Imagine, no Battlemat...
- Thread starter EditorBFG
- Start date
I agree that battlemaps aren't absolutely necessary, but I personally prefer them. (of course, I love painting miniatures and building terrain, so I might be a bit biased.)
Without the map, I've never been very good at simulating movement within the battle. It always turns out like the old console rpgs, where everyone just stands in a line and waits for their turn.
Without the map, I've never been very good at simulating movement within the battle. It always turns out like the old console rpgs, where everyone just stands in a line and waits for their turn.
shaylon
First Post
My group uses Tact-tiles in a method which I describe as "loosely". We have minis but they rarely see action, even in a fight. The DM is really good about visualizing and describing the combat so we all have a pretty good idea of who is where. Sometimes we rely on them more than others but I honestly think that we could play without them.
Personally, when I am running a game, I need them. It is much easier on me to have a visual representation and I can do a better job of keeping track of who they are hitting and where everyone is.
-Shay
Personally, when I am running a game, I need them. It is much easier on me to have a visual representation and I can do a better job of keeping track of who they are hitting and where everyone is.
-Shay
Quasqueton
First Post
I started using a battlemat of some sort and minis or some other kind of character representation (coins, mini plastic army figs) within a year of picking up D&D (~1980). I drew 10' squares (2" scale) on a piece of posterboard, subdividing the squares into nine ~3' squares (back then, movement was in 3' increments). I used 2"x1" dominos to mark the walls and doors, and to serve as tables, thrones, stairs, etc.
Currently, we are using TactTiles and dry-erase markers, and real minis (most painted). I like using the battlemat and minis for many scenarios -- not just battles. I like using the battlemat for any RPG, not just D&D. I like the visual representation.
I have played a few times without a battlemat (all editions of the game, with and without AoOs), and I am certain that a battlemat is a boon to gaming. My latest experience without a battlemat was in a Game Day event a couple years ago. There was a lot of confusion between what the DM was describing and what the Players were picturing.
That some folks can play without the table-top representation of the battle scene, I'm happy for them. But I've never experienced a good (non-confusing) game without a battlemat at least for battles -- any game system. I don't doubt that *someone* could show me a good game without a battlemat at all, but I also beleive that game could be even better with a table-top representation of the action.
I like the table-top representation of the game action/scenario.
Quasqueton
Currently, we are using TactTiles and dry-erase markers, and real minis (most painted). I like using the battlemat and minis for many scenarios -- not just battles. I like using the battlemat for any RPG, not just D&D. I like the visual representation.
I have played a few times without a battlemat (all editions of the game, with and without AoOs), and I am certain that a battlemat is a boon to gaming. My latest experience without a battlemat was in a Game Day event a couple years ago. There was a lot of confusion between what the DM was describing and what the Players were picturing.
That some folks can play without the table-top representation of the battle scene, I'm happy for them. But I've never experienced a good (non-confusing) game without a battlemat at least for battles -- any game system. I don't doubt that *someone* could show me a good game without a battlemat at all, but I also beleive that game could be even better with a table-top representation of the action.
I like the table-top representation of the game action/scenario.
Quasqueton
Aust Diamondew
First Post
For my first 2 years of playing D&D we never used battle maps. Eventually I got around to using graph paper cause it helps players visualize better. And finally about 6 months ago me and another player pitched in and bought a grid map. Which we have been using since. We still don't have minatures and just use small objects like dice to represent characters on the map.
Even if it weren't for AoO or any of that junk I'd still use a map. Maps help you visualize whats going on and gets every one on the same page (more or less). There is otherwise much confusion (and sometimes arguing) there was over where someone was in relation to someone else. A grid map is just a tool to help the DM communicate the world better to his players and hardly takes any effort to use.
Even if it weren't for AoO or any of that junk I'd still use a map. Maps help you visualize whats going on and gets every one on the same page (more or less). There is otherwise much confusion (and sometimes arguing) there was over where someone was in relation to someone else. A grid map is just a tool to help the DM communicate the world better to his players and hardly takes any effort to use.
Rev. Jesse
First Post
I belong to a group that does use battlemats for D&D and one that does not for Adventure, Exalted and other WW games. I have generally found that the d20 rules greatly favor using mats and minis for things like AoOs, flanking, and how many gnomes you can fit into a phone booth. The use of the battlemats permits my group to coordinator our attacks and use teamwork that would be difficult w/o a visual represenation of the game. I think this is the first edition of D&D that actually favors (in the rules) thinking tactically and working together. More than before, D&D now seems to be a team game, and I think working w/ a battlemat supports this.
On the other hand, Exalted doesn't have as many range important attacks. Pretty much, if you can see a guy, you can shoot a bow at him and if you don't have a bow, you can run up against him and take a swing w/ a sword. So we don't use a battlemat. This makes it a little more cinematic, provides for a little more individual attention and customization, and allows our creative group to perform great enviroment stunts. Need to swing down a banner to challenge the Evil Dude to a duel? Well, you don't have a map that tells you that you can't.
On the other hand, Exalted doesn't have as many range important attacks. Pretty much, if you can see a guy, you can shoot a bow at him and if you don't have a bow, you can run up against him and take a swing w/ a sword. So we don't use a battlemat. This makes it a little more cinematic, provides for a little more individual attention and customization, and allows our creative group to perform great enviroment stunts. Need to swing down a banner to challenge the Evil Dude to a duel? Well, you don't have a map that tells you that you can't.
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