Reddit reviews EXPO 16078 Vis-A-Vis Wet-Erase Overhead Transparency Markers, Fine Point, Assorted Colors, 8-Count
We found 35 Reddit comments about EXPO 16078 Vis-A-Vis Wet-Erase Overhead Transparency Markers, Fine Point, Assorted Colors, 8-Count. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Ideal for overhead projectors, transparencies, and all other types of films, acetates, and laminated calendarsWon't fade or bubble under intense lamp heatSpecially formulated ink provides clear, bright imagesDurable, fine point tip for thin, detailed linesErases with a damp cloth or tissue
Yeah, you want to use the Wet Erase markers.
These are ours:
https://www.amazon.com/Wet-Erase-Overhead-Transparency-Markers-Assorted/dp/B00006IFGW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473867224&sr=8-1&keywords=Wet+erase+markers
Nooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!! Not dry erase pens on a chessex mat!!!!!! If you're getting the standard old school chessex mat you'll need WET ERASE markers. Specifically the kind that was used on the over head projectors when we were kids (depending on how old you are - I'm thinking early 2000's). I was having trouble finding the wet erase markers at office supply stores but was able to find them at my local university store. Paizo's flip mats will work with dry erase or wet erase but I would still go for the wet erase on those because it prevents the map from being easily erased while people move the minis and mess with the table.
The Chessex mat I'd recommend - Reversable-choose your size
The markers I'd recommend - Staedtler's Non Permanent Lumocolor specifically the medium tip, fine is too small or Expo Vis-a-Vis Wet Erase
Hope this helps.
Edit- To quote chessex about dry erase markers- 'Never use dry erase, permanent, or grease-pencil markers. The vinyl is too porous for the lines created from them to be able to be removed. If you have any doubt of the suitability of any particular
marker, draw a small line on the border, let sit for awhile, and see how well it can be removed. Better to have a small permanent blemish on the edge of the mat than a permanent map drawn on the entirety of the mat!'
I have been using Vis-A-Vis and they seem to work pretty well.. This multi-color pack is the specific set I have.
Wet erase markers
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IFGW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_NrVBDbSSFX6Q1
Don't print them… draw your own on a reusable surface. Your maps don't don't need to be super detailed.
Get a $12.00 flip mat and some wet erase markers and just sketch out the corridors to scale.
Another solution is a chessex map. If you're really going to get into the hobby then this is a longer-term solution than the flip mats.
A final option is to buy a roll of 1" grid paper and some sharpies, and draw your own.
All of these are cheaper than buying a projector or printing each map to a 1" grid scale.
> 1) what do you recomend to do?
I'd personally start with 5e, because it is a much more simplified system that allows for more aspects of role-playing, which is great for everyone - especially new players.
A nice start for new groups to DnD is a starter set. Here is a link to buy a starter set which comes with a 64-page adventure pre-made module book, a 32-page rule-book for playing characters level 1–5, 5 pregenerated characters, each with a character sheet and supporting reference material, and 6 dice. If you are playing 5e, you need the 5e books - the 3.5 books won't work for 5e, they are completely different games due to additional information added over each new edition.
I'd also recommend that you all sit down together in the same room, hook up a computer to a TV in the room, and watch some good DnD games to figure out what role-playing means, how DM's look in action, and how the game runs overall. Shows such as Critical-Role, or Acquisitions Incorporated are amazing.
Here is the playlsit for Critical Role on Youtube:
Here are the Acquisitions Incorporated games on Youtube:
> 2) what dices do we need to get either way?
You each need a 7 set of DnD dice, and DM's do well to have some extra dice for faster group monster rolls. Plenty of bulk dice sellers on Amazon:
> 3) do we need to get board/minutures?
