Dungeon Fantasy Mapping

[robertsconley]

I am working on a one level DF Dungeon including a map. I have question to the general forum gallery on the map format.

1) Should the map use regular 5' squares

2) Should the map use staggered 5' squares for a pseudo hex layout.

3) Should the map use true 1 yard hexes.

4) Should the map use squashed 1 yard hexes similar to the Cardboard Dungeon by SJ Games

My concern is for GM using miniatures, markers, and hex sheets of various sorts.

Right now I have it drawn with #3 but it is a bit wonky in places for a GM to use marker on a hex map. #2 would work better for square maps.

Given the availability of plotters at Kinko's, OfficeMAX, and Staples I could just provide a 25mm scale PDF of the map in addition to everything else and you could print it out.

So I am interested in hearing opinions.

[Harald387]

1 yard hexes, absolutely. The system's built around them.

[demonsbane]

Originally Posted by Harald387

1 yard hexes, absolutely. The system's built around them.

Seconded: 1 yard hexes.

[Kromm]

I've always mapped such things using true one-yard hexes. All it takes is getting over the aesthetic twinge at cutting the points and sides off of a few of the poor little hexagons.

[BalanceFx]

Originally Posted by Kromm

I've always mapped such things using true one-yard hexes. All it takes is getting over the aesthetic twinge at cutting the points and sides off of a few of the poor little hexagons.

Its like a mental block... I hate doing hex dungeouns because it hurts to torture the poor hexagons.

That said I hate squares even more. I really like facing.

[Hannes665]

Originally Posted by demonsbane

Seconded: 1 yard hexes.

Here is the third vote! 1 yard hex.

[Turhan's Bey Company]

Hexes, baby. Hexes.

[kmunoz]

Originally Posted by robertsconley

I am working on a one level DF Dungeon including a map. I have question to the general forum gallery on the map format.

I do both. I design the map using squares. I make a GM's map using squares. Then I make a battle/exploration map (for the players) with the squares removed and hexes overlaid. (Then I cut the map into pieces and tape them together as the group explores and sees new sections.)

I use squares in the first 2 cases because the mapping software I use is almost *too* precise, so snapping to hex elements is a pain in the ass (because it happens when I don't want it to, and turning off the snap reveals my utter lack of spatial organization talent). Also, it's easier to eyeball both x and y distances with squares... not so easy to eyeball on of those axes with hexes. (Yes, diagonals are easier with hexes, and so there are more useful axes, but I need to calculate diagonals a lot less.)

[jspade]

GURPS mapped combat uses 1 yard hexes. GURPS Dungeon Fantasy is a GURPS product. Ergo, 1 yard hexes are the way to go.

[Highland_Piper]

Give me some more time to do the developement on my project and you can use free 3D Hex Dungeons.

I have about 18 projects going at once so it depends on what I have steam for.

For GURPS I also use Hex Maps for game play.