Best battlemats?

[megamania]

We use squares even for Champions. We just use 3e D&D movement rules.

 

[SemperJase]

At one time I used the 1" flip chart paper. Then I realized that those things get expensive.

I went with the Crystal Caste Combat mat. I find I never use the hex side. For you hex gamers, you probably won't use the square side. The two sided is somewhat of a gimmick. But I have been very satisfied with mine.

There is an issue with the red markers, but that goes with any mat. Its the color, not the mat.

As for the dry erase idea, I knew someone who had some customized boards made to cover their pool table. The top had a dry erase surface and the idea was to use that as the gaming table (the bottom was covered in a material that wouldn't scratch the wood on the pool table, very cool). We used the boards as a table surface, but never used the dry erase when I played with them. Why? Turns out that dry erase leaves a powdery residue and gets all over your stuff. Every see a teacher's hands after using a dry erase board all day? Imagine that on your books. Not appealing. Wet erase works better.

 

[wighair]

i use a big chessex and it's fine. however, i also find that some colours are best avoided such as green and red. i tend to just use black when i can.

the other issue is creases. do you roll, fold or roll and fold? ;-)

 

[Alzrius]

I would say the battlemat that I got for being a member of the RPGA before membership became free, but I haven't received it yet.

Where and who do I complain to?

 

[qstor]

Another tip - DON'T leave the over head projector marker drawing on OVERNIGHT. As they can stain both Crystal Caste and Chessex mats. Red is especially bad.

Mike

 

[buzz]

Turns out that dry erase leaves a powdery residue and gets all over your stuff. Every see a teacher's hands after using a dry erase board all day? Imagine that on your books. Not appealing. Wet erase works better.

Ah! I never thought of this. The board I was looking at, though, wasn't large enough that anyone would be setting their books on it.

Still, a good point.

 

[buzz]

We use squares even for Champions. We just use 3e D&D movement rules.

Auuuugghh!!! Heretic!

*blam*
*blam*
*blam*

 

[Mercule]

Red and, to a lesser extent, green are problematic whether wet-erase or dry-erase. Don't leave either one on overnight.

Haven't used orange, but it probably has some of the red dye in it.

 

[Nifft]

I got wax on a Crystal Castle mat. It turns out that it's really easy to get the wax off if you just bend the mat a little, but being foolish, I tried to scrape the wax off -- and instead rubbed it in to the surface of the mat. I think it's time to buy a new one.

-- Nifft