I always use a grid when playing outside of Theatre of Mind. The alternative is to use rulers etc (just no) or bragging it - which kind of defeats the point of using minis (physical or digital) etc in the first place. It makes things much easier to just judge things by eye. I use terrain now, but even the terrain comes in a grid (the scatter doesn't obviously, but you can still see the grid around it).
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Our group has played both tabletop and vtt D&D with grids and without. When going gridless on tabletop, just have a small tape measure handy for quick measurements and movement. With a vtt, we use Foundry, and it measures each move so technically you don't need to use a grid.
The drawback of going gridless, is spacing. Using a grid or hexes allows each character or monster to perfectly 'line up'. Going gridless means each one will be (even if careful) out of line. This might sounds like a minor thing, until you find yourself unable to fit the usual number of people across in a room/hallway/door or can't surround a creature with as many characters as you would like, because they're each slightly out of possition which doesn't leave enough room for the next one to move in.
The other drawback to going gridless, is that i have found most players will fudge the measurements in their favor. Instead of moving 30', they'll move 34.8', etc. If tokens or miniatures aren't perfectly touching, they'll argue that they're 5.5' away and therefore not within reach. Grids/hexes are certainly not realistic, but do offer a huge benefit - but you can play without them. It is, however, more work for the DM because the DM will need to make more rulings and compensate/correct for those players who will cheat the system.
Some of us want to place miniatures ON the monitor/TV and be able to move them without having to use a tape measure. Meanwhile, literally every other VTT on the market has a grid over lay option for that reason.
Competitors have a grid option. I can't seem to find it. Please help?
There is no option to add grids to custom maps at this time. All the available maps have grids on them though. Maybe you can use one of them if you can't find a way to add grids to your custom map.
Some of us want to place miniatures ON the monitor/TV and be able to move them without having to use a tape measure. Meanwhile, literally every other VTT on the market has a grid over lay option for that reason.
put it in feature requests. this is still BETA and still being developed.
The challenge for placing a grid on an uploaded map is that when you upload the map, you manually size it. So the grid would need to fit to whatever the user's manual sizing. Not impossible, of course, but not straightforward.
I'd also like to see the option to add basic/generic icons to the map, e.g., rock, tree, chest, table, etc.
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Started playing AD&D in the late 70s and stopped in the mid-80s. Started immersing myself into 5e in 2023
The challenge for placing a grid on an uploaded map is that when you upload the map, you manually size it. So the grid would need to fit to whatever the user's manual sizing. Not impossible, of course, but not straightforward.
I'd also like to see the option to add basic/generic icons to the map, e.g., rock, tree, chest, table, etc.
So you're saying that they would have to implement basic scaling/zoom feature that the other 20+ VTT software/apps/websites already have implemented and have been using for 5+ years?
The manual sizing is easily adjustable. As the other post mentioned, most other VTTs use this easily. I have had no issue with Roll20's grid. I don't think it is too much to ask for a VTT to have a grid especially since actual table top play uses grids.
Maps is coming along but it's still miles behind AboveVTT which has a grid tool. and since it's already linked to all of DNDbeyond's content. until Maps catches on to adding grids and default item drops it's just not useable.
The challenge for placing a grid on an uploaded map is that when you upload the map, you manually size it. So the grid would need to fit to whatever the user's manual sizing. Not impossible, of course, but not straightforward.
I'd also like to see the option to add basic/generic icons to the map, e.g., rock, tree, chest, table, etc.
So you're saying that they would have to implement basic scaling/zoom feature that the other 20+ VTT software/apps/websites already have implemented and have been using for 5+ years?
The best part about this is that their system is already resizing the map to scale!… they just won’t let us see the grid! It’s like this is an on purpose decision at this point? It blows my mind this hasn’t been implemented yet
I'm not sure I follow your logic there...how is having the VTT lack an important feature going to discourage the use of physical minis?
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If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
It’s the 1 year anniversary of when I started this thread. I’m shocked this basic feature every VTT has isn’t an option.
its as if they don’t want us to use physical miniatures any more.
