option for the map / terrain is a chessex battlemat - make sure you have WET ERASE markers, not dry erase and keep it clean between adventures. Below are links to one of their mats (there are other sizes, just search on amazon) and to some excellent markers:
http://www.amazon.com/Chessex-Role-Playing-Play-Mat/dp/B0015IQO2O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420724703&sr=8-1&keywords=chessex+mat
http://www.amazon.com/Expo-Vis-A-Vis-Markers-Colored-16078/dp/B00006IFGW/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1420724703&sr=8-9&keywords=chessex+mat
Cheapest option for modular-type terrain would be tiles. These are cardboard "grids" that most often have designs on them and come in different sizes. The best starter set out there is the Dungeon Tiles Master Set - The Dungeon. It has a lot of tiles and is pretty versatile, at least for base grid options like dungeons and general floors. There are a ton of other options for them - again I suggest you look on ebay for these because you can often find used ones that are in perfect shape sold as a set, or even individual tiles if there's something in particular you need. This is the link to the aforementioned base set on amazon so you can see what it has:
http://www.amazon.com/Dungeon-Tiles-Master-Set-Essential/dp/0786955554/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420724907&sr=8-1&keywords=dungeon+tiles+master+set
If you want to spend more money and go with something much more dynamic, there are 3-d modular sets ranging from paper to near-stone like quality but they can cost a ton. I have a large set of Dungeonstone (www.dungeonstone.com) that I bring out and always get oo's and ahh's. But they're heavy to carry around a lot, especially if I need the whole set. Another option, that's generally slightly more expensive than dungeonstone is Dwarven Forge. You can look them up - but I only mention this in case you decide to spend more money than you want to at this point. :)
Good luck! I hope this helps.
I'M IN :D And I've already got ideas c: Gonna start on this c:
EDIT: I meant to edit this.. Not reply. ._.
Something that is grey.An item that is less than a dollar, including shipping... that is not jewelry, nail polish, and or hair related!A movie everyone should watch at least once in their life. Why?I'll come back with the three I missed c:
Edit#2: Adding raffle phrase! fear cuts deeper than swords
Also adding one of the bonuses! Purdy paintbrushes are made in Oregon c: They've been made in Portland since 1925! c:
Here. Take $20 and buy this. Trust me on this. You'll save a lot of money, and they're AWESOME quality.
If you're playing a combat-intensive game (ask your DM) go to your local gameshop and buy a mini to represent you. Plastic would probably be best since you're new, but if you want to go all out, buy a pewter and paint it. You'll love it more.
PDFs are fine for books you're not going to reference often, but you're best off getting physical copies of the books. They're so much easier to work with. Check out your local used book stores. They're the best place to find this stuff, as most of it's out of print. Stay away from ebay on this. People WAY overvalue their books.
I've personally never played pathfinder, but I'm a D&D 3.5 vet. I've heard they're pretty similar. Any other questions I'll be happy to answer. Welcome to the life. You couldn't pick a better way to waste all you time and money :).
EDIT: Also, depending on your play surface, go buy a set of these. Make sure they're wet-erase, NOT DRY ERASE. Dry erase stain some play surfaces. Your DM will likely have a set, but they're usually... ahem... well used, and crappy. Buy a set of your own, take a pocket knife and scratch them in a particular spot to mark them, and guard them with your life.
> 1) what do you recomend to do?
I'd personally start with 5e, because it is a much more simplified system that allows for more aspects of role-playing, which is great for everyone - especially new players.
A nice start for new groups to DnD is a starter set. Here is a link to buy a starter set which comes with a 64-page adventure pre-made module book, a 32-page rule-book for playing characters level 1–5, 5 pregenerated characters, each with a character sheet and supporting reference material, and 6 dice. If you are playing 5e, you need the 5e books - the 3.5 books won't work for 5e, they are completely different games due to additional information added over each new edition.
I'd also recommend that you all sit down together in the same room, hook up a computer to a TV in the room, and watch some good DnD games to figure out what role-playing means, how DM's look in action, and how the game runs overall. Shows such as Critical-Role, or Acquisitions Incorporated are amazing.
Here is the playlsit for Critical Role on Youtube:
Here are the Acquisitions Incorporated games on Youtube:
> 2) what dices do we need to get either way?
You each need a 7 set of DnD dice, and DM's do well to have some extra dice for faster group monster rolls. Plenty of bulk dice sellers on Amazon:
> 3) do we need to get board/minutures?
