Reddit reviews Dungeons & Dragons - Spellbook Cards: Arcane (257 cards)
We found 13 Reddit comments about Dungeons & Dragons - Spellbook Cards: Arcane (257 cards). Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Spell name and important info is easy to find for quick referenceDescriptive/mechanical text is written in full wherever possible. When it isn’t, a Player’s handbook page reference is givenScaling spells have an additional section with details on how they improveCard backs prominently display spell level for easy sortingThe spell cards are highly durable and are made to last. Each card has a coating that protects them and makes them safe to use with dry erase markers
Make sure you're looking at the right ones. The original run of GF9 cards are now out of print, and a new updated printing is in the works. You can get the updated printing for only a couple of classes right now, and things like the arcane deck will be available very soon. Whether or not the revised decks will stay in print is another question, so make sure you order them soon.
Amazon: Arcane Deck, revised edition
If you search on Amazon or stop by your local shop you can find them, they're basically the spell info but put on a card. It has casting time, components, level, effect, etc all printed on them. There are some official cards as well as some 3rd party cards that have different art or stuff on them. They're a nice resource for spell reference if you have the $ for them (they're not super expensive) but they don't have anything more than what you'd find in the books/online.
Amazon link is to the Arcane spellcasters set (sorc/wizard/warlock/bard), but they have Divine sets, or even class specific sets.
I purchased these for my wizard and love them. They don't include some of the newer spells founds in Xanathar's guide (I purchased that deck too but they are separate) but they'll have 95% of the spells you'll need for your son. It includes wizard, warlock, and sorcerer spells.
They do also make decks for monsters but honestly as a DM you can always just bookmark the pages before the session to help reference them quicker!
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Spellbook-Cards-Arcane/dp/B01MRVJ1TB
They sell these at most game shops and B&N bookstores. Different decks for different classes, and there's even one that combines all the melee abilities for non-casters. They're super helpful.
They only existed recently. There exists spell cards now that are the same spells from the players handbook with all the relevant information on a card. Makes referencing your spells really easy.
Here are the folders I was talking about as well. They're nice because wet erase pens work on them which make them great for tracking health without having a bunch of erase marks on your character sheets.
You will run into issues with licensing on most websites unless you are cool with paying for the tools on: dndbeyond.com
You will have access on some sites like orcpub2.com to the SRD spells (ones allowed for public use without purchasing usage rights) but you’ll be limited.
My best recommendation is to buy a bunch of index cards (color ones preferably) and fill them out with the spell details.
You can also purchase spell cards for most of the spell lists off amazon:
73915 D&D: Spellbook Cards: Arcane Deck https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRVJ1TB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_FEe.AbXZH3Y7K
... but I hate spending money so I just use index cards :)
Um, I believe they were just from Amazon.
I think these are the ones.
I don't have any experience DMing for young players, grain of salt and all that.
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I would definitely recommend using spell cards.
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https://www.dnd-spells.com/
http://hardcodex.ru/
https://www.amazon.com/73915-Spellbook-Cards-Arcane-Deck/dp/B01MRVJ1TB
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You could simplify casting rules by letting the players cast each of their spells once per encounter. Explain that playing a spell card takes it away for a while. Level 1 Wizard with 6 spells? Make 6 spell cards, and tell the player that after using one of those cards, they have to flip it upside down. You could even let them flip up a previously cast spell card as a reward for doing something in the game. I imagine seeing the cards right in front of the player, seeing them be turned up and down, would help a lot with visualizing resource management, which even for adult players can be overwhelming.
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You could also use a spell points system. There are a couple of ways to do it, but you basically say that instead of having x number of Level 1 slots and y number of Level 2 slots, you instead have x(1)+y(2) total "points" to spend on spells. You can represent points with poker chips or costume jewels or something. If a player has access to spells of both levels, show them how the "more expensive" (Level 2) spell costs 2 points or gems or chips, while the less expensive one (Level 1) costs 1. If these kids play video games this singular resource pool can be thought of as a mana/energy bar, rather than an abstract number of different size slots.
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If its a short campaign and the rules are being used in a more cinematic sense rather than for gritty balancing purposes, I'm sure anything you choose will work just fine. The main reason balance matters is so one player doesn't feel significantly less impactful upon the action than the others. I think it'll be fine to do away with strict slots if you make sure to let each player have a moment in the spotlight, and reward any creativity (which, based on your post, I'm sure will not be a problem for you).
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Spell slots are limited in number because they unbalance things in the favor of the caster, especially when compared to a low level ranger or fighter making a single attack per turn. Try to let the martial classes do something a bit out of the box or extraordinary whenever they think of it, to help them keep up with the wizard casting Burning Hands or Sleep every round.
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TL;DR- The spirit of the game is more important than the rules, so just make sure each player gets something cool to do and the rules won't matter so much.
I was playing Out of the Abyss last year as a wizard and early on got a spell book or two. I had the spell cards you can buy and quickly had a big stack of cards.
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But it wasn't game-breaking at all. You can only prepare a certain number of spells and I rarely changed which ones I prepared. Most of that stack was never used in the entire campaign.
Check these out. They're a great for noobs learning to play. It's simpler and needs no DM. Great way to get your feet wet and learn the basic mechanics. I took one when i deployed and used it introduce new players to the game.
https://www.amazon.com/Wizards-Coast-Dungeons-Dragons-Ashardalon/dp/0786955708
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Legend-Drizzt-Board/dp/0786958731/
If you still want to dm, these are great supplies to get started:
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Starter-Wizards-Team/dp/0786965592/ (i highly suggest you get this)
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Spellbook-Cards-Accessory/dp/0786966726/r (i find these really helpful)
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Spellbook-Cards-Arcane/dp/B01MRVJ1TB/
Also, check out your local gaming store. They are a great resource. Also ask about Pathfinder, which was created based off of D&D
Thanks!
Wow no I'm not that talented/dedicated! Its the official arcane spell cards.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nine-GF973915-Dungeons-Dragons-Revised/dp/B01MRVJ1TB/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1551020724&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=arcane+spell+cards+d%26d&dpPl=1&dpID=51HVoD69aYL&ref=plSrch
I got them for slightly cheaper at my LGS so maybe worth looking locally if that's an option for you?
https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Spellbook-Cards-Arcane/dp/B01MRVJ1TB
The cards are the size of playing cards, the one I linked is for sorcerer, wizard and warlock which is the largest set of cards. They also have sets for cleric, paladin and other spell casting classes that are smaller. there a great way to look at all the spell info without using your phone or laptop if your party perfers to keep technology down to a minimum.
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.