paizo.com Recent Reviews of GameMastery Map Pack: Vehiclespaizo.com Recent Reviews of GameMastery Map Pack: Vehicles2022-04-08T21:21:14Z2022-04-08T21:21:14ZGameMastery Map Pack: Vehicles: Surprisingly Useful (4 stars)Jhaemanhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8u7m?GameMastery-Map-Pack-Vehicles2017-09-21T05:19:54Z<p><b>GameMastery Map Pack: Vehicles</b></p><p>Vehicles is a very different map pack than the norm. Instead of tiles that fit together to create a landscape suitable for an encounter, the 18 sheets in this pack are designed to be cut apart and placed on top of other flip-mats or map packs. Everything from beasts of burden to boats to various carts are included.</p>
<p>Two of the sheets are full of mounts: common mounts like horses and ponies, quite unusual mounts like rhinos and giant geckos, and even a full pack of sled dogs. Four full sheets are of different chariots, so I guess you'd be all set if you need a classic Ben Hur scene. One sheet has a couple of sleds for the aforementioned sled dogs, another is a couple of hang gliders (!), and three are devoted to a top down view of what the back describes as a "steam giant" (a gearwork construct of some kind?—it's hard to tell with a top-down interior view). Of much more mundane origin (but surely more common use) are a rowboat and then two sheets that can be taped together to make a keelboat/river barge. Last, and best, are three sheets each containing two different types of wagons, carts, and carriages.</p>
<p>It feels really weird cutting up a product like this, but the results look a lot nicer than I could draw or find on the Internet. Importantly, they're sized appropriately for a 5" grid so character minis match up. Things like the carts and mounts are perfect for PCs, but they also serve well as added background colour to urban or road encounters. As a GM, I used the keelboat for several consecutive sessions when the PCs were making a long river voyage and it was great.</p>
<p>If I had complaints, it's that this was one of the map packs that was released before the line started appearing in boxed-form, so once the pieces are cut out, they're harder to store. A second criticism is that too many sheets are devoted to weird or off-beat things like the "steam giant", hang gliders, etc.</p>
<p>On the whole though, I was surprised by how useful this product was—it's definitely something I've gotten a lot of use out of in the few months I've owned it, and it's made my encounters clearer and more "professional" looking. I'd grab one before it goes out of print!</p><p><b>GameMastery Map Pack: Vehicles</b></p><p>Vehicles is a very different map pack than the norm. Instead of tiles that fit together to create a landscape suitable for an encounter, the 18 sheets in this pack are designed to be cut apart and placed on top of other flip-mats or map packs. Everything from beasts of burden to boats to various carts are included.</p>
<p>Two of the sheets are full of mounts: common mounts like horses and ponies, quite unusual mounts like rhinos and giant geckos, and even a full pack of sled dogs. Four full sheets are of different chariots, so I guess you'd be all set if you need a classic Ben Hur scene. One sheet has a couple of sleds for the aforementioned sled dogs, another is a couple of hang gliders (!), and three are devoted to a top down view of what the back describes as a "steam giant" (a gearwork construct of some kind?—it's hard to tell with a top-down interior view). Of much more mundane origin (but surely more common use) are a rowboat and then two sheets that can be taped together to make a keelboat/river barge. Last, and best, are three sheets each containing two different types of wagons, carts, and carriages.</p>
<p>It feels really weird cutting up a product like this, but the results look a lot nicer than I could draw or find on the Internet. Importantly, they're sized appropriately for a 5" grid so character minis match up. Things like the carts and mounts are perfect for PCs, but they also serve well as added background colour to urban or road encounters. As a GM, I used the keelboat for several consecutive sessions when the PCs were making a long river voyage and it was great.</p>
<p>If I had complaints, it's that this was one of the map packs that was released before the line started appearing in boxed-form, so once the pieces are cut out, they're harder to store. A second criticism is that too many sheets are devoted to weird or off-beat things like the "steam giant", hang gliders, etc.</p>