You can if you want, it's a nice visual aid. I'd recommend to use a large table to play around, and then buy some battle mats which can be written on with wet erase markers. Mineratures are all over the place for sale, so just google them. Or if you don't want to spend a ton of money on physical maps, you could use a virutal set-up in an IRL game, like my party does. You can use Roll20 which hosts privtae game rooms with virtual tabletops on which you draw maps into and insert images. Plug a laptop into a huge TV, and boom, you have a giant virtual battle-mat to use during the game!
Tons of other info on the sidebar of this subreddit, or just search the subreddit for other "starting DnD" posts, because there are a ton of them with good info.
Everyone is assuming its permanent marker, but It could be wet erase marker. They are made for dry erase boards, but don't erase without water. https://www.amazon.com/Wet-Erase-Overhead-Transparency-Markers-Assorted/dp/B00006IFGW/
Yeah don't use dry erase markers. Use wet erase ones. I personally use these, and they haven't yet stained my mat.
https://www.amazon.com/16078-Wet-Erase-Overhead-Transparency-Assorted/dp/B00006IFGW
For miniatures, be warned that the Heroclix and Mage Knight minis, while useable, are mostly larger than the 1" standard width (for a medium character or creature) - this is generally not that big of a problem but if you're going with modular terrain it means they may not fit well, especially along with other miniatures beside them.
Ebay is a good choice for miniatures, especially if you have particular needs for certain things - you want that male elf archer in leather armor, or are you looking for a beholder? You can find and get them there. Here's my favorite seller for these things, shipping is definitely reasonable and the choices are expansive:
http://www.ebay.com/usr/auggest?_trksid=p2053788.m1543.l2754
Another option to miniatures are tokens, and they are much, much cheaper. These are small cardboard circles that fit a 1" block as standard size (larger creatures will fill more, of course). The best starter set for this for a DM is the Monster Vault, but there are a ton of others as well. I suggest ebay for these for the most part, there are some that sell them by the sheet and others that sell the full boxed sets. You can get these for characters as well as monsters. Here's a link to the Monster Vault so you can see what you get with it:
http://www.amazon.com/Monster-Vault-Essential-Dungeons-Dragons/dp/0786956313/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1420725056&sr=8-2&keywords=dungeons+and+dragons+Tokens
Cheapest and most versatile "professional looking" option for the map / terrain is a chessex battlemat - make sure you have WET ERASE markers, not dry erase and keep it clean between adventures. Below are links to one of their mats (there are other sizes, just search on amazon) and to some excellent markers:
http://www.amazon.com/Chessex-Role-Playing-Play-Mat/dp/B0015IQO2O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420724703&sr=8-1&keywords=chessex+mat
http://www.amazon.com/Expo-Vis-A-Vis-Markers-Colored-16078/dp/B00006IFGW/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1420724703&sr=8-9&keywords=chessex+mat
Cheapest option for modular-type terrain would be tiles. These are cardboard "grids" that most often have designs on them and come in different sizes. The best starter set out there is the Dungeon Tiles Master Set - The Dungeon. It has a lot of tiles and is pretty versatile, at least for base grid options like dungeons and general floors. There are a ton of other options for them - again I suggest you look on ebay for these because you can often find used ones that are in perfect shape sold as a set, or even individual tiles if there's something in particular you need. This is the link to the aforementioned base set on amazon so you can see what it has:
http://www.amazon.com/Dungeon-Tiles-Master-Set-Essential/dp/0786955554/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420724907&sr=8-1&keywords=dungeon+tiles+master+set
If you want to spend more money and go with something much more dynamic, there are 3-d modular sets ranging from paper to near-stone like quality but they can cost a ton. I have a large set of Dungeonstone (www.dungeonstone.com) that I bring out and always get oo's and ahh's. But they're heavy to carry around a lot, especially if I need the whole set. Another option, that's generally slightly more expensive than dungeonstone is Dwarven Forge. You can look them up - but I only mention this in case you decide to spend more money than you want to at this point. :)
Good luck! I hope this helps.
