Reddit mentions of Chessex Reversible Battlemat, 1"

> Or am I supposed to just describe the rooms? If I should describe them, what if a fight occurs?

You can absolutely play without a map, it's called theatre of the mind. Usually, the DM keeps track of locations and the players ask things like "How far is the closest monster" or "Am I close enough to hit Y" and so on. It's a little abstracted, but some people like it more than maps-and-miniatures. Personally, as I use maps with line drawings of the locations, I give way more detail in descriptive words than my map contains.


> . My question is how you usually make maps (mainly for dungeons). All I have access to are A4 sheets of paper and a printer for those sheets. The maximum amount of squares I get on those are 8x11, which means that I'll have to use several sheets of paper even for small dungeons.

Honestly not unusual if you're home-printing. Personally, I use a large battle mat about the same size as my table surface. This mat has allowed me to draw out full dungeons in most cases, but it's also the size of a medium dining room table. I also have a smaller square battle mat in case the dungeon is too large or I want a specific subsection or another place included in the same session. For instance, I'll draw the keep they start in on the small mat, and the dungeon they're traveling to on the large mat. Then, the keep-mat can even be used to obscure areas they haven't seen within the dungeon-mat, at least for a time. Fog of war can be handled by not drawing the full area ahead of time, or using something like paper or towels to physically cover the mat.


For both, I use dry erase markers for a simple outline of dungeons (Crosshatch in between-walls places where there is no space to exist, for clarities sake), and might include some basic fluff like rock piles, stalagtites/mites, etc. I also have a bunch of clay and cardboard miniature set pieces I use to accent the maps - barrels, fires, rocks, fountains, statues, etc. These bits are my own make, so there's some time involved, but you can buy premade miniature items to use as well, or just forgo the accents entirely. It's not necessary, I just like it.

My setup looks like this, all-told. (Was before I got the big mat, so this is just the smaller one). This one mat contained an entire wing of a 3-part dungeon, enough for a session and a half or so. The next section was a large labyrinth and is why I now own a larger mat.


> they also includd things only the DM is supposed to read anyway, like Trap Locations or Secrets.

Often there are two maps - a DM version and a clean Player version. Alternatively, googling 'placename dungeon map' will usually find you plenty of cleaned up or player-made versions of maps, sometimes better than what's in the actual module.

> To my knowledge, you always need a map for a fight,

As I said earlier, nope. It's easiest for at least the DM to have a map to mark things on themselves, but you can in fact go 100% mapless, and it works just fine. Just have to be used to it, pretty much. If you're not providing a map for your players, as a new DM I'd say keep your own printed map and some little markers like pennies or dimes to track locations so you can be ready with information. Even just some gridlined paper you can draw out as you go is plenty for your own tracking purposes.

The Chessex mat is (in my opinion and in the opinion of many others) the best in the business. Just be sure to use WET erase markers with it.

https://www.amazon.com/Chessex-96246-Reversible-Battlemat-1/dp/B00IVF4W0U/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?keywords=chessex+mat+inch&qid=1564150713&s=gateway&sr=8-9

TL;DR If you want large, vinyl, hexes, and wet erase: look to Chessex. If you want large-ish, laminated, no hexes, and dry erase: look to Pathfinder. I'd say measure your game space first.

The mat you're most likely talking about is the Chessex MEGAMAT.($30) This is by and large the most popular battlemat on the market. It's vinyl, rectangular (3' x 4'), hex reversible, quality make, but it's wet erase. (You'll probs need to buy wet erase markers) This is also the mat I have. Here's my brief critique: it is larger than I have ever needed, though I will admit I have sometimes been encouraged by the mat's size to make a larger battlefield. It's so large that it barely fits on the table, giving my players little room for their papers, making it difficult for me as a DM to quickly access all parts of the map, and making transporting it a minor annoyance. The wet erase is only slightly annoying, but if you're going to be doing a lot of erasing, you'll quickly tire of the rags and water. However, it is very high quality, plenty big, and terrific if you have the right space and table to use it.

A very similar mat is the regular Chessex Battlemat($22) It's smaller (2' x 2'), vinyl, square, high quality, hex reversible, and still wet erase. Really again a great mat that's very similar to the MEGAMAT, just a little less. . . MEGA.