You can if you want, it's a nice visual aid. I'd recommend to use a large table to play around, and then buy some battle mats which can be written on with wet erase markers. Mineratures are all over the place for sale, so just google them. Or if you don't want to spend a ton of money on physical maps, you could use a virutal set-up in an IRL game, like my party does. You can use Roll20 which hosts privtae game rooms with virtual tabletops on which you draw maps into and insert images. Plug a laptop into a huge TV, and boom, you have a giant virtual battle-mat to use during the game!
Tons of other info on the sidebar of this subreddit, or just search the subreddit for other "starting DnD" posts, because there are a ton of them with good info.
This one! is a great beginners tunic. Remember, cut once but measure twice. Use Frixion markers to mark up the fabric - they disappear when you iron but will come back in the freezer. They do wash out pretty easily.
The biggest thing to remember when cutting up the fabric is seam allowances - let's say you have a 38" chest. You want the fabric circumference to be ~39" when you wear it for some ease. For simplicities sake, it's better to cut the front and back rectangles for the body of the tunic at 20" each, giving you 40" pre-sew. Most people end up with only 1/4" seams so you'll have a slight bit more than 39".
However - very important other sewing rule- DO A MOCK UP! You will never know how horribly you have measured until you actually wear the pattern. Old sheets from the thrift store make awesome mock up materials. Cut out your pattern on that first. You often don't have to make up the entire thing - just the body of the garment. If it feels fine, great. If it's too big/too small pin, pinch, or draw where to expand as needed. Again, Frixion markers are amazing for those things.
Plain fabric is great fabric. Plain solid colors can always be embellished with some embroidery or trim. That print might look lovely to you, but I've seen far too many 100% 20th C/21st C toiles being used for garb (stories. Oh dear me, do I have stories) to know that suggesting anything other than plain fabric is a very, very bad idea.
If you get stuck, ask questions!
Mom of severe ADHD boy right here!
It is seriously likely that all of the books on ADHD written with Dr's with their snooty Phd's in the world will not help you. Every ADHD child is super unique. One thing that that I noticed on you list are the teething necklaces on your lists. It appears as though your daughter requires a tactile stimuli via her mouth. My son is the same, he is 12. He has even chewed off his fingernails just to get that stimuli. The one that that I can recommend for that is a hemp knotted necklace; one that is knotted tightly. You can hang any of the fun teething baubles on it and they look less like something for a toddler.
The wobble seats are an either or for a child,. They have little nubby things on them that can become extremely uncomfortable for most people, your little bug included. However they do stimulate blood flow to your bum and may be conducive to a cute(er?) tush. I'm not sure how literate or situationally aware she is, but I've found that their curiosity knows no bounds. As such their minds are doing a bajillion miles a minute and they come up with question after question after question. I've always answered my son in truth, in full, and usually scientifically. Even if it is a question that make you go, "UGH!, or "Please, no!" Also, structure, an enforced schedule, and visual reminders are awesome. I have dreamt of having this and these to write out the weekly schedule so that my son knows exactly what is happening and when.
If I have been any help, I am very glad. If I have not, sorry for wasting your time on the read. If you have anything you want to bounce off of me, or talk about, I'm around, just PM. You will likely have to remind me who you are though.
Also there is an /r/adhd subreddit. Some members are adamant and downright viscious that an ADHD child should not be on any kind of schedule - EVER; I treat them with a grain of salt. Just a friendly FYI.
Goodluck internet stranger and friend.
> A lot of tables are pressed for physical room... like almost always. a folded index card so it stands up on the battlemap works nicely without taking too much space.
I guess I've never played with a typical setup, then? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I don't like using scrap paper or index cards for temporary bonuses. The reason 8x10-ish is my size of choice is because it's the size most easily available, and it's more or less the same size as the character sheets, so you can use it as a lapboard for your sheet, or you can keep all your stuff in one pile together.
Smaller dry erase surfaces are available too, though, such as these 3x3 ones. Smaller ones are usually magnetic, but those Quartet ones have a magnet glued to the back, which I imagine you could pry off if you didn't want it.
> ColorCoding is key, but a little pricey for some folks on a super-tight budget (dice these days are ridiculous for some folks like students on a plan)
That's why I also suggested going left to right by their position on the table after rolling if there weren't enough dice available to colour code them. The multiweapon fighter in my current group used to roll by colour coding at earlier levels, but he's a Thri-Kreen 3.5 Dervish. We're not going to BS around finding 20 different colours of d20s.