A VTT blocking physical miniatures would be 'having the feature'. Not having the feature encourages people to not use the VTT and fall back to to those physical miniatures.
However, Hasbro doesn't make the physical miniatures (for what reason I don't know, as a company whose whole thing is plastic toys), so they don't have an incentive to encourage physical miniatures. They're super focused on the Sigil Dungeon Video Game.
That said, every in-built map has a grid on it, and you can put a grid on your image easily with dozens of tools before you upload it. So if there's not a grid on the map, it's because you didn't put one there.
At this point, I can only assume there is some kind of motive behind NOT implementing such a basic needed feature for maps. Its truly mind boggling how every VTT software out there has a grid overlay option but maps doesn't.
It’s the 1 year anniversary of when I started this thread. I’m shocked this basic feature every VTT has isn’t an option.
its as if they don’t want us to use physical miniatures any more.
A VTT blocking physical miniatures would be 'having the feature'. Not having the feature encourages people to not use the VTT and fall back to to those physical miniatures.
However, Hasbro doesn't make the physical miniatures (for what reason I don't know, as a company whose whole thing is plastic toys), so they don't have an incentive to encourage physical miniatures. They're super focused on the Sigil Dungeon Video Game.
That said, every in-built map has a grid on it, and you can put a grid on your image easily with dozens of tools before you upload it. So if there's not a grid on the map, it's because you didn't put one there.
Not sure if other books/maps are the same, but the grids on the maps in BG:DiA do not line up correctly in either Roll20 or Foundry, which leads me to believe that the maps and not the VTTs are the problem, at least in that case. I wonder, if that is true of the maps in other books, if that is something that has held up the grid development for Maps.
It’s the 1 year anniversary of when I started this thread. I’m shocked this basic feature every VTT has isn’t an option.
its as if they don’t want us to use physical miniatures any more.
A VTT blocking physical miniatures would be 'having the feature'. Not having the feature encourages people to not use the VTT and fall back to to those physical miniatures.
However, Hasbro doesn't make the physical miniatures (for what reason I don't know, as a company whose whole thing is plastic toys), so they don't have an incentive to encourage physical miniatures. They're super focused on the Sigil Dungeon Video Game.
That said, every in-built map has a grid on it, and you can put a grid on your image easily with dozens of tools before you upload it. So if there's not a grid on the map, it's because you didn't put one there.
Not sure if other books/maps are the same, but the grids on the maps in BG:DiA do not line up correctly in either Roll20 or Foundry, which leads me to believe that the maps and not the VTTs are the problem, at least in that case. I wonder, if that is true of the maps in other books, if that is something that has held up the grid development for Maps.
Roll20 and Foundry aren't the Maps VTT so their bugs aren't the issue here. When you add a map in, you can set those lines and if you do it correctly Maps will align. But the Maps VTT should both provide a "Add Grid where we expect" option, and a "Snap tokens to grid" option.
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I have all these beautiful maps with no grids because the other VTTs all offer the ability to put a grid overlay on the map.
Im shocked that:
1) There is no create grid option
2) its not even on the dev list!?
As soon as you add the option to add a grid, Maps immediately gets WAY more useful.
If you have feedback pertaining to maps, the best way to get it seen by the devs is by using the feedback option within Maps
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Where is the grid?!?!?
Competitors have a grid option. I can't seem to find it. Please help?
I always use a grid when playing outside of Theatre of Mind. The alternative is to use rulers etc (just no) or bragging it - which kind of defeats the point of using minis (physical or digital) etc in the first place. It makes things much easier to just judge things by eye. I use terrain now, but even the terrain comes in a grid (the scatter doesn't obviously, but you can still see the grid around it).
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Our group has played both tabletop and vtt D&D with grids and without. When going gridless on tabletop, just have a small tape measure handy for quick measurements and movement. With a vtt, we use Foundry, and it measures each move so technically you don't need to use a grid.
