Greeting all and please excuse my question if it's redundant. I'm a pretty new GM and am interested in running the Emerald Spire mega dungeon using the flip mats, I currently do not own any flip mats by the way. But the problem I have with using flip mats (and correct me if I'm wrong) is that it exposes the entire area/dungeon to the players. Area's that they don't necessarily know about yet. To me it seems like it would take away the experience of discovery and it almost encourages the players to meta-game. I think that they are beautifully made and would love to use them, but the sense of discovery for the players is more important to me as a story teller. I would like to hear other's views on keeping that sense of discovery while using dungeon flip mats. Thanks!
I cover the entire mat with blank sheets of paper (fastening them to the edges of the mat with paper clips), and gradually remove the sheets of paper as the PCs explore the area. If I draw my own encounter area on the backside of a flip-mat (some have a "blank" reverse side for you to draw whatever you like on), I also cover those areas where there may be nothing at all -- it keeps them guessing.
I cover the entire mat with blank sheets of paper (fastening them to the edges of the mat with paper clips), and gradually remove the sheets of paper as the PCs explore the area. If I draw my own encounter area on the backside of a flip-mat (some have a "blank" reverse side for you to draw whatever you like on), I also cover those areas where there may be nothing at all -- it keeps them guessing.
That's a good idea and one I've been considering but didn't know how practical it was and if I'd have paper chaos flying everywhere. Good to see someone is doing it. Thank you!
One thing I use is the map pack cards as I store them with my flip mats.