> Deciding Actions: ShotClock + high-energy narration will keep the tension high and make combat a lot more exciting than the usual slog it tends to be
I dislike the "shockclock" mode of play because it makes me too anxious, and play with others who have anxiety disorders. I'm sure it works for some groups, but it's not something that will be fun for everyone. I think it's perfectly fine to encourage players to have their actions ready, without punishing them if they don't.
Really not sure why you're even replying to me, though. I'm not OP and I wasn't asking for advice. You already made your own comment where you gave your advice to OP. So you just... what, really need to make sure I know that you don't agree with what I like, or something?
Not at all. It smears the writing a bit as it erases, then once you rub it enough, it turns completely clear/invisible.
I use these pens all day, every day and they have stood the test so far. I make a ton of mistakes usually when writing so these are a godsend.
10 Pack, retractable
12-color marker set
Highlighters + Eraser
And to top it off, my favorite: the microwavable 'smart notepad'.
Again, the ink turns clear at 140°, so this notebook allows you to write notes in the notebook with the Frixion pens/markers/highlighters and "reset" it by microwaving it for a few seconds. Best part is, you can scan the pages into perfect PDFs with their app. And you can mark the page to tell it where to save it to (email, Google Drive, Dropbox, local save, etc.) It finally started to break my habit of taking notes and never going back to them with this a couple months ago. I'm super psyched on them and I just wanna spread the gospel of Frixion 😃
I was raised (almost literally) playing with minis and a battlemat. I helped my dad build a magnetic dungeon board set when I was about 7 years old. I played recently with a relatively new group of my college age friends who were doing theatre of mind, and I was miserable.
A lot of actions specifically denote spacing, which is very difficult to do in theatre of mind. Attacks of opportunity, spell/attack range, etc all get kinda weird when it's just spoken and imagined. I am certain that other people are better at keeping track of it all, and more experienced DMs could make it more interesting.
I know I am personally extremely biased, but about half way through the session we were supposed to storm a castle, and there was no way I was going to try to keep the different passageways straight in my head without a visual representation. I went out to my car and brought in my tackleboxes of minis, battlemat, and vis-a-vis markers. The DM was a little apprehensive at first, but most everyone seemed to agree that the minis and mat were far superior after playing for about 10 minutes with them.
One of the player's made this analogy: [Theatre of Mind] is like a text based RPG, while minis and the battlemat is like playing Skyrim.
ninja edit
I didn't address prices. Minis can be very expensive. If you get the pre painted figures, they are unbelieveably costly. Here is a site that has all sorts of figures. Their search bar is amazing.
Here is a link to a battlemat on amazon. It may look pricey (I don't know your budget) but this mat is worth more than you can imagine.
Here is a link to a pack of markers that should do the trick for drawing any kind of terrain/buildings/caves you like. Just dip a spare rag or paper towel in some water, and the lines come right off.
That is very cool, but I worry about your ability to stay ahead of your group with the foamcore maps, for several reasons:
I honestly think you're best off buying a good Chessex battle mat and wet erase markers. That will give you the flexibility you need to map what needs mapping and narrate everything else.
Personally, I've opted for a table insert with a high-res TV for digital maps, but that's out of the price range of most.
These dry erase crayons are the only thing you need on a deserted island!
Awesome! That's how I play!
Here's a list of things I suggest as a DM:
Chessex Mat
or [Megamat](Chessex Role Playing Play Mat: MEGAMAT Double-Sided Reversible Mat for RPGs and Miniature Figure Games - 34 1/2in x 48in https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015IUAAG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_KvY4xbHM414K4)
[Vis-A-Vis Markers](Expo Vis-A-Vis Wet-Erase Overhead Transparency Markers, Fine Point, 8-Pack Pouch, Assorted Colors https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IFGW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_DwY4xbQVVNKTA) to write on the map
[Starter set of minis](D&D Icons of the Realms: Tyranny of Dragons Starter Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LSZQXSY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_.EY4xbCF5B5AH)
Goblin Minis
Search Reaper Minis on Amazon and you'll find some fun stuff
I also use flat glass marbles as place holders for NPCs that I don't have minis for. They were super helpful when I was first starting.
A graphing notebook and drawing paper
Mechanical pencils and a set of his favorite pens
I can't think of anything else
I played 1e and 2e for many years, and every group I was in always used theater of the mind. When I returned to D&D a year ago, the group I was playing with used a battle mat and minis and it was a revelation for me: I really like being able to see where all the creatures are, and having a good set of wet-erase markers means we can draw anything we need to on the mat. When I started DMing again, I bought a battle mat and a set of markers and it makes things very easy, especially for younger players (one of my groups is 4 11-year-olds). Being able to make a custom mini (using something like HeroForge) means that everyone can get a mini that really expresses their character concept, which helps people get invested in the game. Also, Lego minifigures are almost exactly the right size, which is awesome, and you can print your minis on paper as well (better for monsters, IMO).
