Maps for Encounters

[defendi]

Hi. While we're waiting for the GSL, I thought I'd start a discussion on the Wizards encounter format (two page spread with a battlemap). They take up a lot of space, and I'm sure 3PP like myself and Goodman would love to hear your opinions on it. What do you prefer, especially for encounters that don't take place on the main dungeon map (like fights on the way to the dungeon?

1) A small battlemap you can sketch out on your medium of choice for miniatures (or print with software like Campaign Cartographer's free printer).

2) A description of the area, so that you can adjust the details to your liking (for instance, instructions that say, "start with a road with a turn on it, sprinkle some dense woods on the inside bend, and then place some bushes for difficult terrain around the map").

3) Completely freeform.

4) Something Else I haven't thought of.

Your answers have a great effect on page count.

Anyway, I'm curious as a DM too, as I like to see how other DMs handle their 4e encounters, but I'm sure all the third party publishers would like to know your thoughts.

Robert J Defendi
Final Redoubt Press

 

[JBeatnik]

as a DM, since my gamer personality is wayyy Explorer (bartle quotient) I make maps of maps of maps. I own wayyy too many of the dungeon tiles, and have trouble with storing hundreds of pieces of cardstock and cardboard 5 foot squares. I would have to say that my favorite aspect of use for maps are the WotC dungeon tiles. They are double sided, thick, and premade 5 foot steps. i would, however, like for them to be in larger pieces. Something like a 40 foot by 40 foot room or larger for outdoor scenes and large battlefronts.

I am a horrible artist, but I have probably 3 dozen posterboards on each side drawn into large scale 5 foot squares. Post have rivers and towers and forests drawn on them, to which I overlay pieces of dungeon tile and siege weapons on.

in pre-written campaign settings and encounters (which I use rarely) I do like to have the exact mapping dimensions of use, so i can replicate the game balance and tactics as the original encounter planners envisioned.

 

[The Little Raven]

Personally, I love KotS's layout. It gives me everything I need in a two-page spread.

 

[Surgoshan]

Edit: Never mind. Need to think.