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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Aristotle" data-source="post: 387696" data-attributes="member: 5885">I can only echo what others have said. I have two chessex mats, and plan to get another couple eventually. I put them out on the game table whether or not I think I'll need to make use of them each session.For the record, I use water soluable transparency markers on my mat. I can leave them on for an entire game session and wash them off with a damp towel with no staining. I sometimes leave a map drawn on the mat for up to a month. This has caused some staining, but regular cleaning with dishwashing liquid keeps the stains light.I do not feel that using a mat "dulls" the creativity of a game. As others have said, it merely provides information that you would otherwise have to go over several times through a scene. It also makes for less arguing about where a character is, which way he is facing, and what is around him. You, the DM, still have to be just as descriptive with your scenery. In my opinion you can be even more descriptive. With all of the "facts" already on the mat in front of the group you can spend more time on description and other fluff.A mat should not hinder a group who wants to run a "cinematic" game. I am notorious for such games, and I use my mats. The only difference is that the mat allows everyone to see the action in the same way instead of the DM assuming everyone is seeing what he is describing (and often being wrong).Another "pro" argument. There are people who learn by be being told and people who learn by being shown (and a few who can learn both ways). Neither group is less imaginitive than the other. As a DM you can provide an equal level of enjoyment to players of both types by describing the action for those who learn from being told, and showing the action on the mat for those who learn from being shown. Everyone wins! (by the way, this is the same principal reason why teachers use blackboards or whiteboards.)Someone mentioned that things get to tactical when a mat is introduced. I understand the argument, but do not agree with it completely. It makes sense to me that a character might move to avoid the possible movements of enemies. It makes sense to me that any Wizard worth his salt would be able to judge the approximate distance to a target for the purpose of centering spells. Otherwise he would probably have incinerated himself a long while ago. Remember that the "squares" (or hexes) are not there. The characters do not see them. So if you think that a character might not notice that he is lined up with an enemy or might have a difficult time gauging the distance to a target... call for some sort of perception test! If you want to play cinematic, then judge the character choice in the same way you would have without the mat and then apply it. Very simple.</blockquote>

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