Which of these is the optimal distance of measurement for your TTRPG enjoyment?

[Slit518]

Let's discuss what our preferred unit of measurement is when it comes to distance at the TTRPG table.

It seems a lot of TTRPGs use Feet or Meters (perhaps for good reason).

But, what unit of measurement would you prefer?

It might be harder if you never used a particular measurement before, or perhaps one would intrigue you to try.

Click all options that apply. So if you would use more than one unit of measurement, let us know with your vote.

This is for research purposes. Feel free to discuss the topic below. And thank you for your participation!

 

[Darth Solo]

I, like so many of those in this hobby, prefer Palms. They're the only truly distinctive means of calculating space without employing a calculator.

 

[Emberashh]

I, like so many of those in this hobby, prefer Palms. They're the only truly distinctive means of calculating space without employing a calculator.

I prefer whosiwhatsits.

 

[loverdrive]

Close/Near/Far, or zones, or, at least, abstract squares.

 

[deganawida]

Close/Near/Far, or zones, or, at least, abstract squares.

This. Divorce it from real world measurements. You can pair it by saying squares or hexes, but let the table decide what one square or hex means. This allows more freedom at the table and one to have a choice between mini play and TotM.

 

[Zaukrie]

Squares

Also, it doesn't matter much.

I like the idea of close, near, far, but have never played a game that way.

 

[Lanefan]

This. Divorce it from real world measurements.

I say just the opposite. Precision in measurement is vital to argument avoidance, as the difference between being 9 feet away and 11 feet away from that 10-foot-radius blast can sometimes be the difference between a PC's life and death.

You can pair it by saying squares or hexes, but let the table decide what one square or hex means. This allows more freedom at the table and one to have a choice between mini play and TotM.

Even using TotM it's handy to use frames of reference everyone can easily relate to. It's the same reason I moved away from 1e "turns" in favour of just saying those times in tens of minutes: we all know what a minute is, and now I can fine-tune things like spell durations if I want to, e.g. 7 minutes/level or 12 minutes/level, rather than always being stuck at ten.

Also, squares aren't nearly granular enough for a lot of applications; hexes even less so. With a real-world measurement system you can easily get as granular as needed for the situation.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Squares

Also, it doesn't matter much.

I like the idea of close, near, far, but have never played a game that way.

Near.

Far.

Wherever the monsters are.

I believe that my sword does hit them

 

[UngainlyTitan]

To be honest, I really like 4e' abstraction to squares. I like crunchy tactical battles, so some measurement units are preferred but there in game meaning can be anything.

 

[John Dallman]

Hexes, either 1 yard or 1 metre in size. The difference does not matter much. I play D&D (AD&D1e) on a hex grid.

 

[Cordwainer Fish]

Smoots.

 

[GMMichael]

Other: while I'm a big fan of the Ariana Grande measurements from the other thread, I don't think that RPGs need careful measurement. War gaming should, in contrast.

 

[Umbran]

There is no "optimal". The units used should be chosen to match the genre and style of game.

For example, Fate uses "zones", and doesn't give a fetid dingo's kidney exactly how far away something is, and it works just fine.

 

[aco175]

I prefer feet. To be honest, I'm not sure how many Americans under 40 know what a yard is. It seems like the videos asking college students to point to America on a globe.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Precision in measurement is vital to argument avoidance, as the difference between being 9 feet away and 11 feet away from that 10-foot-radius blast can sometimes be the difference between a PC's life and death.

I think this really varies by table.

I DM for a lot of players and no one I currently play with would make a big deal over this. But I certainly believe you that it's a big issue at your table.

I don't think it's a universal thing.

 

[mamba]

This. Divorce it from real world measurements. You can pair it by saying squares or hexes, but let the table decide what one square or hex means. This allows more freedom at the table and one to have a choice between mini play and TotM.

I don't know, as soon as you have maps, the squares will end up being compared to real world measurements, whether one is 10 feet, 5 feet, 3 feet, or whatever else will be pretty clear

As to what I prefer, stick with feet, I am used to it and anyone who knows what a meter is can pretty much figure out how much that is in feet. I don't think the reverse is true, that is why we still have feet as a unit in the first place

 

[Hand of Evil]

Grid or Hex

 

[Slit518]

I, like so many of those in this hobby, prefer Palms. They're the only truly distinctive means of calculating space without employing a calculator.

The funny thing is, after I posted this, I thought to myself, "Damn, I forgot palms!"
What is a Palm, like 4 inches?

 

[Lanefan]

I prefer feet. To be honest, I'm not sure how many Americans under 40 know what a yard is.

Which seems odd, seeing as many of them spend time each fall either watching or playing a game (gridiron football) where every yard matters...

 

[Deset Gled]

The OP didn't specify that this is only talking about combat. It's one thing to use abstractions or squares (hexes, etc) for simplicity in specific situations. But I find the idea of an RPG world with literally no unit system to be quite silly.

"Hail, fellow traveler. It's lovely meeting someone on a lonely road such as this. Can you tell me how many squares until the next town?"

"This is the fastest boat in the fleet. She can out sail the fastest pirate by 10 squares a round."

"You must travel one hundred 'fars' past the cursed forest, then walk two 'nears' to the east. From there, you will see the entrance to the cave just one 'close' away from the statue of the goddess."

"I demand this textile merchant be arrested for fraud! I paid for five diagonals of cloth. But he counted them as 2-1-2 when the law of session 0 clearly states he owes me 1-2-1 plus an orthogonal."