DwarvenForge Mastermaze

[megamania]

The player we borrowed parts from had three of the wheeled plastic drawers (found in K-marts thru out the US). Each drawer was marked with a drawing and description of parts to be found within. VERY HEAVY. PVC is not a light plastic but easy to work with (as a plastics molder myself) for what Dwarven Forge is doing and very durable.

 

[Kichwas]

...

 

[Kichwas]

I bought some drawers from 'Bed, Bath, and Beyond' for $9.99 each to store mine in:
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=12356595&RN=51

It took three bins, but I have a lot of sets. I bought the sets on eBay. I have:

Medieval Furniture Set
Dungeons Accessory Set
Advanced Builder Set
Wicked Additions II Set
Wicked Additions Set
Narrow Passage Set
Straight Passage Set
Room & Passage Set
Octagonal Room Set

Stored like this, I stack the bins next to the 'combat table', which has a gaming mat on it for when we 'move outside' of the sets. When I need them I just open the right drawer and put down the piece.

Ahead of time in dungeon mapping you make dungeons that fit the sizes of the blocks you have. When using modules redraw maps around the zones of combats to fit your blocks. Keep these maps on hand, with the grid marked up to show how the blocks divide it. That way you have a handy instant key during play.

Setup right like this, you can use them pretty quickly.

 

[pogre]

Has anyone used them and if so have you found them to be a good purchase?

Good Lord yes! Buy them immediately!

How easy are they to set up?

I use methods close to Wil and find them very convenient.

Do you set up an entire dungeon, parts of a dungeon, or just single encounters when you use them?

The entire dungeon! I love having a massive set-up out on the board!

Does the DM set them up beforehand or as the game progresses?

As the game progresses.

Of all the mastermaze sets which ones do you recommend the most?

Room and passage set.

Is there anything you think I should know that I haven't asked?

I would add a couple of points:
1. The resale value on these sets is very good should you decide they are not for you.
2. Although the price appears expensive these things are really cheap. You are getting fully painted, tough resin, modular dungeon terrain. The set I have recommended to you retails for $89.00 - that's less than the cost of the three core books - and there will never be a new edition!

 

[dougmander]

I'm a MasterMaze enthusiast. They are expensive but the quality of the sculpting and painting and the attention to detail are excellent -- your lovingly painted minis will no longer feel embarassed standing around on a vinyl mat or a whiteboard. I find the pieces quite durable, having dropped them from table-height without so much as scratching them. They are easy to set up once you've had some practice. I never bother with the bow-tie connectors that you can use to join the tiles.

I have never set up an entire dungeon with them, except as a showpiece for photographing minis. I use them for battles, building only as much of the dungeon as I need at the moment, with the option of building outward to follow the action as the battle unfolds.

Start with one or two of the basic rooms and passages sets. Be forewarned that you can't make absolutely everything with them -- the options for circular rooms are limited, for example, but can be approximated using diagonal wall pieces. For large rooms and caverns you're going to need many, many sets. Also, it's hard to stand minis on some of the stair pieces; I'd like to see them remade with wider treads.

Overall, I'm crazy about them and always look forward to the next set.

 

[aliberator]

Great info! Thanks for all the help. I am off to make some purchases (and kiss my savings goodbye but c'est la vie).

 

[megamania]

Great info! Thanks for all the help. I am off to make some purchases (and kiss my savings goodbye but c'est la vie).

Let us know what you think once you have used them a bit

 

[Kichwas]

I got my copy of Room and Passage for somewhere in the $40's or $50's on eBay. Right now over there it looks like the place has been flooded by an overpriced dealer wanting at least $63, but if you wait a while you can get the sets really cheap there.

I set my maximum bid price by this site:
http://www.frpgames.com/cart.php?m=product_list&mfg=DWF
But by waiting to bid on the right auctions I never even had to come close to it.

 

[megamania]

I got my copy of Room and Passage for somewhere in the $40's or $50's on eBay. Right now over there it looks like the place has been flooded by an overpriced dealer wanting at least $63, but if you wait a while you can get the sets really cheap there.

I'll keep that in mind for once I gather a few silver to burn