GameMastery Map Pack: Shops

These look promising... although I have one concern when buying: how many times does combat actually take place inside a SHOP? Apart from pricing feuds that is...
Might not see too much use, though it can add a lot of fun when added to a street scene (combat will poor over into the shops, stop looters, loot yourself, etc.). This is on my list!

Well there is the local tavern, that maps is probably gonna see some serious use.

These look promising... although I have one concern when buying: how many times does combat actually take place inside a SHOP? Apart from pricing feuds that is...

Apparently we game with different people . . . ;)

Plus, without giving too much away, I'm pretty sure there are a few PFS scenarios that have at least potential combat situations in shops, so that's worth a look as well.

A few days ago, we added preview images, along with a diagram of how Map Pack: Shops can be used to reveal the interiors of the buildings depicted on Flip-Mat: City Streets.

We've also quietly revealed a new feature for GameMastery Map Packs: They now use the same write-on/wipe-off coating that we use on our Flip-Mats, meaning you can use dry-erase, wet-erase, and permanent markers with new Map Packs!

Freakin' awesome!

A few days ago, we added preview images, along with a diagram of how Map Pack: Shops can be used to reveal the interiors of the buildings depicted on Flip-Mat: City Streets.

We've also quietly revealed a new feature for GameMastery Map Packs: They now use the same write-on/wipe-off coating that we use on our Flip-Mats, meaning you can use dry-erase, wet-erase, and permanent markers with new Map Packs!

Can you say, that's incredible? Or did I just date myself? Seriously - Fantastic on both features.

A few days ago, we added preview images, along with a diagram of how Map Pack: Shops can be used to reveal the interiors of the buildings depicted on Flip-Mat: City Streets.

We've also quietly revealed a new feature for GameMastery Map Packs: They now use the same write-on/wipe-off coating that we use on our Flip-Mats, meaning you can use dry-erase, wet-erase, and permanent markers with new Map Packs!

Pretty much a game changer!!!

I love the idea of using them together like that!

Sean

We've also quietly revealed a new feature for GameMastery Map Packs: They now use the same write-on/wipe-off coating that we use on our Flip-Mats, meaning you can use dry-erase, wet-erase, and permanent markers with new Map Packs!

Oh, awesome!

A few days ago, we added preview images, along with a diagram of how Map Pack: Shops can be used to reveal the interiors of the buildings depicted on Flip-Mat: City Streets.

We've also quietly revealed a new feature for GameMastery Map Packs: They now use the same write-on/wipe-off coating that we use on our Flip-Mats, meaning you can use dry-erase, wet-erase, and permanent markers with new Map Packs!

Make sure you specify on the cover, which packs that applies to, because I can never remember the order I bought them in!

Or, sell spray-cans of the protective coating?

These look promising... although I have one concern when buying: how many times does combat actually take place inside a SHOP?

I wrestled a halfling on top of a stall, and slapped him into submission with a fish, during 'City of Strangers'.

Does that count?

Make sure you specify on the cover, which packs that applies to, because I can never remember the order I bought them in!

This one and the next have a "New Format!" slash across the lower right corner of the cover, which is much less informative than I'd like. We'll do something different after that—I'm not sure what yet, but it will be something that actually tells you what the new format *is*...

But I don't think you'll have to worry *too* much about mixing them up, unless you're completely not thinking about it, as the new tiles feel really different—more plastic-y and less papery.

Buildings you can just plop down right there on the battlemat in endless layout combinations? Dry erasable? Sold!

I think the re-usability of these is what draws me to them - a lot of the other map packs seem like one-time deals of the "this wizard's tower sure looks just like the last one we stormed" kind.

Awesome! I'm stoked that the Curiosity Shop was used for the cover. That was one of my favorites of this set!

Awesome! I'm stoked that the Curiosity Shop was used for the cover. That was one of my favorites of this set!

It is a very nice one.

I just tried posting a review listing my guesses as to what the unlisted shops were, but the message system ate it. Could you maybe just give us a list of what you conceived each shop as?

The list that came with the maps is incomplete and also duplicated "weapon shop."

Also, I should mention that the new durable plasticized stock is excellent and far superior to the old stuff.

I like the new "gimmick" of having the map pack match the city fold out map.

