Am I the only person that hates tile maps? I mean I get it right! Immersive experience, seeing is believing etc... But in my experience the tile sets, 3d tile sets, roll 20, ... it all just takes away from the immersive experience of role play and adds added counting, manipulating, and arduous character movement that could be well described and easily drawn by a dm. Isn't that the fun of being a dm in the first place? Painting the picture! Telling a tale! And letting imagination flourish and creativeness reign in this most excellent of games. And isn't that what makes it so great to begin with? I am definitely an rp dm. So looking forward to hearing feedback and opinions on this topic. As I feel d&d is best played with rp and imagination/ creativity and not pawn to rook chess pieces on a tile format.
I like the tilesets myself as it helps to create the atmosphere and look of your setting. Having a great looking map along with some matching background music can make for a very immersive experience. As for the tedium of movement on tiles, I've found that it helps keep things very clean in regards to additional questions about can I do this or how close etc. You can visually represent what you are telling to your players so they can see it happen before their eyes. They also get to physically move their own character into whatever position they like which can set up some pretty dynamic combat.
I love theater of the mind, but I feel that maps, tiles, and minis allow people to have something to “attach” their imaginations to. Much like playing with action figures and toys when we were little
There are so many skills, abilities and spells that require tactical positioning:
An area effect spell (radius, cuble, sphere)
A line spell, like lightning.
Spells with effects like push, pull or skills like shove.
Environmental hazards like fires, acid, lava (refer to push/pull/shove)
etc...
In theater of the mind, when a player has a character that uses these, he/she has to ask the DM, "How many enemies can I hit if I use..." or "Can I cast this and not hit an ally..." or "Can I move in such a way to hit more enemies with..." etc. Then the DM has to "decide" how many creatures get hit/affected. It's all very contrived and at the whim of the DM, which takes away a lot of the power of certain classes.
If you want to play theater of the mind, it is better to have heavy social interactions and less combat. A lot of classes will suffer though.
There is also the argument that can be made that each person at the table may have a different way they can best "see" the action. Like learning styles some folks are best immersed by the storyteller's narration, then other need to be able to see a map, a picture of a creature, or a prop to understand what is right before their characters eyes.
A good D&D game for me supplies all of those things, good narration, with a map or minis that match, and the occasional prop that I can touch and remind myself of what it is I have received.
All good feedback and I appreciate it! Seems like many appreciate the tile sets and minis. However , to make a counter point, watching critical roll in its early beginnings and episodes where there were no tiles only Mercer doing his thing, the characters were much more involved and intrigued asking questions, enthralled with the combat etc than having movement by square involved . And I myself have experienced the same. Where losing interest or getting bored as a player doesn't happen when you are paying attention versus just visually seeing where the players are. Where does your sense of immersion lie? With a diagram and minis, or a well descript dm that encourages the roll play experience?
I don't think it's an either or thing as it seems like you are saying. I love a great immersive tale facilitated by a great DM. Having all the "props" just heightens the experience for me. Keep in mind CR was made with an audience in mind to watch the actors portray characters and it was much more focused on their interactions with each other than anything else.
All good feedback and I appreciate it! Seems like many appreciate the tile sets and minis. However , to make a counter point, watching critical roll in its early beginnings and episodes where there were no tiles only Mercer doing his thing, the characters were much more involved and intrigued asking questions, enthralled with the combat etc than having movement by square involved . And I myself have experienced the same. Where losing interest or getting bored as a player doesn't happen when you are paying attention versus just visually seeing where the players are. Where does your sense of immersion lie? With a diagram and minis, or a well descript dm that encourages the roll play experience?
I watched all the early CR episodes, and when combat occurred, Matt Mercer had maps. At that time he used grid paper and hand drew his maps.
Am I the only person that hates tile maps? I mean I get it right! Immersive experience, seeing is believing etc... But in my experience the tile sets, 3d tile sets, roll 20, ... it all just takes away from the immersive experience of role play and adds added counting, manipulating, and arduous character movement that could be well described and easily drawn by a dm. Isn't that the fun of being a dm in the first place? Painting the picture! Telling a tale! And letting imagination flourish and creativeness reign in this most excellent of games. And isn't that what makes it so great to begin with? I am definitely an rp dm. So looking forward to hearing feedback and opinions on this topic. As I feel d&d is best played with rp and imagination/ creativity and not pawn to rook chess pieces on a tile format.
I like the tilesets myself as it helps to create the atmosphere and look of your setting. Having a great looking map along with some matching background music can make for a very immersive experience. As for the tedium of movement on tiles, I've found that it helps keep things very clean in regards to additional questions about can I do this or how close etc. You can visually represent what you are telling to your players so they can see it happen before their eyes. They also get to physically move their own character into whatever position they like which can set up some pretty dynamic combat.
I love theater of the mind, but I feel that maps, tiles, and minis allow people to have something to “attach” their imaginations to. Much like playing with action figures and toys when we were little
I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
There are so many skills, abilities and spells that require tactical positioning:
In theater of the mind, when a player has a character that uses these, he/she has to ask the DM, "How many enemies can I hit if I use..." or "Can I cast this and not hit an ally..." or "Can I move in such a way to hit more enemies with..." etc. Then the DM has to "decide" how many creatures get hit/affected. It's all very contrived and at the whim of the DM, which takes away a lot of the power of certain classes.
If you want to play theater of the mind, it is better to have heavy social interactions and less combat. A lot of classes will suffer though.
There is also the argument that can be made that each person at the table may have a different way they can best "see" the action. Like learning styles some folks are best immersed by the storyteller's narration, then other need to be able to see a map, a picture of a creature, or a prop to understand what is right before their characters eyes.
A good D&D game for me supplies all of those things, good narration, with a map or minis that match, and the occasional prop that I can touch and remind myself of what it is I have received.
All good feedback and I appreciate it! Seems like many appreciate the tile sets and minis. However , to make a counter point, watching critical roll in its early beginnings and episodes where there were no tiles only Mercer doing his thing, the characters were much more involved and intrigued asking questions, enthralled with the combat etc than having movement by square involved . And I myself have experienced the same. Where losing interest or getting bored as a player doesn't happen when you are paying attention versus just visually seeing where the players are. Where does your sense of immersion lie? With a diagram and minis, or a well descript dm that encourages the roll play experience?
And the immersive music is always a must! Lol
I don't think it's an either or thing as it seems like you are saying. I love a great immersive tale facilitated by a great DM. Having all the "props" just heightens the experience for me. Keep in mind CR was made with an audience in mind to watch the actors portray characters and it was much more focused on their interactions with each other than anything else.
I watched all the early CR episodes, and when combat occurred, Matt Mercer had maps. At that time he used grid paper and hand drew his maps.