Monday, September 3, 2012

Small Hex Map vs Large Hex Map


So I'm pseudo-randomly generating a hex map using Wilderness Hexplore, and I'm using a map 25wide x 17 tall. I noticed that in the intro to the book, as well as other places around the net (e.g. welsh piper) that they use a much smaller map.


Can anyone tell me the advantages and disadvantages to making/having a small (<10 to a side) vs a large (>10 to a side) hex map? The obvious point is the amount of work involved, but I'd like to hear what else everyone has to say.

4 comments:

  1. I believe the point of the smaller ones is to build as you go, so its really about whether you want top down or bottom up campaign design.

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  2. It also depends on how you plan to stock the hexes. If it's just about the number of random encounter checks between a few adventure sites, then it doesn't really matter, and may even be more of a point-crawl:

    http://hillcantons.blogspot.com/2012/01/crawling-without-hexes-pointcrawl.html

    However, if you're treating hexes more like dungeon rooms for stocking purposes, or just want to include more details, smaller is much more manageable. Even 5 x 5 can take a while to adequately stock. See also:

    http://tsojcanth.wordpress.com/2012/03/11/on-eating-your-own-dogfood-generating-adventure-settings-using-afg-mostrotron-and-mondotron/

    And:

    http://untimately.blogspot.com/search?q=hex+stocking

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  3. That's a pretty fine looking map btw.

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    Replies
    1. It's the poster map from Dave Arneson's Blackmoor (the 3.5 version.)

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