Do you use hex maps?

Darraketh

First Post

• Aug 27, 2002

• #1

Do you use hex maps, which you have made, in any of your RPGs? Feel free to elaborate.

Also see this thread for some hex maps made by myself, Hong and La Bete.

 

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Darraketh

First Post

• Aug 27, 2002

• #2

Okay, here is a quick little sample of a hex map created using the HexMapper program and a bump. Use the link in the above post to learn more.

And Thank You to everyone for participating in this poll.
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P.S. I am not the author of HexMapper just an avid fan.

 

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H

hong

WotC's bitch

• Aug 28, 2002

• #3

I do now.

Here's another one of my Britannia 3E campaign maps, this one showing the area around Skara Brae. The scale is 4 miles per hex. It's taken basically straight from the actual in-game maps from Ultima 4, with some embellishments.

 

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Darraketh

First Post

• Aug 28, 2002

• #4

hong said:

I do now.

Here's another one of my Britannia 3E campaign maps, this one showing the area around Skara Brae. The scale is 4 miles per hex. It's taken basically straight from the actual in-game maps from Ultima 4, with some embellishments.

Click to expand...

Excellent!

I've posted an opinion on implementing rivers and roads in hex maps and I'd like any feedback that anyone cares to offer. Follow the link to my hex maps. http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15417

 

B

bwgwl

First Post

• Aug 28, 2002

• #5

i'm definitely in the last category.

does any company even make hexpaper any more? i remember asking my FLGS a while back, and he didn't know of any for sale.

of course, now that we are in the "computer age" i've made my own hex paper with graphics software and used that to make maps for my campaigns.

but nothing would beat going down to the game store and buying another pad of hexpaper.

 

B

Bragg Battleaxe

First Post

• Aug 28, 2002

• #6

I usually just go by the maps in the book if there are any. As for my mat, it uses square spaces, which is easier for me in 3E.

 

Darraketh

First Post

• Aug 28, 2002

• #7

bwgwl said:

i'm definitely in the last category.

does any company even make hexpaper any more? i remember asking my FLGS a while back, and he didn't know of any for sale.

of course, now that we are in the "computer age" i've made my own hex paper with graphics software and used that to make maps for my campaigns.

but nothing would beat going down to the game store and buying another pad of hexpaper.

Click to expand...

I'm sure there must be a use for hex paper outside of gaming. My FLGS doesn't carry it either but that's okay. Like you said, I can make my own. However I've progressed to the point where I not only use the computer to make the hex paper but use it to make a map on the hex paper before I even print it.

Originally posted by Bragg Battleaxe
I usually just go by the maps in the book if there are any. As for my mat, it uses square spaces, which is easier for me in 3E.

Click to expand...

Yeah, 3E seems to have neglected the use of hex maps. I can think of a number of reasons why. However I can think of several good reasons why hex maps would be worth addressing and I'll be elaborating on those in my thread here.

 

K

Kaptain_Kantrip

First Post

• Aug 28, 2002

• #8

I loved the outdoors hex maps for D&D (like the original Greyhawk one), but never used hexes for interiors until I switched to a hex based rules system (HarnMaster, though GURPS is another example). Now, everything for me (inside and out) is done in hexes, making me doubly glad my Chessex BattleMat is double-sided with squares on one side and hexes on the other!

 

Darraketh

First Post

• Aug 29, 2002

• #9

Kaptain_Kantrip said:

I loved the outdoors hex maps for D&D (like the original Greyhawk one), but never used hexes for interiors until I switched to a hex based rules system (HarnMaster, though GURPS is another example). Now, everything for me (inside and out) is done in hexes, making me doubly glad my Chessex BattleMat is double-sided with squares on one side and hexes on the other!

Click to expand...

Yeah, I love that old Greyhawk map as well. I've always wanted to frame mine.

With my current, all things D&D, frame of mind I really hadn't thought much about other RPGs providing for the use of hex maps. Sure I assumed it might be an option but I hadn't considered that prospect of a "hex based rules system." I want to know more.

Is there any particular system that has implemented hex based rules for overland travel exceedingly well?

 

R

rounser

First Post

• Aug 29, 2002

• #10

In Hexmapper, they're very quick to make and look quite attractive, which are both big bonuses.

They reinforce creativity when you're doing your wilderness, because each hex encourages you to put something interesting in it. It sort of poses a "what's here?" question. There always seems to be more interesting things and locations on hex maps, perhaps because of this.

Likewise, during the game itself, you can pinpoint the hex the players are in, giving a definite feel of location, rather than a slightly more abstract one that a freeform map with a scale might have.

So...thumbs up to hexmapped wilderness.

On a related note, though, anyone know how many miles wide is your average mountain? Would help in determining how many hexes of mountain terrain to use to signify a single mountain...(yes, I know I may be asking a sort of "how long is a piece of string" question, here).

 

Last edited: Aug 29, 2002