I was recently a bit surprise by seeing video of RPG tables where everyone has a laptop, and I even saw a thread about whether GM allowing only paper sheet are reasonable
However, on my experience (and I am part of big club, so I interact with a lot of players), some GM have a laptop or tablet especially in the era of .pdf books, but most player would use only paper.
So I am curious what’s your take on electronic device, is it fully banned at your table, a GM only tool, a stuff that some player may use for note taking ? Or do you use VTT technology like you would online when playing in person ?
I currently run two d&d games, one for a group of teens. There are currently 3 of them (of 5), one is in a situation where he cannot afford a PHB, so he uses 5e.tools, and that is all he uses his phone for. Another does not have a PHB, but has meticulously copied all of their abilities from my PHB, ABs never touches their phone. The third has a PHB, but also has ADHD, and is always on their phone.
My adult group no one uses a device.
I keep an iPad at the table to look up images when I forget to print the graphic, or if it is not too visible in black and white.
I have considered a basket for phones for the teen group, but only one is an issue and even without her phone she drifts from paying attention. I also have adhd so I empathize with her.
I don’t play D&D, but is it expected that player have their own PHB? In games with complex abilities (and even in some PBTA), I either let she rule book on the player side of the table, sometimes prepare a cheat sheet (a great way to learn the mechanics), and sometimes share a pdf when I have only that. So needing to pay a rulebook as a player seems odd to me
It is not expected that everyone has a PHB, but it is expected that you know what your character can do and I am not having to keep reminding you of your abilities.
And the last time I let someone use my PHB they tore a page, so that is not going to happen any longer.