Battle Maps Ideas

[Ryujin]

I thought about getting a Chessex mat but didn't like not being able to draw in much fine detail, or not being able to prepare multiple maps ahead of time, so opted instead to get a couple 1" grid easel pads. It's a good solution whether you need to improvise a map or want to prepare something really complex ahead of time. You can fold up the sheets so they're pretty compact and they make for an unobtrusive presence on the gaming table. It's also pretty convenient to write on the map itself, which saves you from needing an extra note pad/device/whatever to track initiative and status conditions.

I'm running my first online game now, a PBP Zeitgeist campaign on a different forum, and when possible I import the maps from the adventures themselves into MapTool (sometimes doing some editing in Paint.NET or Gimp first to remove details like secret doors or details that I don't want to draw the players' attention to until later).

I haven't really found a solution that I really like for creating maps for online use. MapTool is adequate for map creation though, especially if you have a workable library of art assets like CSUAC, but I don't really like the look of the few maps I've produced through MapTool. The other applications I've tried really aren't any better. Even with my limited drawing skills, I'd prefer to be able to just draw my map on an grid paper and scan it in, but I don't have a scanner, and even if I did, unless it were very large I'd probably have to scan most maps in two or more goes, then stitch them together using software -- also a bit of a hassle.

I've downloaded all of the maps available on D&D Insider, as I generally like the art style they employ, and they often have a lot of interesting terrain features, but a lot (most?) of them are from other published adventures and aren't meant to be used directly as battle maps, so many squares are all marked up with areas indicating enemy positions, traps, etc. which is a shame.

There's a relatively easy and effective alternative to scanner, for dealing with large size maps: a digital camera. You can pick up a wide angle digital camera fairly cheaply, create a rig to suspend the camera directly over the map, then shoot it with flash. There are tons of programmes out there that you can use, to correct perspective, and something like a 10 MPix camera should provide plenty of resolution.

 

[S'mon]

90% of the time I use Paizo flipmats, either the preprinted ones or the excellent blank ones + dry-wipe pen. I sometimes use the 3D terrain from WoTC 'Harrowing Halls' dungeon tiles, but otherwise rarely use my large collection of tiles as they are annoyingly fiddly and heavy to cart around. I occasionally use WoTC poster maps, but the Paizo flipmats are more practical - don't rip, I can write on them, etc. I would advise any GM to buy a blank Paizo flipmat as one of their first purchases - [ame="http://www.amazon.com/GameMastery-Flip-Mat-Basic-Paizo-Staff/dp/1601251556/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337585412&sr=8-1"]Amazon.com: GameMastery Flip-Mat: Basic (9781601251558): Paizo Staff: Books[/ame]

 

[Radiating Gnome]

...otherwise rarely use my large collection of tiles as they are annoyingly fiddly and heavy to cart around.

Yeah, it's a shame, really, given how much I have invested in the damn tiles. I was so excited the first time I saw them, but if anything my collection has become too big -- it's hard to find what I want when I want something specific, and so often I'm trying to create something that isn't explicitly intended to be created with tiles, so it's not a natural fit.

-rg

 

[Ryujin]

90% of the time I use Paizo flipmats, either the preprinted ones or the excellent blank ones + dry-wipe pen. I sometimes use the 3D terrain from WoTC 'Harrowing Halls' dungeon tiles, but otherwise rarely use my large collection of tiles as they are annoyingly fiddly and heavy to cart around. I occasionally use WoTC poster maps, but the Paizo flipmats are more practical - don't rip, I can write on them, etc. I would advise any GM to buy a blank Paizo flipmat as one of their first purchases - Amazon.com: GameMastery Flip-Mat: Basic (9781601251558): Paizo Staff: Books

I don't use them myself but dungeon tiles become much more useful, and less 'fiddly', if you buy a cheap and thin piece of plexiglas to lay over them in use.

 

[OnlineDM]

I'm another MapTool + Projector DM. My rig is here: Building a better portable projector rig | Online Dungeon Master

 

[Quickleaf]

For world maps in the old style of Mystara I use Hexographer | World/Starmap/Wilderness Map Creation Software, which has a free version you can only use online and a purchasable version you can download.

