E-Z Dungeon or Dragon Tiles?

[Lhorgrim]

Can anybody offer suggestions on the E-Z Dungeon or Dragon Tiles products?

I have been happily using a Flip Mat for my games, but I'm looking to add a little more spice to the tabletop.

My situation:

I DM a D&D 4E game at my FLGS every other Saturday.
One of my issues with my game is that drawing the map out for each combat takes too long for the result that I get. The more detailed or impressive I want the scene to be, the more time it takes to draw.

I really like the look of E-Z Dungeons, but I'm afraid the set up time would be too long. Then again, the look of the finished product is better than anything I could ever draw on the Flip Mat.
One of my other concerns with E-Z Dungeon is the portability. I have to transport my gaming gear from home to the game and back, and I'm not sure how the card models will hold up and how bulky they'll be to pack around.

I like the Dragon Tiles also, and the initial construction time would certainly be less, but I'm a bit worried that the doors and accessories would get knocked over, or off the grid entirely. I'm not as worried about portability with Dragon Tiles due to the lesser number of 3D elements involved.

I have downloaded the free demo pieces from each set, and I have no concern about cutting and glueing the pieces. Actually, I find constructing the models to be peaceful and relaxing. I figured out how to use a marker to color the edges of the model to cover the seams and give the model a more weathered feel, and really enjoyed the (minor) challenge of building the pieces.

 

[Thanee]

I'm quite happy using my Dungeon Tiles for 4E.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Lhorgrim]

I'm quite happy using my Dungeon Tiles for 4E.

Bye
Thanee

Thanks Thanee.

The main reason I have leaned away from the Dungeon Tiles is the cost. I was thinking that with a PDF like the Fat Dragon products I could print as many pieces as I need for the price of ink and cardstock. I have some of the Dungeon Tiles (outdoor set), but I feel like I would need multiples of the set to do what I want with them. Don't get me wrong, I think the DT products are great, and I really like the thickness of the tiles, but I don't think they're what I'm looking for.

 

[Treebore]

I use a mix of the products, but only at home. I wouldn't transport my card board buildings, etc....

For travel I use the WOTC tiles and the Paizo Flip Mats.

 

[Thanee]

...but I feel like I would need multiples of the set to do what I want with them.

Yep, that's most likely true. Currently I have opened only one each (still have one almost complete set shrink-wrapped lying around here) plus some extras from the starter set, and it worked fine so far.

Bye
Thanee

 

[filthgrinder]

I've been using a combo of everything. I usually lay down a wet erase battle matt as a base in case I need to draw anything out of the ordinary. I'll lay any specific map on top (like the poster maps from the recent 4e adventures).

I'll use the EZ-Dungeons for dungeon walls and the like. I enjoyed cutting/folding/assembling them, and they are simple enough that I've made what I need, and some extra for anything impromptu thats required.

For portability, I've got a couple of small boxes/cases from Ikea that I've been storing them in. I'll fill one with what I'll need and put it in my backback (it basically takes up the whole backpack. But i'll have room for the rolled up battle map, and I bring a laptop bag (with laptop) as well, and that houses some books that can't be squeezed into the bag.

 

[FATDRAGONGAMES]

I've got a rubbermade tote that I chuck a bunch of E-Z Dungeons pieces in for traveling and four years later the pieces still look fine. They're so light you can have a container filled and they won't crush each other at all.

 

[Lhorgrim]

I've got a rubbermade tote that I chuck a bunch of E-Z Dungeons pieces in for traveling and four years later the pieces still look fine. They're so light you can have a container filled and they won't crush each other at all.

I'm sure this is like asking a parent which child is their favorite, but do you have a suggestion for getting started with your products? I saw that you were doing a "Black Friday/Cyber Monday" sale, and I decided this was the time to give them a try.

I LOVE the look of E-Z Dungeons, but I'm thinking Dragon Tiles would be more practical for my gaming situation. I like the Dragon Tiles too, but the total 3d effect of the E-Z dungeons just looks soooo cool.

I guess I could start with the Dragon Tiles, and maybe get E-Z Dungeons later to use for more significant/elaborate battles.

Can the two products be integrated easily?

Thanks for responding.

 

[Treebore]

I'm sure this is like asking a parent which child is their favorite, but do you have a suggestion for getting started with your products? I saw that you were doing a "Black Friday/Cyber Monday" sale, and I decided this was the time to give them a try.

I LOVE the look of E-Z Dungeons, but I'm thinking Dragon Tiles would be more practical for my gaming situation. I like the Dragon Tiles too, but the total 3d effect of the E-Z dungeons just looks soooo cool.

I guess I could start with the Dragon Tiles, and maybe get E-Z Dungeons later to use for more significant/elaborate battles.

Can the two products be integrated easily?

Thanks for responding.

I think as far as "coolness" goes the E-Z Dungeons blow the tiles away hands down. They are far cooler and far more helpful with immersion.

As for integration, its a bit on the rough side, but its worked well enough.

 

[FATDRAGONGAMES]

I'm sure this is like asking a parent which child is their favorite, but do you have a suggestion for getting started with your products? I saw that you were doing a "Black Friday/Cyber Monday" sale, and I decided this was the time to give them a try.

I LOVE the look of E-Z Dungeons, but I'm thinking Dragon Tiles would be more practical for my gaming situation. I like the Dragon Tiles too, but the total 3d effect of the E-Z dungeons just looks soooo cool.

I guess I could start with the Dragon Tiles, and maybe get E-Z Dungeons later to use for more significant/elaborate battles.

Can the two products be integrated easily?

Thanks for responding.

I use both. Basically, all key areas are E-D Dungeons, but halls, unimportant side areas, etc. are the tiles. I also tend to use the tiles for odd-ball shaped rooms in purchased modules that E-Z D can't replicate exactly as the tile can be cut/trimmed to any shape.

For the E-Z Dungeon pieces, if you mount them on foam core bases as we suggest in the instructions, you can 'lock' each piece to the others by simply inserting a round toothpick into the bases.