Dungeon Tiles - Photos

[AstroCat]

First, thanks for posting these screenies. I've been looking for something like this for ages! I don't really understand how WotC expects me to buy these sets without knowing what's in them...

Still, despite that I _have_ bought two sets: DT4 and DT5.
DT4 is excellent and I think, I've used it in every session since I got it. Since most of the action in my games happens in the outdoors, I could use a lot more of these: Rivers and Bridges, swampy terrain, snow & ice, mountaineous areas, city terrain, etc.

DT5 was a major disappointment. I've been fiddling with the pieces for hours (before using them in a game) and came to the conclusion that I'll probably never use them. Too many small pieces and simply not enough ways to combine them correctly. The black borders kill every utility they might have had.
Maybe, I'll design a dungeon at some time in the future using these things, so I'll at least get to use them in the game _once_.

I don't see much advantage in actual _dungeon_ tiles, to be honest. A dry-erase battlemat is much more useful for that.

I agree the Cavern Set is hard to use as a full layout. I've found the Skeleton Key .pdf caverns are more versatile. Although I've used a combo of the two a few times that has worked ok. I've even used a combo of Flipmats and DTs before that worked ok.

The Flipmat will always be more versatile but the DTs look a lot cooler and my players like them for sure. I've found that I can do a lot with them for "dungeons" but "caverns" are always the challenge. Sometimes for tricky cavern setups the Flipmat ultimately is the best way.

 

[Lord_Zephyr]

I'm a new DM, and I just bought the Lost Caverns of the Underdark and Dire Tombs, along with a starter set of miniatures. I really want to use these for my upcoming campaign, as I feel that they would help tremendously for 4th Edition. I plan to buy more dungeon tiles as well as some flip mats and markers.

Those who are experienced with using dungeon tiles- how do you use them? Do you map out the entire dungeon using tiles ahead of time and cover it with paper for a "fog of war" effect or do you only lay down tiles for encounters? To me it feels that I would get a lot further with less investment by just laying them down for encounters and removing them for exploration. The players could draw a map for themselves if they wish, or I might provide a full or partial map on a handout in some circumstances.

To the OP: thanks for the pictures. Now I know what to get first!

 

[Ulrick]

I really really like Dungeon Tiles.

My only word of advice is to have the tiles picked out before game play. Rummaging through a box of tiles takes time--so don't do it during a game. But they do add something to the game experience, more than a battlemat (though I've used them in conjunction with a battlemat to "fill out" oddly shaped rooms).

Indeed, they do work best when you have multiple sets, but at $9.95 per pack, they are deal, and I use them often. I do, however, hope they comeout with more wilderness areas, though.

Edit--to answer Lord Zephyr's question: If it's a small dungeon (say six or less rooms/encounters), I lay them down as I go using the "fog of war" method described). But then again, I have several sets.

For large dungeons I use them simply for encounter areas. Small rooms and corridors are ignored. I have, however, taken to the 4e large encounter set-up by having small rooms and niches off the main encounter area.

 

[blargney the second]

Those who are experienced with using dungeon tiles- how do you use them?

They're grist for the random encounter mill.

Lately when I need a random encounter, I reach into a box of tiles and grab whatever comes out. I've got the outdoorsy ones separated out, but other than that it's open season. Then I do the same with a box of minis. Toss the PCs in, and away you go.
-blarg

 

[OchreJelly]

This is great. I actually spent a lot of time one day trying to find out anything about these on the Wotc site. All I could find was the unhelpful product link, no galleries or anything like that...

This is going to sound like a rudimentary question, but how do these work? Your screenshots show symmetrical blocks with a bunch of graphics that don't seem to go together. Is this just how they appear out of the box? Do you take it apart from perforated edges or something?

 

[Vanuslux]

This is great. I actually spent a lot of time one day trying to find out anything about these on the Wotc site. All I could find was the unhelpful product link, no galleries or anything like that...

This is going to sound like a rudimentary question, but how do these work? Your screenshots show symmetrical blocks with a bunch of graphics that don't seem to go together. Is this just how they appear out of the box? Do you take it apart from perforated edges or something?

Yeah, I had the same problem...which is why I didn't buy my first Dungeon Tiles set until just last month when i was getting ready for my first 4e session.

Anyway, to answer your question, yes...they're perforated punch out type things.

 

[Holy Bovine]

How can you get them to stay down on the table is my problem! All card tiles have the problem that they move around too much.

one day I'll get rich and get a magnetic, gridded, whitebaord, and lots of mini super magnets (niobium?) to stick 'em down with....

I put mine on top of my battlemat. They stay in place pretty good and only my clumsiest players move them around.

 

[Thanee]

This is great. I actually spent a lot of time one day trying to find out anything about these on the Wotc site. All I could find was the unhelpful product link, no galleries or anything like that...

Same, hence I thought it would be useful for others as well.

This is going to sound like a rudimentary question, but how do these work? Your screenshots show symmetrical blocks with a bunch of graphics that don't seem to go together. Is this just how they appear out of the box? Do you take it apart from perforated edges or something?

If you look closely, you should be able to discern where they are perforated. They are really easy to punch out and you get pieces as large as a single sheet to just one square in size.

Some of those smaller pieces show furniture or other extras that can be put on top of the room pieces, i.e. if you build a small temple, you first lay out the ground floor and then add the altar, braziers, benches and stuff on top.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Thanee]

My only word of advice is to have the tiles picked out before game play. Rummaging through a box of tiles takes time--so don't do it during a game.

That's definitely a good idea.

I only used the Tiles once so far and didn't preselect them before the game (which at that point I figured to have been a good idea ), so it was quite a bit of rummaging and shuffling to find suitable pieces.

Best put every encounter area in a zipper bag or something (if you have enough tiles to build them all), or just all the Tiles potentially needed. This will greatly reduce searching times during the game.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Soel]

Anyone have any pics of Paizo's Gamemastery Maps? Gotta have a glimpse before I buy.

Posted a request on the Paizo product comments, but haven't gotten a response.