<p>On the whole though, I was surprised by how useful this product was—it's definitely something I've gotten a lot of use out of in the few months I've owned it, and it's made my encounters clearer and more "professional" looking. I'd grab one before it goes out of print!</p>Jhaeman2017-09-21T05:19:54ZGameMastery Map Pack: Vehicles: Vehicles + Caravan Pack = Perfect Set for Modern Mobile GM! (5 stars)Brother Fenhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8u7m?GameMastery-Map-Pack-Vehicles2015-03-19T15:13:17Z<p><b>GameMastery Map Pack: Vehicles</b></p><p>Ignore the whiney reviewers below. If you need vehicles for your campaign, here they are! You get a wide selection of mounts from horses to dogs to lizards to chariots, carts and even a steam giant to put on the board!</p>
<p>Yes, you have to cut the pieces apart, but it takes very little time to get them in the shape you need. Some may cut the mounts completely away from the ground included in the pawn/token, but I didn't have a problem with leaving the setting there as a base. The smaller mounts such as the lizards, dogs and spiders would no doubt get damaged or lost if cut away completely from the ground.</p>
<p>Use in conjunction with the Caravans map pack and you'll have everything you need to transport your characters from one side of Golarion to the other.</p><p><b>GameMastery Map Pack: Vehicles</b></p><p>Ignore the whiney reviewers below. If you need vehicles for your campaign, here they are! You get a wide selection of mounts from horses to dogs to lizards to chariots, carts and even a steam giant to put on the board!</p>
<p>Yes, you have to cut the pieces apart, but it takes very little time to get them in the shape you need. Some may cut the mounts completely away from the ground included in the pawn/token, but I didn't have a problem with leaving the setting there as a base. The smaller mounts such as the lizards, dogs and spiders would no doubt get damaged or lost if cut away completely from the ground.</p>
<p>Use in conjunction with the Caravans map pack and you'll have everything you need to transport your characters from one side of Golarion to the other.</p>Brother Fen2015-03-19T15:13:17ZGameMastery Map Pack: Vehicles: Overall good, but not as good as I expected (2 stars)RottenFridgehttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8u7m?GameMastery-Map-Pack-Vehicles2014-11-12T21:49:17Z<p><b>GameMastery Map Pack: Vehicles</b></p><p>I would have liked it much more if at least half of the mounts came without cart harnesses. It may seem like a little detail but that was what bothered me most of it all (appart from the cutting).</p>
<p>Also, what TheMetal1 says in his review.</p><p><b>GameMastery Map Pack: Vehicles</b></p><p>I would have liked it much more if at least half of the mounts came without cart harnesses. It may seem like a little detail but that was what bothered me most of it all (appart from the cutting).</p>
<p>Also, what TheMetal1 says in his review.</p>RottenFridge2014-11-12T21:49:17ZGameMastery Map Pack: Vehicles: Good stuff (4 stars)TheMetal1https://paizo.com/products/btpy8u7m?GameMastery-Map-Pack-Vehicles2014-07-06T16:58:16Z<p><b>GameMastery Map Pack: Vehicles</b></p><p>I don't subscribe and will just pick up what interests me or to support the game I'm running. I really liked the caravan pack and have used that to great effect and options presented for various vehicles and steads seemed like a good match. </p>
<p>1. Cut-outs. I've never had to cut anything with the map-packs before so this was a first, but knew it going in. I used a model cutting board and exact-o knife for the most part, and a pair of scissors on the smaller pieces like the dogs. </p>
<p>2. I personnel like the flat mounts. The game I'm running (Castles & Crusades A-Series Assault on Blacktooth Ridge) has the players moving in caravan as guards. Some use mounts and I've mixed it up with Pawn mounts and WOTC token mounts. It's easier to use the flat tokens with the characters together. So this gives me more options for Calvary in the future. </p>
<p>3. The various animals are good variety. Gives me some options to throw weirdness into the game with a spider pulled chariot in battle, perhaps a caravan in the Darklands (Underdark or Cyclopean deeps for you WOTC and FGG gamers)pulled by lizards, or an Ogre riding a rhino.</p>
<p>4. Lots of wagon and chariot options. From fortune tellers, to farmers it's all there. Smaller versions of carts and the oxen give you some additional options for the game.</p>
