I am in a group that isusing Table Top and the graphics/M ap the current DM uses is amazing but there is not grid or hax's laid across the map for actual movement. I will be DM'g the next campaign and I'd like to teach this newer group combat movement and how to utilize their movement and skills to contol a battle field. I feel a grid or hex map is needed for accurate movement.
So is there a way to add this to table top or a software y'all recommend? Free or inexpensive would be nice.
Honestly, the best free VTT you’re going to find is Roll20. I could also recommend either Dungeon Scrawl (a pretty bare bones sketch tool but very easy to use) or Inkarnate. Inkarnate is something to take a real close look at as it’s also very easily upgradable to premium. Absolutely gorgeous maps that cover Interiors, Cities, Regions, and Worlds. The pricing for the premium subscription is $5 monthly or $25 yearly, which is amazing. Take a look at their subreddit to get an idea of the kind of maps you can make.
For myself, I prefer even better interior maps personally. I chose to do the one time purchase of Dungeon Draft for $19.99 (by memory) and then supplement that with amazingly beautiful art assets from Forgotten Adventures (here for their main website and examples, and here for their Patreon). It’s an offline application which was very valuable for me. Another great value is watching YouTube videos designed all about Dungeon Draft by BaileyWiki (who also has a Patreon) who creates probably the best maps I have ever seen for Fantasy and can guide you through the how-tos.
For a premium VTT I cannot recommend Foundry VTT enough. It has a one time purchase cost of $50.00 and you can handle all the hosting yourself. Players do not need to purchase it. If you want to make the experience even better check out The Forge which serves as the hosting site for Foundry.
I've got to give another nod to Inkarnate, I use it myself and their discord community is incredibly helpful. You can also download other people's created public maps for use too.
As for a VTT, in my opinion the best available platform is Owlbear.app, which is Owlbear Rodeo 2.0. The extensions now mean that dynamic fog of war and other features have been built for the system. I've used it for over eighteen months now and it's very robust and improving all the time.
For cost effectiveness and quality, Owlbear and Inkarnate are a winning combo in my opinion.
I use Roll20 for many years now i started using it while i was alpha playtester for WoTC in late 2012 early 2013, and continued every since. I used other VTs such as Fantasy Grounds and Owlbear but only DMed with Roll20 with regular use it's free, easy to use, web based, has integrated voice which i rarely use, preferring to use Discord instead but one of the greatest thing is the adventures and material support it has. You can buy a WoTC adventure for less than 25$ that will come with all the story text, magic items, maps, handouts, monsters statblocks and minis allowing you to play directly on the maps commissioned by the artist! The VT allow you to mask part of maps with Fog of War, whisper rolls and text, has integrated dice roller and chat support. You can easily upload your own art, maps and create customs items etc and for 5E it has a built in character builder very easy to use. It also allow a great variety of RPGs outside D&D's different editions. Since i'm use it more regularly i never looked back it's now my go to VT.
You never had any issues with it as a web based application? It always felt slow or sluggish to me, and graduating to Foundry was a relief. Don’t get me wrong, when it comes to free it was great.
No for me Roll20 always run fine, it's not a video game with moving graphics so it shouldn't be a problem. Web based VTs are convient in that they can be accessed from anywhere on any web browser desktop or tablet you log onto. I never played on a cellphone though, to me cell screen would be too small to navigate adequately i think but i had a player from Australia in one of my game that used to and was managing decently.
You never had any issues with it as a web based application? It always felt slow or sluggish to me, and graduating to Foundry was a relief. Don’t get me wrong, when it comes to free it was great.
It's understandable that the web-based application had its limitations and might have felt sluggish. Graduating to Foundry seems like a positive move, offering a sense of relief and possibly improved performance. Transitioning to a more advanced platform often brings new opportunities and efficiencies. Here's to smoother experiences and continued success with your upgraded tools! 🌐🚀
I have used the all of the programs below Some like Maptool and Campaign Cartographer have a Steep learning curve but they also have very active Communities where you can get answers to question
Roll20 for me. The character sheet integration is so good or you can roll from d&d beyond to roll20. I think there are better options like foundry but for ease of use/getting new players setup it’s my favorite.
I am in a group that isusing Table Top and the graphics/M ap the current DM uses is amazing but there is not grid or hax's laid across the map for actual movement. I will be DM'g the next campaign and I'd like to teach this newer group combat movement and how to utilize their movement and skills to contol a battle field. I feel a grid or hex map is needed for accurate movement.
So is there a way to add this to table top or a software y'all recommend? Free or inexpensive would be nice.