The drawback of going gridless, is spacing. Using a grid or hexes allows each character or monster to perfectly 'line up'. Going gridless means each one will be (even if careful) out of line. This might sounds like a minor thing, until you find yourself unable to fit the usual number of people across in a room/hallway/door or can't surround a creature with as many characters as you would like, because they're each slightly out of possition which doesn't leave enough room for the next one to move in.
The other drawback to going gridless, is that i have found most players will fudge the measurements in their favor. Instead of moving 30', they'll move 34.8', etc. If tokens or miniatures aren't perfectly touching, they'll argue that they're 5.5' away and therefore not within reach. Grids/hexes are certainly not realistic, but do offer a huge benefit - but you can play without them. It is, however, more work for the DM because the DM will need to make more rulings and compensate/correct for those players who will cheat the system.
Playing D&D since 1982
Have played every version of the game since Basic (Red Box Set), except that abomination sometimes called 4e.
TONS of people do....
Some of us want to place miniatures ON the monitor/TV and be able to move them without having to use a tape measure. Meanwhile, literally every other VTT on the market has a grid over lay option for that reason.
There is no option to add grids to custom maps at this time. All the available maps have grids on them though. Maybe you can use one of them if you can't find a way to add grids to your custom map.
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put it in feature requests. this is still BETA and still being developed.
I agree. Grids should be an available option as other VTTs use it and it is a common tool I use even as a beginner.
The challenge for placing a grid on an uploaded map is that when you upload the map, you manually size it. So the grid would need to fit to whatever the user's manual sizing. Not impossible, of course, but not straightforward.
I'd also like to see the option to add basic/generic icons to the map, e.g., rock, tree, chest, table, etc.
Started playing AD&D in the late 70s and stopped in the mid-80s. Started immersing myself into 5e in 2023
So you're saying that they would have to implement basic scaling/zoom feature that the other 20+ VTT software/apps/websites already have implemented and have been using for 5+ years?
The manual sizing is easily adjustable. As the other post mentioned, most other VTTs use this easily. I have had no issue with Roll20's grid. I don't think it is too much to ask for a VTT to have a grid especially since actual table top play uses grids.
Maps is coming along but it's still miles behind AboveVTT which has a grid tool. and since it's already linked to all of DNDbeyond's content. until Maps catches on to adding grids and default item drops it's just not useable.
The best part about this is that their system is already resizing the map to scale!… they just won’t let us see the grid! It’s like this is an on purpose decision at this point? It blows my mind this hasn’t been implemented yet
It’s the 1 year anniversary of when I started this thread. I’m shocked this basic feature every VTT has isn’t an option.
its as if they don’t want us to use physical miniatures any more.
I'm not sure I follow your logic there...how is having the VTT lack an important feature going to discourage the use of physical minis?
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
A VTT blocking physical miniatures would be 'having the feature'. Not having the feature encourages people to not use the VTT and fall back to to those physical miniatures.
However, Hasbro doesn't make the physical miniatures (for what reason I don't know, as a company whose whole thing is plastic toys), so they don't have an incentive to encourage physical miniatures. They're super focused on the Sigil Dungeon Video Game.
That said, every in-built map has a grid on it, and you can put a grid on your image easily with dozens of tools before you upload it. So if there's not a grid on the map, it's because you didn't put one there.
For reference: https://yomotherboard.com/add-grid-to-image/?utm_content=cmp-true
At this point, I can only assume there is some kind of motive behind NOT implementing such a basic needed feature for maps. Its truly mind boggling how every VTT software out there has a grid overlay option but maps doesn't.
Not sure if other books/maps are the same, but the grids on the maps in BG:DiA do not line up correctly in either Roll20 or Foundry, which leads me to believe that the maps and not the VTTs are the problem, at least in that case. I wonder, if that is true of the maps in other books, if that is something that has held up the grid development for Maps.
Roll20 and Foundry aren't the Maps VTT so their bugs aren't the issue here. When you add a map in, you can set those lines and if you do it correctly Maps will align. But the Maps VTT should both provide a "Add Grid where we expect" option, and a "Snap tokens to grid" option.