The Judges Shield is a playing aid that few GMs can do without, unless they have deviated wildly from standard D&D. I have heard nothing but positive comments about it. The shield consists of three 8.5x11" dual-printed sheets of tag board, which the individual tapes together to form a protective "shield" around his machinations of game mastery. One of the three sheets is printed lengthwise and destined to be taped between t he other two, forming a low wall over which the DM can peer with malevolent eyes.

The sheets contain salient information necessary to encounters in dungeon adventures. Virtually all the material is duplicated, making it possible for players on the off side of the shield to utilize the information as well. The following information. is contained on the shield only once: character classes with experience point levels for fighters. thieves, rangers, monks. mages, clerics, illusionists, bards, druids, and assassins (most of this is now outdated due to the release of the Advanced D&D books): a list of 170 some-odd monsters with all of their major attributes (12 characteristics); treasure types: and the time required to perform a specified action. The following information appears in duplicate on the shield: matrices for monsters as well as men attacking, armor class 9 through negative 9; weapons hit probability and damage according to Greyhatch; missile fire bonuses; weapon priorities in movement and melee, with modifications for armor class and dexterity, surprise in encounters and reactions of the beings met; saving throws in 6 major areas (this one is printed in triplicate); phantasmal forces and the effects of the spell on opponents; clerics versus undead; and experience point awards for killing monsters according to Greyharth.

Selling for $1.98, the Judges Shield is available from JG or LE, and for that meager price, you'll find yourself going to the books less often, leaving more time to continue your exciting campaign.

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