I've seen some people cover unexplored sections with black paper and used it like fog of war, if it is a dungeon map you could cut it into sections though that can be a pain in the can when trying to piece it back together.
I've never settled on a way of doing this that I am happy with.
Starting with a huge, filled in map just feels wrong and my players feel the same - they want the feeling of exploring, not looking at a map and being able to instantly work out how to get through to the obvious room with the dragon hoard.
I've had some success with vinyl battle sheets, where I can draw with whiteboard markers as they go along. This works best for outdoor encounters and smaller dungeons. Larger or more complex dungeons are a real pain to update correctly, without messing up the size/shape of rooms.
Another method I tried, for a larger dungeon, which worked very well, but required a lot more preparation, was to print the entire map on paper and cut each room out, writing a number on the back in pencil that matched the dungeon. The players start out with a large sheet of empty card infront of them, with the entrance marked on it, then when the party discovered a room/corridor, I would stick it to the sheet of card with a gluestick.
Actually, not sure why I didn't mention this earlier, for dungeons you can craft dungeon tiles out of cardboard or really any material and lay them out as the group proceeds thru the dungeon. For out door areas just create various pieces of scatter terrain. There is a labeled how do you build terrain in the arts and crafts area that has links to several you tube channels that offer a number of tutorials on how to create them and paint them. Shopping in the right places this can be done very inexpensively.
I will note that I am somewhat jealous of some of the awesome terrains that people have built (including that I don't have space to store such things).
I love the idea of having a large map predrawn and covering the table but how do I as a DM do this without spoiling where to go, etc.?
I've seen some people cover unexplored sections with black paper and used it like fog of war, if it is a dungeon map you could cut it into sections though that can be a pain in the can when trying to piece it back together.
-
View User Profile
-
View Posts
-
Send Message
D&D Beyond FoundersI've never settled on a way of doing this that I am happy with.
Starting with a huge, filled in map just feels wrong and my players feel the same - they want the feeling of exploring, not looking at a map and being able to instantly work out how to get through to the obvious room with the dragon hoard.
I've had some success with vinyl battle sheets, where I can draw with whiteboard markers as they go along. This works best for outdoor encounters and smaller dungeons. Larger or more complex dungeons are a real pain to update correctly, without messing up the size/shape of rooms.
Another method I tried, for a larger dungeon, which worked very well, but required a lot more preparation, was to print the entire map on paper and cut each room out, writing a number on the back in pencil that matched the dungeon. The players start out with a large sheet of empty card infront of them, with the entrance marked on it, then when the party discovered a room/corridor, I would stick it to the sheet of card with a gluestick.
Pun-loving nerd | Faith Elisabeth Lilley | She/Her/Hers | Profile art by Becca Golins
If you need help with homebrew, please post on the homebrew forums, where multiple staff and moderators can read your post and help you!
"We got this, no problem! I'll take the twenty on the left - you guys handle the one on the right!"🔊
Actually, not sure why I didn't mention this earlier, for dungeons you can craft dungeon tiles out of cardboard or really any material and lay them out as the group proceeds thru the dungeon. For out door areas just create various pieces of scatter terrain. There is a labeled how do you build terrain in the arts and crafts area that has links to several you tube channels that offer a number of tutorials on how to create them and paint them. Shopping in the right places this can be done very inexpensively.
-
View User Profile
-
View Posts
-
Send Message
D&D Beyond FoundersI will note that I am somewhat jealous of some of the awesome terrains that people have built (including that I don't have space to store such things).
Pun-loving nerd | Faith Elisabeth Lilley | She/Her/Hers | Profile art by Becca Golins
If you need help with homebrew, please post on the homebrew forums, where multiple staff and moderators can read your post and help you!
"We got this, no problem! I'll take the twenty on the left - you guys handle the one on the right!"🔊