You can definitely play without one. However, I highly recommend that you do get a battle mat. For the sub-$20 cost of that mat and some markers, that's all the investment you will need to be able to satisfy all different types of scenarios where a visual representation of distance/position matters.
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You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.
You can definitely play without one. However, I highly recommend that you do get a battle mat. For the sub-$20 cost of that mat and some markers, that's all the investment you will need to be able to satisfy all different types of scenarios where a visual representation of distance/position matters.
OK. I have another question though: Is it worth it to buy a 13$ battle mat instead of printing some 1-inch squares on 2 pieces of paper and taping them together, or laminating them so I can draw on them with dry erase markers?
- Some way to record character data, like a printed or digital character sheet that you can use for session.
That's it. Everything else is helpful but not needed.
But, for battles and such I do recommend some sort of battle map, even if it is just grid paper and a basic drawing, just so the players have an easier time imagining where they are in relation to other things like allies, enemies, walls, obstacles, etc and it saves you repeating this information.
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Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond. Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ thisFAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
You can definitely play without one. However, I highly recommend that you do get a battle mat. For the sub-$20 cost of that mat and some markers, that's all the investment you will need to be able to satisfy all different types of scenarios where a visual representation of distance/position matters.
OK. I have another question though: Is it worth it to buy a 13$ battle mat instead of printing some 1-inch squares on 2 pieces of paper and taping them together, or laminating them so I can draw on them with dry erase markers?
Go for it. That's a good low-cost way to test drive the battle map concept at your table. And if it works for you, then maybe that's your long-term answer as well.
You can definitely play without one. However, I highly recommend that you do get a battle mat. For the sub-$20 cost of that mat and some markers, that's all the investment you will need to be able to satisfy all different types of scenarios where a visual representation of distance/position matters.
OK. I have another question though: Is it worth it to buy a 13$ battle mat instead of printing some 1-inch squares on 2 pieces of paper and taping them together, or laminating them so I can draw on them with dry erase markers?
Worth is going to be relative to your own perception. To me, it is absolutely worth it. If you would put in the effort to construct/laminate your own paper maps, that suggests that it would probably be worth it for you as well.
Since you mentioned printed maps, are you planning on printing out actual detailed maps (like the ones that come with adventure modules)? If so, then yeah printing and laminating those for repeated use can be really neat!
If that's your end goal, then you'd probably be more interested in (eventually) doing something like a virtual table: cheap/flat monitor that you can lay on your gaming table (or build into it if you go fancy) that can display your digital maps directly in front of everyone, and miniatures/tokens can be placed right on the monitor. That takes a significant investment (even for a cheap monitor). There's a ton of possibility if that's the kind of thing you'd find appealing.
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You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.
Depends on play style. If you're new to DMing I would recommend watching some of the popular streams (Critical Roll and C-Team are my favorites. DCA is great as well but currently on hiatus for... reasons)
You don't at all have to play the same way they do, they're often extremely experienced DM's with a lot of behind-the-scenes help, but they can give you an idea of what gameplay is like both with and without using maps. C-Team and DCA are purely played in the Theater of the Mind.
Typically, in my experience, playing with more than 4 players can get pretty crazy during battle without having some kind of visuals. Keeping in mind where everyone is can be difficult, and just having a visual representation of where they were can help you (and them) remember what they were doing when their turn comes around, especially during large-scale fights.
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I'm planning to start DMing D&D 5e soon, and I saw some people recommend to use a battle mat like this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1601255381/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
My question is, do I need a battle mat like this to play, or can I do without one?
Just remember:
Baby Groot > Baby Yoda
You can definitely play without one. However, I highly recommend that you do get a battle mat. For the sub-$20 cost of that mat and some markers, that's all the investment you will need to be able to satisfy all different types of scenarios where a visual representation of distance/position matters.
You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.
OK. I have another question though: Is it worth it to buy a 13$ battle mat instead of printing some 1-inch squares on 2 pieces of paper and taping them together, or laminating them so I can draw on them with dry erase markers?
Just remember:
Baby Groot > Baby Yoda
To play D&D you need:
- The Basic Rules
- Some way to record character data, like a printed or digital character sheet that you can use for session.
That's it. Everything else is helpful but not needed.
But, for battles and such I do recommend some sort of battle map, even if it is just grid paper and a basic drawing, just so the players have an easier time imagining where they are in relation to other things like allies, enemies, walls, obstacles, etc and it saves you repeating this information.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
Go for it. That's a good low-cost way to test drive the battle map concept at your table. And if it works for you, then maybe that's your long-term answer as well.
"Not all those who wander are lost"
Worth is going to be relative to your own perception. To me, it is absolutely worth it. If you would put in the effort to construct/laminate your own paper maps, that suggests that it would probably be worth it for you as well.
Since you mentioned printed maps, are you planning on printing out actual detailed maps (like the ones that come with adventure modules)? If so, then yeah printing and laminating those for repeated use can be really neat!
If that's your end goal, then you'd probably be more interested in (eventually) doing something like a virtual table: cheap/flat monitor that you can lay on your gaming table (or build into it if you go fancy) that can display your digital maps directly in front of everyone, and miniatures/tokens can be placed right on the monitor. That takes a significant investment (even for a cheap monitor). There's a ton of possibility if that's the kind of thing you'd find appealing.
You don't know what fear is until you've witnessed a drunk bird divebombing you while carrying a screaming Kobold throwing fire anywhere and everywhere.
You can print out square grid paper for free if you want: select the size and color of the squares, then go!
https://incompetech.com/graphpaper/plain/
DICE FALL, EVERYONE ROCKS!
Depends on play style. If you're new to DMing I would recommend watching some of the popular streams (Critical Roll and C-Team are my favorites. DCA is great as well but currently on hiatus for... reasons)
You don't at all have to play the same way they do, they're often extremely experienced DM's with a lot of behind-the-scenes help, but they can give you an idea of what gameplay is like both with and without using maps. C-Team and DCA are purely played in the Theater of the Mind.
Typically, in my experience, playing with more than 4 players can get pretty crazy during battle without having some kind of visuals. Keeping in mind where everyone is can be difficult, and just having a visual representation of where they were can help you (and them) remember what they were doing when their turn comes around, especially during large-scale fights.