Having said all that, Sly Flourish has a really good guide to Theater of the Mind combat and there's a lot to recommend it.
There's 3 solutions that can work for you.
First get good markers!
Cheapo Expo markers seem to work at first, but they are pretty awful, I struggled with them for years before I discovered that having really nice makers makes a huge difference in how easy it is to erase. These are very good: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003DC2MGC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Secondly a blank laminate. Seriously a laminate sheet that is just empty nothing, no paper inside it. That might fix the 'light weight, transparent, and portable' thing you're looking for.
As for smudging, it's always gonna kinda happen, that's just how it is with alcohol markers; just prepare ahead of time or expect it to happen.
Why? Well if you want a marker to be erasable it needs to not adhere to the surface, hence smudging. If you want it not to wipe of smudge, it's gonna be permanent; you just have to find a happy medium in this particular case.
​
The 3rd solution is Wet-Erase markers, no smudging, but slightly more tough to wipe off.
I got this set of erasable markers for a grateful journal. It's where you write down things you are grateful for to show that not all things suck. I love the markers and I really need to get back to doing that! I'm not sure why I stopped, except for the fact that I was grateful for the same things most days :)
I hope your hubby is able to tell them to shove off and get started building his dream.
+1 for Staedtler and Le Pen!
I also like the Japanese Frixion pens because they're erasable! They're not fine point, which stinks, but they're felt tip! I hate gel pens :/ The ink will also disappear if it gets too hot! So if you live in a very warm climate, they may not be for you. Haha.
Also, if you are feeling lucky and you search through the dirt cheap pen sets on Amazon, some of them turn out to be REALLY awesome. I've found a few of my favorite pen sets that! Definitely had my share of duds though...
The Chessex Wet Erase mat is the one I use and all my DM friends use (in various sizes). that being said, you'll want a pack of these bad boys, because the fine point really does help.
For minis, they're pretty expensive off that bat so everyone advises to buy them slowly as you need them. Reaper bones have a lot of cheaper mini sets for starting out which are great. Personally I buy a few of the most common enemy and the main bad guy for each campaign. A good and cheaper alternative are pawns that you can use while you build your collection. Or, just print small pictures of monsters and tape them to a coin or washer to make fast minis that have colored pictures.
For cheap/fast 2d terrain, check out papercraft. A lot of people fold and draw on paper or cardboard to make terrain, or you can print out pictures of stuff and add it to terrain. Here is an example from u/cardboard-DM (who makes awesome stuff).
Best of luck!
Nooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!! Not dry erase pens on a chessex mat!!!!!! If you're getting the standard old school chessex mat you'll need WET ERASE markers. Specifically the kind that was used on the over head projectors when we were kids (depending on how old you are - I'm thinking early 2000's). I was having trouble finding the wet erase markers at office supply stores but was able to find them at my local university store. Paizo's flip mats will work with dry erase or wet erase but I would still go for the wet erase on those because it prevents the map from being easily erased while people move the minis and mess with the table.
The Chessex mat I'd recommend - Reversable-choose your size
The markers I'd recommend - Staedtler's Non Permanent Lumocolor specifically the medium tip, fine is too small or Expo Vis-a-Vis Wet Erase
Hope this helps.
Edit- To quote chessex about dry erase markers- 'Never use dry erase, permanent, or grease-pencil markers. The vinyl is too porous for the lines created from them to be able to be removed. If you have any doubt of the suitability of any particular
marker, draw a small line on the border, let sit for awhile, and see how well it can be removed. Better to have a small permanent blemish on the edge of the mat than a permanent map drawn on the entirety of the mat!'
Also, check out the official Waterdeep: Dragon Heist subreddit for an entire host of questions, answers and resources just for that book. https://www.reddit.com/r/WaterdeepDragonHeist/
This is a really tough question because mathematicians (or academicians in general) tend to be pretty idiosyncratic.
For me, I would like /u/fermesomme's gift of a fountain pen, but I bet /u/cocojambles wouldn't, since cocojambles prefers pencil. I tend to see that a mathematician has strong preferences for writing implements. My point is don't take any recommendation blindly.
That said,
I am in love with the Pilot Frixion pens! I have a black and a blue one 0.7 (0.35 mm) and they are amazing with my Leutchtturm1917 dotted. And I have a few cough of their Friction Colors for doodling / creativity. Oh and a pen loop to make sure I always have a pen!
