As an artistically challenged DM I would prefer to draw large maps our before the session and slowly reveal them as the group explores. I've read other threads on how to some do it, but sliding cards out of the way is tricky; sometimes it reveals more than needed, even for a second.
Is there some trick I not aware of? Thanks!
"Battlemap, battlemap, roll it up or lay it flat. Battlemap."
Sorry, my players used to sing that.
I use a vinyl battlemap that I draw on with wet erase markers.
Another option is that you could use an online tool like roll20.net to have a "fog of war" covering most of a digital map and reveal it piece by piece as the PCs explore
Another option is to practice drawing. Use wet/dry erase markers and a ruler or straight edge. You might try marking just the corners ahead of time, and "connect the dots" when the PCs detect the room you are describing.
You can even draw "false dots" to throw off your players.
I laminated the Kingmaker maps, then used dry erase to fog it, and let the players draw in their own notes, roads, cities, borders, etc. In character, as it were. Took regular touch ups to fix smears was the only downside.
I've tried a variety of techniques:
I have several hundred 2" circles I've punched out of thing black plastic (Wal*mart has very thing black plastic folders for like $.39 or $.49 each around back-to-school-time; you can get dozens of such circles from one folder). Of course, you also have to buy the 2" punch.
Another approach I've tried is to either blow up and print the map, or draw it on gaming paper, then cut it into pieces. I've even gone so far as to mount the roams on foam core. This is more expensive, because you have to consume supplies for every map, but it is especially effective for hidden rooms and the like.
Finally, I've done draw-as-you-go. The maps are uglier, and this tends to work best with simple maps. Complicated maps can slow things down too much.
I've also seen, but not tried, people using roll20.net (or other vtt) on a monitor that they lay flat on the center of the table. I think this is probably the ultimate solution -- at least until someone nails holograms -- but it requires the biggest upfront investment. Thankfully, the price of such a display keeps coming down. It also requires a bunch of extra work if you're GMing on the go.
Basically, they all have advantages and disadvantages, so there is no "one size fits all" solution. Or if there is, I haven't found it.
|
You can even draw "false dots" to throw off your players.Wait wait. Please explain.
He's mentioning that he draws additional dots that won't be used in the mapping process. I've done that before on a battlemat, take a wet-erase pen and dot the "corners" of the rooms and corridors. Then tell the player drawing the map to "connect that dot to that dot". Adding additional dots to the map will keep things undiscovered for those players with an eye/mind for mapping puzzles.
Cut your battlemat into 12" squares, glues these squares to like squares of poster board, then lightly cover areas that are to be explored with a sheet of paper taped over it. The whole thing becomes more manageable as you break it down into smaller chunks