Looking for Combat Mat advice

[Liquid Ghost]

OK, so 4e is around the corner and I'm sort of getting the idea that I need to get myself that combat mat I never got around getting for 3e. I mean, it seems like it's more of a necessity than a supplement this time around, don't you think? Any suggestions of any good combat mats out there? A DM of mine got one that was a pain to clean and I'd like to avoid that.

 

[Nifft]

I've only had two, but both were pretty easy to clean. We use wet erase markers, and a little water clears us of many a deed.

My current mat is from Cheesix ("MegaMat" or something like that). The big trick is: clean it after the game. Don't let the marker sit on it for a week.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

Sticking with black pens seems to help, too. Some of the colored ones tend to be hard to clean up, even if you do it right away.

 

[Mark]

I like the Chessex mats, and have had several sizes over the years, though I now have a megamat which is a good size for the table of my current, regular game. Just use wet erase markers and wipe it down after the evening and it stays plenty clean.

http://www.chessex.com/mats/Battlemats_Megamats.htm

You can also get some "irregular" mats, some of which might be nearly indistinguishable from their regular mats and all of which are always just fine for playing, but the littlest mark can get their inspectors to take it off the line and reduce the price.

http://www.chessex.com/mats/Battlemats_&_Megamats2nds.htm

In combination with the megamat, I also use all kinds of printed maps and particularly love the flipmats. I place these in the center of the megamat so I can just draw a bit more if the action drifts off to one side or another.

http://paizo.com/store/gameAids/gamingMats/steelSqwire

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Mark]

Sticking with black pens seems to help, too. Some of the colored ones tend to be hard to clean up, even if you do it right away.

I find that red, orange, and purple can be a bit stubborn, so I try to mostly use black, brown, green, and blue.

 

[noffham]

Crystal Caste also has some decent wet erase mats.

http://www.crystalcaste.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=CC&Category_Code=CM

I prefer the flipmats though, when I'm not using Fat Dragon tiles.

 

[Painfully]

Be sure to look at the flip-chart tablets with 1" grids at any major office supply store. It costs about $12-18 for a tablet of 50 sheets, and you'll want to be particular about whether you are buying the post-it type or just regular paper type. They are perfect for making maps that you will use more than once.

Use bleed-proof chart makers for best results.

 

[Aus_Snow]

Flipmat ftw. I've been completely happy with that for a while now.

Recommended.

 

[jdrakeh]

Flipmat ftw. I've been completely happy with that for a while now.

Ditto. Easier to transport than a Battlemat, more durable than a Battlemat, and less expensive (way less expensive) than a Battlemat.

 

[frankthedm]

I find that red, orange, and purple can be a bit stubborn, so I try to mostly use black, brown, green, and blue.

Children's washable markers of all colors wipe off easy in my experience. The Red pigment Vis-a-Vis overhead projector markers use seems to be the culprit since the color has to have enough pigment to stay red in high intensity overhead projector light.