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Message: <blockquote data-quote="GlassJaw" data-source="post: 2011957" data-attributes="member: 22103">Tact-Tiles - They changed my game!If I had to make just one statement about Tact-Tiles, that would be it.  But alas, one statement a review does not make so I'll press on.I was able to use a set of Tact-Tiles extensively in actual game play before writing this review.Tact-Tiles are 10in x 10in square tiles made of a durable plastic about a 1/4in thick.  Each of the four sides features a male or female puzzle piece so that the tiles may be interlocked together.  In addition to being locked together side by side, a tile may be placed in the middle of two adjacent tiles (so as to create a pyramid shape).  The tiles are light gray in color and are marked with a 1in grid in red.  Every other grid line is in bold.  When using a 1in square = 5ft key, each tile is 50ft x 50ft (each 10in x 10in square is outlined in bold).Tact-Tiles really shine when used for mapping dungeons or building floor plans.  It doesn't matter where the map is started on the tiles.  I don't have to start the map in the center or the edge of the battlemat.  I start with one tile and just place it on the table.  As the players move through the map, additional tiles are just added as needed.  There is no chance of going off the mat with Tact-Tiles.  This aspect is very similar to a scrolling through a computer RPG map.  I can remove and add tiles as needed with ease.Another benefit of Tact-Tiles that I didn't really foresee is that it makes mapping for the players very easy.  No longer do I have to describe the dimensions of rooms to the players and make sure if they got it right.  As I draw the map on the tiles, the players transfer the map to their graph paper.  If I erase some tiles or move them around, the players have the completed map.  If they return to an area they've already been before, I just scroll the tiles and redraw.  I've found that mapping is one of the most tedious and time-consuming tasks of dungeon-crawling.  Tact-Tiles cut this time in half or more.Since they use dry erase markers as compared to wet erase for vinyl battlemats, Tact-Tiles are much easier to clean.  A simple paper towel will completely erase all your tiles in seconds.  Vinyl mats must be cleaned with a wet cloth and then dried.  You can even use your finger if you need to erase something quickly on the tiles without getting the ink all over your hand.  It literally just flakes off.  You'll be washing your hands for days if you do the same with wet erase markers.There are a couple of downsides to Tact-Tiles.  Since dry erase markers are used, it is very easy for the ink to become smudged, especially during battles when there is a lot of movement of minis on the tiles.  I usually end up having to redraw some lines here and there.  The smooth surface of the tiles do not offer as much friction as a vinyl mat does.  Miniatures, especially plastic ones, have a tendency to slide on the tiles a bit.  And while the Tact-Tiles replace the need for a large battlemat most of the time, they certainly don't make them obsolete.  For large areas, especially outdoor settings, I would still use a vinyl battlemat.  A vinyl battlemat also allows a DM to draw a detailed map well in advance and store it until needed.  You cant really do that with Tact-Tiles since the dry erase ink comes off very easily.Tact-Tiles are easily one of the best gaming tools I've purchased.  The time they save when a lot of mapping is required is amazing.  Players love to see the map unfold right in front of them instead of having to fight through mapping it out on graph paper.  The ease of clean-up make Tact-Tiles that much better.  Change your game today – get some Tact-Tiles!</blockquote>

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