Do you use hex maps?

[bwgwl]

Okay, a quick search yielded the answer....a typical size of a mountain or small group of mountains is about one to ten kilometres across, or one half a mile to six miles across...another source said that they can range up to 24 miles in diameter...and are a minimum of 1000 feet high (one fifth of a mile high). Hope this helps someone...

thanks again, rounser. information like that is great for any amateur mapmaker/worldbuilder.

 

[bwgwl]

I've been trying to come up with a projection system for MapInfo to use with my campaign world.

heh. i got so annoyed with the distortion problem going from world maps to regional maps that i decided to make my last campaign world flat.

 

[La Bete]

Ok, gotta ask, which is better square or hex maps? What is the difference?

Tradition durn it! d&d used hex maps orginally, so we must use them now! Except indoors, where we must use square maps! any other approach would be heresy!

whew! i feel better now....

hex work well for overland maps, less so for indoors.

most people like using squares for combat maps, but hexes work ok. hex maps for combat are for those who like a more "realistic" feel to positioning and movement. 3e combat copes easily with either.

 

[Buttercup]

I haven't, but Darraketh's enthusiasm is starting to make me wonder if I should give hexmapper a try.

 

[Maerdwyn]

Ok, gotta ask, which is better square or hex maps? What is the difference?

It depends on which type of Battlemat you have

I use hexes for both since buying a hex grid Megamat, and since I can put a hex grid overlay on the maps I make on computer, whether they are indoor or outdoor maps.

I like the way diagonal movement (especially) works on a hex map better than on a square grid, but it really doesn't matter too much - personal preference, really.

 

[Darraketh]

I'm old, old school. Hex maps outside, square maps inside. But I have a slightly different approach to using outside hex maps. I'll be detailing this soon in my other thread. hee hee

Basically the difference beween the two is a matter of personal preference and a good set of rules for the use of either.

3E has pretty much addressed the square ones.
And no I don't intend to reinvent the combat model.

 

[Deadguy]

Well, I'm gonna have to differ. For myself, I use square mapping indoors, but for outdoors: nothing. I don't like the horrible distorting effect that the hex grid has on maps. without fail they look artificial, distorted and well... just plain amateurish!

Though I was around for the old Greyhawk maps, I have no fond memories as some people do. Even back then I thought "this looks rubbish" and "why couldn't they be bothered to do some real cartography". The enforced granularity of true 'hex-mapping' (cf OD&D) as opposed to hex overlays is even more sharply artificial. I can never understand why people have these need to be able to count hexes to travel overland; it's not like most overland travel can be in a straight line! it's always going to be the case that the DM decides how long overland journeys take, rendering the grid moot.

To those who always hexmap: try going freehand. You will find the experience quite... liberating!

 

[Maerdwyn]

Well, I'm gonna have to differ. For myself, I use square mapping indoors, but for outdoors: nothing. I don't like the horrible distorting effect that the hex grid has on maps. without fail they look artificial, distorted and well... just plain amateurish!

[snip good post]

Actually, I should clarify - I only use gridded maps for battles. I run overland travel just as you describe.

 

[La Bete]

freehand vs hex

dont get me wrong, i still enjoy doing freehand maps - of seriously varying quality.....
however i find for my purposes esp. as a gm secret map, hexmapping good n fast n easy for the "what goes where" thang.

still, as ive said elsewhere, it one of those "you say tomato, I say .."

 

[Horacio]

I'm old, old school. Hex maps outside, square maps inside. But I have a slightly different approach to using outside hex maps. I'll be detailing this soon in my other thread. hee hee

Basically the difference beween the two is a matter of personal preference and a good set of rules for the use of either.

3E has pretty much addressed the square ones.
And no I don't intend to reinvent the combat model.

In you opinion, why would it be difficult using D&D combat rules with hex maps? I've done it a few times without major problems...