
Welcome to the table: reviewing the 2024 Dungeon Master’s Screen
December 20, 2024On the face of it, aren’t all game screens the same? Some splashy art on the front, with some game information on the back? Sure, but not exactly. Okay, the art on the front is always going to be cool (if it’s not they failed very badly) but what’s on the back has to be consistently useful. It needs to be those rules that a DM always finds themselves opening their book to find…
The 2024 Dungeon Master’s Screen definitely hits the mark on that.
The art is good, and it represents a wholly inclusive representation of all the traditional D&D species (including dragons!). Fifth Edition has been very good at building a big tent where everyone feels welcome, and their art choice reflects that continued commitment.
The inside, though, is where this product shines.
Building on ten years of DM feedback, you’ll have ready access to: all the conditions you keep looking up like petrified, poisoned, and all the detail that goes with each; a comprehensive list of the actions a player can take on their turn and what each one does; the Skills and their associated Ability (Dex, Str, etc.); the rules on Concentration for maintaining a spell (!); as well as details on light sources, travel, weather, and more.
I know for a fact, I’ve looked up conditions repeatedly, and I bookmarked the concentration rules.
I’ve been consistently using the word “thoughtful” to describe the 2024 product line, because it really is. Not everything may be to everyone’s exact taste, but they’ve clearly put a lot of effort into refining Dungeons & Dragons after a decade of Fifth Edition.

Should you buy it?
If you’re a DM planning to run a game using the 2024 ruleset? Yeah, it feels like this DM screen is a must own. It’s reasonably priced around at $25 Canadian, $20 US, and if you priced your time by the hour…you’ll surely make that money back in the time you save from flipping through books.
If you’re not a DM currently, it’s not a necessity, but the art is lovely, and it will surely look good on your shelf. And sure, while it’s sitting there, it might start calling to you…whispering campaign ideas in your ear…but here at GCE we make no warranty or guarantees on that…;)
This is a great tool for making a DM’s life easier, better, and faster. It’s well worth the price tag.
Images courtesy of Wizards of the Coast, used with permission
An advance copy of the DM Screen was provided for review purposes