D&D General Do your players map?

[the Jester]

Absolutely. I run big dungeons, and it's easy to get lost. Also, unless someone has the Keen Mind feat or another way to determine cardinal directions, they get "right" and "left" from me, not "north" and "south." And when it's time to find their way back out of the dungeon, it's easy to get lost if they weren't paying close attention.

 

[DND_Reborn]

Yeah, we map. We have to. Luckily, we often capture inhabitants (humanoids, that is) when possible and have them "sketch" out what they can in exchange for their freedom later on.

 

[uzirath]

I don't have the time for that nonsense any more.

I'm in this boat. Back in the days of six+ hour sessions, we used to have a dedicated mapper. Now, we usually play for three hours, and I try to avoid having players spend time on elements that aren't directly driving the drama.

With that said, there is a PC in the group who is a cartographer and spends time drawing up maps to sell in town, so we just figure that he is keeping track of things. (He has the right supplies, but we don't worry about what he does with them when battle breaks out... I imagine he stuffs his notes into his pouch.)

 

[Michael Silverbane]

It has been some time ago, but the last time I ran a megadungeon game (the dungeon was the afterlife that foolhardy adventurers went to when they died), I did have them do mapping.

 

[iserith]

With that said, there is a PC in the group who is a cartographer and spends time drawing up maps to sell in town, so we just figure that he is keeping track of things. (He has the right supplies, but we don't worry about what he does with them when battle breaks out... I imagine he stuffs his notes into his pouch.)

This is the rule I generally use for mapping the wilderness if the scenario involves overland travel:

Map. If there is no strong wind or precipitation, you can draw a map that records the group's progress and helps your party get back on course if you get lost. No ability check is required, but you must have training in cartographer's tools, be in possession of said tools, and have both hands free while doing it. Once you have created an accurate map between two points of interest, make a note of this map in your equipment list. It provides advantage to any ability checks to navigate while traveling in the mapped area.​

In a dungeon, strong wind or precipitation is generally not a concern, but having two hands free is. This can be a tough choice for characters with shields or other objects that they'd prefer be held at all times given that the potential for combat lurks around every corner. While there's generally no navigation required in my games for getting around a dungeon, often I'll make a source map of the dungeon worth gold and so they have to weigh the risk of being less prepared for combat against the gold they can earn for mapping.

 

[tommybahama]

I currently only play on Roll20, a VTT, so mapping is done automatically unless Theater of the Mind is used.

We use dynamic lighting so the map goes black once you leave a room. We don't use fog of war because apparently it requires a good PC for everyone. I really, really don't like dynamic mapping.

In 2E, however, I found a great technique that tracked the PCs route with minimal effort. You simply drew a line for directions taken, leaving marks for other exits, including secret doors. If an area was noteworthy, you marked it (A,B,C...) and wrote a note on the back of the map.

The angry GM has an article on mapping that recommends something similar.

An Angry Guide to Practical Cartography

 

[Lanefan]

As a usual rule, the party has one person who writes down treasure, and one person who maps as necessary.

This is exactly what we do also; and in any game I play in I almost always end up as treasurer (largely because people always seem to want me to map, and I do enough of that as a DM )

And yes, maps are made - the assumption being if the players aren't making a map the PCs aren't either, and thus risk getting lost. (and we also note who's making/carrying the map in case the party gets split up)

If the mapper or treasurer happens to miss a session someone takes over for the night.

 

[Lanefan]

... a megadungeon game (the dungeon was the afterlife that foolhardy adventurers went to when they died) ...

Yoink!

This is a brilliant idea!

 

[Lanefan]

... often I'll make a source map of the dungeon worth gold and so they have to weigh the risk of being less prepared for combat against the gold they can earn for mapping.

For those looking for 1st level or even 0th level adventure ideas, you can do much worse than send a party in to a cleared-out (in theory!) dungeon as a training exercise, with their goal being to come out with an accurate map of the place....

 

[cbwjm]

I hope not because I often don't have a map.