I guess what I don't understand is why "ledge" areas or 1-inch squares that are half-on/half-off lava can't have some kind of save roll associated with them? It would stand to reason that if you are positioned on a square that occupies both ledge and lava that you could potentially fall off. Same goes for any overhang that has a unique angle cut across the tile or anything else that is conveying some form of elevation or unusual path. The whole square would represent an area that may require a roll to maintain your balance. It seems that this would make the game more interesting and action packed rather than more confusing.

Just to clarify, everything in DungeonLinX is based around a pure 1-inch grid and the WorldWorks 7"X7" standard. There is no fudging of the grid to account for strange layouts. The only thing I am pushing with this release is the absence of obvious grid lines in areas that would destroy the illusion of depth (no grid shown on the lava for instance). And rather than being limited by the strictest game mechanics and boring looking tiles I chose to forge ahead with interesting layouts. A GM really shouldn’t have issues with any of the liberties I've taken visually. Unless they are pushing unrealistic standards there are simple and even fun solutions to those "ambiguous" areas that will spice up the game.

Perhaps if it is seen as a real problem we can come up with a chart to deal with these specific foot fall areas. That might alleviate any arguments GM's could potentially have with their players. Just a thought.

I would usually end the complaining or whining from players asking me about half squares in lava tiles by telling the player that while they were standing there, milling about or jumping across the lava, contemplating whether or not they fall in or not, that their pants caught fire from the intense heat of being dumb enough to stand that close to or move over the lava flow not using the magic suspention bridge in the first place.

When in doubt, kill it with fire.

Words all RPGers should live by. Doubly so for DMs.

Perhaps I'm failing to make myself clear. My issue is NOT with the GM having to figure out what a specific effect does in-game. And I wouldn't want Denny to start writing up tables of game effects.

My issue is with the *players* being confused about where one effect ends and another begins. A clearer example perhaps is walls. Have you ever had your PC press his back against a wall in combat, only to find an NPC run up to him through what you thought was an inaccessible square? Or tried to move along a cave wall, only to be told by your DM that you couldn't go that way? It can be quite frustrating if you can't predict the effect (or even legality) of your actions, just because the map is unclear.

As for the "it's roleplaying" argument... well, sometimes it isn't! These tiles are intended to be useable for miniature games, war games, strategy games, etc. just as much as for roleplaying games. And even in rpg's, some people simply *like* to play it more strategically than others. Personally, I am far more of a roleplayer than a strategist, yet it still offends my fragile sensibilities whenever I see a map that seems to ignore the grid.


Anyway, enough bitching... As I said in the beginning, this was just a nitpick. It's something I would appreciate you would keep in mind when designing layouts, but not exactly something that would stop me from buying a set, or in any way "ruin" my enjoyment of the marvelous work you put into these things!

I think I understand Conaill's concern. Its like, for example, having a tile with an altar in the middle of it. Just looking at the tile, because of the perspective, a player might not know if the altar is 2' high (in game terms), 5' high or 10' high. Say he assumes it is low enough to get on to of, but high enough to provide an advantage. In round 1 (or however the game keeps track of time), he moves towards the altar, but can't reach it. On round 2, he gets there ... only to be told by the DM that its just a step on the floor (or the reverse, its 10' tall). Now the player says, "Well, if I'd have known..." And that example would be worse with minis players, who end up arguing about the feature.


That said, I'm not I'd change anything. Those are valid concerns, but they can really be dealt with in-game, even if it isn't perfect - and its a concern many, many other tilesets I've seen have (I've experienced it with purchased tiles and maps I've made myself with DJ), so its not unique to WWG.

Also, each 1" square (usually) represents 5' square. A person can easily stand in or walk through half this space. However, they couldn't really run or fight in this space very well (that's why you're told to not run by swimming pools).

First off, the idea of a grid, suitable for printing on a trtansparency, is brilliant. Easy, simple, elegant solution to exactly where any lines might fall. Kidos to the Count for that idea. I agree that these tiles are used for more than role playing, and when you are playing a game where ranges are measured in inches, it's nice to know exactly where those grid lines are. Being able to quickly plop down a transparency then lift it off again so as not to spoil the "view" is a capital idea.

Second, the broader issue is unsolvable. It's like answering a kid who responds to every answer you give with "Why?" because there is no end.

Back in the day, we used our imaginations, and possibly some markers to deploy out characters. Maps were graph paper, drawn by hand, as the DM said "It's a corridor about 100 feet long by 10 feet wide."

Now days, we get to use fantastically illustrated 2D tiles or battlemats of some sort, rather nice minis in one form or another, fully illustrated monster books with specific details as to how tall, wide and heavy they are and minis for those monsters, and we're no closer to solving this issue.

What about a square that is 100% a given terrain, there is absolutely no ifs, ands or buts about it. And that square is right up next to a cliff. Is it safe? You might think so, I do not. How packed is the ground. What substance is the ground anyway? Is there a breeze. Has it rained lately. Is my character afraid of heights? Does the ground slope towards the cliff? Is there moss about? Are there cracks in the ground?

If you were to refuse to take a single step until you could ask and get answers for all the millions of things your eyes would (in real life) probably take in with a glance, the game crawls to a stop.

So "You come out of the cavern onto a narrow ledge. About 15 feet in front of you appears to be a steep drop off. Across the way, perhaps another 50 feet, you see what appears to be the opposite side of the chasm. You are too far from the edge to see how deep the chasm is. There is no trail on either side of you. Mist from the nearby falls has made the ground, which appears to be shale, glisten. What do you do?"

No matter what tiles you use, there is no way to be certain - as a player - where you can stand safely. It's all in the GMs hands.

Steve

Mmmmmm...2.5D-licious...

Hold on there. The last grand photo ad was labeled Pitfalls. This last one said Lair of the Dragon God. Are these two separate sets Denny? Or are you just messing with my mind at 2 am?

Steve