In Dungeons & Dragons, fourth edition, the combat system has been enriched with the introduction of conditions. Conditions are different statuses that can affect a character, for example having the blinded condition makes it hard to hit an opponent. Tracking these conditions can be time consuming thereby slowing combat resolution down. To ease the burden of tracking these effects several companies have produced markers to make the tracking more visual. Litko Aerosystems contribution is a series of colored acrylic tiles.

Appearance

The tiles in this set are one inch by one inch square, so that they fit easily under miniatures on a 1" grid. The markers come in two varieties: opaque and translucent. The opaque markers have a different condition on either side and the translucent ones have only one. The pieces are cleanly cut and the etched words are fairly clear. Their website provides instructions on increasing the legibility of the etchings. Older gamers will be very familiar with the technique, as it is the same one applied to uninked dice. Take a white crayon and color in the lettering, then wipe off the excess. They come packaged in a small zip top bag which has served well as a carrying case.

Setting

There is no setting implicit or explicit in this set of tokens.

Characters

Characters will find the Player's Set to be useful. This set provides one of each of the following tokens: 5 double-sided tokens - Stunned-Surprised in blue, Dazed-Dominated in purple, Weakened-Dying in red, Helpless-Unconscious in black and Restrained-Immobilized in green; and 6 single-sided tokens - Blinded in fluorescent blue, Deafened in transparent yellow, Slowed in fluorescent amber, Marked in fluorescent green, Petrified in translucent grey and Prone in solid brown. The only drawback here is the lack of multiple Marked tokens, as many of the defenders can place their mark on multiple opponents. Other effects such as “flying” or “invisible” are not included here but are available in another set, the 4E Effects Token Set.

System

DMs will find the Game Master's Set to be useful. This set provides: 15 double-sided tokens- Stunned-Surprised in blue, Dazed-Dominated in purple, Weakened-Dying in red, Helpless-Unconscious in black and Restrained-Immobilized in green; and 18 single-sided tokens - Blinded in fluorescent blue, Deafened in transparent yellow, Slowed in fluorescent amber, Marked in fluorescent green, Petrified in translucent grey and Prone in solid brown.

In Play

In play these tokens have been very useful. Even when stacked under a miniature the edge of the token is visible allowing players and DM to see which conditions are affecting the creature. Our group's current record is three tokens under one miniature, and there has not been a problem with the tokens sliding around on top of each other. The only noticeable drawback we have had is a shortage of some types of tokens, namely the Marked ones. This reviewer looks forward to acquiring the other sets: 4E Effects Token Set and the Bloodied Tokens to further simplify combat management.

Conclusion

An ingenious and low cost way to manage conditions in any RPG. There are other markers out there, but for the price and ease of use, this is the best bet.