D&D (2024) My preferred way of playing D&D 2024 is... miniatures or not?

[Stormonu]

I cannot recall the last time I played without minis in D&D. I've done mini-less in many other RPGs, but D&D for some reason is just not one I'd want to try without some sort of map & markers when any sort of significant combat breaks out.

 

[Vael]

I don't really have a preference, but I answered minis because I do like using them on occasion. I like it helps visualization, I find I have to repeat myself less than with TOTM.

And, in general, I missed the tactile nature of DnD, playing online during lockdown. The physicality of rolling dice and moving minis is something I missed, and find VTTs a poor substitute for.

 

[darjr]

Both. Or rather I love minis and cool terrain but not if we are counting squares and exactly measuring everything.

I also love totm.

 

[payn]

Both. Or rather I love minis and cool terrain but not if we are counting squares and exactly measuring everything.

I also love totm.

Yeah, I have used maps and token forever in my Traveller games. Mostly, its just a frame of reference for everyone. D&D is a different story with AoE templates, flanking, AOO, etc...

I consider my Traveller games TotM, but some folks might consider any map at all to be disqualified.

 

[Zardnaar]

Naturally, the vast majority will say they do in fact play with miniatures.

Yet they'll complain 'til Kingdom come if you design rules that "expect" miniatures.

I do not understand this seemingly contradictory behavior. But it is observable.

Might be DM/player split

Players will probably vote for them. It's more stuff for DM to deal with or carry.

 

[The Soloist]

When I play D&D solo, it varies. I have a large collection of fantasy miniatures, terrain accessories, D&D dungeon tiles and Loke Giant Battle Map books.

For routine battles, I play TotM, but for BBG fights, I play with the full set of accessories. The final room fills my 4'x4' table and is covered with columns and other accessories (cover) to make the fight more interesting.

Sometimes, I play with an abstract board with zones only, no grid. I use this method for wilderness fights when the beligerents are far apart.

 

[Clint_L]

I think you leave a lot on the table when you don't use a map. Or off the table as it were.
When you use a lay out and terrain etc. a player may get the spark of an idea on how to better handle the situation.
If there is no map or layout....how do i know what i might not be seeing?

So, this is something that I've also noticed when using terrain with miniatures. When they are looking at a fully built set, players do tend to come up with some interesting ideas about what their characters might try in that 3 dimensional space.

On the other hand, with theatre of the mind players are more likely to improvise interesting location details on their own, which I like. So...strengths and weaknesses I guess. Ultimately, I think the miniatures and terrain are mostly for my enjoyment; in another era I'd have been a model railroad guy, most likely.

 

[Clint_L]

I cannot recall the last time I played without minis in D&D. I've done mini-less in many other RPGs, but D&D for some reason is just not one I'd want to try without some sort of map & markers when any sort of significant combat breaks out.

For horror games I actively avoid miniatures - I think theatre of the mind is 100% the way to go when you are relying on imagination and suspense.

 

[MGibster]

I know this is going to come as a shock to most of you, but I really like painting miniatures and tend to use them in my D&D games. Trying to keep track of character positions, spell effects, the space around the encounter, etc., etc. would be difficult in theater of the mind's eye. While I use miniatures frequently, I often use tokens like dice, coins, or whatever else I have on hand. For minor encounters where placement isn't particularly important, I'll skip the map & miniatures.

 

[EzekielRaiden]

I use minis to help with the visualization, not because I want to count squares and measure distances in combat.

I want the rules to work completely without that in a TotM way. I much prefer 13th Age’s fireball (you hit 1d3 nearby enemies) over the 5e one

You seem to be conflating using minis with a specific way to use them

All of the things you just mentioned are mechanics improved by the use of miniatures...as in, mechanics written with the expectation of their use.

Including the 13A range-band approach (even if I find it mentally troublesome).