My book came today. Still reading over it, but the adventure seems solid, very different, but the black and white maps and lack of any detail is jarring to me. The color interior art is fantastic though, as it is for all of WotC products. I am somewhat worried now that they will continue this bland black and white dungeon design into Mad Mage....
If there were just options to get color battle maps for VTT and Print then I wouldn't care.
This exactly. I've been in several places around the internet debating with people who are defending the black and white maps like their lives depended on it. And my point all along is why didn't WoTC offer both by putting B&W in the book and selling color, high detail maps online? Most of us who print out maps for our players do this anyway so it wouldn't be anything out of the ordinary. Are they trying to save a buck? Will color maps be reserved for high end products like the B&G deluxe set? Perkins said in a podcast this was an experiment. Its troubling to us DMs who love and use the high detail, color maps at our tables.
As for Mad Mage, I'll probably use old Undermountain maps. There's a few detailed color ones kicking around but for WDH I'm forced to use other maps and not the ones from the story. It's all about options and Im feeling a lack there of.
Yes, just give us the option for the color maps for those that want it, then everybody is happy, and the people that like the black and white stuff can just ignore the color ones.
Just wanted to say even though I like the BW old school maps, I completely agree that WotC seemed to have missed a great opportunity in offering color, detailed versions of the maps. Hell, I kinda wish WotC would offer both types for every adventure. I'd be good paying a bit extra for the kind of map I like.
Does it make me a turrible person to want to start a Gofundme to get monies to pay Mike Schley to do color maps for Dragon Heist and Mad Mage? High five?!? Like some above have said, I also now exclusively play on roll20; so color maps are greatly preferred... I do see there's some glorious maps on dmsguild / drivethru, so probably will end up buying from there or if I'm less lazy (not going to happen) use dungeon painter or something to make my own.. oi.... I mean, it's awesome that a lot of people seem to dig this style and glad it works for you's, but I think it would be pretty fantabulous to have the choice between both styles. Now; how do we get WOTC to take note of this?!? :)
Does it make me a turrible person to want to start a Gofundme to get monies to pay Mike Schley to do color maps for Dragon Heist and Mad Mage?
No, but given licensing issues I highly doubt it would ever happen. I'm also thinking that maybe Schley and WotC have had a falling out due to how they treated him with forcing him to delay his ToA map offerings for several months after release.
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"Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation."
I'm also thinking that maybe Schley and WotC have had a falling out due to how they treated him with forcing him to delay his ToA map offerings for several months after release.
I doubt there was a falling out. Disagreement, sure, but Im sure Schley would still do maps for WoTC and WoTC wouldn't hesitate to ask him to if they were wanting his services.
Does it make me a turrible person to want to start a Gofundme to get monies to pay Mike Schley to do color maps for Dragon Heist and Mad Mage? High five?!? Like some above have said, I also now exclusively play on roll20; so color maps are greatly preferred... I do see there's some glorious maps on dmsguild / drivethru, so probably will end up buying from there or if I'm less lazy (not going to happen) use dungeon painter or something to make my own.. oi.... I mean, it's awesome that a lot of people seem to dig this style and glad it works for you's, but I think it would be pretty fantabulous to have the choice between both styles. Now; how do we get WOTC to take note of this?!? :)
Agreed man. I would pay MONEY for the color maps, like the ones they have offered for years now. I find it so disappointing they went back to a simple outline drawing.
Mike Schley has been pretty clear that he has already put most (or even all) of his cartography work on hold while he pursues a MFA degree, and he's endorsed the maps in WD:DH:
@DysonLogos’ Dragon Heist maps are beautiful works of #art! Anyone comparing them to mine is missing the point. When you’re listening to the DM and sharing in an adventure with the other players, are you looking at the map? The #map’s just a tool. Enjoy them and enjoy the game.
When you’re listening to the DM and sharing in an adventure with the other players, are you looking at the map?
Considering that I cast the map from a VTT to a TV in the gaming area, yes, yes the players are looking at the map while listening to me and sharing in an adventure.
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"Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation."
I do as well. I can recognize that some people still enjoy this other art style that Dyson used on the Waterdeep Dragon Heist maps. Just because it is not my style, doesn't mean that it is invalid. I was able to find a color map that I like better to use for my game.
