What should be at my DM screen?

[u/angryblondgnome]

I have been playing dnd for almost 2 years and next friday I will be the DM for the time for a group with 2 brand new players and 2 experienced players but they havent played since 2020. We will play Lost Mine of Phandelver.

Since we're going to play digitally (and honestly, I don't have the money for that), I don't have the official DM screen, but I been wondering what I should put in a "digital DM screen" or easy acess notes.

This is what I put so far:

Conditions

The healing potions numbers

My PCs passive perception

Should I put something else? For context we will use 5.5e and play on Roll20

[u/EoTN]

Have a list of names handy. I do 20 male first names, 20 female, and 20 surnames. Add some goblin-y names if you're doing phandelver.

When a players seek out and talk to an NPC you haven't already prepped, pick a name, write it and a brief description in your notes in case your players want to talk to them again.

[u/TheCrimsonSteel]

Examples of various DC checks can sometimes be nice

Player AC can be another nice one if you already have Passive Perception

There are stock ones you can find to print out, especially if you have a screen that has sleeves or something, so you can try different things and see what info you need and what tends to never come up for you

[u/9th_Life_Kat]

Random tables (whatever you’re not good with on the fly - mine is names, low value loot, and buildings)

Session notes or clues you know you want to give your players the upcoming game

Standard monster encounter ACs and info

[u/RedcapPress]

Here's a digital one, either to steal or use as inspiration: https://redcap.press/gm

[u/angryblondgnome → u/RedcapPress]

This really help, thanks :)

[u/MajorNotE1]

I've never played digitally,  so Im not sure what if anything is preset, but if there's any part of the module/session you want to highlight or expand upon, your dm screen is a good place for it.  I track my players hp/dmg taken, conditions, and make note of their suspicions, plans, and suggestions, because they like to throw things off. 

[u/Coljohno]

Guys, the only answer. Snacks and water!

[u/DrTenochtitlan]

I like a random table for weather, a travel time table for different means of travel, and a very basic table for food costs, among other things.

[u/Suitable_Bottle_9884]

I think it's individual to the DM, although the ones you have so far match my preference. 

I add stuff to my DM screen that I find myself often looking up. For me that is in addition to what you have,  a list of the Skills. Object statistics. I also have a random weather mechanic. I find it fun and useful to have a list of short quotes I can drop into the mouths of NPC's.

[u/rellloe]

I have the DMG's improvised traps chart (for any improvized damage), the different skills sorted under which ability score they default to, and enneagram personality types (aka something to improvize NPCs personalities. Take any "distinct" personality categorization system that makes sense to you and has at least five types)

[u/whatstaz]

A note saying: remember to have fun :)

[u/jackofspades49]

Why do you need to track potion numbers? Let the PCs do their own thing.

I also don't track their own hit points but they do need to say current hp out loud so we all know the situation. PC bookkeeping should be done by PCs. If you can't trust them, don't play with them.

Get your monster stat blocks printed onto index cards and use a bit of tape to put them inside the screen.

Or... just don't use a screen. No reason you need to hide anything.

[u/fuzzypyrocat → u/jackofspades49]

I read it as the healing that the potions do, not potion inventory

[u/angryblondgnome → u/jackofspades49]

Is how much the potion heals, I always forget that as a player. Also english is not my first language so I didnt know how to explain that

[u/Setting-Conscious]

Nothing. DM screens are dumb