Buy a calendar dry erase board and write all your assignments, appointments, due dates, etc. on it. Don't just buy a blank dry erase board, get one meant for calendars.
Buy a pack of multi-colored dry erase markers for each subject. That way when you look at the Calendar in a glance you can tell what is due when and what subject otherwise if it is all in black one tends to tune it all out. Keep the markers in a coffee cup right below the dry erase calendar.
Buy color matching notebooks for each subject.
My system: I have the calendar hanging on the wall right in front of my desk.
Microbiology: Green Notebook + Green Marker
Chem: Blue Notebook + Blue Marker
Ethics: Black Notebook + Black Marker
Calculus: Purple Notebook + Purple Marker
You'll find more and more that on Adderall one quite enjoys doing things like organizing fun little systems like that, and they do work very well.
•I love these for slating, because I can use them with one hand.
•Also I noticed the Filmtools kit doesn't have a soft tape, or a fatmax in it.
• These are my favorite gloves, very heat insulated, and durable. Get a glove clip for them, because if you sit them around they will disappear.
Film tools is nice if you need to stock up, and want to stop by a store that has everything, and they have a knowledgeable friendly staff, but they are a bit overpriced on some items, and you could do better going to home depot, or amazon.
I found this I found it super adorable. Congrats on the office and for me I saw someone posted the toster already so i found this
A bit off topic, but seeing someone who uses erases/rewrites stuff on their character sheet makes me cringe now after I swapped to the below setup.
Brother, buy yourself some cardstock and some sheet protectors and either wet-erase markers with some spray OR dry-erase markers.
Write everything really nice and neat, only write on the sheet when it's a more permanent use, and everything that can change during a session is written on the sheet protector with the marker. I prefer the wet-erase because I can pack up the character sheet between sessions and nothing gets erased, but that's really personal preference.
syncopation
Could reallllly use these, my little one starts school on the 12th Dry erase markers There's different shipping options all under $5. Thanks for the contest!
You shouldn't gift me because I don't accept gifts from random strangers. Creepy people trying to gift me things, so gross. Like I want anything from YOU.
But…. if you really wanna gift me I would love these markers! :P
mathematical
I would love to have this to help me keep track of which kitten weighs what, when vaccinations are, and when the vet appointments are (I'm a foster for 5 fuzz-butts at the moment). Thanks for the contest!
Gonna piggyback on you to add that dry erase crayons are pretty great as well. A combination of these with dry erase marker can make terrain that can be changed (a wall is supposed to come down mid encounter? draw it in dry erase marker and just wipe it off!) since the crayon doesn't just wipe away and needs a little elbow grease.
You can use any dry erase marker. This is my favorite one because it has a very fine point, like a regular pen. :)
Chessex Role Playing Play Mat: Battlemat Double-Sided Reversible Mat for RPGs and Miniature Figure Games (26 in x 23 1/2 in) Squares/Hexes https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015IQO2O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_5CxOCbSK7ND37
EXPO 16078 Vis-A-Vis Wet-Erase Overhead Transparency Markers, Fine Point, Assorted Colors, 8-Count https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IFGW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_wDxOCbB3WHT45
If I don't have a mini for the monster I need I use a cheap, solid color dice from a big set I bought. Looks like the one I got is no longer being made but this is similar:
Yellow Mountain Imports 42 Polyhedral Dice, 6 Colors with Complete Set of D4, D6, D8, D10, D12, D20, and D% https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07586H7KJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_1ExOCbK31AJD9
Pathfinders Bestiary Box 1 goes on sale for 20 something dollars sometimes, tons of monsters from the Monster Manual at a decent price:
Pathfinder Pawns: Bestiary Box https://www.amazon.com/dp/1601255616/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_nGxOCbJB02KBK
I wouldn't worry too much about having minis, and terrain, and everything as dnd is more about the imagination and sometimes too much detail at the table can detract from that. My friend runs his campaign mostly "theater of mind" style but has a little tiny dry erase board he draws on to show relative positions and obstacles and it works great.
Hope this helps!
Solutions I've used in the past:
There are tons of options, and you can do whatever works for you.
I bought a laminating machine for about $20. You could always just stick the sheet in a plastic protecting sleeve, they're about ~$3 for a pack of 25.
These are the pens I use, they don't wipe off as easily as dry erase and they write a very fine line, good for details.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SZ0YYU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You could always just print a bunch of copies of those sheets, especially if you have your encounters planned in advance. I just like to re-use my materials a lot so I don't have to refresh my gaming kit ever.
