We thank Nerd Motel for sending us a prototype of the Combat Folio to write this review. It is a plasticized rewritable sheet which allows you to have under control all the important information to manage a combat in D&D5e (but not only). The Combat Folio is crowdfounding on Kickstarter until 1st July 2021. For more information about pledges, costs and the timetable I suggest you to take a look at the Kickstarter page. Instead, in order to better understand what we are talking about we have made a video review of the Combat Folio that you can find on Youtube, on Facebook or below.
The Written Review of the Combat Folio
For those who prefer to read rather than listen, the Combat Folio is as simple as it is useful. It is a sheet in A4 format, available in both a thinner and a thicker version. On the one hand there is a grid that allows you to enter the names of the PCs, NPCs and monsters in the various lines. The columns instead show all the important information for a dungeon master to manage a combat. Initiative, hit points, damage, advantages and disadvantages. There are also all the conditions available in D&D5e and still some space for other annotations. On the back of the Combat Folio there is a summary of all the conditions, to avoid having to look for them in the manual, on the DM screen or elsewhere.
The space is very well used, the conditions are also highlighted by a symbol to find them more easily and a small decoration embellishes the aesthetics without weighing it down.
More Information About the Combat Folio
Together with the Combat Folio, this project proposes the markers to write onto it, available in 8 colors. They are refillable, magnetic and with the eraser on the cap, really useful and complete. There is also a plastic bag to store the Combat Folio to and keep the writings intact between one session and another; it is also useful for putting the markers together and not lose them. The offer is completed by rubbery dice of various colors, very pleasant to the touch.
In addition to what has already been said, those who pay for the physical version will also get a plasticized physical map, squared on one side and hexagonal on the other. For all supporters there will also be the digital version, which will also allow changes to the original file in order to create and laminate the most suitable Folio for the system you are using.
Final Consideration
I tried the Combat Folio before writing this review during a Pathfinder 2e session and I really liked it. I didn’t waste paper, I always had everything under control, quickly deleting and rewriting any information in my possession. I must say that after this inaugural attempt I am convinced to use it for all my sessions of those games that have a more mechanical and technical combat. The Combat Folio is a product that I really feel I can recommend.