Depends. Drawing out the whole thing was something I always did as a kid, but that just seems less important to me now. I used to love drawing maps. Lots of maps. Most were never used. Now I spend time drawing details on the map so combatants have things to interact with. Mostly they don't though.
I draw out all of mine on various sized Chessex maps. There are exceptions of course, such as the Mummy's Mask printable maps and any appropriate flip mats/map packs that I have. Some are too good not to use. My next biggie is Skirkatla's Tomb from book 4 of the Giantslayer AP. It's 66"x90".
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I have a question for the community that uses maps and miniatures.
How many of you GMs actually draw out the majority map of a dungeon/complex? Or do you draw as the party encounters each area/room?
Thanks :)
most of the time, just where there's an encounter or an important location where positioning is key.
I just describe locations where there's literally nothing there worth mapping.
Both. If it's a location that will never be revisited in the campaign, I either find an appropriate map or draw it out before the session starts or add a room as we play. If it is a location that will possibly be reused, then I may go so far as to draw a permanent map that I can use over and over. Locations that I've made permanent maps for include the Crypt of the Everflame, the Razmir temple in Tamran, the Isle of Terror, the City of Golden Death, the Grand Lodge in Absalom, Blakros Museum, Heidmarch Manor, and the Storval Stairs.
It all depends on how big the place is. The bigger it is, the less it lends itself well to being totally drawn out.
In our recent RotRL campaign, I found some great full-color maps (of the Graul homestead, amongst others) done by other players that I printed on 8.5x11 paper and taped together, for use with our miniatures.
Many other "dungeons" in the campaign get set up in full 3D grandeur with Dwarven Forge dungeon decors, like Fort Rannick:
Fort Rannick Ground Floor (prior to PC intrusion)
I play with another DM who just draws out the local environment with a dry-erase marker. Although it is less immersive and cinematic, it is faster. And to answer the OP's question, he's usually just drawing out the local situation for a combat encounter, not the entire dungeon.