Btw, while I'm making feature requests, I'd love it if it was in black, with a neon marker (like this).
Just because it would be cool :)
Well, I absolutely love Avery Alder's The Quiet Year. If you can, buy the physical cards and book, instead of the PDF. I usually play using these Frixion Pens, which are erasable in the most totally awesome way (not like those old "erasable pens" which just smudged, left a mess of dirty rubber, and ripped the paper...).
EDIT - Included a link to the game. Also, I should mention that I have almost exclusively played this game in bars. Themes and tone have varied widely from dark, brooding and tense to just plain ridiculous.
Here's what I did.
First, go make your spell cards at this site. Print settings can get a bit wonky, but the cards look cool and the spell lists are fairly complete:
http://www.thegm.org/perramsSpellbook.php
Next, shell out for a cool binder. This one is nice:
http://www.zazzle.com/spell_binder_1_5-127723018411879163
Third, buy a load of page protectors:
http://www.amazon.com/25-Ultra-Pro-Protectors-Baseball/dp/B000PWZU4E
I chose to sort my spells by level and by alpha order. It's been effective thus far.
Finally, get a bunch of Vis a Vis Wet Erase Markers:
http://www.amazon.com/Expo-Vis-A-Vis-Markers-Colored-16078/dp/B00006IFGW
When you prepare spells, you just put a dot on the plastic over that spell. Erase it when you cast.
The only pain so far has be re-alphabetizing spells when I learn new ones. Still, that's a small price to pay for having a literal spellbook at your table.
Edit: Oops! Just realized what sub I'm looking at. Ummm... instead of Perram's spell cards, you could use this one:
http://www.dnditalia.it/pcc
Or just buy this malarkey: http://www.amazon.com/Arcane-Power-Wizard-Cards-Accessory/dp/0786953551/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1371571218&sr=1-2&keywords=4th+edition+wizard+power+cards
Don't print them… draw your own on a reusable surface. Your maps don't don't need to be super detailed.
Get a $12.00 flip mat and some wet erase markers and just sketch out the corridors to scale.
Another solution is a chessex map. If you're really going to get into the hobby then this is a longer-term solution than the flip mats.
A final option is to buy a roll of 1" grid paper and some sharpies, and draw your own.
All of these are cheaper than buying a projector or printing each map to a 1" grid scale.
I started with a thing of crayola washables from walmart (cost like $2) but found they took too long to "dry" and not smudge. So I upgraded to expo wet erase markers when they were on sale. After a couple of seconds you are able to touch the lines you've drawn which means you can add stuff on the fly easily and keep it looking semi nice.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00006IFGW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_DMSFDbMVHWMDX
Dry erase crayons! we're teaching my 3 year old how to write, and bought him a dry erase board thing with letters and numbers to trace, but he's constantly loosing the caps to markers and drying them out.
Lamaze Play & Grow Jacques the Peacock Take Along Toy for my 4 month old since the crayons are an add on item.
Edit: I actually have a whole list for the kids. Haha
You could try a wet erase marker like Vis-a-vis. Make sure your bottles are dry and write on the bottle, then after pouring, rinse and the marker will rinse off too.
Like Expo 16001 Vis-A-Vis Wet Erase Markers - for Use on Overhead Projectors, Transparencies and Laminated Calendars - Fine Point, Pack of 12 Markers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IFGQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_SK3ACb4KN9G14
I would love to have these: http://www.amazon.com/Expo-Chisel-Markers-Colored-80699/dp/B0004F7GUI/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=YSDVREZEK8Y9&coliid=I14IT684U84X9P
I have my own class this year and all of the kids use them, as do I. A lot of the kids I work with are nonverbal, but know how to write, so it's important for them to have writing utensils, and most work is laminated so it can be re-used. (:
I've found these to work fairly well. The only thing I haven't been too thrilled about, is that after maybe a dozen sessions, some of the edges are fraying. A little bit of superglue fixes it though, so I'm still quite happy with them.
The advantage is it let's you draw things up ahead of time, and you can keep portions of the floorplan/dungeon concealed until the players actually enter the room.
Combine them with a good multi-colored set of dry erase markers, and you can prep some decent looking maps ahead of time, while still keeping things as surprises for the players.
I got this "Draw An Emoji" mug for Christmas a few years ago and I love it to death. The last picture in the album is just one I had on my phone and shows the front of the mug with the yellow circle, not a plug for my Instagram lol.
The original marker that came with the mug is almost dead and I am trying to find some replacements. Trying to search for "write-on, wash-off marker" as I think the packaging called it didn't yield anything, but "wet-erase" markers seemed to be the same thing. However, I bought these and they are way too easy to wash off.
