D&D 5E Dungeon Using a Large Mat.

[not-so-newguy]

Hi folks!


I'm planning on using on using my large chessex mat (46 inches by 32 inches) to create a dungeon. I also have a smaller chessex mat for creating encounter areas at the table, plus the four pens (black, red, green, blue). Since the large mat would cover the game table leaving no room for books, I plan on leaving the large mat on the floor while the small mat stays on the table.


I have never used a large mat to create the whole dungeon (I usually go the route of graph paper and pencil while the mat is used for the current encounter), so right now i'm looking for some basic tips on how to handle this.

How do you cover the large mat in order to reveal it as the PCs travel the dungeon?

I plan on keeping the large mat on the floor, any possible problems with this? Luckily, there's not a dog or baby to destroy my super-mega-death-dungeon. Though cats may be a problem.


I will probably have more questions as I move through the process of creating this dungeon over the next few weeks. Thank you for your time.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

I use a mondo mat which covers 3 folding tables and just draw it out as I go.

 

[not-so-newguy]

We don't have the room for that at the table.

Picture 7 people gathered around a dining room table with books, papers, and junk food. There's room for a small mat, but the large mat at the table is a hassle (moving books to the floor, spilled sodas, etc.).

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

I was just replying to how do I do it, I don't draw things in advance, I just draw it as we go.

 

[Gecko85]

Use black construction paper to cover the hidden areas, then remove as necessary to reveal. Also, if you're using fold-up grid maps, you may want to get a sheet of acrylic to go over it, otherwise you'll have trouble keeping minis upright around the creases.

 

[not-so-newguy]

I was just replying to how do I do it, I don't draw things in advance, I just draw it as we go.

Cool. I appreciate the feedback

 

[not-so-newguy]

Use black construction paper to cover the hidden areas, then remove as necessary to reveal. Also, if you're using fold-up grid maps, you may want to get a sheet of acrylic to go over it, otherwise you'll have trouble keeping minis upright around the creases.

Do you use adhesive on the paper? We have a tendency to knock/kick/break things on accident and...yeah...a mat on the floor will eventually get kicked.

Need to look into acrylic. Thanks!

 

[Gecko85]

Do you use adhesive on the paper? We have a tendency to knock/kick/break things on accident and...yeah...a mat on the floor will eventually get kicked.

Need to look into acrylic. Thanks!

A couple well-placed bits of tape work fine.

Her's the acrylic sheet I use: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006QZ7JPW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Astrosicebear]

Hi folks!


I'm planning on using on using my large chessex mat (46 inches by 32 inches) to create a dungeon. I also have a smaller chessex mat for creating encounter areas at the table, plus the four pens (black, red, green, blue). Since the large mat would cover the game table leaving no room for books, I plan on leaving the large mat on the floor while the small mat stays on the table.


I have never used a large mat to create the whole dungeon (I usually go the route of graph paper and pencil while the mat is used for the current encounter), so right now i'm looking for some basic tips on how to handle this.

How do you cover the large mat in order to reveal it as the PCs travel the dungeon?

I plan on keeping the large mat on the floor, any possible problems with this? Luckily, there's not a dog or baby to destroy my super-mega-death-dungeon. Though cats may be a problem.


I will probably have more questions as I move through the process of creating this dungeon over the next few weeks. Thank you for your time.

When my group played through the World's Largest Dungeon, we used the maps provided but bought a piece of lexan, or plexiglass to cover them, and then used a dry erase to black it all out, and erased as we explored.

A 3'x3' section at Lowes or Homedepot was like 15$ at the time.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

A tip, go buy Crayola ultra washable markers for mapping. Everything else I ever used for wet erase markers would leave stains with any color other than green if you left it on there for a few hours, much less a few weeks. These new ones I bought are able to be left on with any color, including the dreaded reds that stained in minutes.