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The Grid vs. Theater of the Mind vs. a Mix [a poll & discussion]
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<blockquote data-quote="Lanefan" data-source="post: 8443362" data-attributes="member: 29398"><p>Most of the time I just draw the room or area outlines (we use a gridded chalkboard) and describe what's in it. If it seems rocks or trees will be or become relevant but I haven't planned any I'll scatter something - beads, bits of wood, whatever - across the board (moving any that land where they shouldn't e.g. a tree in the middle of a road) and where they land is where the trees are. For fireplace tools, if they weren't in the description then it'll come down to random roll whether there's any present and accessible.</p><p></p><p>Rarely if ever. Most of the time encounter areas are drawn out on the fly.</p><p></p><p>I don't use pre-printed battlemats.</p><p></p><p>Most of the time the DM describes the dungeon and the players draw it out, always on a paper map and most of the time on the board as well. Complex rooms or odd-shaped caverns are usually left for the DM to draw out on the board, and the paper-mapper just copies from that.</p><p></p><p>Yes, always. If the 10' radius gas trap goes off I need to know who is where. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p>We also use the minis to show marching order.</p><p></p><p>When they split, if its over a long range (e.g. they're in different towns) I just position the minis symbolically to show who's in what group. If it's within the same dungeon I usually only run one group at a time and only draw what that group can see, then erase it before the next group comes in.</p><p></p><p>I don't use TotM if at all possible as it just leads to too many arguments over positioning and movement.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lanefan, post: 8443362, member: 29398"] Most of the time I just draw the room or area outlines (we use a gridded chalkboard) and describe what's in it. If it seems rocks or trees will be or become relevant but I haven't planned any I'll scatter something - beads, bits of wood, whatever - across the board (moving any that land where they shouldn't e.g. a tree in the middle of a road) and where they land is where the trees are. For fireplace tools, if they weren't in the description then it'll come down to random roll whether there's any present and accessible. Rarely if ever. Most of the time encounter areas are drawn out on the fly. I don't use pre-printed battlemats. Most of the time the DM describes the dungeon and the players draw it out, always on a paper map and most of the time on the board as well. Complex rooms or odd-shaped caverns are usually left for the DM to draw out on the board, and the paper-mapper just copies from that. Yes, always. If the 10' radius gas trap goes off I need to know who is where. :) We also use the minis to show marching order. When they split, if its over a long range (e.g. they're in different towns) I just position the minis symbolically to show who's in what group. If it's within the same dungeon I usually only run one group at a time and only draw what that group can see, then erase it before the next group comes in. I don't use TotM if at all possible as it just leads to too many arguments over positioning and movement. [/QUOTE]
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