Setting Up Your Gamemaster's Screen! (GM Tips w/ Matt Mercer)

Matthew Mercer takes us behind the scenes to see the screen. What goes on it? What goes behind it? How do you organize everything? You're about to find out.

[SirPuncake]

"Yeah I have a few handy little tools behind my GM screen. Not too many though, merely the necessities. Books, notes, miniatures, templates, the holy grail, lunch for up to twelve people, a camping kit in case we're snowed in out of nowhere and about twelve thousand dice."

[demilung]

Man, I feel so special for looking behind Matt's GM screen.

[Eshajori]

Ha. When Matt opens his notebook you can see a whole typed up page (maybe more) dedicated to that tree-hut encounter from the Feywild, which the party totally avoided. GM life... I know that feel =(

[solace]

What’s behind my GM screen:
- jk I don’t have a screen
- it’s just an iPad with like twelve different D&D Beyond tabs
- and a sheet of notebook paper with a “battle map” a first grader could draw
- and also panic, lots of panic

[TheMemo]

As a DM of 40ish years dating back to basic, I can confidently say the most important part is the snack plate. It's obnoxious to have to leave your DM pocket to hit up the party snacks.

P.S. There is NEVER enough room behind the screen. A TV tray next to you for books and resources you MAY need but dont right now is handy.

[UltimaPowers]

Matt is just the best DM in the world. It is that simple. Even after seeing behind the screen I'm still totally in awe of his abilities.

[codycooper]

if you're a noob DM/player (like i am), and dont have the money for all this, lego is an absolutely awesome way to make characters and environments. Lord of the Rings and Hobbit lego work the best as they pr much have every race; hobbits for halflings and gnomes, dwarves for dwarves, elves for elves/half-elves, orcs for orcs/half-orcs, humans for humans. unfortunately there isnt really anything for tieflings and dragonborn. also they've got armour and robes for pretty much any class in the roster.

[TCCflow]

Can we see this in action during one of your thursday night shows? It'd be cool to have a camera behind you recording what happens, and maybe turn that into a behind the scenes thing maybe?

[LarlemMagic]

This makes me realize how unprepared I am.

[kleberguimaraes]

For me, Matthew Mercer is the perfect person to befriend.

[cake]

tonight is my first time ever running a campaign as a GM. this video was super helpful, easy to understand and had lots of practical tips. thanks for posting these tips, not only are they a useful guide, they are also wicked inspiration! I'm excited to do my best and be a kickass GM for my friends.

[simo]

I like the way matt will use small toys as minitures, my old group used to stick their noses up at minitures that were toys. Even though they didn't give me any money to buy 'proper minitures' they expected me to spend hundreds of pounds on them!

[DrunkManSquakin]

Never underestimate how much more epic having a fitting song on loop in the background of a big story moment can make it feel. I say this from experience. Having boss music for that BBEG fight, playing Pirates of the Caribbean in that ship battle, or making use of the Mission Impossible theme for stealthier operations does wonders for the atmosphere and all around feel.

[PeopleAcct]

No wonder Matt seems so on top of everything while GMing, he's got so much stuff besides the default DM screen and a set of notes. So glad this series is back!

[voiceofgosh]

that name sheet im stealing. thanks Matt

[Phalxxx]

He seems like such a cool guy! I'm jealous of people who get to play in his games. :)

[Nerdarchy]

Plenty of Pro-Tips here.

Has Matt put his game music play lists anywhere? If not that would be awesome to get a hold of.
Nerdarchist Dave

[Drath]

It's shows how much Matt has growen as a GM in 5 years looking back to this and now. Go Matt :)

[SolomonCaineReaper]

Anyone that is wondering, this is probably the most helpful video on the internet for a starting GM!
Seriously. I haven't been a GM for long, but I have always loved being a storyteller, so it was inevitable that I would become said GM. My players said I was alright when I started, but I felt I was lacking. After this, I am going to sound like a commercial, but my very dynamic changed. My players and I both started having much more fun in our sessions. It's worth watching once or twice.
Thank you Matt for the invaluable tips. You stay being awesome!

[IanWorris]

Matthew Mercer is my inspiration as a DM and this confirms it even more.