Maps From Adventures

[Jolly Ruby]

I also recommend the chessex battlemat and a couple wet erasers (black and blue, avoid red and green because they're more stain prone). And I usually describe the map and the dimensions of the rooms and the players draw it. They find it very fun, but YMMV

 

[LordEntrails]

I also recommend the chessex battlemat and a couple wet erasers (black and blue, avoid red and green because they're more stain prone). And I usually describe the map and the dimensions of the rooms and the players draw it. They find it very fun, but YMMV

This is a good point, red and green tend to stain. There is cleaner you can use, but I assume it makes staining easier over time.

 

[kronovan]

A PDF for a WotC product?

BWAHAHAHAHA

For the WotC adventure maps, you need to buy the bundles on the D&D store, as those include both the printed and digital publications. As an example, here's the bundle for Dungeon Delves.

IME though, it's not too big a problem if you only have the printed, as maps within the books can be scanned in as graphics files with a flatbed scanner. No doubt YMMV with availability of those depending on where you live, but in my city some of the community centers have them available to the public for free. As well, some of the map artists for WotC publications, sell those maps from their own web stores. As an example, this is the store page for the maps Mike Schley created for Tales from the Yawning Portal.

 

[Distracted DM]

In-person? I use a wet-erase (chessex) mat, like others have shared. I have a couple sizes- the biggest, and one down from that. And a tiny one my players got me :'D

 

[UngainlyTitan]

In person, I use a cardboard tiles that interlink like a jigsaw (cannot remember the brand) they have a plastic surface that I can use wet or dry erase makers and predraw the map.
Then bring it out at playtime.

 

[Voadam]

Some of the WotC 5e modules have maps done out on DMsGuild, I believe.

 

[R_J_K75]

I either scan it on my printer then print it out, but I found that cell phone cameras are so good now that I'll just take a pic with my phone, email it to myself and then print it. The image files are easy to crop, insert into a word doc and enlarge it without losing much if any resolution. I can't remember the last time I used my Chessex battle mat or a dry erase board. It's much easier IMO to just hand the players a printed map then going through the trouble of drawing things out.

 

[Bomberooski]

Thank you all for the tips and tricks! I have the Chessex battlemap and will be using that one moving forward.

The one thing I'm bummed about is how pretty some of the maps in the book look and my drawings of outlines are going to be subpar. But as someone said earlier, that is where the words come in

 

[el-remmen]

Chessex wet erase battle mat (I own 4). Wet erase > Dry erase. And draw as you go.

Or draw it all out ahead of time with 1” graph paper (I got a 200 ft roll - probably enough to last what time I have left in this world) and then cover up the unexplored areas with construction paper and reveal as they explore.

 

[el-remmen]

avoid red and green because they're more stain prone

Alternatively, go ahead and use those colors (I have for 30+ years) and be sure to clean up as you go or as soon as the session is over. I find those invaluable for drawing brush or fire or green slime or magma, etc. I also use blue for water and brown for wooden structures.