Im starting a new Campain soon and because i just started playing DnD this year i wonder how every one is using there Maps. I used to print out the Player Maps from DnD-beyond and covered them up with Papers thats rly improvised and i'm not rly happy with that. So i thought i maybe print the map and covered it up with papers i cut in to shape for each room and walkway. The Problem with this is they would see secret walkways, so i thought i trick them a bit that i play more coverups with secret walkway then exist so they never no if there is one or not. I also read that u can give some one the role of the "maper" who has to draw the map while playing. What are you experiences with that? 3D Dungeon tiles are insanely expensive and i don't want to Cash that much... i seriously thought to buy tones of Lego and build the stuff on that.
Im exited how you use the maps and hope to find some good inspiration.
I have a dry erase battle map that I use to outline important sections if combat or something major happens that needs visual representation, or if they are just confused about a rooms layout. Easy enough to erase it afterwards when its no longer needed. The exploration areas, I tend to just describe to them instead of actually showing them all the various hallways and such on a map, knowing they likely won't be there very long.
I drew the maps on huge slices of paper. Cut the rooms out and placed them down as they explored it. Too much work. So now I just take a battle map from the module, or make one, load it up in photoshop/GIMP. Then connect the laptop to TV/Beamer and done. In the photo editing programs you can add a layer of "fog of war" and gradually erase parts the players explore and can see. So much easier to prepare in less time and it really adds to it overall. Only thing better is having 3d tiles like HeroForge and the likes imo.
You can project maps on the tv/wall. Change it out for pictures of NPC's or environments to set the mood/atmosphere. Less clutter on the table.
What i do cause i have a great printer. Epson has an ecotank printer for like 300. What i do is i buy a few maps or find free stuff on drivethrurpg and print them on cardstock. This has two advantages. One i can reuse them. I keep a collapsable folder with all my maps set up and so if my players decide after i printed dwarf stuff they want to go to the elves i am ready.
What i do cause i have a great printer. Epson has an ecotank printer for like 300. What i do is i buy a few maps or find free stuff on drivethrurpg and print them on cardstock. This has two advantages. One i can reuse them. I keep a collapsable folder with all my maps set up and so if my players decide after i printed dwarf stuff they want to go to the elves i am ready.
I think I will buy myself a dry battle map. I also tried out yesterday in my last session, to let my Group draw a map.(just a sketch) Got some really good experience with that. Using a Television is also a rly nice Idea but i haven't access every where to that. I tried out roll20 its rly nice to make u're own maps with it. In my opinion its not the right choice for a Face to Face Session, but for playing it on an Online Session its definitively awesome.
It might be a bit expensive but I mounted a projector onto the ceiling of my garage and project the player maps down onto a white board that sits up a bit from the gaming table. It's pretty f'n awesome! I've tried drawing things out on a battle map and even building dungeons out of stirophome (sp) type insulation. The latter two ways just took too long and did not lend themselves to the atmosphere or players mood. You can look at peoples set up on YouTube.
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Hello every one,
Im starting a new Campain soon and because i just started playing DnD this year i wonder how every one is using there Maps.
I used to print out the Player Maps from DnD-beyond and covered them up with Papers thats rly improvised and i'm not rly happy with that.
So i thought i maybe print the map and covered it up with papers i cut in to shape for each room and walkway. The Problem with this is they would see secret walkways, so i thought i trick them a bit that i play more coverups with secret walkway then exist so they never no if there is one or not.
I also read that u can give some one the role of the "maper" who has to draw the map while playing. What are you experiences with that?
3D Dungeon tiles are insanely expensive and i don't want to Cash that much... i seriously thought to buy tones of Lego and build the stuff on that.
Im exited how you use the maps and hope to find some good inspiration.
I have a dry erase battle map that I use to outline important sections if combat or something major happens that needs visual representation, or if they are just confused about a rooms layout. Easy enough to erase it afterwards when its no longer needed. The exploration areas, I tend to just describe to them instead of actually showing them all the various hallways and such on a map, knowing they likely won't be there very long.
I drew the maps on huge slices of paper. Cut the rooms out and placed them down as they explored it. Too much work. So now I just take a battle map from the module, or make one, load it up in photoshop/GIMP. Then connect the laptop to TV/Beamer and done. In the photo editing programs you can add a layer of "fog of war" and gradually erase parts the players explore and can see. So much easier to prepare in less time and it really adds to it overall. Only thing better is having 3d tiles like HeroForge and the likes imo.
You can project maps on the tv/wall. Change it out for pictures of NPC's or environments to set the mood/atmosphere. Less clutter on the table.
What i do cause i have a great printer. Epson has an ecotank printer for like 300. What i do is i buy a few maps or find free stuff on drivethrurpg and print them on cardstock. This has two advantages. One i can reuse them. I keep a collapsable folder with all my maps set up and so if my players decide after i printed dwarf stuff they want to go to the elves i am ready.
What i do cause i have a great printer. Epson has an ecotank printer for like 300. What i do is i buy a few maps or find free stuff on drivethrurpg and print them on cardstock. This has two advantages. One i can reuse them. I keep a collapsable folder with all my maps set up and so if my players decide after i printed dwarf stuff they want to go to the elves i am ready.
Thank you Guys for all the Response,
I think I will buy myself a dry battle map. I also tried out yesterday in my last session, to let my Group draw a map.(just a sketch) Got some really good experience with that.
Using a Television is also a rly nice Idea but i haven't access every where to that. I tried out roll20 its rly nice to make u're own maps with it.
In my opinion its not the right choice for a Face to Face Session, but for playing it on an Online Session its definitively awesome.
It might be a bit expensive but I mounted a projector onto the ceiling of my garage and project the player maps down onto a white board that sits up a bit from the gaming table. It's pretty f'n awesome! I've tried drawing things out on a battle map and even building dungeons out of stirophome (sp) type insulation. The latter two ways just took too long and did not lend themselves to the atmosphere or players mood. You can look at peoples set up on YouTube.