Square Grid or Hex Tile Battlemat?

[knight_isa]

We use a square grid, but use a ruler for diagonal movement and drop the mini in the closest square to the endpoint. It goes pretty fast and fairly simple.

 

[Ranger REG]

No friggin' grid. No friggin' hex. Just rulers or measuring tapes with inch measurement and a surface, with or without terrain.

I mean how hard can it be to measure? And it doesn't take long. You don't even have to move the full inch.

 

[Kershek]

No friggin' grid. No friggin' hex. Just rulers or measuring tapes with inch measurement and a surface, with or without terrain.

I mean how hard can it be to measure? And it doesn't take long. You don't even have to move the full inch.

I couldn't imagine using measuring tapes for movement. That would open a big can of worms as to where to measure from and to (and people would tend to take longer trying to figure out how to squeeze out the most movement to the nearest millimeter - hell, we already do that with squares). We use any number of combinations of creature counters, stand up cardboard heroes, real miniatures, erasers, and anything else we can find for creatures.

Our group has a habit of treating combat like a tactical board game, though, instead of fast-paced action. We have tried to change it, but we keep reverting back to old habits.

 

[Henrix]

We use a square grid mat, but Ranger Reg is absolutely correct.
Tape measures and minis based on round 25mm bases is the best option.

 

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Squares all the way.

 

[Sanackranib]

battlemats

I have and have used both so I picked other. I am currently using a grid. but i prefer hex for movement. kinda sucks for buildings though.

 

[Ranger REG]

I couldn't imagine using measuring tapes for movement. That would open a big can of worms as to where to measure from and to (and people would tend to take longer trying to figure out how to squeeze out the most movement to the nearest millimeter - hell, we already do that with squares). We use any number of combinations of creature counters, stand up cardboard heroes, real miniatures, erasers, and anything else we can find for creatures.

Our group has a habit of treating combat like a tactical board game, though, instead of fast-paced action. We have tried to change it, but we keep reverting back to old habits.

Hey, if Warhammer gamers can do it, I don't see how it would be very difficult for D&D gamers, especially those who are veterans of the old Battlesystem games (1e and 2e).

If anything, this is my top 3 list:

1. No grid
2. Square grid
3. Hex grid (last resort)

 

[KnowTheToe]

Since there is no facing in D&D it is much cleaner to use the squares. There are only disadvantages and complications created with hexes. I still have my hex mat for other games that include facing.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Hex outdoors, squares indoors.

 

[Henry]

The funny thing is, my group STILL uses tape measures when plotting out spell effects and the like. I agree, It would be the most fun to use tape measurements, miniature terrain, etc. (Heck, if a Mage Knight player can do it, why can't D&D gamers?) But our problem is the contrary: we want to get the action moving, and get severely annoyed with players who try to count, recount, etc. Even to the extent that if someone takes too long deciding (over two or three minutes), the DM causes them to forfeit their turn.