<p>5. The boats are ok, but it looks like Paizo could have fit 2 rowboats on the single sheet. Not sure why they didn't as this was the product to add in cut lines and having more that one rowboat would come in handy for sea adventures and the abandon ship moment. </p>
<p>6. Snow/sled/sail stuff and Hang-gliders. Interesting stuff, along with the sled dogs, might have use later. </p>
<p>7. The steam/clockwork thing seems very specific, and of little use to me, but YMMV. </p>
<p>Overall: Good-stuff, and well worth it if you don't mind about 10 to 15 minutes of cutting. Recommend a few baggies for the mounts and animals. 4 Stars.</p><p><b>GameMastery Map Pack: Vehicles</b></p><p>I don't subscribe and will just pick up what interests me or to support the game I'm running. I really liked the caravan pack and have used that to great effect and options presented for various vehicles and steads seemed like a good match. </p>
<p>1. Cut-outs. I've never had to cut anything with the map-packs before so this was a first, but knew it going in. I used a model cutting board and exact-o knife for the most part, and a pair of scissors on the smaller pieces like the dogs. </p>
<p>2. I personnel like the flat mounts. The game I'm running (Castles & Crusades A-Series Assault on Blacktooth Ridge) has the players moving in caravan as guards. Some use mounts and I've mixed it up with Pawn mounts and WOTC token mounts. It's easier to use the flat tokens with the characters together. So this gives me more options for Calvary in the future. </p>
<p>3. The various animals are good variety. Gives me some options to throw weirdness into the game with a spider pulled chariot in battle, perhaps a caravan in the Darklands (Underdark or Cyclopean deeps for you WOTC and FGG gamers)pulled by lizards, or an Ogre riding a rhino.</p>
<p>4. Lots of wagon and chariot options. From fortune tellers, to farmers it's all there. Smaller versions of carts and the oxen give you some additional options for the game.</p>
<p>5. The boats are ok, but it looks like Paizo could have fit 2 rowboats on the single sheet. Not sure why they didn't as this was the product to add in cut lines and having more that one rowboat would come in handy for sea adventures and the abandon ship moment. </p>
<p>6. Snow/sled/sail stuff and Hang-gliders. Interesting stuff, along with the sled dogs, might have use later. </p>
<p>7. The steam/clockwork thing seems very specific, and of little use to me, but YMMV. </p>
<p>Overall: Good-stuff, and well worth it if you don't mind about 10 to 15 minutes of cutting. Recommend a few baggies for the mounts and animals. 4 Stars.</p>TheMetal12014-07-06T16:58:16ZGameMastery Map Pack: Vehicles: Medieval Roadkill (1 star)Lee Woodhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8u7m?GameMastery-Map-Pack-Vehicles2013-02-10T18:32:37Z<p><b>GameMastery Map Pack: Vehicles</b></p><p>Enough with the ridiculous lines to denote one inch squares! The artwork for large beasts in this set is centered on a two inch square tile. That means a dark line runs STRAIGHT DOWN the back of the animal, ruining the art and the effect. It's like a medieval road worker didn't bother to remove the carcass before painting a line. And we're not finished yet; that's just the vertical line! A horizontal line comes right in the middle to slice the animal in quarters! Abysmal failure.</p>
<p>Imagine how many pages of text, illustrations, and even errata would have been saved if WotC and later Paizo would have just trusted us to measure distances with a measuring tape and not ridiculous squares. We've all see the tortured explanations for what is cover, and what isn't. We've all see the nonsensical templates for cones, etc. Imagine all these wonderful map and tile products without those ubiquitous lines running all through the beautiful artwork.</p>
<p>Let's buck the past: if this product is ever reprinted, ditch the lines!</p><p><b>GameMastery Map Pack: Vehicles</b></p><p>Enough with the ridiculous lines to denote one inch squares! The artwork for large beasts in this set is centered on a two inch square tile. That means a dark line runs STRAIGHT DOWN the back of the animal, ruining the art and the effect. It's like a medieval road worker didn't bother to remove the carcass before painting a line. And we're not finished yet; that's just the vertical line! A horizontal line comes right in the middle to slice the animal in quarters! Abysmal failure.</p>
