Square maps on hex grids

[Lord Zardoz]

I will soon be running the Forge of Fury for my group. However, I have a bit of a problem. I use a battle mat for laying out melees, and the mat is double sided, one side squares, one hex. When I obtained the mat, the players stated that they prefered to use the Hex side. For the most part I do not care.

But the environs for the Forge of Fury adventure use square based maps. I would prefer to stick wit the hex grid for consistency at the present. However, I am at a bit of a loss for how best to represent rooms based on square grids on a hex map.

If anyone has any suggestions on a viable work around, or some free software with which I can mock up rooms on a square grid, and then turn it to a hex grid, that would be very appreciated.

For the worst case scenario, I could insist on square grids where convenient.

Suggestions?

END COMMUNICATION

 

[MerakSpielman]

My last group used a hex map universally, and while it would seem to be problematic, it never really caused much of a problem. For square rooms, we'd just draw square rooms, slicing hexes in half indiscriminantly. You can stand in half-hexes.

Hex grids are nice because you don't have to fiddle with the wonky diagonal movement rules for square hexes, and it's much easier figuring out the radii of circular spells.

 

[Voadam]

I agree with merak, just draw it straight on the map and some hexes get cut in half but still can be entered. Quick and easy, works well.

 

[Psion]

I would NEVER use hexes for indoor maps.

I am okay using hexes for outdoor maps. It makes more sense there.

 

[Arnwyn]

But the environs for the Forge of Fury adventure use square based maps.

And virtually every other adventure you'll run across.