I like how the online downloads provides maps without room numbers, presumably for the players, but does anyone use them? If so, how do you keep the players from seeing the whole map?
Yes.
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I definitely use the maps.
While I print the NPC and moster pictures and scenery-pieces in color and paste them on index cards as player handouts, I print low-quality black and white versions of the maps.
I then make notes of important features (especially persistent magic effects--there are a hellacious amount of these, even as early as the Whispering Cairn) on Post-its and put those on the back of each map page. Each Post-it is marked with a red number that corresponds to the number on the area it describes (also called out in red ink). This makes it very easy to describe each area with a quick turn of the page. I can also use the Post-its for bookmarks--in the Monster Manual when creatures are present in a room, in the DMG when certain rules are needed (such as the effects of wind for the big face), and so on.
It's been a good system for me, and I use the same when I design my own adventures.
They are really helpful for online games (e.g. Fantasy Grounds). If I could request something else it would be a stat block doc, so I can print and write on it. Currently I just type it into word and make my own.
For rooms that are unique or include combat, I make my own battle maps on Dunjinni. I really love the NPC and monster portraits but only use the small player maps in a limited fashion. Mostly I use them after the characters are already "familiar" with the area. For instance, in Whispering Cairn I provided them with the first map after they had already explored all the rooms and moved on (therefore the map just served as reference to where they had already been and did not reveal anything new). I showed them the side view of Filge's observatory and then folded the small map to reveal only the rooms the PC's "saw" as they moved through the complex. It was a little awkward but better than just revealing the whole map, IMO.
If a room is just a standard rectangle then I might use the smaller scale map for player reference as we use the miniatures on our table-size battle mat. I don't usually waste time making battle maps for every single room, especially if they are standard size and shape.
I blow the maps up in illustrator and print them out for use on the table. I also print out all the art as handouts.
Shade325
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Ditto. I blow up the maps, and cut them into room or encounter specific pieces. I tape them back together on the playing table as doors are opened, and use pieces of typing paper to cover up areas that might be out of sight.
Usually, at the end of the 'dungeon level', the whole thing is taped together into one big map. The kids love to play with the layouts with minis when we're through.
Those maps are much better than the old line sketches I used to do on the fly. They DEFINITELY add to the value of the mag.
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The Downloads , maps. and all play an important part in my game. The maps are a nice vehicle to maintain the atmosphere, as are the NPC illustrations and various other art work etc.
I endeavour to use miniatures but try not to make my game a de-facto miniatures session with a bit of role playing in-between, this is a bit of a balancing act but with the illustrations, maps and other devices I can create a richer campaign world. The fact that the players have all l voted that the Age of Worms best feature is the story arc and richness of Diamond Lake and surrounds (we are currently in the midst of the 3FoE ) is testimony to the effect the handouts and other material has on the overall game and my enjoyment as a DM. In addition the online handouts prevent the player seeing pertinent information when displaying the illustration too.
Well done and kudos to Paizio for maintaining this value add feature.
Cheers
DDM
Agreed. Love the maps and portraits. I second the idea of including stat blocks as well.
I like how the online downloads provides maps without room numbers, presumably for the players, but does anyone use them? If so, how do you keep the players from seeing the whole map?
I use them in a couple of ways. If it's an area that's hard to describe, I fold the paper up so that only that area is showing and then show the players so they can picture the room, intersection, whatever.
For what I know will be very complex areas, I actually worked it into the story line of them having to make contact with a spy to get a hold of a map of the area they're supposed to infiltrate (enter player handout).
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The DM of the Eberron game I'm playing in (can't be a DM all the time) uses the plain maps, cuts the the rooms out, and uses a non-permanent craft glue to glue the rooms onto a plain sheet of paper as we get to them. It really saves time on map-drawing. Considering he's been only playing for a year of so and DMing for about 2 months, his ingenuity puts me to shame.
He also uses the PC handouts extensively- it's great to get a physical representation of the bloody note you find or a picture of the artifact you're holding. Even for adventures without downloadable handouts, he's got a scanner he puts to excellent use.
Ah, if only I had a scanner, printer, and computer worth a damn!
Because Im a LUCKY B@$TARD, I can trust my players, at least not to metagame off of maps. *Does a happy dance* So I print them out, use the numbered one for me, and let my players use the blank ones to draw in the map for me on our nice 6'x4' Chessex battlemat. That way I'm not wasting time drawing, and I can instead review the encounter aspects with a little peace and quiet while they draw.
Just my two coppers.
Because Im a LUCKY B@$TARD, I can trust my players, at least not to metagame off of maps. *Does a happy dance*
All us other unlucky DMs are glaring at you with envious malice.
I use the cut-and-stick method with the maps sometimes, but I always print out the other stuff to use as a handout. For many locations, the players make a point to try and request/coerce/bribe maps from local officials, and I can get away with giving them the entire map.