No experience, but I read in a DnD forum that "wet" erase markers work a lot better. They're made for use on transparencies. These were mentioned specifically: Expo Vis-A-Vis Wet Erase Markers
Solutions I've used in the past:
There are tons of options, and you can do whatever works for you.
Phew This'll be a long a post, but certainly reward to read by the end of it. Playing D&D/Pathfinder really is the Nerdiest, Nerd thing I've ever done, and it is a lot of fun! Watch +DawnforgedCast's Session 0 video and download his checklist here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0FmGxmJLiw It's meant for a GameMaster/Dungeon Master, but that checklist will help you out greatly in understanding what you want when starting out in a new group, with or without veteran players. If you aren't able to find a group locally (I don't recommend online groups for your first introduction) then taking up the mantle of leadership as the GameMaster/Dungeon Master, can be both exciting and overwhelming at the same time. However, if you're one with a vivid imagination, or are good with thinking on the fly (believe me, it gets better with time) then you'll already have a headstart on the majority of GMs out there. A great beginning module that has a little bit of everything, adventure hook (i.e., reason why your players should be doing this), NPC interaction, wilderness adventuring, dungeon crawling, is the Hollow's Last Hope module for 1st Level Players as it works for both D&D and Pathfinder. You don't really need the print version, since you can download it for FREE at Paizo's website https://pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/Hollow%27s_Last_Hope
I greatly recommend you get the Pathfinder RPG: Beginner Box ($25-$35) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1601256302 it is a different game, but the rule set is uber-simplified and honestly, superior to the D&D Starter Set ($15), and is worth the extra money. The Beginner Box literally has the all of the beginning needs for play. Pre-generated characters, blank character sheets for the four classes (Wizard, Rogue, Cleric, and Fighter) with either of the three races (Elf, Dwarf, and Human) that are easy to introduce new players to, a flip out map that you can use dry-erase- or wet-erase markers, and permanent markers on (all of which can be erased off, I use these wet-erase makers that are $9 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IFGW because I'll draw camp fires with brown, yellow, orange, and red colors, green helps with trees and shrubbery, blue for water, and black for everything else), a Hero's handbook, and really, really, good GM guide, plus thick, cardboard punch-out marker pawns of various Monsters, NPCs, Player characters, and other creatures, that amount to a wealth of miniatures that would take a lot of money and time to paint them all up, plus they're easier to store in the box. Unfortunately, it only comes with one set of dice, so it wouldn't hurt to get these on these 7 sets ($12) on the cheap https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MDJNE93 and pass them out to your players, or if they have their own, then you'll have plenty of extra multiples of dice, which will come in handy during combat with spellcasters and sneak attacks by Rogues. I handed them out to my players after they told me what their favorite colors were. =P
That'd would be all you'd really need to start, $30ish Beginner Box, plus $10 for markers, and $10 more if you or your players need dice. Now, what follows is what I used for my first GMing of a game, based on many different people's recommendations. In order to make combat work in a logical way that I could understand, I bought the Pathfinder Combat Pad $20 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1601255470, along with those wet-erase markers from earlier. It's usefulness has been far better, and worth it's price in gold, to use than a cheap $1 store notebook, when I would have to erase or rewrite when players would defeat monsters or would hold their actions, or would tell them the wrong initiative bonus to start (lol!). Again, rather use a dollar store binder, I bought the Pathfinder GM Screen $16ish https://www.amazon.com/dp/1601252161, because it was short enough for me to look over rather than 3-ring binders or a paper folder at the actual game table. Speaking the table, I bought the Chessex Battlemats https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015IQO2O this is a link to the smaller one ($20), since I bought the Megamat ($35), only because I had a large table, and players could use it as a coaster for drinks too (even though I did have coasters, to prevent spillage). As an added bonus, I recently discovered the Condition cards $10 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1601252854, to use with Pathfinder, and they are great to hand out to players (as you would already know these conditions since it's written behind the GM Screen) so they know what condition they are in at a glance. Keep in mind though, you only get 4 or each, so if you are lucky enough to have more players, it wouldn't hurt to buy an extra set (however, it would be strange if all of your players had the same condition).
