Maps of Mastery—Mass Transit I: Heavy Courier Ship & Offworld Shipping Center Print (based on
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ratings)
Maps of Mastery
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Print:
$13.99
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Exodus Class Heavy Courier Ship PDF:
$3.99
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Offworld Shipping Center PDF:
$3.99
This high-quality, double-sided poster map features a complete starship on one side and a spaceport facility on the other! Designed by veteran cartographer Christopher West for use in any science fiction RPG or miniatures game, this folded poster is the premiere offering in his Maps of Mastery line.
The map measures 22 by 34 inches when unfolded, and features a 1-inch grid for play with most miniatures game systems. Various objects and structural elements printed in the maps feature fine colored lines to mark the boundaries of different kinds of terrain, like walls and obstacles; these are easily ignored if your game of choice doesn't need specific designations for terrain types, but useful if it does.
The front of the poster is designated the "Exodus-Class Heavy Courier," and was designed with RPG use in mind. Many different kinds of sci-fi adventures take place aboard starships or even involve the player characters as owners of their own transport—this ship fills both niches very well. It's a large freighter or transport ship outfitted with secret cargo holds for restricted goods and enough bunks and escape pods to support a good-sized number of passengers. The ship was built to ferry important cargo or VIPs across territorial boundaries and past enemy blockades.
The Offworld Shipping Center, on the back, includes a another complete (but smaller) courier ship in the upper-right-hand corner, parked in the docking bay of a spaceport-type location that includes a refueling station, big cargo bays, a command center with holographic display, and a workshop for the sci-fi train that uses this port as a loading facility. Multiple bridges and conveniently-positioned cargo cranes provide crossing-points for the recessed train channel.
When I was prepping for my Saga Edition mini campaign last year I scoured ebay for some of the more obscure mini poster maps WotC had produced. The tiles they made were OK for some things, but the poster maps really helped set a scene and let the players take advantage of the terrain.
Getting this was brilliant, not only because it already matched the colors and styles of the Saga maps (many also my Mr. West) but it had a full sized starship on it! The other side is just as loaded with detail and twists and turns. There's even a landing pad with a docked starship, that too has map squares instead of just being an overlay. A GM could use these deckplans for a hero's ship.
I used this map in my latest Star Wars Saga Edition campaign and it was simply fantastic. The map has a thick magazine page type feel to it and the design is well thought out. There is adequate cover for heroes and enemies, obstacles for them to navigate and sensible "rooms" throughout the ship. I'm impressed with the quality and it made for a great session. Although, now my players want to keep the ship and asked me if I had any game stats for it.... I guess I will soon.
First of all, these maps are beautiful to look at and I had to purchase the double-sided map as soon as it was available.
Secondly, the starship side of the map is genious and the first map that I have seen of it's kind (a whole map just for a starship, therefore more realistic sizing for a light carrier). It is perfect for any futuristic RPG. I have used it for a Star Wars SAGA Edition game, and been a player for a Warhammer 40,000 game where it was our aircraft. Amazingly enough, despite the fact that it is an amazing RPG tool, it is also a wonderful map to use with the Star Wars Miniatures skirmish game also.
The opposite side is pretty standard quality as far as the official map releases for Star Wars Miniatures. [All the official maps have varying uses for the RPG, and this one is no exception] Where this map (Offworld Shipping Center) excels is that it is one of the most balanced maps that I have ever played on for the Star Wars Miniatures game. The quality for graphics and playability are amazing.
If you are planninng on using this for the RPG, it is a must have, since the Heavy Courier is unequaled.
If you are planning on using this for Star Wars Miniatures, you will find both maps very enjoyable and balanced.
If you use maps for both, this is not a map (double-sided) to pass up.
I purchased this product shortly after GenCon this past year (09), and they are awesome. They are balanced enough for skirmish games, and have enough utility for a good RPG. They look professionnally done, none of this homemade looking stuff. One half matchs up to one of the Star Wars Minatures (WOTC) maps as well.
This is a great buy for a mini's player or a RPGer looking for some nice locations.
