Minis and Grids, do you use them?

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

Aside from my first couple sessions, I've used mini's almost 100% of the time, and a grid anytime one was available. One of the guys in my first group really liked painting minis, so we always had a good supply. Most of us came from a wargame background, though, so it was a natural progression.

 

[Henry]

Our group uses minis and Battlemats for all combats that are not simplistic. I myself also drop to "Battlemat mode" if surrounding territory is foreign and dangerous, such as exploring a ruin or invading a hostile territory.

However, he don't do it for every game -- for our current Mutants and Masterminds game, our GM has been going gridless, and it's been working fairly well. M&M doesn't emphasize a battle grid as much as other OGL d20 type games, though.

 

[Janx]

I use them pretty much all the time ( a rare one on one fight, I might skip).

Here's what I find valuable about using the grid:

players pay attention more because they have something to see and think about

players who aren't paying attention get back in game faster on their turn, because they can look at the board and see the situation, saving the DM time from re-explaining who's where and where the bad guys are.

it keeps players from being everywhere at once. In games without grids, I've got one player who would be simultaneously retreating from an area effect spell, fighting a bad guy, and trying to scoop up the treasure dropped across the room. The grid puts them in a specific location relative to everyone else.

I can show the 3d models and mini scenes I've put together for the session. We've played on a 28" Ship (The Maiden of the High Seas from WorldWorks Games, very cool). 3d dungeons, etc. I like making stuff, this is an opportunity to put it all together and use it.

The grid makes it easy to adjudicate area effects and attacks of opportunity and flanking (no arguments, just look at the board).

Janx

 

[TerraDave]

I got my first dry erase battle mat about 12 years ago, and haven't looked back...though I have recently upgraded to tact-tiles.

 

[Kanegrundar]

I use minis all the time.

I started out with Marvel Super Heroes and Hero Quest (the old MB boardgame), so I played with minis from the beginning and used them during my 1E/2E days. Minis are just part of the game for me. I don't know that it brings out a true wargamey aspect, but tactics has always been one of my draws to D&D, so take that for whatever it's worth.

Kane

 

[TerraDave]

Most of the polls I've seen with this sort of topic end up with 15%-20% of players using just their imagination all the time, and the other 80-85% of them using some form of representation at times.

I use both, but I can say since D&D Miniatures came along - oh, they're so easy to transport and I don't have to paint them! - I've used the grid a lot more than before.

Cheers!

Actually, so far in this pole it is less then 8%...it tragic so few people can use their imagination...

 

[The_Gneech]

Hooray for perennial threads!

I started out using description all the time, and it worked okay.

Then in college I:

1) finally GOT some minis, and

2) started using the HERO system

During that time, I fell in love with the hex grid and figures, and if I have the choice will never go back. Knowing where everybody is at all times -- wonderful! Setting up bits of scenery and terrain features to hinder/help the characters -- way fun! The shocked look on the players' faces when I pull out the BIG SURPISE BADDIE and plunk it down on the map -- priceless!

When D&D 3e came out, my big adjustment was switching to the square grid. But it was pretty easy, and I'm happy with it. Mage Knight and the new D&D minis line makes my life easier still.

Yay, grid + figs!

-The Gneech

 

[Psion]

Ooh, look. My choice is actually one of the poll choices this time!

I use them for big fights or complex placements only, not by default

To me, the mat is there as a facilitator. I dislike in the 3.5 RAW, they seem to make the matt the source of authority vice the DM. AFAIC, your target might have cover because I say he has cover, then I draw that on the matt to show it. I don't like goofy little line tracing rules that totally fails to take into account anything not neatly represented of a 5' grid.

They can pry my 3.0 cover and concealment chart out of my cold, dead hand.

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

I have noticed, that while I prefer playing with a battlemat, I'm much more likely to forgo it in modern/sci fi games. When most everyone is using ranged weapons, 5' here or there isn't a big deal. In fantasy, where things have to be up close and personal, it makes it more important (to me, anyway) to have more precise movement.

 

[Mercule]

We use a grid for pretty much every combat, besides the incredibly simplistic and generally irrelivant ones. We also use grids for exploration. Marching order, and general bunching/spacing is always available and un-ambiguous that way. It's also very clear and helps bring the descriptions to life.

Can a good DM do fine without a grid? Absolutely. However, I've found a) Sometimes everyone (DM or player) has an off day, when they just aren't communicating well; b) players occasionally miss part of the discription; c) players who have had a bad day may try to waffle on their position; d) DMs do the same thing; e)my memory is good, but imperfect. There are more on the list, but those are the major reasons, especially "a" and "b".

I run a pretty strongly roleplay-based game. And that's all the more reason that when it's time for combat, I want to make sure people know what's going on.