Now, let's say you enjoy Pathfinder, and you bought the Core Rulebook $20 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1601258879 (if it's a hardcover, always look inside for the Sixth edition printing, the paperback will already be that edition) but are getting tired of looking up Monster stats online, then grab the Paperback version of the first Bestiary $16 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1601258887 which has the great majority of all of the "regular" monsters in either D&D or Pathfinder. If you're not much of an artist, then there's the recently released Pathfinder Traps and Treasures Pawns Collection $25 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1601259719 but be warned that you only want to place on the board AFTER the players find out what it is or after they trip it since it does have text explaining what it is as a trap, and if you're use the treasure ones, make sure you add whatever is actually printed on the tile is IN the list of treasure you give the players, because they can and will ask about, "can't I grab that cup or sword, it's on the tile?" ;)
Lastly, if you enjoy being the GameMaster/Dungeon Master, the storyteller, the world builder, then I'd recommend getting the Pathfinder Gamemastery Guide $15 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1601259492, which again, can be applied to both RPG games. And if you what better weather effects to throw at your party than what is presented in the CRB and GMG, then Pathfinder Ultimate Wilderness $30 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1601259867 has all that you need, and then some, plus some cool spells and tons of new animal companions and familiars for spellcasters alike, and a new shapeshifting melee-fighting class called the Shifter, which is pretty neat to use (albeit, you may want to check out Paizo's website for any official errata or clarifications, just in case). If you want to actually create a campaign and are having a hard time coming up with ideas, locations, groups/factions, kingdoms, races, then one more purchase, which is what +DawnforgedCast used for his Pathfinder games seen here is the Inner Sea World Guide $45 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1601252692 It is pricey, but again, very much worth it, to create your own world or to use the pre-made world, as well. Remember, the Beginner Box, Markers, and Dice is really all you need, the rest of this is to expand out. I hope this helps you and anyone else out as well. =P
Chessex Role Playing Play Mat: Battlemat Double-Sided Reversible Mat for RPGs and Miniature Figure Games (26 in x 23 1/2 in) Squares/Hexes https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015IQO2O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_5CxOCbSK7ND37
EXPO 16078 Vis-A-Vis Wet-Erase Overhead Transparency Markers, Fine Point, Assorted Colors, 8-Count https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IFGW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_wDxOCbB3WHT45
If I don't have a mini for the monster I need I use a cheap, solid color dice from a big set I bought. Looks like the one I got is no longer being made but this is similar:
Yellow Mountain Imports 42 Polyhedral Dice, 6 Colors with Complete Set of D4, D6, D8, D10, D12, D20, and D% https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07586H7KJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_1ExOCbK31AJD9
Pathfinders Bestiary Box 1 goes on sale for 20 something dollars sometimes, tons of monsters from the Monster Manual at a decent price:
Pathfinder Pawns: Bestiary Box https://www.amazon.com/dp/1601255616/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_nGxOCbJB02KBK
I wouldn't worry too much about having minis, and terrain, and everything as dnd is more about the imagination and sometimes too much detail at the table can detract from that. My friend runs his campaign mostly "theater of mind" style but has a little tiny dry erase board he draws on to show relative positions and obstacles and it works great.
Hope this helps!
Huh. They're $3 USD for a 4-pack on amazon
That is very cool, but I worry about your ability to stay ahead of your group with the foamcore maps, for several reasons:
I honestly think you're best off buying a good Chessex battle mat and wet erase markers. That will give you the flexibility you need to map what needs mapping and narrate everything else.
Personally, I've opted for a table insert with a high-res TV for digital maps, but that's out of the price range of most.
