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druid91
2010-04-07, 11:52 AM
So does anyone here know how to read a hex map?

Tinydwarfman
2010-04-07, 11:53 AM
:smallconfused: Just like a normal one? What exactly are you asking?

Darklord Xavez
2010-04-07, 11:53 AM
Battle map or terrain map?

druid91
2010-04-07, 11:57 AM
This map. http://i41.tinypic.com/14kl5it.jpg I am trying to figure out what is what. some things seem obvious but others aren't. So can anyone tell me what is a desert on this?

Darklord Xavez
2010-04-07, 12:16 PM
Go to www.hexographer.com (sorry, can't link to it) and download the free demo. It lets you make hex terrain maps, is not for a short amount of time, and will explain to you the different terrain types. Just be sure to export the maps as .PNG files if you want to print them.
-Xavez
P.S. Not an advertisement!

golentan
2010-04-07, 12:19 PM
That depends entirely on the key, though in this case in context I'd read it as the solid tan hexes are desert, and the bespeckled ones are dry plains, bad lands, or scrublands, the light tan small rolls are dunes, and the dark tan rolls are dry hills.

druid91
2010-04-07, 12:21 PM
Thanks everyone.

Yora
2010-04-07, 12:23 PM
A map without a key is pretty colors and nothing more. :smallbiggrin:

Tinydwarfman
2010-04-07, 12:24 PM
Yea, this isn't a hex map issue, you just don't have a legend or any conceivable way of knowing what the symbols mean.

druid91
2010-04-07, 12:25 PM
Well... the dm gave us no key.:smalleek:

OMG PONIES
2010-04-07, 12:36 PM
Not to derail the thread, but if there are any hex-map users, I have a question for you.

Could 4E DnD be played by substituting the word "hex" wherever it currently says "square?" Would this ruin or complicate encounters? This whole non-Euclidean thing is driving me mad.

Fishy
2010-04-07, 12:38 PM
Yes it can, and I suspect the system was designed with that idea at least in the back of the mind.

Darklord Xavez
2010-04-07, 12:40 PM
Not to derail the thread, but if there are any hex-map users, I have a question for you.

Could 4E DnD be played by substituting the word "hex" wherever it currently says "square?" Would this ruin or complicate encounters? This whole non-Euclidean thing is driving me mad.

It wouldn't do much except anger combat-based characters. Example:
Fighter: "HOW THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO CHARGE!?"
The Order of the Stick encountered this when they were looking for the starmetal. (second story arc)
-Xavez

reptilecobra13
2010-04-07, 12:43 PM
"Oh, here's an idea. Indicate north. Otherwise it's not a map. Just a drawing." -Killface

Darklord Xavez
2010-04-07, 12:44 PM
"Oh, here's an idea. Indicate north. Otherwise it's not a map. Just a drawing." -Killface

Agreed. They should also try to indicate up and down on maps, though. (tee hee)
-Xavez

John Campbell
2010-04-07, 01:18 PM
It wouldn't do much except anger combat-based characters. Example:
Fighter: "HOW THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO CHARGE!?"

Um... just like you do on a square grid?

Darklord Xavez
2010-04-07, 01:25 PM
Um... just like you do on a square grid?

It's easy to charge, it just seems immensely confusing. Hexes are scary until you defeat them in single combat.
-Xavez

Ernir
2010-04-07, 01:35 PM
I use them in one of my games. 2 out of 3 players in that game are AoE-heavy casters. There is only one charger, so I think we are making a net gain there. :smalltongue: