Keeping track of player positions, Knowing where everyone is |
Keeping track of player positions, Knowing where everyone is |
Jul 9 2004, 08:10 AM
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#1
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Target Group: Members Posts: 83 Joined: 16-October 02 From: Leicester UK Member No.: 3,459 |
This is a just out of interest question. (me being new to Shadowrun) I was wondering what other people do to keep track of all their players and NPC's.
Do you all use game mats or other methods. If you do use game mats what do you use to symbolize the players. If miniatures where do you get your Shadowrun miniatures from. how do you like to determine the distance between characters. Or what other methods do you all use. |
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Jul 9 2004, 08:14 AM
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#2
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 498 Joined: 31-May 02 From: All the way in the Back to the Left. Member No.: 2,800 |
we use 1" = 1 m mats and differnt colored d6s to represent the characters and susing the 2 as the facing.
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Jul 9 2004, 08:23 AM
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#3
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Target Group: Members Posts: 47 Joined: 4-March 04 Member No.: 6,121 |
A 3' by 4' white board laid on a table, using different colored dry-erase markers. Make a scale of x"=x meters and you're good to go.
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Jul 9 2004, 08:49 AM
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#4
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 515 Joined: 10-April 04 From: Chicago, IL...Ich vermisse Deutschland. Member No.: 6,230 |
I tend to like the BattleMats, which aren't all that shabby and use wet-erase markers. They're simply handy.
Something I wish Fanpro could do, which PEGinc does really well, is figure flats. You buy the pdf at rpgnow. com and then print them out onto cardstock. I'm not really a minitures guy, but cardstock is really good. My current game is using it to good effect (we're playing Savage Worlds with 50 Fathoms). For determining distance, I usually say that 1" = 1 meter. If you can snag one, WizKids released these little tap measures with their starter sets of MageKnight. I find them really useful in conjunction with a battle mat. For snipers, just guesstimate it. Don |
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Jul 9 2004, 09:18 AM
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#5
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Shooting Target Group: Members Posts: 1,665 Joined: 26-April 03 From: Sweden Member No.: 4,516 |
I use the 25mm shadowrun miniatures in conjunction with the DMZ and Sprawl Maps colored maps, as well as DMG boards and dryerase markers. The scale on the maps/boards vary depending on our need, but usually 1" = 2 meters.
The miniatures I've acquired from a variety of sources: various gaming stores, stiggybaby.com, and e-bay. And shadd4d, if you're interested in shadowrun cardstock figures some came with the SR 1st edition GM screen (along with a pretty good adventure called SilverAngel) and some came with the DMZ board game. |
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Jul 9 2004, 09:43 AM
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#6
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 515 Joined: 10-April 04 From: Chicago, IL...Ich vermisse Deutschland. Member No.: 6,230 |
Yeah, but the problem is that they aren't available except if you, like you yourself, got "into the game at the early stage" and actually picked up the SR1 and DMZ.
I'd like something like that from RPGnow.com. It just seems like one of the many things Deadlands and PEGinc does right. Don |
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Jul 9 2004, 12:10 PM
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#7
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Running Target Group: Members Posts: 1,451 Joined: 21-April 03 From: Austin, TX Member No.: 4,488 |
I use the DMZ and Shadowrun lead minis on a BattleMat 1" = 1m or 1" = 2m, depending on the needs of the scale. 0 reach = must be 1m appart, 1 reach = 2m, 2 reach = 3m, etc. for melee. I also use a lot of the cutouts on the WotC webpage for generic stuff (graveyard, etc). to add a bit more 3d to it, and I've got one player who wants to start making custom cut-outs for the PCs using Photoshop. Dunno if he'll ever get around to it, but it's a cool idea I think.
The Abstruse One |
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Jul 9 2004, 12:24 PM
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#8
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 973 Joined: 3-October 03 Member No.: 5,677 |
Provided I had them, I would use Necromunda and Warhammer 40k minis as my preferred SR minis. :D
Sadly, I have neither maps nor minis. :( Which isn't too bad considering that all of my SR games thus far have been online. :D |
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Jul 9 2004, 02:56 PM
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#9
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Shooting Target Group: Members Posts: 1,677 Joined: 5-June 03 Member No.: 4,689 |
We've used M&Ms. Has the added advantage of helping cut down on the numbers of enemy in the immediate vicinity.
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Jul 9 2004, 02:59 PM
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#10
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 376 Joined: 14-July 03 Member No.: 4,928 |
I make detailed scale maps and plans using architectural software, and mark in pencils where everyone is (PC wise). I only add in NPCs as the players see/encounter them.
Sometimes I even make two sets of maps - ones the PC get via decking/contacts, and then the actual site (plans submitted to the city may not be the ones that get built :D) |
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Jul 9 2004, 03:44 PM
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#11
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Target Group: Members Posts: 83 Joined: 16-October 02 From: Leicester UK Member No.: 3,459 |
What software do you use for that? |
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Jul 9 2004, 04:08 PM
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#12
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 376 Joined: 14-July 03 Member No.: 4,928 |
Chief Architect (PC prog.). Create floorplans, and generate 3D views of interior/exterior from any angle, add furniture and equipment, etc.