First trick is deciding which edition you want to play, for new players I highly recommend sticking to 4th edition, the rules are simpler and combat is generally more interesting. If you guys are brand and are new starting with nothing, I highly recommend picking up the 4th edition DM Manual 1, Monster Manual 1, and the Player's Handbook 1.
If your DM wants to take his hand at designing his own adventures I also highly recommend picking up a wet erase play mat as well as wet erase markers. I recommend wet erase over dry erase as dry erase can easily be wiped off during combat and such.
You'll also want to buy some dice for everyone to use, there are a few ways to go about that, you can mismatch dice from local hobby shops, you could buy dice sets or you could purchase the Chessex "Pound of Dice" for the whole group's use and ease. I, as a highly superstitious gamer, own 2 dice sets of my own and an additional lucky D20 that I don't let anyone touch (as they'll likely suck the luck out of it), so figure out what kind of gamers you are and what dice will best suit you.
As you guys grow and expand you may want to look into getting the other Player's Handbooks, to increase your options as players, as well as the other monster manuals for easier adventure creation for your DM.
I also highly recommend your DM (for his ease in adventure creation) look into reading materials on the internet (easily found for free) to help create the most interesting and fun adventures possible. One I can recommend off-hand is Chris Perkin's (a writer for the D&D books and "professional DM") "blog" called "The DM Experience."
Also if you have any other questions feel free to ask me in a comment or message me, I love to see new player getting into the game and would like to help in any way possible.
Just be sure to have fun, happy gaming :D
Yeah, get yourself a set of overhead projector markers like these. Permanent/wet erase/dry erase won’t work.
Also, pay an extra ten bucks for a Chessex Megamat, not a Chessex Battlemat. Your ranged characters will thank you for the larger area to work with. Chessex has three sizes of the vinyl mats: Battlemat (small, fits basically any table), Megamat (medium, fits dining tables), and Mondomat (better build your own gaming table for this bad boy).
In addition, the mats come with 1.5 or 1 inch squares/hexes (squares on one side, hexes on the other). Be sure to get the 1 inch size as this gives you more squares in the same area, and it properly scales with minis as the players fight larger monsters (a huge mini is four squares, but four 1.5 inch squares is a lot bigger than four 1 inch squares, and the mini will look smaller than the space on the grid that it actually threatens).
Are you playing in person? You really don't need minis at all, everything can exist in the theatre of the mind.
But if you like minis (and I absolutely do!), a cheap way to get all set up is:
And done!
The Chessex Wet Erase mat is the one I use and all my DM friends use (in various sizes). that being said, you'll want a pack of these bad boys, because the fine point really does help.
For minis, they're pretty expensive off that bat so everyone advises to buy them slowly as you need them. Reaper bones have a lot of cheaper mini sets for starting out which are great. Personally I buy a few of the most common enemy and the main bad guy for each campaign. A good and cheaper alternative are pawns that you can use while you build your collection. Or, just print small pictures of monsters and tape them to a coin or washer to make fast minis that have colored pictures.
For cheap/fast 2d terrain, check out papercraft. A lot of people fold and draw on paper or cardboard to make terrain, or you can print out pictures of stuff and add it to terrain. Here is an example from u/cardboard-DM (who makes awesome stuff).
Best of luck!
Awesome! That's how I play!
Here's a list of things I suggest as a DM:
Chessex Mat
or [Megamat](Chessex Role Playing Play Mat: MEGAMAT Double-Sided Reversible Mat for RPGs and Miniature Figure Games - 34 1/2in x 48in https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015IUAAG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_KvY4xbHM414K4)
[Vis-A-Vis Markers](Expo Vis-A-Vis Wet-Erase Overhead Transparency Markers, Fine Point, 8-Pack Pouch, Assorted Colors https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IFGW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_DwY4xbQVVNKTA) to write on the map
[Starter set of minis](D&D Icons of the Realms: Tyranny of Dragons Starter Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LSZQXSY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_.EY4xbCF5B5AH)
Goblin Minis
Search Reaper Minis on Amazon and you'll find some fun stuff
I also use flat glass marbles as place holders for NPCs that I don't have minis for. They were super helpful when I was first starting.
