Maps, Miniatures, Computers,... How do you play?

[The Kender]

I play with a board that I made. You can write on it, but it doesn't erase that well(You use Crayons to draw on it) I've started to make walls out of lego's (Just 1 brick high stuff)

For the PC's and NPC's, I print off pictures and glue them to poker chips. They're just the right size for my board(I didn't use exact 1" squares)

 

[mikebr99]

An Excel file with square boxes instead of std. rectangular... cut-&-paste people around the screen.

Patch cable to TV for everyone's viewing pleasure, and Netmeeting the ones out of town (with audio).


Mike

 

[Trainz]

We use Interactive Dungeon:

http://www.geocities.com/trainz_ca/ID

We can't play without it anymore.

 

[Gnarlo]

Depends on where my players are that week.

90% of my gaming is online now; I use Klooge for the "table" and gameboard and Netmeeting or Teamspeak for conversation and description (still playing around with them and trying to decide what we like.) Every once in a while, we will all get on Neverwinter Nights and run a multiplayer module with everyone when we want something more visceral then cerebral (think of the difference between watching and reading LOTR).

The times that we actually get to be face to face, I have my PC with DMFamiliar on it on a side table to keep track of all my notes and campaign stuff, as well as the SRD on it and any additions / homerules. I also have a stack of index cards, my dice, a GM screen, notepads, my rule books, etc., because a lot of the time it is just less distracting to my players and quicker to just jot down a note quickly than to turn and start clicketing away on a keyboard. Plus, they sit up and get paranoid if I start typing, so it makes it harder to surprise them.

On the table when we face to face, we use minis or counters (thank you Firey Dragon), and map out the entire dungeon as we go with Mastermaze and Hirst Arts blocks.

/gnarlo

 

[Hjorimir]

Square grid mat and we have a box of 1" wooden blocks that we use to make walls out of (buy them at a craft store like Michael's in SoCal). Add in some dominos for doors or tables and a little pen work for things that dont match up well with the blocks.

I really like the plexi-glass over the mat idea and may incorporate that.

Also we have whiteboards we use (still need to get the one at my house hung up).

Generally, if my group is in a dungeon I make them place themselves in the dungeon at all times...they never know when they are nearing an encounter that way.

If I can swing it, I sometimes will make them play by candlelight in a dark dungeon. Helps set the mood.

 

[WinnipegDragon]

We have a rather elaborate set-up, thanks to a woodworkingly-inclined player. our game area is a desk (for the DM) and a couple of couches around a 4' x 8' table. The table sits fairly low on fold-out banquet table legs, and is a sheet of MDF, covered with a set of printed grid sheets, and covered buy a solid sheet of plexiglass. Basically, we have a 4' x 8' grid that you can write on with dry-erase markers. Very good for the combat maps, general mapping, quick sketches of all descriptions, etc...

No PC, but if I ever get the cash, I am buyin' me a laptop for gaming!

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

I will only add to this conversation by stating that Chessex is now making a 4' x 8' reversible battlemat. Now we just need a table big enough to lay it out on...

 

[theoremtank]

First off, theorem, those maps are RAD for being done in MSPaint. How do you do it, dude? (Or dudette - y'never know on ENWorld )

I'm a dude. But anyway, you got me motivated today to put up a webpage detailing how I make these maps.

Here's the link

http://members.cox.net/theoremtank1/maps/tutorial.html

I don't know how long the bandwidth will hold up, but if people like it I'll look for other web hosting options.