<p>Imagine how many pages of text, illustrations, and even errata would have been saved if WotC and later Paizo would have just trusted us to measure distances with a measuring tape and not ridiculous squares. We've all see the tortured explanations for what is cover, and what isn't. We've all see the nonsensical templates for cones, etc. Imagine all these wonderful map and tile products without those ubiquitous lines running all through the beautiful artwork.</p>
<p>Let's buck the past: if this product is ever reprinted, ditch the lines!</p>Lee Wood2013-02-10T18:32:37ZGameMastery Map Pack: Vehicles: So so, but not a total loss. (3 stars)My Little Metroidhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8u7m?GameMastery-Map-Pack-Vehicles2012-12-15T21:35:56Z<p><b>GameMastery Map Pack: Vehicles</b></p><p>There's two major problems I find with this map pack:</p>
<p>1) The horses/dogs/oxen etc. are better dealt with as miniatures (paper minis do fine if you don't feel like getting a dozen and a half horses). Their presence as map tiles feels like filler.</p>
<p>2) Splittable tiles. In general I'd rather not have to deal with those.</p>
<p>3) Since we end up with splittable tiles anyway, it would be nice if the pdf version had them pre-split so they can be printed separately or used individually if doing it all inside the computer.</p>
<p>I don't foresee myself using this one much, but the vehicles themselves are nice enough. Pity about the above points though.</p><p><b>GameMastery Map Pack: Vehicles</b></p><p>There's two major problems I find with this map pack:</p>
<p>1) The horses/dogs/oxen etc. are better dealt with as miniatures (paper minis do fine if you don't feel like getting a dozen and a half horses). Their presence as map tiles feels like filler.</p>
<p>2) Splittable tiles. In general I'd rather not have to deal with those.</p>
<p>3) Since we end up with splittable tiles anyway, it would be nice if the pdf version had them pre-split so they can be printed separately or used individually if doing it all inside the computer.</p>
<p>I don't foresee myself using this one much, but the vehicles themselves are nice enough. Pity about the above points though.</p>My Little Metroid2012-12-15T21:35:56ZGameMastery Map Pack: Vehicles: Not the best, but largely useful (4 stars)feytharnhttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8u7m?GameMastery-Map-Pack-Vehicles2012-11-03T10:29:45Z<p><b>GameMastery Map Pack: Vehicles</b></p><p>This map pack does not rate as high as marketplace or rooftops, for sure, as far as usefulness is concerned. Most of the maps are fairly of fairly situational use, but <i>if</i> these situations arise, the will shine.</p>
<p>The carts, chariots and wagons that make up 8 of the 18 maps will probably see most use. Put on a fairly unspecific 'green grass' background, the will be useful for caravans, escort adventures etc. The Boat and Ship (3 cards) complement nicely to other naval themed cards while the sleds will be useful for the odd arctic themed encounters (with an upcoming AP potentially making them really shine).</p>
<p>The Steam Giant (3 cards) is very specialised, but if you plan an encounter with one - well, there it is.</p>
<p>I can't see any use for the gliders (1 card) yet, especially since they are put on a cloudy background, unless there will be larger 'aerial' maps for special flying encounters, they are a pretty odd addition to a map pack, but then again, it is only one card.</p>
<p>The animals included add to the carts and sleds and may be of use as mounts.</p>
<p>The worst part about this map pack is the fact that you would have to cut most the maps apart for use, so if you have got an affordable way to print these out in color, get the pdf, not the print version. </p>
<p>I rate this with a four star rating, but it is not a map pack that everybody needs, especially not in print.</p><p><b>GameMastery Map Pack: Vehicles</b></p><p>This map pack does not rate as high as marketplace or rooftops, for sure, as far as usefulness is concerned. Most of the maps are fairly of fairly situational use, but <i>if</i> these situations arise, the will shine.</p>
<p>The carts, chariots and wagons that make up 8 of the 18 maps will probably see most use. Put on a fairly unspecific 'green grass' background, the will be useful for caravans, escort adventures etc. The Boat and Ship (3 cards) complement nicely to other naval themed cards while the sleds will be useful for the odd arctic themed encounters (with an upcoming AP potentially making them really shine).</p>
<p>The Steam Giant (3 cards) is very specialised, but if you plan an encounter with one - well, there it is.</p>
