These are visual aids, typically digital images or PDFs, designed to be printed and used during tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons. They provide a gridded or otherwise scaled surface representing the terrain where encounters take place. Examples include forests, dungeons, city streets, and other environments relevant to the game’s narrative.
The use of these resources enhances the gaming experience by providing a clear and consistent visual representation of the battlefield. This aids in understanding character positioning, movement ranges, and environmental features, reducing ambiguity and promoting strategic decision-making. Their accessibility and cost-effectiveness, compared to pre-printed alternatives or elaborate terrain models, contribute significantly to their popularity within the tabletop gaming community. Historically, hand-drawn maps were the standard, but digital creation and distribution have made detailed and varied environments readily available.
The subsequent sections will explore different types of these aids, methods for printing them effectively, considerations for scale and grid systems, and resources for acquiring or creating customized versions.