Is there any chance in going back to some of the older flips/packs and making matching counterparts or extensions. Maybe basements or sewers matching the towns, etc. Things like the Tournament or Wizard's tower could use matching flip maps. Some of the other flip maps could use better matched map pack call-outs so they have the same backgrounds when placed, like woodlands and haunted woodlands camps. The other thing I'd like to see would be better map matching. So paths from different maps match up, forest paths match mountains or plains, flip-sides are contiguous side-by-side (so we can buy two!), etc.

great products... I have 3-4 of the flip maps and packs, all the other gamers I hang out with think they're cool.

...So paths from different maps match up, forest paths match mountains or plains, flip-sides are contiguous side-by-side (so we can buy two!), etc.

We have done that sort of thing now and then, and will continue to occasionally do more. Flip-Mat Forest, Woodlands, and River Crossing are all designed to line up (though due to color variations in printing over time, it's not quite as seamless as we'd like). Map Pack: Waterfront and Flip-Mat: Waterfront Tavern are designed to work well together, and some of the other aquatic maps match up to those fairly well too. And the upcoming Map Pack: Crypts and Flip-Mat: Necropolis will also work seamlessly. And at least one of the Flip-Mats intentionally lines up with its own flip side if you have two copies, but I can't recall which one that is right now...

mabhatter wrote:

...So paths from different maps match up, forest paths match mountains or plains, flip-sides are contiguous side-by-side (so we can buy two!), etc.

We have done that sort of thing now and then, and will continue to occasionally do more. Flip-Mat Forest, Woodlands, and River Crossing are all designed to line up (though due to color variations in printing over time, it's not quite as seamless as we'd like). Map Pack: Waterfront and Flip-Mat: Waterfront Tavern are designed to work well together, and some of the other aquatic maps match up to those fairly well too. And the upcoming Map Pack: Crypts and Flip-Mat: Necropolis will also work seamlessly. And at least one of the Flip-Mats intentionally lines up with its own flip side if you have two copies, but I can't recall which one that is right now...

I think it's the Fortress or Bandit Hideout, where the flip side is the road leading to the gate.

I'm looking forward to getting these shops--they look beautiful and I'm glad they're laminated now--SO GLAD! I think if I ever need to use more than one of them, I'll arrange them with poster tack on my blank flip mat so I don't have to buy the city streets one.

I just received these today and I love the new format. They are thicker, laminated and they go with the most recent flip-map.

I am very happy with how Paizo contstantly improves their products. You have become my favorite game company over the past few years.

Thank you.

I am very happy with how Paizo contstantly improves their products. You have become my favorite game company over the past few years.

Thank you.

If there's anybody qualified to compare any (or all) of our products over time, it's you... so thank you!

Just picked this up with the city streets flip mat. Very cool concept for the overlay executed with excellence...

Any chance for double siding these laminated map packs in the future? Maybe just a 1" grid? The laminated blank white side seems to me a neglected canvas...

Any chance for double siding these laminated map packs in the future? Maybe just a 1" grid? The laminated blank white side seems to me a neglected canvas...

Not without significantly increasing the price. (Frankly, we probably should have increased the price when we added the lamination, as our costs went up quite a bit doing that.)

(Frankly, we probably should have increased the price when we added the lamination, as our costs went up quite a bit doing that.)

I was actually surprised that you did not raise the price.

I actually still break out my $5.00 roll of laminating sheet I get from the kitchen section at Walmart and do it myself. I've gotten pretty good at it over the years. Very little bubbling, and I rarely screw up and get any creases. Plus I have gotten pretty good at fixing such things with X-acto knives and needles.

I actually still break out my $5.00 roll of laminating sheet I get from the kitchen section at Walmart and do it myself. I've gotten pretty good at it over the years. Very little bubbling, and I rarely screw up and get any creases. Plus I have gotten pretty good at fixing such things with X-acto knives and needles.

I'd be interested to hear how you do this. Any particular tools needed beyond that? Rollers, etc? How much of a margin do you leave around each card?

Robert Miller 55 wrote:

I actually still break out my $5.00 roll of laminating sheet I get from the kitchen section at Walmart and do it myself. I've gotten pretty good at it over the years. Very little bubbling, and I rarely screw up and get any creases. Plus I have gotten pretty good at fixing such things with X-acto knives and needles.

I'd be interested to hear how you do this. Any particular tools needed beyond that? Rollers, etc? How much of a margin do you leave around each card?

I do use a roller, but that is by virtue of my putting don new linoleum flooring and having bought a roller for that. You can do it without a roller, and most of the time I do it without it as well.

As for the margin, I leave a quarter inch. This is so the laminate will grab itself and make a better water tight seal, so I don't have to worry about spillage.