Not really related to the style of the maps, but a question about Trollskull Manor: I'm going to start running this book on Saturday, and I can't for the life of me figure out how one is meant to access the second floor. The map of the first floor in the book doesn't indicate a door to the stairwell, and both of the potential spots to put one are blocked by tables and/or chairs. Anyone have any ideas?
Not really related to the style of the maps, but a question about Trollskull Manor: I'm going to start running this book on Saturday, and I can't for the life of me figure out how one is meant to access the second floor. The map of the first floor in the book doesn't indicate a door to the stairwell, and both of the potential spots to put one are blocked by tables and/or chairs.
Stairs lead upto the Common Room on the second floor from the outside, round the back.
This exactly. I've been in several places around the internet debating with people who are defending the black and white maps like their lives depended on it. And my point all along is why didn't WoTC offer both by putting B&W in the book and selling color, high detail maps online?
Because then they would have to hire two cartographers and double the workload and the costs.
Tim Hartin is doing the maps for Mad Mage. So they won't be like WDH but they will be in the old school style.
https://plus.google.com/ TimHartinType40
Yes, just give us the option for the color maps for those that want it, then everybody is happy, and the people that like the black and white stuff can just ignore the color ones.
Just wanted to say even though I like the BW old school maps, I completely agree that WotC seemed to have missed a great opportunity in offering color, detailed versions of the maps. Hell, I kinda wish WotC would offer both types for every adventure. I'd be good paying a bit extra for the kind of map I like.
Does it make me a turrible person to want to start a Gofundme to get monies to pay Mike Schley to do color maps for Dragon Heist and Mad Mage? High five?!? Like some above have said, I also now exclusively play on roll20; so color maps are greatly preferred... I do see there's some glorious maps on dmsguild / drivethru, so probably will end up buying from there or if I'm less lazy (not going to happen) use dungeon painter or something to make my own.. oi.... I mean, it's awesome that a lot of people seem to dig this style and glad it works for you's, but I think it would be pretty fantabulous to have the choice between both styles. Now; how do we get WOTC to take note of this?!? :)
No, but given licensing issues I highly doubt it would ever happen. I'm also thinking that maybe Schley and WotC have had a falling out due to how they treated him with forcing him to delay his ToA map offerings for several months after release.
"Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation."
― Oscar Wilde.
I doubt there was a falling out. Disagreement, sure, but Im sure Schley would still do maps for WoTC and WoTC wouldn't hesitate to ask him to if they were wanting his services.
Agreed man. I would pay MONEY for the color maps, like the ones they have offered for years now. I find it so disappointing they went back to a simple outline drawing.
Mike Schley has been pretty clear that he has already put most (or even all) of his cartography work on hold while he pursues a MFA degree, and he's endorsed the maps in WD:DH:
Considering that I cast the map from a VTT to a TV in the gaming area, yes, yes the players are looking at the map while listening to me and sharing in an adventure.
"Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation."
― Oscar Wilde.
I do as well. I can recognize that some people still enjoy this other art style that Dyson used on the Waterdeep Dragon Heist maps. Just because it is not my style, doesn't mean that it is invalid. I was able to find a color map that I like better to use for my game.
Not really related to the style of the maps, but a question about Trollskull Manor: I'm going to start running this book on Saturday, and I can't for the life of me figure out how one is meant to access the second floor. The map of the first floor in the book doesn't indicate a door to the stairwell, and both of the potential spots to put one are blocked by tables and/or chairs. Anyone have any ideas?
Stairs lead upto the Common Room on the second floor from the outside, round the back.
Ahh, that makes a lot of sense. (And lines up with the Trollskull Alley map, now that I look at it.) Thanks!
Because then they would have to hire two cartographers and double the workload and the costs.
I am not a fan of the B&W maps especially for VTT it really ruins the immersion.
Just updating this to mention that a quick google search should provide some more visually detailed map options for those so inclined.
Never has my patronage of 2-minute Table Top been more valuable and valued.
"Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation."
― Oscar Wilde.
Gawds bless you. :)
Is there anyway to send the full sized poster maple the city to my players? tried screenshotting it but it takes some of the detail out.
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