D&D Accessories: Maps And Battle Grids
D&D battle grids and maps are for letting your players see where they are and how fast they can go – here are our fav grid tools.
Unless everyone at your table is very good at imagining the playing field and your DM is very good at painting a word picture, your party can probably use a game map or two. Whether you’re describing the field, or accurately showing the distance between a player and the enemy, maps are a surefire way to make sure that everyone is on the same page. And these are some of our favorites.
Winter Snowscape Map
Sometimes all you need is something simple. Is your party on a snowy mountaintop? Do they not need much more than general features and descriptions? Something like this snowscape mat will be perfect. At 30’x30′ the area is large enough for all of your players and a few hidden foes. And without any of the minutia of specific towns, you can use the same mat for many different sessions or encounters.
Draw Your Own Map
Ninety percent of the time, this is what my group’s use. Grab a dry erase board and do your best with your own map. The grids will work double duty, keeping your lights straight-ish and your speed measured. Need a forest? Draw some broccoli and write “Trees!” Is there a river? You get the idea. Dry erase means you’ll be able to use the same map forever. But make sure nobody in your group is an actual artist or they may have some thoughts about how you draw your scenery. Go ahead, ask how I know that that will happen.
Lots and Lots of Grids
If you’re not the draw-your-own-scenery type, you can go for this starter pack of different settings. Is your party going to the mountains or crawling through a dungeon? Perhaps they’re having a beach episode? There’s a grid for that! Dry erase markers are included, so you can get the adventure started just as soon as this starter set comes gets delivered to your house.
Hex Grid
Square grids are the standard, but some of us prefer a hexagon pattern. If you’re looking for a little more freedom and more natural flow to movement, hex grids can be really nice. Similar to other mats, these are wet erase friendly- dry erase will stain however. And the blank map style to the grid gives your DM a ton of freedom in map and encounter design.
Plastic Grid Tiles
This may be my new favorite solution to battle grids. If you have a map you love with no grids, than these clear plastic tiles are the answer you’ve been looking for. Players will easily be able to see the map below while the grid lines are still very visible. And these acrylic tiles are wet and dry erase marker friendly, so you don’t have to worry about accidently ruining your battle mats and maps.
What’s your favorite battle grid or map? Do you use grids or wing-it when it comes to exact character location? Have any of our picks made it onto your with list? Let us know in the comments!
Happy Adventuring!
