Chessex Battlemat Review: Tabletop RPG Erasable 1" Square / Hex Grid Map (Megamat)
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- Опубліковано 3 тра 2017
- Play D&D or tabletop games? Playing on a grid makes gameplay and combat much easier. I review the Chessex Battlemat (Megamat) in this video.
The Chessex play mat (Battlemat) is a reversible double sided vinyl map with 1 inch squares on one side and hexes on the other. With overhead or transparency markers (vis a vis) you can draw right on the map in many colors. When you're done, you can erase with water and a paper towel. It's a really hand RPG / D&D accessory that really makes planning battles and describing terrain so much easier. I find it really convenient when I play with miniatures (minis) and for area of effect (AoE) spells.
The one caveat is you CAN'T use dry erase or permanent markers on these, they won't erase and will ruin the mat.
The mats come in several sizes and there's even a 1.5" version.
The mat shown is the 34.5" x 48" Chessex Megamat Battlemat with 1 inch squares / hexes.
Product Links (some are Amazon affiliate):
▶ Chessex Role Playing MEGAMAT - 1” Squares/Hexes (34 1/2in x 48in): amzn.to/2oAc5fs
▶ Chessex Role Playing Battlemat - 1” Squares/Hexes (26 in x 23 1/2 in): amzn.to/2poM8Vi
▶ Chessex Role Playing Play Mat: Battlemat Double-Sided Reversible Mat for RPGs and Miniature Figure Games - 1.5” Squares/Hexes (26 inch x 23 1/2 inch): amzn.to/2pQfCsf
▶ Chessex Role Playing Play Mat Marking Pen Overhead Projection Markers: amzn.to/2oxynPM
▶ EXPO Vis-A-Vis Wet-Erase Overhead Transparency Markers, Fine Point, Assorted Colors, 8-Count: amzn.to/2poxxJk
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Thank you. I needed help finding the right marker for the map. That was a big help. Thanks!
You're very welcome.
measured my table, but awesome review! Heard about these from a guy at my hobby shop :)
I think my players are into the whole theater of the mind thing. It's just that mapping really helps with discerning where everyone, and everything is. I usually just scribble down some lines and random stuff to give the idea of what things are.
Yeah I can't do no grid at all. We do a 75% grid now just to give you a rough idea. Following everything 100% gets nit picky at times.
Thanks for the review, I really appreciated it, it's helped me to make a decision to buy it :)
Glad to hear. I'm sure you'll like it, it's an essential IMO.
massively expensive
@@eyu3pknl146 - I agree, but I enjoyed using mine, I ended up buying it.
I recently got into DMng for the first time (I use the basic fantasy rules tome for old school essentials because I only wanted one book to have everything in it), I largely come from WoD and CoD so I only ever did theater of the mind for games, I have to say that, while it is definitely an hassle to draw on the battle mat every encounter, setting the minis etc. there is also some satisfaction in setting everything up and letting the players figure out everything for themselves, in some ways its much easier to DM than WoD stuff since you don't have to focus too much on the narrative (lets face it, most Dnd games are about dice slinging and problem solving, narrative is mostly a pretex at best) and instead can kick back and just follow the rules while the players start fucking around.
I actually made my own. I have access to a large format plotter at work, and just printed a 3'x4' 1" square grid and took that to FedEx Office and had it laminated. For the cost of lamination, I could have purchased one of those, but I can use dry erase markers on mine, which I have by the truckload. I wish that I had printed the parchment-like background on it, but just used white, so I wouldn't use up so much of the plotter's ink. Great video, though.
That's a creative idea. Glad you enjoyed the video.
wonderfull vid
Thank you!
Great video, thank you.
What are you using as holders for your "monster cards" you write on there?
I used colored index cards with sharpie markings on colors corresponding to various things. For small monsters I use binder clips with the clips removed. Large monsters are colored construction paper with labels printed on them.
@@Compulsion84 We use candy for our monsters. A boss might be a fun-size Snickers bar, a mid-boss a smaller Reese's cup, and a trash mob a Hershey's kiss, etc. The player who gets the kill shot gets to eat the monster. We keep 'em in a big bowl by the table.
Is the Chessez vinyl mat resistant to laptop heat or hot beverages? I use a laptop and drink a lot of coffee, but im concerned it might melt or damage it
cool
hello! i know this video is old but i just have one question about the mat. can any wet erase pen be used on this mat? or does it have to be a specific type?
No, you have to use overhead markers. My friend used dry erase and it permanently marked the mat. The links to the right markers are in the description.
I use and have read others have good success with crayola ultra washable markers on this mat
I wanted to draw my dungeon ahead of time ( 4 days). Is this recommended? Should I clean it immediately. I called Chessex out of Ft. Wayne and was told that it is not advisable.
It will come off, but according to the mfg and others it will build up over time. My friends has left his and it's come off after weeks. I would take it off as soon as you can.
I subjectively just do not cut the mat.
I'm new to role playing... my question is why write on the mat in the first place? I think I will just put a plastic shield and write on that or just place tiles around it.
You could do that. It's all personal preference. Some people don't even use a grid, but I think they're crazy.
@@Compulsion84 😂😂🤣🤣
Yeah I think playing with a grid for battles is just fun, mixes up your RPG adventure nicely.
Great video! Question: How long can the markings stay on the mat before it gets hard to wipe off?
Some people said it could persist, but my friend left his on there for 2-3 months a could of times without issue.
@@Compulsion84 Use water based nail varnish remover to remove any old stains.. Black comes off ok after months. Yellow and Blue and Green and Purple pens tend to stick and stain but again, water based nail varnish remover will remove the stains, just don't scrub too hard or take off the grid lines if you get too heavy handed.
My mat came in folded really bad, any ideas to get it flat and playable?
Dang that's no good. You'd think they would roll it. I would try rolling it moderately and rubber handing it.
Maybe contact the manufacturer for ideas?
5 years later, would you buy it again?
100% yes. No issues whatsoever. My friend has one too and the only issue is the fact that he used a sharpie on it, haha.
Oh no. Hope he isn’t OCD, it would bother me.
Washable crayola markers get you some really nice crisp lines.
Jack McFadden-Finlayson thanks mate, i was wondering whether crayola worked or not.
@@thatguy-js7ri I've left Crayola maker ink on mine for weeks... Comes off with water and a paper towel, without leaving an image. Cheers!
What size did you get??
34 x 48". Links should be in description.
My DM baught one and took a brown dry erase straight to it.
GAME OVER.....
Ooooh no. My friend did the same with purple. Luckily it was only a couple inches long off center.
I did the same thing just today. Some of the marker stayed on, but after some dish soap and water it came off. Just be sure not to rub too hard or it smears
Just use water based nail varnish remover and soft cloth to remove the stain..
Don't scrub too hard..
How do you make your thumbnails
I use an older version of photoshop before it went monthly. It works pretty well, but has a somewhat steep learning curve.
I dont understand
Ok i get it
What was the program called
Player's Handbook literally says you dont have to count the extra length when moving diagonally to smooth the play.
For movement - just do what wargamers do and go by inches, no grid at all, then you have total freedom of placement. Use a tape measure for distance.