Scenario map question


GM Discussion

Scarab Sages 3/5

In PFS, do you have to use the maps provided in the scenario, or can you use something similar? I'm getting ready to run 5-08: The Confirmation, and for the final encounter I was thinking of using the reverse side of the Deep Forest flip mat (which is used for the first encounter). Here's what the reverse side looks like:

http://static4.paizo.com/image/content/GameMastery/PZOSQW30046_Deep_Forest_ FRONT_500.jpeg

Is this allowed? If so, what do you guys think about this map as a substitute?

5/5 5/55/5 ** Venture-Captain, Germany—Hamburg

I think I remember having read somewhere on this forum that it's perfectly acceptable to use similar maps as long as they still show everything that's neccessary for the encounter. (If, for example, the encounter includes a river and rules of how the river is to be handled, you shouldn't use a map without a river on it.)

The important part about the maps is to use colorful Paizo maps that may catch the attention of casual observers at a convention or store (if you are playing at a public place), so they will ask about the game and can maybe be convinced into joining the campaign. More players means more fun ;)

Grand Lodge 5/5

I remember Mike Brock saying pretty much exactly what Andreas wrote.

Also, if you are making your own map(s) you are expected not to change the details from the original map, but if you already have a professional, colorful map you want to use, I believe Mike would prefer you use it rather than a rough-drawn handmade one.

EDIT:

For 5-08

Spoiler:
I did that too. I just told the players to consider the big rock as a sandy area along the river.

3/5

I tried to go here but I'm not a subscriber so... I get...

"The requested URL was not found on this server, or you do not have permission to access this area."

I played this game and got a free Gelatinous cube from Kyle Baird.

I've seen it run twice by our State's Venture Captain, and gave advice three times for running it to our convention's GM's.

Kyle gave it to me to run cold but we only had 6 that meet-up so I was able to play it twice back to back one weekend.

I think in every game that map was very impactful to the way each party proceeded to the boss fight.

I saw the Disappeared run cold and unread, and with the laziness of the GM not wanting to draw the dinner party out, the whole spirit of the game was crushed. That party needed the "real" map.

When I run the Temple of E. Enlightenment, The Temple of everflame...having the real map means everything...drawing all above mentioned maps are so painful, and I love making maps.

I respect that any GM can freestyle them legally, but I'm saying it's at a price.

5/5 ** RPG Superstar 2008 Top 16

As long as the map doesn't drastically change the encounter, swap out whatever map you want. I've changed the maps used for Inn/Tavern encounters several times because I knew the players had recently seen the map in another adventure. Swapping out one forest for another seems perfectly appropriate.

DO be careful that the new map doesn't change some major tactical dimension. As an example, suppose that a map let one villain "cork" the party in a confined space while his caster allies blasted them. If the original had more exits or a more spacious area, you might inadvertently alter the encounter's difficulty.

Shadow Lodge 3/5

It's important to note that terrain features can be particularly important, especially where charging is involved. This can change the encounter significantly if care isn't taken, including PC deaths that otherwise might not have happened.

5/5 ** RPG Superstar 2008 Top 16

Avatar-1 wrote:
It's important to note that terrain features can be particularly important, especially where charging is involved. This can change the encounter significantly if care isn't taken, including PC deaths that otherwise might not have happened.

It is possible that substitution of a map may affect the encounter. GMs do need to be sensitive to the ramifications of any changes they make. Despite this, it isn't reasonable to insist that none of the changes impact the party. A rock, tree, or table that might intersect a charge lane, or might be used for cover; a hallway that's 10 feet longer or shorter, putting a villain into or out of close spell range; a window, where the original map showed a solid wall: All of these changes could impact a fight. None of them are grounds for invalidating the encounter results just because the GM didn't use the "right" map.

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