<p>I can't see any use for the gliders (1 card) yet, especially since they are put on a cloudy background, unless there will be larger 'aerial' maps for special flying encounters, they are a pretty odd addition to a map pack, but then again, it is only one card.</p>
<p>The animals included add to the carts and sleds and may be of use as mounts.</p>
<p>The worst part about this map pack is the fact that you would have to cut most the maps apart for use, so if you have got an affordable way to print these out in color, get the pdf, not the print version. </p>
<p>I rate this with a four star rating, but it is not a map pack that everybody needs, especially not in print.</p>feytharn2012-11-03T10:29:45ZGameMastery Map Pack: Vehicles: Shades of Swallowed Whole :( (1 star)Steve Geddeshttps://paizo.com/products/btpy8u7m?GameMastery-Map-Pack-Vehicles2012-10-30T04:24:03Z<p><b>GameMastery Map Pack: Vehicles</b></p><p>This is a rare miss for me in this line.</p>
<p>I like the idea of customising the battlemat, but the execution has generally been disappointing with other attempts I've seen. Sadly, this product is no exception. The trouble I foresee is with storing and accessing the appropriate vehicle, plus the added complication of lots of fiddly bits on the table (it appears the intention is for me to cut out lots of little husky tokens to pull a sled, for example which is just going to be a huge pain if they ever actually move on the battlemat).</p>
<p>With this specific set, I was hoping the utility would overcome the drawbacks, but another disappointment was that these werent printed on transparent plastic. As such - the background is fixed with the vehicle. (I havent used these in play yet, so perhaps it wont jar, but placing them on the various flipmats in which they might be used doesnt have me looking forward to using them).</p>
<p>There are some exceptions - the boats will, lets face it, always be used on a water background, so I doubt there'll be an issue there. Likewise the sleds on snow and I can live with the hang-gliders having a sky "background" despite the lack of logic. All in all though, I suspect these wont get a lot of use at my table, other than the boats.</p>
<p>Another negative, stupid as it sounds, is the need to cut everything out myself. I'm not particularly good at stuff like that - I either do it quickly and get a bad result or painstakingly slowly, making me grumpy. I guess there's no way they could be perforated, but it's another reason for me to rate the product low.</p>
<p>1 star feels too tough, 2 stars feels too generous. Nonetheless, this is a (rare) paizo product I wish they hadnt bothered with.</p><p><b>GameMastery Map Pack: Vehicles</b></p><p>This is a rare miss for me in this line.</p>
<p>I like the idea of customising the battlemat, but the execution has generally been disappointing with other attempts I've seen. Sadly, this product is no exception. The trouble I foresee is with storing and accessing the appropriate vehicle, plus the added complication of lots of fiddly bits on the table (it appears the intention is for me to cut out lots of little husky tokens to pull a sled, for example which is just going to be a huge pain if they ever actually move on the battlemat).</p>
<p>With this specific set, I was hoping the utility would overcome the drawbacks, but another disappointment was that these werent printed on transparent plastic. As such - the background is fixed with the vehicle. (I havent used these in play yet, so perhaps it wont jar, but placing them on the various flipmats in which they might be used doesnt have me looking forward to using them).</p>
<p>There are some exceptions - the boats will, lets face it, always be used on a water background, so I doubt there'll be an issue there. Likewise the sleds on snow and I can live with the hang-gliders having a sky "background" despite the lack of logic. All in all though, I suspect these wont get a lot of use at my table, other than the boats.</p>
<p>Another negative, stupid as it sounds, is the need to cut everything out myself. I'm not particularly good at stuff like that - I either do it quickly and get a bad result or painstakingly slowly, making me grumpy. I guess there's no way they could be perforated, but it's another reason for me to rate the product low.</p>
<p>1 star feels too tough, 2 stars feels too generous. Nonetheless, this is a (rare) paizo product I wish they hadnt bothered with.</p>Steve Geddes2012-10-30T04:24:03Z