| larry christison |
As a long time DM and buyer of 20+ map packs and 10+ flip maps, I have had a chance to use many of these products in game sessions. The map packs I have enjoyed the most were the quirkier ones with wagons, monsters bellies and boats... but when the time is right for a certain location or feel, the others have made things easier for me to prep. My favorite flip maps were the ships and more used locations. Having a permanent tavern with rooms makes the party comfortable until they amass enough funds to build their own elite townhouse base. Having the different locations for Rise of th Rune Lords also adds flavor to the setting.
As for earlier comments on the graveyard and catacombs combined sets, my players actually enjoyed seeing the outside of the crypts until the inside was laid out. They could not cheat and memorize the layout before the game - as many of them try to do. Thus they did not know which led downward. I enjoyed the effort of the combined sets, and if I didn't like where one went, I just placed another upon that location, or just described it as going nowhere. The rooftop maze and allyway maps are also godsends for ambushes and running away.
future flip map sets I would like to see are...
- a cloud level map with multiple rocky mountain chimneys breaking through, forming a nesting sight. Multiple stick nests; including cliffside nests and cave entrances lower down, and a panorama view of the ground further down peaking through the clouds can be found on one side... On the other side are a mass of clouds, with cloud breaks showing land far below, and a dragon shadow upon one. This represents air adventures quite well.
- With the White Dragon 3-pack coming out, I would like a double flip map set offered. Instead of an open cave, lets have an intelligent small dungeon that would actually protect an intelligent huge white dragon who has years to prepare defences. The first section is outside, with the second connecting to it representing the intelligently made trap laden 1st section with tunnels a huge can use. flip the outside to continue further inside the lair, and the last section with a ceiling hole to fly and escape from. A single sheet of paper with the maps can explain any traps, hazards or defending creatures found in each room or hall.
- A similar Black Dragon double flip map lair for a large or huge dragon could start out with the 1st section being the marsh surface, the second section under the murk in the water with the lair entrance to be discovered, flip both to form the underwater underground lair.
- an under sea map with a flooded ruin of small buildings on the bottom of one map... on the other underwater side is either an extensive coral maze, or a kelp maze.
- mid tree level on one side are a maze of crossing branches; some of which one must leap between; others with vines to swing, a spiders web to one side to cross... on the other side are several mid tree level huts and platforms connected by plank bridges.
- finally a thorn wood maze of reaching thorny vines seeming to reach out before finding an enchated grove within. Use a seperate map pack to provide more thorny trails, or alternate routes throuh it... on the other side is a wild dangerous grove of threatening plants of varius types with some fantasy background. the map pack could have pieces that transform small sections to more fearsome plants or obstacles to surprise the party or catch them offguard the next time they enter.
Both I and my different parties have enjoyed these products, and hope that they will contnue with all the creativity we hve seen, and more.