A graphing notebook and drawing paper
Mechanical pencils and a set of his favorite pens
I can't think of anything else
Here. Take $20 and buy this. Trust me on this. You'll save a lot of money, and they're AWESOME quality.
If you're playing a combat-intensive game (ask your DM) go to your local gameshop and buy a mini to represent you. Plastic would probably be best since you're new, but if you want to go all out, buy a pewter and paint it. You'll love it more.
PDFs are fine for books you're not going to reference often, but you're best off getting physical copies of the books. They're so much easier to work with. Check out your local used book stores. They're the best place to find this stuff, as most of it's out of print. Stay away from ebay on this. People WAY overvalue their books.
I've personally never played pathfinder, but I'm a D&D 3.5 vet. I've heard they're pretty similar. Any other questions I'll be happy to answer. Welcome to the life. You couldn't pick a better way to waste all you time and money :).
EDIT: Also, depending on your play surface, go buy a set of these. Make sure they're wet-erase, NOT DRY ERASE. Dry erase stain some play surfaces. Your DM will likely have a set, but they're usually... ahem... well used, and crappy. Buy a set of your own, take a pocket knife and scratch them in a particular spot to mark them, and guard them with your life.
Hark! Fellow tabletop RPG enthusiast!
Do you have a chessex battlemat? And of course you'll want some wet erase markers to go with that. There's also the larger MEGAMAT for an extra ~$10.
This is the item I'd like. The scale is a bit off, but I really, really want to use him as a miniature regardless. I've wanted to include a T-Rex in my game since I picked up my first PHB--not that there's a T-Rex in there, I was just always infatuated with the idea of playing/riding a dinosaur, and I designed several characters around various Awakened dinosaurs (pachycephalosaurus and deinonychus were the "most playable") when I first got into D&D.
Have you tried vis-a-vis?
http://www.amazon.com/Expo-Vis-A-Vis-Markers-Colored-16078/dp/B00006IFGW
They're referred to as overhead projector pens as well.
$7.27
I was raised (almost literally) playing with minis and a battlemat. I helped my dad build a magnetic dungeon board set when I was about 7 years old. I played recently with a relatively new group of my college age friends who were doing theatre of mind, and I was miserable.
A lot of actions specifically denote spacing, which is very difficult to do in theatre of mind. Attacks of opportunity, spell/attack range, etc all get kinda weird when it's just spoken and imagined. I am certain that other people are better at keeping track of it all, and more experienced DMs could make it more interesting.
I know I am personally extremely biased, but about half way through the session we were supposed to storm a castle, and there was no way I was going to try to keep the different passageways straight in my head without a visual representation. I went out to my car and brought in my tackleboxes of minis, battlemat, and vis-a-vis markers. The DM was a little apprehensive at first, but most everyone seemed to agree that the minis and mat were far superior after playing for about 10 minutes with them.
One of the player's made this analogy: [Theatre of Mind] is like a text based RPG, while minis and the battlemat is like playing Skyrim.
ninja edit
I didn't address prices. Minis can be very expensive. If you get the pre painted figures, they are unbelieveably costly. Here is a site that has all sorts of figures. Their search bar is amazing.
Here is a link to a battlemat on amazon. It may look pricey (I don't know your budget) but this mat is worth more than you can imagine.
