Maps!

[Yoshu Uhsoy]

Do you need maps to play pathfinder?

It seems like a large hassle always drawing them out.

Do they not have online campaigns?

If you can not use maps can you explain how to?

Thanks a lot if you could help!

[Skeld]

Yoshu Uhsoy wrote:

Do you need maps to play pathfinder?

They're almost indispensable.

Yoshu Uhsoy wrote:

It seems like a large hassle always drawing them out.

When I need drawn maps, I draw them out in advance and take them with me. I usually draw them on 1" gridded presentation paper.

Yoshu Uhsoy wrote:

Do they not have online campaigns?

Yes, lots of people play with maps online.

Yoshu Uhsoy wrote:

If you can not use maps can you explain how to?

You can use them online if you have the PDF. You can copy maps directly from the PDF into your favorite image software and/or VTT software.

-Skeld

[Yoshu Uhsoy]

So there is no way to play without maps?

[Spiral_Ninja]

You can play without maps, it just requires that you (or the DM/GM) be able to describe the area to your/their players. We've played with just a grid for visualizing combat, but even that isn't as necessary, as long as the DM/GM can say x opponent is y feet from you, it will take however much movement to get to them. The players can also say things like 'I'm moving to flank/attack/retreat/whatever' as well.

Maps are easier, I agree, but there are ways around a lack of them.

[Mike J]

I think the biggest flaw with using a non-grid/abstract system, which is 100% possible in Pathfinder, is that everything becomes GM fiat. The GM will have to decide and mentally track the positions of every creature. If players keep track too and the GM messes up, it opens up the potential for arguments - "how far? 40 feet. But I was 60 feet last turn and moved 30 closer." If players are lazy, they just ask the GM every turn. But, they'll keep track of how often their character gets "screwed" by the GM. Funny how fireball catches no more than two opponents and the barbarian is 5 feet out of charge range.

I say all of this from years of experience with 1st edition (which had no grid). It caused enough problems that I ended up developing several grid-like solutions.

So, you can do it, but it opens up a host of problems and adds mountains of work for the GM.