Problems with professionally made maps?

[dreaded_beast]

I love maps, especially professional made ones, like those found in adventure modules, on the WotC site, etc.

However, I have problems using them in game, especially ones that are really fancy, organic, have a lot of detail, etc. I DM using minis and a battlemat, where I draw the basic map, then erase as we move along in the dungeon.

This works well for very simple maps, but not so well with the real detailed or huge maps, at least for me anyways.

Anyone else have this problem or have recommendations on how to counteract this?

 

[Mark]

Draw it up in advance on extra-large graph paper in increments that take into accound the likely light sources of the group (or their seeing ability). On some you might just draw a portion and fill it in as it becomes apparent. You could probably do this just for the more complicated areas and use the battlemat for the others.

 

[Mark]

double-post

 

[dreaded_beast]

Draw it up in advance on extra-large graph paper in increments that take into accound the likely light sources of the group (or their seeing ability). On some you might just draw a portion and fill it in as it becomes apparent. You could probably do this just for the more complicated areas and use the battlemat for the others.

Good idea, although unfortunately my DM style falls under "think about it, then scramble the hour before the game."

Maybe if I wasn't so lazy, I could make better use of maps, hehe.