The key is to lay out a flat sheet. I typically make it big enough to fit 4 map tiles on it at one time. Get it laid out flat, and then carefully lay the tiles on top. I start at one edge and slowly lay it down, pressing with the backs of my fingers on my other hand the whole way. The real key is to be slow and patient.

If you get air bubbles and cannot roll them out that is when I use the needles. Puncture the bubbles and carefully squeeze the air out the needle hole. When I get creases, that is the worst, usually. I do it to where the excess material is gathered up as much as possible, and then trim it, carefully folding what I leave behind over on itself to seal. I often have to cut out a "band aid" from the main roll to make sure it has a good seal.

Probably the toughest/trickiest part, is to do the "back" side. I usually lay this down flat and then lay the already laminated piece on top of it. What makes it challenging is the over lap will stick to your fingers.

So what I have taken to doing is leaving no edge when I do the front lamination. Then I leave an edge on this back piece, and once I get it put on I fold this edge over to create the seal. The bad part is this leaves a noticeable line on what is usually the front side, but I put up with it because I like doing the front side first to minimize bubbling and creasing, so its a trade off I accept.

My biggest success with lamination of maps etc came when I found a teachers-supply place that did lamination in-house for teachers. It was something like 36" wide and they could feed multiple pieces in at once. It was a very nice system with rollers and everything and turned out virtually blemish-free end products. I haven't had to do that in several years, tho, so I have no idea what a current price would be on that service.

Awesome tips, but isn't the point that we don't need to do that now that they're laminating the map packs?

Of course, still useful for old map packs, but maybe this discussion should go to the Game Mastery discussion or something; more people might see it. :)

I picked up 'City Streets' as well, but in retrospect I don't think it's nearly that useful as these shop tiles; you can't use the same layout for too many cities before your players start making jokes about identical acrhitecture. Dungeon Tiles work a lot better for me in that regard. However, in my campaign a lot of the action and intrigue happens at shops or taverns (just a couple of sessions ago there was a combat in a bookstore) so I'll get a lot of use out of this set. :)

I will be picking these up as I recently picked up flip map city streets.

I will need to also pick up a permanent marker pen as I normally write on the back of all my Map Packs the name of the set and a unique reference.

Being a subscriber to the map's line, I don't really read the product listings since I'll just see the new pack when it arrives. So I was completely unaware that the format now includes lamination. I was pleasantly surprised when I cracked the pack to use for my PFS event last week. H0ly Cr@p are these awesome!! You had me hooked with the old version, but laminating them and linking them to the Flip Maps was genius. These are some of the best accessories in the business.

Make sure you specify on the cover, which packs that applies to, because I can never remember the order I bought them in!

But I don't think you'll have to worry *too* much about mixing them up, unless you're completely not thinking about it, as the new tiles feel really different—more plastic-y and less papery.

They sure do!

These new tiles are very sturdy, and it's immediately apparent that they're different from the previous sets.

So what I have taken to doing is leaving no edge when I do the front lamination. Then I leave an edge on this back piece, and once I get it put on I fold this edge over to create the seal. The bad part is this leaves a noticeable line on what is usually the front side, but I put up with it because I like doing the front side first to minimize bubbling and creasing, so its a trade off I accept.

Do you find it more difficult to do the rear side first (with no margin) then wrap the overlap from front to back?

I notice that the Flip Mat: City Streets was re-released as part of the "Classics" line. Is there any plan to re-release this map pack? I'm not sure it is worth the $99.00+ price currently on Amazon.com for stockpiled copies, but I am interested in getting the printed version.

Thanks.

I notice that the Flip Mat: City Streets was re-released as part of the "Classics" line. Is there any plan to re-release this map pack? I'm not sure it is worth the $99.00+ price currently on Amazon.com for stockpiled copies, but I am interested in getting the printed version.

Thanks.

I don't know if they plan to do card pack re releases atm but I believe they reprinted these cards on the back of the new flip-mat as the interiors to the buildings they were originally meant to represent.

As a new DM, I'm really excited for all these maps and tiles that save time in my sessions and add so many interesting details for encounter seeds. I just wish Paizo would reprint this Map Pack to go along with their reprint of the City Streets map.

I don't know if they plan to do card pack re releases atm but I believe they reprinted these cards on the back of the new flip-mat as the interiors to the buildings they were originally meant to represent.

The Flip-Mat: Classics are straight reprints, complete with the basic stone background on the rear side.