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Message: <blockquote data-quote="maddman75" data-source="post: 387344" data-attributes="member: 2673">I use a mat for my games, and both the other DMs do as well.  One of them tends to be more free and loose with the rules, but relented at player request to start using it.  The map IME speeds up gameplay a great deal.  There's no arguements about who is where, I wasn't next to the door when dimbulb over there opened it, how far away the bad guys are.  I feel it is a great aid to imagination rather than a hinderance.  I don't see why knowing who is where would limit your imagination.Several of us enjoy painting miniatures as well.  Its almost a seperate hobby and the two mesh well together.Now that said, I don't use the mat for everything.  If the characters are exploring some kind of dungeon, I don't draw out each room or anything.  I describe it, and when it is time to throw down we'll sketch the room and place the miniatures.I don't know about the other games, but IMHO you are probably hosing fighter types by not using a mat.  My fighter uses her mobility, spring attack, and tumbling and other feats nearly every round.  Without minis, I fear the DM would ignore these abilities too often.  Also, it tends (IME) to be much easier for spellcasters to grab bad guys in AoE spells while avoiding the heroes.</blockquote>