Top products from r/DungeonMasters

I know it's a little overkill maybe, but if you want something really clear, easily portable and easy to operate, something along these lines is a good call. There are probably cheaper ones, but I have used them for recording vocal audio before and it was fantastic. As for editing it once recorded, there are dozens of free programs out there for simple voice audio. If you have a Mac, Garageband is surprisingly good. Otherwise, as Muneglum said, Audacity can do the trick

Edit: Replied to the wrong thing. My bad

Do you need books? Don't just buy em all willy nilly unless you're gonna run a specific module or setting.

That said, I highly recommend Mordenkainens Tome of Foes and Volo's Guide to Monsters. A lot of great stat blocks in there. Amazon has good prices for D&D books, and they are often on sale for 20~ dollars.

This is perfect if you like to hand-draw maps for your table. Its 200 sheets, will last forever. I bought this like 2 years ago and I'm barely through the 2nd pad. Course 65 bucks for just paper is a hard ask for some. You can certainly find cheaper easel paper, but this is my fave.

You could always use more minis of course, just search around.

I bought a laminating machine for about $20. You could always just stick the sheet in a plastic protecting sleeve, they're about ~$3 for a pack of 25.

These are the pens I use, they don't wipe off as easily as dry erase and they write a very fine line, good for details.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004SZ0YYU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You could always just print a bunch of copies of those sheets, especially if you have your encounters planned in advance. I just like to re-use my materials a lot so I don't have to refresh my gaming kit ever.

Here is the list of hardware and dye in the screen if anyone want or needs it, enjoy 😁

Iron straps

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07578HSSK/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_B-kWDbCP8HRK2

Corners

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JUFX9NA/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_jfrWDbWV34MF1

Hinges

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KDOXOP0/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_CfrWDb5W4RZPR

Dye

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ETT4ES6/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_4hrWDb4NT7022

I underestimated how useful that DM screen is for quick reference. It has so much useful stuff and constantly referencing all the material slows down gameplay to a crawl. I eventually could pull it off the top of my head, but it vastly improved immersion/fun when I picked it up. I got this one but there are others

I have a set of 4 TV trays similar to these that help keep clutter off the table.

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B010GJGQX4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_vhPSCb4GZTV5R

When I'm DMing, I'll put my laptop on one. When I'm playing I'll use one for my extra dice, players handbook, a drink, snack, and any minis we aren't currently using.

https://www.amazon.com/Touch-Class-Classes-Your-Game/dp/1981162542

You can get PDFs of it and its sequel here (KS closes in 5 hours)
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/enworld/a-touch-more-class-9-new-5th-edition-classes

A note on the kickstarter, they have it all finalized (their policy was to only have stretch goals that could be delivered immediately), so the kickstarter is all for production costs. Should be a fast delivery if you want a hardcopy, and digital should be shortly after billing processes.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N98WGBG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_RYI6CbK1PHS5J

On the incredibly rare occasion that I actually use a map for one of my games, I use one of these.

But again, I usually prefer not to use maps unless a game requires it.

Side note: Why is this marked NSFW?

If you don't already, a mat like this is really useful: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OD2G8DE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_FG.XCbKDBWV4F

I typically use dice as my enemy markers (they're handy since they can also number your enemies and, as GM, you should have a bunch of dice)

If you have access to a laser cutter or 3d printer, it can be cool to make little pogs with your characters' names, but that might not be as accessible.