If I can find a way to pop the finished plans over to my mac, I might post PDFs of floor plans for others to use. |
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Jul 9 2004, 07:05 PM
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#13
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Dragon Group: Members Posts: 4,065 Joined: 16-January 03 From: Fayetteville, NC Member No.: 3,916 |
Too cool.
If you do, someone else is already hosting a map site - yours would be a welcome addition. -Siege |
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Jul 9 2004, 07:54 PM
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#14
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 153 Joined: 1-April 04 Member No.: 6,211 |
I use a piece of ripped out notebook paper that looks like it's been scrawled on by a demon possessed wiggle with arthritis. Then we use d6 to mark each player's location, not that it really matters, or we even really pay attention, but it's something.
I wish I had some sort of aritistic talent. Be nice if my character portraits were more than just stick figures. I can tell the difference, others, not so much. |
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Jul 9 2004, 08:02 PM
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#15
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 214 Joined: 7-January 03 From: Wilton NH Member No.: 3,872 |
I generally use a wet-erase gaming mat (hexes on one side, squares on the other), with the cardboard cutouts from DMZ, (or Cardboard Heroes from SJGames for other settings).
I love miniatures, but I have neither the skill nor the patience to paint them all. Besides with the cardboard cutouts, I can easily carry around over 1000 cutouts all pre-organized into individual encounter/location-based zip-lock baggies. Throw all the little baggies into a big freezer bag, and you have instant mini's for any situation for under 2 pounds, and the size of 2 good sized books. |
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Jul 9 2004, 08:35 PM
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#16
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 515 Joined: 10-April 04 From: Chicago, IL...Ich vermisse Deutschland. Member No.: 6,230 |
This is one reason I like PEGinc. They do figure flats, i.e. cardstock real, real well.
Don |
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Jul 10 2004, 01:39 AM
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#17
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Free Spirit Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 3,944 Joined: 26-February 02 From: Bloomington, IN UCAS Member No.: 1,920 |
Way back when I worked in a grocery store, I'd save sides from big cardboard boxes. Paper towel ones worked nice. I'd draw maps on them, using different colors for walls, doors, windows, furniture, plants. Cover them with pieces of paper and uncover as discovered.
Also had the 1st edition and DMZ cardstock as well as lots of SR minis. Had the maps from DMZ and that batch FASA printed. I think there were 8 (?) maps. If I wanted an alley, I'd place a couple of the builing maps to create a corridor. I saw some fold up buildings with a grim future theme to them somewhere, but lost the link. I'd like to see some fold together buildings for SR. A stuffershack, McHughs and Weapons World would be nice. |
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Jul 10 2004, 08:06 AM
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#18
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Target Group: Members Posts: 83 Joined: 16-October 02 From: Leicester UK Member No.: 3,459 |
That would be good of you. Would you mind letting us all know the link if you manage it? |
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Jul 10 2004, 12:53 PM
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#19
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Target Group: Members Posts: 83 Joined: 16-October 02 From: Leicester UK Member No.: 3,459 |
WHERE? :eek: |
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Jul 11 2004, 08:05 PM
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#20
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Manus Celer Dei Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 17,006 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Boston Member No.: 3,802 |
*Waves* And yes, it would be a welcome addition. You'd just have to deal with the fact that it'll probably be plunked into the open directory until I can get off my lazy arse and finish the page :dead: Dustbin: it's small, but it's here. ~J |
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Jul 11 2004, 10:47 PM
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#21
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Target Group: Members Posts: 83 Joined: 16-October 02 From: Leicester UK Member No.: 3,459 |
Great! Already I think I can put some of this to use. Cheers Kagetenshi! ;)
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Jul 11 2004, 11:00 PM
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#22
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Manus Celer Dei Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 17,006 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Boston Member No.: 3,802 |
As what will soon be the Index says, most of the thanks should go to Backgammon. I may eventually put some of my own maps up, though.
~J |
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Jul 13 2004, 09:30 AM
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#23
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Target Group: Members Posts: 83 Joined: 16-October 02 From: Leicester UK Member No.: 3,459 |
I have an idea. LEGO!!!!!!! By using lego men and building blocks to keep track! :D
Also there are loads of different buildings and vehicles you can build and use. Of course with the different themed lego there is you can use all those for different missions and you could use modeling paste to custom make figures! :cyber: Not just that but because they can be put into different poses you can tell when someone is crouched or aiming and stuff!!! I came up with the idea when I was looking into GURPS and thought it would be cool to make a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles version (the original cartoons not the new ones, and yes I am 24 years old) and was in the super market and saw Mega blocks (lego's rival) had made a TMNT themed set of blocks! 8) |
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Jul 14 2004, 10:14 PM
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#24
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Shooting Target Group: Members Posts: 1,665 Joined: 26-April 03 From: Sweden Member No.: 4,516 |
I've been thinking of Lego's myself, but (sadly) I got rid of my (very extensive) collection many years ago. Getting a whole new collection will have to wait until I procreate.
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Jul 14 2004, 10:22 PM
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#25
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Shooting Target Group: Members Posts: 1,665 Joined: 26-April 03 From: Sweden Member No.: 4,516 |
Both can be found on eBay occassionally and possibly stiggybaby.com (I actually got both of mine under a year ago from Stiggybaby - was never interested in DMZ way back when, and the 1st ed GM screen I got in the early 90's didn't have SilverAngel in it (probably a mistake, but I didn't find out about the adventure until 2002) |
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