A question about fighting a battle [Archive] - Wizards Community

A question about fighting a battle [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Burrfoot
08-05-07, 03:06 PM Hi there,

I was wondering if and how it is possible to do a battle acording to the rules in the book but without using the grids+miniatures. I would be very happy if anyone could give me some tips.

Kind regards,
An unexperienced Dungeon Master
Tuah
08-05-07, 03:18 PM It's possible, but very difficult.

That's what the older versions are based on, but version 3.5 is almost completely dependant upon a grid and miniatures of some sort.
Talisman
08-05-07, 03:23 PM First, you have to have players you can trust. This will not work the the Chaotic Everywhere alignment.

A map is extremely helpful. It doesn't need to be a gridded map, but a rough sketch will help determine what's where.

Having done that, you can simply say "The ogre is here, there are two orcs here, and a big orc in chainmail up here." As people move, you can either (1) remember where they are, and trust them to be honest about it, or (2) use some sort of markers. You don't need minis, but dice, candies, or pennies all work well.

Finally, the players have to trust you as the GM when you say "No, you can't move there." With a gridded mat and minis, the rules lawyers can finagle all sorts of weird moves; this version doesn't let 'em.
Burrfoot
08-05-07, 03:31 PM Thank you for your replies. And we trust eachother, and we all find playing games boring if you don't play fair. Still Ill try the grid version, but the main problem is that not every time we play there is room for it.
Kouk
08-05-07, 03:35 PM You could probably "shrink" the scale by using smaller grids and smaller markers.
Gryllmyre
08-05-07, 07:42 PM After a few battles on a grid you can probably get a fair feel for how fights will play out. It gets tricky with large creatures, though. Until I used a grid, I sorely overestimated just how many giants could reach one character.
JimRuh
08-05-07, 11:20 PM I suggest using a smaller grid and buying different colored push pins. White push pins can be marked on the top to represent different players. It makes large maps easier to fit on a smaller area. Then you just get a cork board and the battle map can easily be passed from player to player when its their turn, or hung up on a wall, or even on the table.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Burrfoot 08-05-07, 03:06 PM	Hi there, I was wondering if and how it is possible to do a battle acording to the rules in the book but without using the grids+miniatures. I would be very happy if anyone could give me some tips. Kind regards, An unexperienced Dungeon Master
Tuah 08-05-07, 03:18 PM	It's possible, but very difficult. That's what the older versions are based on, but version 3.5 is almost completely dependant upon a grid and miniatures of some sort.
Talisman 08-05-07, 03:23 PM	First, you have to have players you can trust. This will not work the the Chaotic Everywhere alignment. A map is extremely helpful. It doesn't need to be a gridded map, but a rough sketch will help determine what's where. Having done that, you can simply say "The ogre is here, there are two orcs here, and a big orc in chainmail up here." As people move, you can either (1) remember where they are, and trust them to be honest about it, or (2) use some sort of markers. You don't need minis, but dice, candies, or pennies all work well. Finally, the players have to trust you as the GM when you say "No, you can't move there." With a gridded mat and minis, the rules lawyers can finagle all sorts of weird moves; this version doesn't let 'em.
Burrfoot 08-05-07, 03:31 PM	Thank you for your replies. And we trust eachother, and we all find playing games boring if you don't play fair. Still Ill try the grid version, but the main problem is that not every time we play there is room for it.
Kouk 08-05-07, 03:35 PM	You could probably "shrink" the scale by using smaller grids and smaller markers.
Gryllmyre 08-05-07, 07:42 PM	After a few battles on a grid you can probably get a fair feel for how fights will play out. It gets tricky with large creatures, though. Until I used a grid, I sorely overestimated just how many giants could reach one character.
JimRuh 08-05-07, 11:20 PM	I suggest using a smaller grid and buying different colored push pins. White push pins can be marked on the top to represent different players. It makes large maps easier to fit on a smaller area. Then you just get a cork board and the battle map can easily be passed from player to player when its their turn, or hung up on a wall, or even on the table.