Tables to generate unique single-use or permanent magic items.
A generator to build interesting backdrops for scenes and encounters. Likely the most useful improvisational tool a DM can have on hand. A set of 5e reference tables to look up mechanics quickly.
The Workbook contains several useful tools to help you run games including: I designed the Lazy DM's Workbook to be your improvisational companion sitting by your side when running D&D games. Names, Relics, Monuments, Maps: The Lazy DM's Workbook Print it out on nice copper resume paper, cut it down a bit, and laminate it and you have an awesome dry-erasable board on one side and a host of improvisational tools on the other. I've built dozens of different cheat sheets over the years and the current Lazy DM's Cheat Sheet is my favorite. It's an amazing and versatile tool for D&D games. Laying the Pathfinder Flip Mat in front of you is like having a horizontal white board you can use throughout your whole game. Like index cards we can draw all sorts of things on it including isometric or side-view maps, zones for abstract combat, initiative lists, weird symbols the characters see, and more. Drawing maps is the obvious use for a flip mat but there's a lot more we can do with it. For it's size, weight, cost, and flexibility it's an amazing value. You can use wet or dry erase markers on it and fold it up and stick it in your DM kit. Pathfinder Flip Matįor more than a decade the humble Pathfinder Flip Mat serves well at my table. Grab a pack of a thousand for about $7 and you're good for a long time. Here's my YouTube video on the value of index cards for D&D for more.
Magic item details to hand to the players.We can use index cards for all kinds of things and here are just a few: They're probably the cheapest and most powerful physical tool in our toolkit. It's rare to find a DM who isn't completely in love with index cards. The tools in this article all fit the ideal of flexibility. The more flexible the tools, the more they'll help us run a fun and fluid game. Most importantly, these tools should help us improvise as the game moves in directions we didn't expect. When we consider the tools we want on hand to run our D&D games, it helps to know how these tools serve us. The Tools to Help You Improvise At The Table
Here's a quick summary of the tools described in this article. When artists get together they talk about where we can buy cheap turpentine." "When art critics get together they talk about form and structure and meaning. If you prefer a video, check out my Tools of the Lazy Dungeon Master YouTube video. What tools help us best run our best D&D games? Where should we focus our time? What should we toss aside? What tools provide the most value for a flexible game? The answer to these questions vary between DMs but we are likely to find some common ground. It's an easy statement to say but can be hard to appreciate and implement. That's the core mantra of Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master. This article was updated from the original posted September 2017. New to Sly Flourish? Start Here! Tools of the Lazy Dungeon Master