Making a Memorable Battle Map
Making a Memorable Battle Map
For veteran and new DM's alike, unless you are using theatre of the mind for combat and other encounters, you will likely need or want a battle map for your players to keep track of the action. Whether you use minis, small tokens, or even gummy bears, a special kind of fun and tactical gameplay can be found when utilizing a battle map for your tabletop games. However, just having a grid with some lines can quickly become tedious or even messy, depending on the complexity of your map. So, how can you build a better battle map for your online or in-person Dungeons and Dragons games?
Choosing A Layout Size
Generally, when I am making a map, bigger is better. With a large size, you can incorporate more tactical gameplay and give your players options for approaching a given situation. Yet, smaller maps can yield similar results while keeping the party constrained and making them use clever positioning along with a limited number of options for escape or out-of-the-box plays. In general, larger map areas that can cover multiple rooms or outdoor sections are best for when you want a methodical and slower game. On the contrary, a small map can ratchet up the tension and give the players a sensation of being boxed in. Ultimately, it will depend on the story you are trying to tell and the vibe you want. You should use a wide array of different-size maps, tailoring them to the situation and creating a varied playspace that changes from session to session.
Think Vertically
Verticality is more easily realized in three-dimensional maps rather than the two-dimensional planes that are most common for online games. When you bring in verticality, you give your players even more options for approaching a situation and a note of realism that can be lost on a flat map. Some things you can do to add a bit of verticality include:
Houses, Rooftops, And Small Structures
Hills, Cliffsides, And Sheer Dropoffs
Water And Lava
Trees, Natural Landmarks, And Boulders
Account For Player Abilities
If you have a party of melee fighters without a single ranged attack or cantrip in the bunch, larger maps representing hundreds of feet in the distance can hamper you. On the flip side, if your party tends to be more ranged-focused or utilizes spells for movement, it can be gratifying for them to have a wide-scale visual representation to position themselves and their abilities with precision.
Add Some Hidden Triggers
A trigger happens when a player moves near a particular location or rolls a high enough check to notice something unusual. When using triggers, remember the three t's Treasure, Traps, and Targets.
Treasure: Small items, magical objects, gold, and anything else an adventurer might be interested in can be waiting just around the corner. Adding treasure that can't be found without exploration incentivizes your players to search the map and scour the battle area for anything of notable use.
Traps: A pit trap, box of snakes, or any number of pitfalls can spice up the combat. Players can lead enemies into traps or be caught in one themselves. However, always give them a chance to investigate the area and reward players with high passive perception by tipping them off on potential pitfalls installed in your battle map.
Targets: Enemies can stealth, just the same as players. Perhaps a rogue is hiding and setting up a sniper position, or a healer waits just around the corner and out of the line of sight, funneling health into the enemies. Yet, targets need not be constrained to just enemies, as they can include civilians that need to be rescued or a precious object the party needs to escape with against impossible odds.
Add Scatter Terrain
Scatter terrain is extra bits and bobs that can be added randomly to spice up the visuals and provide interesting tactical possibilities. Things such as tables and chairs in a tavern or stalagmites and giant mushrooms in underground caverns can all stimulate and breathe life into a plain or straightforward battle design. Further, these tiny bits of terrain can be used by creative players as improvised weapons, places to hide, or any number of things.
