Tome Ep 145: Maps and Tokens
Aug 3rd, 2010 by TheTome
To discuss various methods of mapping and condition tracking tokens I have gathered together a team from wide and far including Ethan Parker from Gamer's Haven, Chris Heard from Icosahedraphelia, and Mike Shea from Sly Flourish.
Sponsors:
Noble Knight Pick of the Episode - Desert of Athas Dungeon Tiles
Links:
Icoshedraphelia Actual Play Podcast (that I can never spell right, but it awesome)
NewbieDM (where I heard about using pipe cleaners for tokens)
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you guys must really dislike masterplan or something. a show about mapping and condition tracking and not even a mention? i cant believe you havent devoted an entire show to it, but not even a mention? heads in the sand.
Great show guys! This subject would be excellent to explore in a video format, where you could show the various options and demonstrate their strengths and weaknesses. I have a few comments. -Regarding the storage of 3D terrain, I think it’s worth saying that storage is not nearly as significant an issue with papercraft terrain as it is with solid terrain, like Dwarven forge. With the new E-Z Lock system for Fat Dragon Games and the TerrainLinx system for Worldworks Games, any dungeon or cavern you build can be completely disassembled for storage. When walls are permanently attached to bases, storage is a huge issue, but not when it all comes apart. -I agree that papercraft terrain is best suited for people who like the modelling aspect. It is time consuming, but the pieces are strong and last for years, they’re modular and reusable, they’re cheap and lightweight, and they look fabulous on the table. The release of the TerraClips line by Worldworks, though quite a bit more expensive, will hopefully make collapsible 3D terrain accessible to non-modellers. -Another useful tool for mapping that was not mentioned is the rolls of clear plastic wrapping film that you can buy at dollar stores. You can roll this stuff out over paper tiles and then write on it with transparency or dry erase markers. -Regarding tokens and markers, I highly recommend the pop bottle rings and the pipe cleaners. We use the rings, for “marking”, “hunter’s quarry”, etc., and for to mark bloodied creatures. We shape pipe cleaners of various colors into 3×3, 5×5, etc. squares for lasting area effects. -For conditions, I’ve made up little single fold name plates that are placed in front of affected players. They serve as visual reminders to the players and the DM and don’t clutter up the battle mat. I keep blank ones on hand for things like “Ongoing Poison 5”, etc. Sorry to complain, but the background noises on this episode were very distracting.
Another fun terrain option is to move away from realism to recapture that old school dungeon feel. “Inked Adventures : Modular Dungeon Cut-Up Sections” is a great set of modular pdf dungeon images in the old forced perspective pen and ink style. You can pick it up at RPGDrivethru, where there’s free starter set to try out.
Cheers,
@ Eric W - I honestly don’t dislike Masterplan at all…the fact of the matter is that I use a Mac and it’s a Windows only program, so while I’ve used it a few times here and there I am certainly not qualified to review it, so I didn’t put it on the outline for the guests to prepare to discuss. But you’re not the first person to bring up the program. I’ll try to set up a review and/or interview about it, because its clearly something that a lot of people use and others might be interested in. Rest assured, this is not an intentional slight.
@Afet - Those are some GREAT ideas. I’d love to include this sort of thing in future episodes, that’s why I started up the Tome’s Biz-line at 919-BIZ-TOME. Me and my guests certainly can’t know EVERYTHING on every topic we discuss and there is a ton of value to letting listeners like you participate. I’m making a new habit of posting the topics ahead of time at VorpalNetwork.com on the forums so people can call up and be in the episodes.
In fact, that would go for Eric and the Masterplan suggestion as well, I would love to have a Masterplan call to include in episodes like this.
Hopefully the voicemail line will help make the content show a wider variety of opinions and ideas.
As for background noise, I understand and sympathize, believe me. Unfortunately there are sometimes circumstances that we just can’t control and having the content there has value so I did what I could with it (I assume you mean the barking dogs, if it’s something else let me know so I know what to look out for).
Could you list all products talked about in the episode?