Here is a link to a pack of markers that should do the trick for drawing any kind of terrain/buildings/caves you like. Just dip a spare rag or paper towel in some water, and the lines come right off.
if you can find the 3rd edition dnd starter set, one buy is all you need. just use 5e rules. if you want to make your own stuff, this will take care of the exploration and battlefield:
http://www.amazon.com/Ampad-Evidence-Dual-Pad-Quadrille-20-210/dp/B000JCTH2Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1419753721&sr=1-2&keywords=graph+paper
http://www.amazon.com/Chessex-Role-Playing-Play-Mat/dp/B0015IQO2O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419753498&sr=8-1&keywords=wet+erase+battlemat
http://www.amazon.com/Expo-Vis-A-Vis-Markers-Colored-16078/dp/B00006IFGW/ref=pd_bxgy_t_img_y
http://www.amazon.com/Marcal-Premium-Recycled-Towels-Inches/dp/B00094EWE2/ref=sr_1_2?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1419753532&sr=1-2&keywords=paper+towels
http://www.amazon.com/Rubbermaid-32oz-Heavy-Duty-Spray-Bottle/dp/B005KDIWES/ref=sr_1_1?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1419753550&sr=1-1&keywords=spray+bottle
http://www.amazon.com/Paizo-Publishing-Pathfinder-Pawns-Bestiary/dp/B00F9P3I6O/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1419753594&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=pathfinder+pawns
all of that's on amazon, but you can get it other places.
Unless it's a sharpie these markers are wet erase, so a damp paper towel it'll come right off. A sharpie might ruin a white board, I've never had to get it off one before.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IFGW/
What really helped my new players was printing this simplified map and laminating it. Then get a handful of Expo vis-à-vis colored pens. It lets the bobbies keep track of reasonable eliminations, mark possible paths, and better coordinate without informing Jack between rounds.
I strongly recommend wet-erase; dry erase gets everywhere and doesn't hold up when passing the map around.
I use Vis-a-vis or Staedtler markers. The most important thing is to clean your mat as soon as you can. Do not leave markers on there over night or they will stain. You can also take some rubbing alcohol to it to make sure you get every last bit off.
I started with a thing of crayola washables from walmart (cost like $2) but found they took too long to "dry" and not smudge. So I upgraded to expo wet erase markers when they were on sale. After a couple of seconds you are able to touch the lines you've drawn which means you can add stuff on the fly easily and keep it looking semi nice.
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00006IFGW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_DMSFDbMVHWMDX
You can get wet erase markers.
Nope, she used those wipeable markers...these
A bit off topic, but seeing someone who uses erases/rewrites stuff on their character sheet makes me cringe now after I swapped to the below setup.
Brother, buy yourself some cardstock and some sheet protectors and either wet-erase markers with some spray OR dry-erase markers.
Write everything really nice and neat, only write on the sheet when it's a more permanent use, and everything that can change during a session is written on the sheet protector with the marker. I prefer the wet-erase because I can pack up the character sheet between sessions and nothing gets erased, but that's really personal preference.
Here's what I did.
First, go make your spell cards at this site. Print settings can get a bit wonky, but the cards look cool and the spell lists are fairly complete:
http://www.thegm.org/perramsSpellbook.php
Next, shell out for a cool binder. This one is nice:
http://www.zazzle.com/spell_binder_1_5-127723018411879163
Third, buy a load of page protectors:
http://www.amazon.com/25-Ultra-Pro-Protectors-Baseball/dp/B000PWZU4E
I chose to sort my spells by level and by alpha order. It's been effective thus far.
Finally, get a bunch of Vis a Vis Wet Erase Markers:
http://www.amazon.com/Expo-Vis-A-Vis-Markers-Colored-16078/dp/B00006IFGW
When you prepare spells, you just put a dot on the plastic over that spell. Erase it when you cast.
The only pain so far has be re-alphabetizing spells when I learn new ones. Still, that's a small price to pay for having a literal spellbook at your table.
Edit: Oops! Just realized what sub I'm looking at. Ummm... instead of Perram's spell cards, you could use this one:
http://www.dnditalia.it/pcc
Or just buy this malarkey: http://www.amazon.com/Arcane-Power-Wizard-Cards-Accessory/dp/0786953551/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1371571218&sr=1-2&keywords=4th+edition+wizard+power+cards
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.