Minis and Grids, do you use them?

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

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.

I'm surprised - but I guess we're different. I run D20 Modern, and the characters who use melee outnumber those who use firearms.

 

[The_Gneech]

We have found that M&Ms help keep the arguments to a minimum because combat is plainly layed out in an easy to understand format in front of the players.

And the best part about using M&Ms as counters is that when you kill the mook, you get to eat him on the spot!

-The Gneech

 

[BryonD]

I use a grid almost always.

PCs are minis, but for nearly everything else I use Fiery Dragon Counters (AWESOME!!!, BTW)

For larger scale encounters I'll either double the scale or forget the grip altogether for really big area encounters.

 

[BryonD]

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.

Yeah....

I can see some point to lowering the entry level complexity. But this one cost a lot more than its value, IMO.

Of the few things 3.5 changes I didn't really care for, I think they could have been avoided by one guy walking around with a big stick with "Remember Options not Restrictions is the Goal" carved in it. Anyone adding a new restriction gets smacked over the head.

 

[frankthedm]

Players love minis, so do I.

I HATE grids though. We use round bases and "Soft Grid" which takes just a bit of Judgement. Which is why the game has Dungeon Master.

 

[Aaron L]

Never ever ever. It feels icky. The DM will keep a bridf map on a peice of paper and keep notes as needed, and if a player wants to keep his own map thats his choise, but the very idea of maps and miniatures just feels to us like changing the game into chess or something similiar. Not that I feel theres anything wrong with using miniatures by far! I just choose not too, and like to let it be known that they arent NEEDED.

 

[KB9JMQ]

I use it for all but the simplest of combats. We also use them for marching order purposes.
My group seems to get more fun and imaginative with my tact-tiles and minis.

It sure got rid of the "Am I in that spell/trap/area" questions which bogged our game down.

 

[HellHound]

Players love minis, so do I.

I HATE grids though. We use round bases and "Soft Grid" which takes just a bit of Judgement. Which is why the game has Dungeon Master.

I would switch to soft gird, but then I'd need a big dry-erase or wet-erase board on the table for protraying terrain...

 

[Crothian]

To those who chose option #2, how do you allow tactical warrior-type characters to use their abilities? Imagination is nice and all, but it sure seems to me that many character options would be wasted in a campaign that doesn't allow the use of a tactical map.

It can be like playing chess without a board and pieces at times, but its not that hard once you get used to it.

 

[DonTadow]

My reason for using them maybe skewed, but I began using minis in my campaign because I was traumatized in my first two campaigns as a player (same group). I'd sit through 30 minute, sometimes 1 hour arguments because player A. said his character was standing at a particular spot and the DM disagreed. Then player B backs up the DM and player C stands behind his good friend player A. While me, Player D, begins to cry and wonder why mommy and daddy are fighting.

I use minis in my campaign because I don't want mommy and daddy to fight anymore.