Running the mug under the faucet immediately removes all of it. Even a drip of water will deform the face, which is a big problem. The OEM marker was really difficult to remove; it required a fair amount of scrubbing under running water with a scouring pad to remove. I want a marker more like that, that won't remove as easily.
I am now wondering if the original marker was just a cheap permanent marker. I can try it out when I'm back home!
What really helped my new players was printing this simplified map and laminating it. Then get a handful of Expo vis-à-vis colored pens. It lets the bobbies keep track of reasonable eliminations, mark possible paths, and better coordinate without informing Jack between rounds.
I strongly recommend wet-erase; dry erase gets everywhere and doesn't hold up when passing the map around.
I use Vis-a-vis or Staedtler markers. The most important thing is to clean your mat as soon as you can. Do not leave markers on there over night or they will stain. You can also take some rubbing alcohol to it to make sure you get every last bit off.
Are you playing in person? You really don't need minis at all, everything can exist in the theatre of the mind.
But if you like minis (and I absolutely do!), a cheap way to get all set up is:
And done!
Hark! Fellow tabletop RPG enthusiast!
Do you have a chessex battlemat? And of course you'll want some wet erase markers to go with that. There's also the larger MEGAMAT for an extra ~$10.
This is the item I'd like. The scale is a bit off, but I really, really want to use him as a miniature regardless. I've wanted to include a T-Rex in my game since I picked up my first PHB--not that there's a T-Rex in there, I was just always infatuated with the idea of playing/riding a dinosaur, and I designed several characters around various Awakened dinosaurs (pachycephalosaurus and deinonychus were the "most playable") when I first got into D&D.
You should probably hop on Amazon and order a pound of dice so that you'll have enough d20s, d10s, and d8s for everyone.
If you play around a table, the Paizo dry-erase mat is the best bang-for-your-buck map; even with a deluxe pack of dry-erase markers it's still cheaper and far more versatile than any five actual map packs you might buy. The grid is one-inch squares. Your players can use almost anything for miniatures: toy soldiers, chess pieces, Lego minifigs on pedestals, etc. You can use expensive minis for big showcase bad guys, or cheap plastic knights from a dollar store. You can even cut 3/4-inch-wide strips of index cards, tape them into triangles, and write "ORC" on them. (Write "BIG ORC" on the leader in extra-dark sharpie, to really scare your players.)
If you have a projector or a tablet that the players can use to see the action, then you can use MapTool to make all of your maps ahead of time and do everything on a screen. The map and token creation tools are simple to learn. If a player has to remote in then Google Hangouts, Skype, or any other audio+video conference tool can be matched up to your MapTool session to create a virtual tabletop that the players can share.
Start with the underlay.
Got your underlay in position? Awesome. Now add the overlay materials. Use /u/the-packet-thrower's stencils in conjunction with your overlay and underlay tools.
Need to back out a change? Use the standard change management tools prescribed by the underlay/overlay technologies..
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1601255578/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?smid=A2A7YOKSJ8S515&psc=1
This one? It looks good! With these markers is suppose? https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00006IFGX/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1&th=1
[Item] (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000N35G94/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_img?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3QH9B9F3D6INE&coliid=I1KPC0AS3PG2EP)
[Scarlet takes a tumble] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIwTYL1fwJk)
Thanks for the contest!!!
These are awesome.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SZ0YYU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Thanks! For this one, I used a Frixion Fineliner that I picked up in Japan. I've also used another frixion pen from this pack too: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F9MYPCS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1.
Yeah, get yourself a set of overhead projector markers like these. Permanent/wet erase/dry erase won’t work.
Also, pay an extra ten bucks for a Chessex Megamat, not a Chessex Battlemat. Your ranged characters will thank you for the larger area to work with. Chessex has three sizes of the vinyl mats: Battlemat (small, fits basically any table), Megamat (medium, fits dining tables), and Mondomat (better build your own gaming table for this bad boy).
In addition, the mats come with 1.5 or 1 inch squares/hexes (squares on one side, hexes on the other). Be sure to get the 1 inch size as this gives you more squares in the same area, and it properly scales with minis as the players fight larger monsters (a huge mini is four squares, but four 1.5 inch squares is a lot bigger than four 1 inch squares, and the mini will look smaller than the space on the grid that it actually threatens).
