Tips on quick referencing rules?

[Boge]

My group often finds ourselves NOT QUITE sure on some rules. We bump into them often and the combinations with other rulings makes things a bit hazy. I try to take notes and study up on certain things, but they still slip me when the moment matters.

So, I'm asking for any tips you might have to make quick referencing specific rules. I have digital access to the books, but doing a PDF search still doesn't quite serve quickly enough sometimes.

I'm probably pushing it and in those moments are ones that likely should just be GM judgement, but we like to get things right.

Anyway, suggestions and tips on how you quickly reference rulings for specific moments?

[Refplace]

I use the index,it gives you ideas on what the write word might be.

[DangerousThing]

W23 has a GM's screen available, which has most of the important tables on it. However, it might be best to make one of your own and put it into plastic pockets with the tables you need the most.

[Ezra]

I find memorizing certain things can help, such as range penalties for firearms, or human/humanoid hit locations. Those things are also on the GM screen they sell in the store, but I needed to practice using that screen quite a bit before things got smooth. Study the injury and recovery chapter closely--there's a lot there to get a grasp on.

[Stormcrow]

If a quick lookup in the rulebook or any quick-reference sheets you may have doesn't immediately produce an answer, just make up an answer with the comment that you're making up the answer this time, but that you'll know the right answer next time. Then be sure to find the answer before the next game.

[khorboth]

Originally Posted by Stormcrow

If a quick lookup in the rulebook or any quick-reference sheets you may have doesn't immediately produce an answer, just make up an answer with the comment that you're making up the answer this time, but that you'll know the right answer next time. Then be sure to find the answer before the next game.

Very much this. If it's a critical thing, I give myself about a minute to get a good lead on finding it. If it's not important, I don't even crack a book unless I have a good idea already.

This helps keep the game flowing.

[Donny Brook]

My group uses home-brew excel workbooks for character sheets and every skill, Advantage, Disad and equipment entry has a column for a page reference.

[Ezra]

I don't have that much in Excel, but it's an indispensable tool, for sure. I use it for quickly calculating range penalties and adding up damage when my players use rapid fire.

[Mr_Sandman]

If there are particular rules that you find yourself needing to look up frequently, use bookmarks (physical or digital).

I sometimes make a cheat-sheet that summarizes the rules (with references to page numbers) that I think might come up in a campaign or session. When I find myself needing to look up something that wasn't on the cheat sheet, and I think it's likely to come up again, I add it so it's there for next time.

[kenclary]

Originally Posted by Mr_Sandman

I sometimes make a cheat-sheet that summarizes the rules (with references to page numbers) that I think might come up in a campaign or session. When I find myself needing to look up something that wasn't on the cheat sheet, and I think it's likely to come up again, I add it so it's there for next time.

Might be super useful to also publish that cheatsheet to your players.