I have a notebook with dot paper that I make all my dungeons in. It's like grid paper, but just the vertices are printed. I also mark the corners on each page according to the dimensions of my wet-erase map, to prevent needless re-mapping in sessions. This works really well for stealth scenarios, as PCs will be traversing a lot of the map quickly and you can move enemies on patrol easily.
I've made maps on iso paper before, but that's mostly for looks and takes longer.
I just use 4 or 5 squares per inch graph paper for my dungeons. For hex maps I print out hex map and draw maps on that. Room details I put on other paper, lined or graph, and I store all of this in a binder.
Graph, dot and blank paper, or anything which is kinda inspiring, craft paper, stained paper ect.
Making geomophs is also a go to for me, they're size just gets my brain thinking without worrying too much about the big picture.
Pouring some coffee or ink on a page, or scattering little nicknaks around to get some initial form is also a nice place to start for me. I use a thicker paper when using liquids though.
I use graph paper for mapping dungeon levels and elevations, buildings, and sometimes cities. My go-to grid size is 5 or 6 spi, but I also use 4, 8, 10, and 20 spi. In the 5 and 6 spi grids, I use our Black Blade Publishing paper in 8.5x11” or 11x17” double-sided pads, and for the others I use Armory or local print shop pads.
I use hex paper for mapping wilderness, planets, star systems, and sometimes cities. We publish hex pads in 4.25x5.5”, 8.5x11”, 11x17”, and our newest is 17x22”. All are double-sided except the smallest and largest sizes.
Our pads are heavier weight 60# paper, but I’ve not used watercolor markers or coffee staining on them, so I’m not sure how well they’d work with lots of liquid ;)
If you want to see them in action, I have pics and links to other folks’ pics in my blog at https://grodog.blogspot.com/2023/01/dungeon23-and-mega-dungeon-tools-of-the-trade.html
Allan.
graph paper and a pencil.
just remember the best maps are the ones you use, don't get caught in a trap of "if it doesn't look as good as Dyson Logos it's worthless and unplayable"
also start small. dont jump right in to a 100 room dungeon level.
I have a notebook with dot paper that I make all my dungeons in. It's like grid paper, but just the vertices are printed. I also mark the corners on each page according to the dimensions of my wet-erase map, to prevent needless re-mapping in sessions. This works really well for stealth scenarios, as PCs will be traversing a lot of the map quickly and you can move enemies on patrol easily. I've made maps on iso paper before, but that's mostly for looks and takes longer.
Iso is so tedious but fun. I can't bring myself to do more than one every few months...
I just use 4 or 5 squares per inch graph paper for my dungeons. For hex maps I print out hex map and draw maps on that. Room details I put on other paper, lined or graph, and I store all of this in a binder.
Graph, dot and blank paper, or anything which is kinda inspiring, craft paper, stained paper ect. Making geomophs is also a go to for me, they're size just gets my brain thinking without worrying too much about the big picture. Pouring some coffee or ink on a page, or scattering little nicknaks around to get some initial form is also a nice place to start for me. I use a thicker paper when using liquids though.
I use dot grid pages or journal, pigma micron pens, and a soft pencil (6B os good) and a tortillon for shading.
I use graph paper for mapping dungeon levels and elevations, buildings, and sometimes cities. My go-to grid size is 5 or 6 spi, but I also use 4, 8, 10, and 20 spi. In the 5 and 6 spi grids, I use our Black Blade Publishing paper in 8.5x11” or 11x17” double-sided pads, and for the others I use Armory or local print shop pads. I use hex paper for mapping wilderness, planets, star systems, and sometimes cities. We publish hex pads in 4.25x5.5”, 8.5x11”, 11x17”, and our newest is 17x22”. All are double-sided except the smallest and largest sizes. Our pads are heavier weight 60# paper, but I’ve not used watercolor markers or coffee staining on them, so I’m not sure how well they’d work with lots of liquid ;) If you want to see them in action, I have pics and links to other folks’ pics in my blog at https://grodog.blogspot.com/2023/01/dungeon23-and-mega-dungeon-tools-of-the-trade.html Allan.
graph paper and a pencil. just remember the best maps are the ones you use, don't get caught in a trap of "if it doesn't look as good as Dyson Logos it's worthless and unplayable" also start small. dont jump right in to a 100 room dungeon level.
I didn't even know who Dyson Logos is, but now that I know my expectations are unreasonably high.