Another large vinyl one more similar to the MEGAMAT is the Wiz Dice Battle Mat.($32) It shares all the same qualities of the MEGAMAT, but owners have claimed that is does not erase quite as nicely. However, it is a clean white mat, rather than the sort of textured beige of the Chessex mats.

Finally, the most viable dry erase mats are the Evolve Skins battlemats($28) which come in white or beige, are not hex reversible, are laminated, are 3' x 2', and seem to not be entirely dry erase. A better choice would probably be the laminated, 2' x 2.5', dry erase, not hex reversible, Pathfinder battlemats.($13)

I'd recommend measuring your game space, prioritizing what you think are the most important qualities, and then comparing these options that I have presented.

Everyone goes at it differently, but the basics are pretty simple. The most common inch by inch grids (These guys, for example) have a dry erase surface to draw out whatever room/cave/inn people are fighting in.

• From there, each inch is a 5 foot by 5 foot space. A played with a move speed of 30 can move 6 squares. (If they move diagonally, it is generally 15 feet per two squares.)
  
  
• Most creatures have a 5 foot reach (some have more, like 10 feet) for melee weapons. So square to square is usually the fighting range.
  
  
• Some people play with flanking rules (if someone is engaged in the front, an attacker from the back has advantage/+5 to attack...), but thats your call.
  
  
• Spells have tons of different shapes. Right before the spell list in the back of the players handbook, there is a pretty helpful guide on how those all work.
  
  
• The last thing I can think of is creature size. Most creatures are Medium, but a large creature would take up a 10 foot by 10 foot square (So four squares together). The rest of the rules for movement and attack range still apply as normal for them

https://www.amazon.com/Chessex-96246-Reversible-Battlemat-1/dp/B00IVF4W0U/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1519819071&sr=8-5&keywords=chessex+mat
This one would work really well I think.

Prior to me buying a Chessex mat, I have used Dominoes (1 domino is 10 feet, then use an index card for movement) and also a blank white grid that came on the back of a D&D miniatures starter box. I think it was like a battle mat thing.

Do what works for you. I grew up using dominoes and you can get a set of them for $10. Theater of the mind and all that.

Miniatures can get expensive, you'll only be able to get a few dozen high-quality minis in your budget.

I use peg people for my monsters

https://www.amazon.com/Hygloss-Assorted-Decorated-Wooden-People/dp/B0044S1CRE/ref=sr_1_3?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1473240398&sr=1-3

In my opinion, the only important miniatures are the ones for your players, otherwise you'll be buying dozens of goblins and skeletons and who knows what. I leave it up to them to acquire minis for their characters, and be sure to warn them that they might die, especially at low level (I wouldnt recommend a player buying a mini until at least level 3, then even if they die later at least it will be a keepsake for the memories. a level 1 death doesn't create many memories)

Another budget idea is to use binder clips and print out pictures of your monsters, like in this picture I found off google http://imgur.com/gallery/gLF1m


I would recommend an erasable battle-grid like

https://www.amazon.com/Chessex-96246-Reversible-Battlemat-1/dp/B00IVF4W0U

for your maps, then you can use wet-erase markers to draw your maps.

I'm not sure amazon is available in your area, but if not hopefully you can find some sort of vynl or plastic mat that you can draw on and make your own grid with a permanent marker.

You mentioned you bought books - that's good, but don't forget about dice! Ideally you want at least one set per player and the DM.

I would recommend you get one of these Battlemats, which are dry-erase grids you draw dungeons on as you explore them. Don't know if you know about these because you say you're new. I've been trained on these since a wee little boy in 1st edition, and I don't know what I do without them. There are many ways to run a campaign though. This is just my suggestion.

https://www.amazon.com/Chessex-96246-Reversible-Battlemat-1/dp/B00IVF4W0U/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1474535992&sr=8-3&keywords=battlemat

I have found that the [Pathfinder Bestiary Box] (https://www.amazon.com/Paizo-Publishng-Inc-Pathfinder-Pawns/dp/1601255616) offers great value for monster miniatures.

It might be worthwhile to spend a little more on player miniatures, as they are used more frequently. Reaper and some other sites offer a pretty good selection. (Players often buy these for themselves)

A battle mat is a great investment, although you can also use paper.

