Managing combat rounds...

[Lord Azagthoth]

The reason I don't use anymore sheets on my laptop is because I have already all the PCs and NPCs opened in GCA4 (which I use to keep track of HP, FP and other injuries), the scenario, gameworld calendar, Friends&Enemies list, map of the galaxy (if they are in space or about to jump to hyperspace), and often wookieepedia.

So extra sheets to keep track of temporary things makes me swap to many times during combat.

[Stormcrow]

Originally Posted by Lord Azagthoth

If the players initiates something that takes more than 1 turn to complete, I expect him to keep track of it themselves.

Here's how something like this inevitably goes for me:

[before game]

Me: I expect you to keep track of your own actions that take longer than a turn.

[during game]

Player: I throw a Fireball!

Me: Okay, you have Magery 3 so you can spend up to three turns casting it.

Player: Okay.

Me: ... So how long do you want to spend casting it?

Player: Three!

Me: Okay, you take a Concentrate maneuver this turn.

[time passes]

Me: It's your turn, Player. Are you still casting the Fireball spell?

Player: Yeah.

Me: How many turns have you been casting it?

Player: I dunno.

Me: You don't know?!

Player: You're the GM; you're supposed to take care of that stuff.

Me: I said before we started that you're supposed to track your own actions.

Player: Let's just say three. Can I throw my Fireball now?

[Dalin]

Originally Posted by Stormcrow

Me: It's your turn, Player. Are you still casting the Fireball spell?
Player: Yeah.
Me: How many turns have you been casting it?
Player: I dunno.
Me: You don't know?!
Player: You're the GM; you're supposed to take care of that stuff.
Me: I said before we started that you're supposed to track your own actions.

This sort of scene is very familiar to me, both as a parent and as a middle-school teacher (though all-too-rarely about casting fireballs, mores the pity). Sometimes adults need the same supports that kids need. Providing the specific method can help.

GM: I expect you to track your own actions using these tracking cards or these special dice or this smartphone app or these colored tiles...

[Tyneras]

I use a ruler, slips of cut up notecard with names on them, poker chips and tokens.

I move down the ruler during the round, a stack of chips represent multi-round actions and tokens are assigned meaning as needed. Tokens are just a mess of small, random objects that aren't dice or poker chips. One side of the rule represents people who are doing the Wait maneuver.

Players have their own chips and tokens that they spend, since they represent stuff like bullets, arrows, Luck rolls, etc. Spending involves dropping stuff in a bowl, has a nice noise to it.

I've found physically doing something, either as the GM or player, keeps things moving.

[Maz]

Originally Posted by shadowjack

Another combat time management trick I use is "moving the camera around". I don't usually go strictly round-by-round in rigid initiative order.

I really like this. I think I'm going to try to use it!