Honestly, the best free VTT you’re going to find is Roll20. I could also recommend either Dungeon Scrawl (a pretty bare bones sketch tool but very easy to use) or Inkarnate. Inkarnate is something to take a real close look at as it’s also very easily upgradable to premium. Absolutely gorgeous maps that cover Interiors, Cities, Regions, and Worlds. The pricing for the premium subscription is $5 monthly or $25 yearly, which is amazing. Take a look at their subreddit to get an idea of the kind of maps you can make.
For myself, I prefer even better interior maps personally. I chose to do the one time purchase of Dungeon Draft for $19.99 (by memory) and then supplement that with amazingly beautiful art assets from Forgotten Adventures (here for their main website and examples, and here for their Patreon). It’s an offline application which was very valuable for me. Another great value is watching YouTube videos designed all about Dungeon Draft by BaileyWiki (who also has a Patreon) who creates probably the best maps I have ever seen for Fantasy and can guide you through the how-tos.
For a premium VTT I cannot recommend Foundry VTT enough. It has a one time purchase cost of $50.00 and you can handle all the hosting yourself. Players do not need to purchase it. If you want to make the experience even better check out The Forge which serves as the hosting site for Foundry.
Super great information! Thank you. Now to research them all!
Good deal, hope they work out for you. :)
I've got to give another nod to Inkarnate, I use it myself and their discord community is incredibly helpful. You can also download other people's created public maps for use too.
As for a VTT, in my opinion the best available platform is Owlbear.app, which is Owlbear Rodeo 2.0. The extensions now mean that dynamic fog of war and other features have been built for the system. I've used it for over eighteen months now and it's very robust and improving all the time.
For cost effectiveness and quality, Owlbear and Inkarnate are a winning combo in my opinion.
DM session planning template - My version of maps for 'Lost Mine of Phandelver' - Send your party to The Circus - Other DM Resources - Maps, Tokens, Quests - 'Better' Player Character Injury Tables?
Actor, Writer, Director & Teacher by day - GM/DM in my off hours.
Thank you.
If you ever need a world map generator, this is the best one I've seen thus far: Azgaar's
Enjoy your slop. I'll be enjoying good products elsewhere.
I use Roll20 for many years now i started using it while i was alpha playtester for WoTC in late 2012 early 2013, and continued every since. I used other VTs such as Fantasy Grounds and Owlbear but only DMed with Roll20 with regular use it's free, easy to use, web based, has integrated voice which i rarely use, preferring to use Discord instead but one of the greatest thing is the adventures and material support it has. You can buy a WoTC adventure for less than 25$ that will come with all the story text, magic items, maps, handouts, monsters statblocks and minis allowing you to play directly on the maps commissioned by the artist! The VT allow you to mask part of maps with Fog of War, whisper rolls and text, has integrated dice roller and chat support. You can easily upload your own art, maps and create customs items etc and for 5E it has a built in character builder very easy to use. It also allow a great variety of RPGs outside D&D's different editions. Since i'm use it more regularly i never looked back it's now my go to VT.
You never had any issues with it as a web based application? It always felt slow or sluggish to me, and graduating to Foundry was a relief. Don’t get me wrong, when it comes to free it was great.
No for me Roll20 always run fine, it's not a video game with moving graphics so it shouldn't be a problem. Web based VTs are convient in that they can be accessed from anywhere on any web browser desktop or tablet you log onto. I never played on a cellphone though, to me cell screen would be too small to navigate adequately i think but i had a player from Australia in one of my game that used to and was managing decently.
On a cell phone? Duh-duh-duh DAMN. I can see a tablet but I need my PC.
It's understandable that the web-based application had its limitations and might have felt sluggish. Graduating to Foundry seems like a positive move, offering a sense of relief and possibly improved performance. Transitioning to a more advanced platform often brings new opportunities and efficiencies. Here's to smoother experiences and continued success with your upgraded tools! 🌐🚀
I have used the all of the programs below Some like Maptool and Campaign Cartographer have a Steep learning curve but they also have very active Communities where you can get answers to question
Virtual Table Tops
https://www.fantasygrounds.com/home/home.php
https://www.rptools.net/toolbox/download-rptools-products/
https://d20pro.com/
https://www.owlbear.rodeo/
https://roll20.net/
Home | Foundry Virtual Tabletop (foundryvtt.com)
Cartography
https://dungeondraft.net/
https://probabletrain.itch.io/dungeon-scrawl
http://inkarnate.com/maps - /
https://www.otherworldmapper.com/
https://www.profantasy.com/default.asp
https://nbos.com/products/fractal-mapper
Hexographer | World/Starmap/Wilderness Map Creation Software
Roll20 for me. The character sheet integration is so good or you can roll from d&d beyond to roll20. I think there are better options like foundry but for ease of use/getting new players setup it’s my favorite.
I use a chrome extension called above VTT that is integrated into the dnd beyond encounter system. :D
PM me the word tomato