Sound like you already have the core rule books.

The rest of the game comes from the mental creativity of the players and the DM. Don't worry too much about the physical supplies. You could spend $10,000 and still run a terrible game. You could have nothing but pencil and paper and run an amazing game. I recommend that you just dive in and start playing. Not everything will be perfect, but you will figure things out as they come up.

I fully expect to hear about the flourishing Jeddah D&D scene in the coming months. Good luck and happy gaming.

This is pretty much the go-to when it comes to battlemats. They come in multiple sizes both of the size of mat and the size of grid. Whichever one you end up getting you want one that has 1 inch squares (standard).

I'm in Mississippi so... it wasn't easy. So first, play some. There are tons of online groups. I started with Shadowrun (shout out to /r/Shadowrun and /r/runnerhub). Roll20 is the website we used to play online. If playing online and finding a group appeals to you, let me know and I'll help you out with whatever info I can.

Let's talk in real life, though. So, step 1: Buy the 3 core rule books: The Player's Handbook (PHB), the Dungeon Master's Guide (DMG) and the Monster Manual (MM). The game has several editions. The most current is fifth edition (5E) and it's also a very well liked edition. It's exactly what I and others think D&D should be: a solid medieval high-fantasy RPG that's great for 1st timers.

So, you got your books. The PHB is the rule set. It's all a player needs. You may want to sit down and pretty much reach it front to back (or at least to the "spell encyclopedia) that is the last or 2nd to last chapter). The other 2 books are only used by Dungeon Masters and, tbh, I rarely use them myself. Still, I do occasionally peruse them and get inspiration from them so they are good to have. The opening chapters of the DM guide regarding encounter building and XP are vital.

Ok, so you have some players. They have used the PHB to make some rules-legal characters. They may have used online tools to make nice, printed, perfectly accurate character sheets. Awesome. One suggestion: early on, limit your "sourcebooks" to just the PHB. There are lots of add on books with new races, classes, and spells. Powercreep is inevitable. I personally run a straight vanilla game: no Xanathar's guide or w/e else. There's enough there to keep you all busy for a while.

Now, creating dungeons and plots. Part of this is you just writing out a plot in your head. You're just gonna have to do it. As far as building the actually fights and dungeons?

• https://donjon.bin.sh/5e/
  
  This site is great for generating dungeons and maps. I use the dungeon generator and then draw it on on grid paper. I make whatever edits I want and then label the rooms where I want to have encounters (fights).
  
  
• https://kobold.club/fight/
  
  I use this site to build encounters that match what my party can fight. Each baddie is rated with CR (challenge rating) and/or XP (the amount of experience points they cough up when defeated).
  
  
• https://www.fantasynamegenerators.com/
  
  
• https://www.amazon.com/Chessex-96246-Reversible-Battlemat-1/dp/B00IVF4W0U/ref=sr_1_17?keywords=battle+mat&qid=1574601384&s=toys-and-games&sr=1-17
  
  This is a battle map. With WET ERASE (not DRY!!) you can draw out your dungeon quickly and easily. I have a master on the grid paper in front of me and draw out as much as I want the player's to see. This is a lot easier than buying dungeon tiles or going nuts on Dwarven Forge gear. I haven't yet made any 3D fights yet (I'm still new msyelf!) but if/when I do I plan to have some cardboard that I can pull out and will be pre-bent into the shape I want. It's important for me to be able to do this light and cheap. Anyone can go out and buy $2000 worth of minis and models and shit and make a badass dungeon that can't be moved once assembled without 2 hours of breakdown time. When I show up, I have an old tacklebox of dice, pens, pencils, and minis, and monster tokens (cardboard coins that have baddies printed on them) my battle map, about 2 pages of prep-work for the dungeon, and my encounter prep.
  
  So! There ya go! Any other questions?
  
  I use this site to generate all kinds of names. There are dozens of GM hacks that one will / can learn. One of them is having a list of possible names. Players will want to talk to the bartender's wife and..oh shit she doesn't have a name! Well, now she does! You knew it the whole time.
  
  That's a quick crash course. I also heavily suggest buying a starter box or other pre-made adventure and running those. I like running my own world but just reading them and playing them with friends can show you what kinds of tools and preparation you need as a DM.