Squares or hexes? Doug or Jeff (or anyone else, of course)

[Helegond]

Sorry for those that frequents the oficial forum for the double post, but here the posts last much longer...

In the upcoming books (Don't remember if Fields of Batlle or Helm's Deep SB) there will be new combat system, using maps and miniatures.

My question is: will the map be squared or hexed? Many around here uses their own methods, and I aprecciate comentaries about wich one you prefer, but I'm looking first for some official reply...

Cheers,

Helegond

[Steelcat]

I'd like to know the answer my self but what are the major differences between the two

[Ineti]

Um, squares have four sides and hexes have six sides?

Seriously, though, hex maps tend to be used in tactical combat games, and games where the facing of a unit is very important.

I like a blend myself, though I tend to use squares. I have to experiment more with hexes. I think they provide a better range of movement (60 degree arcs rather than 90 degree).

[Ineti]

Incidentally, Jeff mentioned on the Decipher boards that the new rules in Fields of Battle will use hexes.

[Myrddin_Emrys]

If you can find a source of old Chessex Battle Mats, look and use a staggered square mat. Gives the ease of a measured grid with the facing potential of hex.

SDL

[Steelcat]

Thanks for the clarification, I never took geometry.

[GavynnAlexander]

I think that it was poointed out on the other board that squares are easier to work with when you are playing with something inside a man made structure. Walls and halls are mostly straight and at 90 degree angles and so you don't have to worry about half hexes or such.

Personally, I prefer hexes because of the greater range of movement a character can make, especailly when talking about moving around outside where you don't have to worrk about structural boundaries. As Ineti mentioned there are more facing options with hexes as opposed to a standard grid. I tend to feel like I am playing chess when I use squares. Although the use of squares has evolved over time with rules for diagonal movement and even staggering the squares as was mentioned.

Squares do have the advantage that they are easier to put on something - meaning it is easier to draw a basic grid on your map or terrain model, rather than hexes. But, I have advanced to the point where my terrain models are nice enough that I don't want to draw on them. We just use a measuring tape for movement on the fields, which, or course, is the ultimate in freedom of movement and facing. But it does slow game play down when you have to measure and not just count "spaces".

Still, using a map to represent the combat is not always the best thing. I think that combat should be represented in miniature maybe 60-75 percent of the time. The rest of the time it should just be done in the mind. That is up to the Narrator though.

Gavynn

[ben hur]

From the Decipher board:

"The tactical rules in Fields of Battle will use hexes." - Jeff Tidball

This is going to be neat! I'm almost definitely going to buy Fields of Battle. Could someone direct me to a weblog where it's approximate release date was given? It may not have been given at all, thanks anyway.

[Ineti]

Originally posted by ben hur
Could someone direct me to a weblog where it's approximate release date was given? It may not have been given at all, thanks anyway.

A release date hasn't been given for Fields of Battle yet. Here's Decipher's current product schedule:

http://decipher.com/content/productcalendar.html

I suspect we'll see FoB either the end of the year or probably early 2004. Sigh.

[ben hur]

Originally posted by Ineti
A release date hasn't been given for Fields of Battle yet. Here's Decipher's current product schedule:

http://decipher.com/content/productcalendar.html

I suspect we'll see FoB either the end of the year or probably early 2004. Sigh.

Thanks anyway, Ineti. I am so excited about Fields of Battle! Here's all the stuff that Jeff has said about it so far:

Fields of Battle, the Barbarian and Warrior sourcebook, is going to have some really cool stuff in it. I spent the better part of a day last week developing the rules for fell strikes, the expanded system for what happens when you get superior or better success in combat. Basically, when you score such a success, you are entitled to pick from a list of effects that include critical strikes to your opponent's head, chest, arm, or leg (with each location resulting in a different effect); strikes to his weapon, shield, or another item he is carrying; and strikes that give you an advantage in later rounds. Keeping in mind that this system has not yet been playtested, there are currently nine such lists, each of which is used for a particularly level of success (superior, extraordinary, or heroic) and type of attack (Armed Combat, Ranged Combat, and Unarmed Combat).

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My other project for the week has been working on Fields of Battle, the Barbarian/Warrior order book. Since this book will include a lot of new rule options -- including a tactical miniatures system for use in the game -- I anticipate an extensive playtest. Because of that, I'm trying to prepare a playtest draft well in advance of when I need to have a final layout draft ready for our production department. In addition to the tactical miniatures system, Fields of Battle will include a lot of other combat options including critical hits, piecemeal armour, reach attacks with polearms (and Balrog arms), and that kind of thing.

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Playtesting on Fields of Battle: The Guide to Barbarians and Warriors has just wrapped up, and you can rest assured that the playtesting process has been no rubber-stamp process. Each and every group's comments are making a concrete contribution to the quality of the LotR RPG supplements, and that will be especially evident when Fields of Battle is released.

[Helegond]

Hi there!

I'm raising this old thread, to know something else from the official sources...

If all the books that came out 'till now are using squared maps, what is going to happen if the combat game cames in an "hexed flavor"?

I'm not so worried with that, but a friend of mine just said that ALL maps in the game are squared...:P

Cheers,

Helegond

[Doug Burke]

The maps published so far have all been square-based, yes. However, what Ineti was referring to earlier in this thread is that the tactical combat system provided in Fields of Battle will use hexes.