Olgar Shiverstone
Legend
Squares indoors, hexes outdoors for me -- it's all about ease of use.
D&D 5E Hex maps and dungeons and dragons.
- Thread starter Evenglare
- Start date
Which makes them different from hexes because...?
The difference between offset squares and hexes is mostly aesthetic. But, it does allow the DM to draw rectangular shaped rooms a bit easier. Assuming the room dimensions are an integer number of squares (i.e. 5x15 feet or 25x30, not 16x52), then one only needs half square rules for two of the four edges.
For DMs who have real heartburn over hexes, offset squares can be a middle ground that might give them the best of both worlds (although hexes still seem less wonky for area of effects).
What I find kind of amusing about all grid discussions is that the moment we are talking about rooms that are irregular shaped caverns, or diagonal narrow corridors, or anything else which is not simple rectangles divisible by 5 feet per side, the DM needs some rule of thumb rules about how PCs can move anyway in those weird shaped areas.
This marriage of maps and all rectangular shaped rooms is a bit silly.
Ratskinner
Adventurer
I think its just a matter of square graph paper being more available. I've played DnD on squares, hexes, freeform ToTM, analog scale measures (like a wargame), and even with zones like Fate. Each comes with its own set of baggage/issues and are better/worse for one purpose or another. Lacking any other clearly decisive advantage, the fact that most geeky kids probably have some graph paper lying around (wait, do kids still do graphs by hand in school?) Gives the grid the edge.
I really appreciate that 5e is written in such a way that I could reasonably swap between modes as needed. That said, my mostly proud OSR group seems stuck on 3.5-like square grids.
I really appreciate that 5e is written in such a way that I could reasonably swap between modes as needed. That said, my mostly proud OSR group seems stuck on 3.5-like square grids.
Henrix
Explorer
For me square grids is OSR. I met them the first time I played (AD&D1).
2cm (or was it 2.5cm? can't recall) grid paper mounted on a board with a plastic cover, drawn with water soluble OH pens.
Basically the same as I use today.
aramis erak
Legend
Probably 2.5 or 2.54cm (roughly 0.98" to 1")...
The standard grid for maps has been 1" for 30 years... tho' whether it's representing 10' or 5' per grid varies!
Mishihari Lord
First Post
I prefer hexes but either is easy enough to use. My main reason for preferring hexes is because counting spaces comes closer to actual distance for hexes than for squares. I kinda like the traditional wargame feel too, takes me back.
Most of the "problems" I've heard cited for hexes are trivial to address. "NSEW movement"?, okay you can stand on a line. Half-hex issues? Okay, you can stand on a hex as long as 1/4 or so is free (eyeballing it). What about area effect if you're on an edge? +5 to save. There are a lot of possible ways to address these issues; these are just the ones I happen to use.
Most of the "problems" I've heard cited for hexes are trivial to address. "NSEW movement"?, okay you can stand on a line. Half-hex issues? Okay, you can stand on a hex as long as 1/4 or so is free (eyeballing it). What about area effect if you're on an edge? +5 to save. There are a lot of possible ways to address these issues; these are just the ones I happen to use.
Henrix
Explorer
You 'mericans take so many weird things for granted with your quaint measuring systems.
You 'mericans take so many weird things for granted with your quaint measuring systems.
Aren't we talking about a game built in America?
Henrix
Explorer
Yes, but not the grid.Aren't we talking about a game built in America?
Why would you make a grid using weird foreign measurements? Nevermind where you'd buy one.
Our DM, Oldtimer, might have made it in inches, but considering how hard it was (is) to find rulers with inches I don't see why.
Can't remember anything about recommended grid measurements in OD&D, which was what he played when he made the grid. (He had started using a heavily houseruled AD&D when I came along.)
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