Battle Maps

Hey everyone! Is anyone using maps in your campaigns? If so, what are some of tools you are using?

I'm thinking of adding battle maps to add some strategy to our combat encounters. Would prefer to have a tool that would allow me (as the GM) to upload a map and then allow the players access so they can move their tokens.

Thanks!

roll20.net is the first thing coming to mind

For simplicity's sake, I've used a Google spreadsheet. It's not pretty, and doesn't handle area effects, but it's easy to update for the players.

Yes, definitely considering this one as I already have an account.

That would probably be the easiest way to go. Thanks!

I generally use Google Sheets as well. Super easy to update and make maps in it.

Feel free to make a copy of the Google Sheet template I use. It has links to images hosted on Imgur that hearken back to the old, Basic D&D days.

Wow, this is awesome! Thanks!

oh boy wonderful template, but dare I ask, how do you use it?

The example map in the shared link shows how you can use it. Basically just copy and paste any images/symbols you want from the Map Icons tab and insert them where needed. To make the grid, you can change the color of the lines and thickness from the icon next to the paint bucket (it looks like a 4-square quadrant). Just tinker with it a bit. It's not perfect by any means (rubbish for jagged or curved areas) but it's functional.

It works wonders. I concure that the areas that are partially gridded don't do so well but :shrug: its still nice.

For tokens, I now use Token Stamp 2 to make the tokens and then add them as pictures (relatively new feature in Google Sheets) -- be sure to indicate that you want the images OVER the cells -- and resize them as needed. By having the tokens for characters (and enemies) as images, it allows you to move them over things in cells like doors, traps, etc.

So THAT’S how you do that! I kept meaning to ask...

The secret's out!

yea, i Was doing that earlier, I found it slightly difficult for users on mobile to move their token.

It's a bit finicky, that's for sure -- I update and use it exclusively on a PC, so it's not much of an issue. An imperfect solution, for sure.

After some experimenting with different approaches, I've decided I'm going old-school, so, in the manner of ZZT...



As long as you use true full-width, fixed-width characters, you can do this. The best list of these I've found is HERE. All of these work so far except for the underscore.

When you get Dwarf Fortress flashbacks...

Right now we are using 3DVTT. It's easy to update and I can screencap, crop, and then upload from my iPad.