No experience, but I read in a DnD forum that "wet" erase markers work a lot better. They're made for use on transparencies. These were mentioned specifically: Expo Vis-A-Vis Wet Erase Markers
if you can find the 3rd edition dnd starter set, one buy is all you need. just use 5e rules. if you want to make your own stuff, this will take care of the exploration and battlefield:
http://www.amazon.com/Ampad-Evidence-Dual-Pad-Quadrille-20-210/dp/B000JCTH2Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1419753721&sr=1-2&keywords=graph+paper
http://www.amazon.com/Chessex-Role-Playing-Play-Mat/dp/B0015IQO2O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419753498&sr=8-1&keywords=wet+erase+battlemat
http://www.amazon.com/Expo-Vis-A-Vis-Markers-Colored-16078/dp/B00006IFGW/ref=pd_bxgy_t_img_y
http://www.amazon.com/Marcal-Premium-Recycled-Towels-Inches/dp/B00094EWE2/ref=sr_1_2?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1419753532&sr=1-2&keywords=paper+towels
http://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-32oz-Heavy-Duty-Spray-Bottle/dp/B005KDIWES/ref=sr_1_1?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1419753550&sr=1-1&keywords=spray+bottle
http://www.amazon.com/Paizo-Publishing-Pathfinder-Pawns-Bestiary/dp/B00F9P3I6O/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1419753594&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=pathfinder+pawns
all of that's on amazon, but you can get it other places.
I have been using Vis-A-Vis and they seem to work pretty well.. This multi-color pack is the specific set I have.
Sweet, I'll check 'em out. I found color for $10:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004SZ0YYU/ref=pd_luc_rh_bxgy_01_01_t_ttl_lh?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Yeah, you want to use the Wet Erase markers.
These are ours:
https://www.amazon.com/Wet-Erase-Overhead-Transparency-Markers-Assorted/dp/B00006IFGW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473867224&sr=8-1&keywords=Wet+erase+markers
Yeah don't use dry erase markers. Use wet erase ones. I personally use these, and they haven't yet stained my mat.
https://www.amazon.com/16078-Wet-Erase-Overhead-Transparency-Assorted/dp/B00006IFGW
Have you tried vis-a-vis?
http://www.amazon.com/Expo-Vis-A-Vis-Markers-Colored-16078/dp/B00006IFGW
They're referred to as overhead projector pens as well.
> Lost the Expos.
Well that's okay, you can get more here
We are down to 2 markers at work. Our kids go through them like crazy. We were hit with the sequester and management refuses to buy anymore. We need these for the kids!
http://www.amazon.com/Crayola-Large-Erase-Crayons-98-5200/dp/B002TU4OHY
NOT MY CARD.
I just watched Identity Thief, so forgive me here...
Dry Erase Markers so that I can hang up pictures on my white board, draw all over it, so that I can make the connections, to figure out where the person who stole my bank card is, so I can hunt them down, and bring them to justice.
Dry Erase Crayons
Nope, she used those wipeable markers...these
Here
You can get wet erase markers.
Wet erase markers
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IFGW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_NrVBDbSSFX6Q1
Everyone is assuming its permanent marker, but It could be wet erase marker. They are made for dry erase boards, but don't erase without water. https://www.amazon.com/Wet-Erase-Overhead-Transparency-Markers-Assorted/dp/B00006IFGW/
Neon Expo markers!
Huh. They're $3 USD for a 4-pack on amazon
Are these the 351 model? https://www.amazon.com/Staedtler-Lumocolor-Correctable-Pens-305FWP4/dp/B004SZ0YYU
$7.27
Colors
Try these, you can get very very detailed with them: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SZ0YYU/
(That link shouldn't have any referral or affiliate nonsense added to it. If it does, that's Reddit's doing, not mine. I am not employed by, or affiliated with, Amazon or Staedtler)
Go with whiteboard and use the dry erase crayons instead of the markers. Chalk dust isn't any better than the markers you're avoiding. Crayola also makes dry erase markers that might be worth trying out.
What scale do you mean? Are we talking combat maps or world maps?
I take it you mean combat/battle maps, in which case you can go a long way just by having a few different colors of markers. Black, brown, blue, green, and one of red/orange/yellow, and that's all you really need, something like this. Just draw borders of regions (here's the edge of the road, here's a campfire, here's a merchant's cart). Keep in mind that most of what's going on will never approach what your players are imagining, you just need it to be a basic representation of the battlefield.
i bolded the link so people with bad vision can see: here
ninja edit: if you still have trouble seeing the link please dont downvote.
Unless it's a sharpie these markers are wet erase, so a damp paper towel it'll come right off. A sharpie might ruin a white board, I've never had to get it off one before.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IFGW/