 

[Ryujin]

I'm another MapTool + Projector DM. My rig is here: Building a better portable projector rig | Online Dungeon Master

No heat problems with the projector mounted that way? I had thought about top projection at first but with the manufacturer's dire warnings about heat dissipation, and the fact that the map would be occluded every time someone wanted to move a figure, I went with bottom projection instead.

I wanted to stick with figures for the immersive element, easy of reading the combat from the horizontal, and the way it eliminates any argument about where a character REALLY started, if a move action is tested then aborted.

 

[OnlineDM]

No heat problems with the projector mounted that way? I had thought about top projection at first but with the manufacturer's dire warnings about heat dissipation, and the fact that the map would be occluded every time someone wanted to move a figure, I went with bottom projection instead.

I wanted to stick with figures for the immersive element, easy of reading the combat from the horizontal, and the way it eliminates any argument about where a character REALLY started, if a move action is tested then aborted.

Well, I've been using this setup for almost two years with no problems - so I'd say no, no problems with heat dissipation.

Now, having a bottom-projection table would indeed be lovely, but my rig needs to be portable. I do run games at home, but I also frequently run games at my friendly local game store (Living Forgotten Realms, currently running D&D Encounters) and at local conventions. I carry the pipe-and-wood rig itself in one hand and the rest of my supplies (sandbag, projector, laptop, cables) in a wheeled suitcase pulled in my other hand. It's pretty fantastic for my needs.

I'm also not sure what you mean about sticking with figures for the immersive element. With my games, the monsters are represented by MapTool tokens, and the players use their own physical miniatures. I'm not sure what approach you mean about eliminating arguments about where a character really started; I'm guessing you mean the players use digital tokens, too.

I've considered that option, but my players seem to prefer using their own minis. Also, the fact that the minis cast actual shadows is kind of nifty (it's a rare occurrence that the shadow is a problem, obscuring something in the square behind the mini).

My setup is definitely not for everyone. It works great for me, though!

 

[Ryujin]

Well, I've been using this setup for almost two years with no problems - so I'd say no, no problems with heat dissipation.

Good to hear. I didn't think that it would be but, with the cost of replacement lamps, I wasn't willing to risk it. My original idea was actually a rig with mirror above the table but as it would require two stands, I tossed that out.

Now, having a bottom-projection table would indeed be lovely, but my rig needs to be portable. I do run games at home, but I also frequently run games at my friendly local game store (Living Forgotten Realms, currently running D&D Encounters) and at local conventions. I carry the pipe-and-wood rig itself in one hand and the rest of my supplies (sandbag, projector, laptop, cables) in a wheeled suitcase pulled in my other hand. It's pretty fantastic for my needs.

The table knocks down to just the top in maybe two minutes, by unscrewing the legs. Since we play in the same location most of the time I used painter's tape to mark the table, mirror, and projector positions, so it can be reassembled in 5 minutes. If I was going on-site then I would just make a template out of brown wrapping paper, so that I could lay it out again in a similar time frame.

I'm also not sure what you mean about sticking with figures for the immersive element. With my games, the monsters are represented by MapTool tokens, and the players use their own physical miniatures. I'm not sure what approach you mean about eliminating arguments about where a character really started; I'm guessing you mean the players use digital tokens, too.

Immersive from the standpoint that 3D is better than 2D, when trying to imagine a situation. We use a combination of digital tokens and figures. The figure stays put until the token move has been completed so there's no, "Which square did I start from?" difficulty. Conditions are marked on the tokens, in Maptool, whereas we used to use coloured magnets. Much better.

I've considered that option, but my players seem to prefer using their own minis. Also, the fact that the minis cast actual shadows is kind of nifty (it's a rare occurrence that the shadow is a problem, obscuring something in the square behind the mini).

My setup is definitely not for everyone. It works great for me, though!

I can certainly see the advantages of your setup.

 

[jcayer]

I'm another maptools/projector guy. We started with a gridded whiteboard. Moved onto Dunjinni, where I printed and taped the maps together.

Got the projector and shot it down at the table, but it was a real pain to setup/take down every week, so we started projecting at the wall. Add a wireless mouse for the players to use and a few laser pointers and we've got a huge map on the wall that everyone can interact with.