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Laptop, and electronic at your table ? (jlai.lu)

submitted 2 weeks ago by Ziggurat@jlai.lu to c/rpg@ttrpg.network

11 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I was recently a bit surprise by seeing video of RPG tables where everyone has a laptop, and I even saw a thread about whether GM allowing only paper sheet are reasonable

However, on my experience (and I am part of big club, so I interact with a lot of players), some GM have a laptop or tablet especially in the era of .pdf books, but most player would use only paper.

So I am curious what's your take on electronic device, is it fully banned at your table, a GM only tool, a stuff that some player may use for note taking ? Or do you use VTT technology like you would online when playing in person ?

top 11 comments

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[–] Dunstabzugshaubitze@feddit.org 4 points 2 weeks ago

my notes are mostly on paper, but i have a document with monster statblocks and items that can be found as treasure, thats quicker than riffling through paper.

players are free to use digital character sheets or lookup spells in a pdf if they like, i don't care about your phone/tablet/computer as long as you are playing with us and not your phone and you are not distracting anyone, but if someone has to recap every turn for you because you keep using your phone, than we'd need a talk about if you actually want to be at a table.

[–] kichae@wanderingadventure.party 2 points 2 weeks ago

I do all of my prep on my laptop, take notes on my laptop, and have a digital GM screen on my laptop, so I use my laptop at the table. I don't see why any other players shouldn't get to do the same.

If they're getting distracted and are not interested in playing the game, then it's not the tools that should be removed from the table.

[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

I don't have a problem with using a computer or phone at the table, for the game. My only rule there for a physical game would be that we use real, physical dice and not an electronic set because real world physics > mathematical algorithms of "randomness." And if you are just gonna scroll SM or watch videos the whole game, why are you there?

[–] ada@piefed.blahaj.zone 2 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Why would it be banned?!

I honestly can't remember the last time someone in one of my groups used pen and paper. Mostly (but not always) the dice have remained though!

[–] sirblastalot@ttrpg.network 3 points 2 weeks ago

Some people, especially kids (no shade, I'm mostly talking about myself when I was younger) have difficulties focusing on the game when the distraction machine is in front of them, leading to DMs restricting or banning their use.

[–] Fiivemacs@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Why have the dice. Just click a button.

Pen/paper is better then some screen with endless distractions. I personally wouldn't play if everyone was on their computer. Might as well just play from home.

[–] ada@piefed.blahaj.zone 2 points 2 weeks ago

Lets just say I don't agree. I find paper so frustrating. I lose it, or I can't decipher what I've written. I forget it on some sessions... It's an ADHD disaster. But with a laptop, even if I forget it, I can still use my phone to access the character.

I even use digital dice rollers when it's not a PITA to share the results with the rest of the table.

[–] AmazingAwesomator@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago

i have played in a few different models, and i love p&p & tablet games. i find laptops prevent some tabletop interaction and can detract from the interactivity of the players.

when p&p and tablets get set down, they are flat - this is an awesome feature of theirs when sitting around a table. it also allows the group to more easily play on the couch or other places without a dining table.

[–] nokturne213@sopuli.xyz 0 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I currently run two d&d games, one for a group of teens. There are currently 3 of them (of 5), one is in a situation where he cannot afford a PHB, so he uses 5e.tools, and that is all he uses his phone for. Another does not have a PHB, but has meticulously copied all of their abilities from my PHB, ABs never touches their phone. The third has a PHB, but also has ADHD, and is always on their phone.

My adult group no one uses a device.

I keep an iPad at the table to look up images when I forget to print the graphic, or if it is not too visible in black and white.

I have considered a basket for phones for the teen group, but only one is an issue and even without her phone she drifts from paying attention. I also have adhd so I empathize with her.

[–] Ziggurat@jlai.lu 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

so he uses 5e.tools, and that is all he uses his phone for. Another does not have a PHB, but has meticulously copied all of their abilities from my PHB,

I don't play D&D, but is it expected that player have their own PHB? In games with complex abilities (and even in some PBTA), I either let she rule book on the player side of the table, sometimes prepare a cheat sheet (a great way to learn the mechanics), and sometimes share a pdf when I have only that. So needing to pay a rulebook as a player seems odd to me

[–] nokturne213@sopuli.xyz 2 points 2 weeks ago

It is not expected that everyone has a PHB, but it is expected that you know what your character can do and I am not having to keep reminding you of your abilities.

And the last time I let someone use my PHB they tore a page, so that is not going to happen any longer.