How do you show flight elevation in combat when using mini's?

[Infiniti2000]

Because it's messy, tacky (as in tactile), has a tendancy to get all over the place including the carpet

You do realize he's talking about modeling clay and not playdough, right?

and prone to be a distraction as my players will undoubtedly insist on marking it up in all manners unuseful to it's actual use.

That, unfortunately, we can't help you with.

Plus, it doesn't really solve most the problems that were listed in the post. Like what happens when clay-elevated figure has miniature X run underneath it to stab its belly?

None of the suggestions here do that (well, except for my last one).

 

[Dracorat]

Using an index card with elevation marked on it works quite well for that last one btw. You just place the mini in question on top of the card.

 

[mvincent]

Because it's messy, tacky (as in tactile), has a tendancy to get all over the place including the carpet and prone to be a distraction as my players will undoubtedly insist on marking it up in all manners unuseful to it's actual use.

Note that I am not refering to play-doh. The modeling clay I've been using is firmer and has presented none of the problems described (including player distraction, as the clay is gray and uninteresting, and it's firm enough that working it while bored doesn't seem attractive)

Plus, it doesn't really solve most the problems that were listed in the post. Like what happens when clay-elevated figure has miniature X run underneath it to stab its belly?

The clay is tacky enough to allow me to stack miniatures on top of each other (by putting a blob in between), but somehow doesn't stick, leave residue, etc.

This sort of thing occurs very frequently in my games.

 

[Dracorat]

And for the record, I did understand you to mean modelling clay. I have used it for other things in the past.

 

[Infiniti2000]

Using an index card with elevation marked on it works quite well for that last one btw. You just place the mini in question on top of the card.

How is it any different? I'm not understanding something. How do you show someone underneath something else? Using clay, wooden blocks, poker chips, and marking elevation to the side are all the same thing. Only one figure can be in a square. Using some sort of scaffolding is the only solution and only HeapThaumaturgist suggested one possibility.

 

[Dracorat]

It's different because its more or less a 2D object. You arent trying to elevate it above the playing field, you are just marking the square and elevation that the creature is on.

It is basically one step above just writing it directly on the battlemat with a marker.

Maybe not the most 'cool!' solution, but it works and works nicely.

And I'm not trying to dog clay, I'm just saying it would never make its way to my gaming table. Carry on with your regularly scheduled debate. =)

 

[mvincent]

And for the record, I did understand you to mean modelling clay. I have used it for other things in the past.

Then maybe my clay is a different brand then yours was or something. I don't know what to say. I currently have a lot of experience with this technique (and you have none). If anyone else tries it and finds a problem, I'd like know about it.

I might have just gotten lucky with the clay (I just found it lying around, actually, and started using it... not really sure what type it was), but it has been working exceptionally well with the non-metal miniatures... including the ability to stack them

 

[Dracorat]

Perhaps it was a cheap brand. At this point, I don't recall.

 

[Infiniti2000]

mvincent, I will definitely try it. I appreciate the suggestion on it, actually. I don't know when we will play next, however, so don't expect a quick response (we just had a baby, two other members are getting married, yada yada).

Maybe not the most 'cool!' solution, but it works and works nicely.

Okay. I thought you were saying that your solution fixed the problem that the other solutions did not. Yours is just an alternate solution, no better no worse.

 

[werk]

I have some lovely Lexan^TM pieces that I use. I collected them as industrial waste and cut them into 1"x1" squares, deburred them, and peeled off the protective paper covering. Instant stackable invisible height counters...for free!