How to Make Maps for DnD
Hello, fellow DM’s! Josh here with my first article on How to Make Maps for DnD. This post is for new DMs looking into how to make maps for DnD.
Dungeons & Dragons is a captivating experience with infinite possibilities. Sometimes, you need to organize or put a little more detail into your journeys to create the atmosphere or to make your campaign easier to keep track of.
And nothing makes things easier than a map! In this guide, I’ll show you how to get started with the map-making basics.
How to Make DnD Maps
There are all kinds of maps, including top-down, 3D, and multi-layered maps.
For most DM’s, sketching and taking notes of all of the main details can help them get started before going into the deeper features of their map.
The most common way to start is with the main ideas and then move on to the details, just like an essay.
Here’s a breakdown of the five elements of an effective map for DnD.
5 Elements of an Effective Map
Landmarks
The most valuable part of a map is its landmarks. These are typically the main or important locations for a campaign.
They can also come in handy when having a lot of miniature locations to sort. For example, if you don’t know where something like “Mellowinn Bridge” is, it might be easier to find the general area of the location you’re looking for when you see a landmark named “Mellowinn Town.”
Having no landmarks is like saying there’s nowhere to go because the world is full of trees, rocks, and dirt.
Small Details
The small details are always the important information for anything like a riddle, puzzle, or even an enemy.
One example of this from a recent campaign is that while fighting an enemy, you might have to let them make the first move, or you could try to look for any weaknesses. Many campaigns progress using these small but useful details.
Whether a domino effect or a single-turn solution, it all relies on these simple details.
Layers or Separate Maps
How can you have mountains without caves or stairs without the next floor?
Every map needs separate maps for cave systems, mazes, different floors, and rooms.
Cave systems require a unique path or even numerous paths. If you’re feeling adventurous, a certain room may be for the setting.
Having notes of secret passages is fine, but making blueprints for where exactly they are and in which room is the most important part of making each room feel unique and more organized.
Good Structure
Structure plays a big role in organization. A good way to start is by planning it out first. You may get a cramped mess if you go head first with making the map.
What helps is to write down your ideas first, then sketch them. Once you’re happy with your rough draft, you can copy it and add the final details to make your map as neat and nice as possible.
Organization
When some people jump in, they don’t think about the mess that’s bound to happen.
Even if you jot down the notes first, keep this in mind. “Is this enough detail?” if so, what about too much detail?
Although you may have many ideas, it’s easier to make do with the number of things you include in your map.
If you have too much in one space, move it somewhere else or create a bigger space.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you want everything to mold together.
For example, you wouldn’t want a bookshelf next to the fireplace or the missing key in a locked room.
That way, you won’t have anything that doesn’t make sense or have a mistake in the campaign or map.
Also, avoid making things too complicated for the players (even if your map is organized). Making things too complicated makes the player unable to proceed forward.
Addressing scaling problems
The basic idea of a map is to organize as much material as possible while making sure your map isn’t bland or too distracting.
You want a comfortable space where you can accurately see one part of a map without figuring out where it is.
+1 Tip: A good strategy to see if your map is at that comfortable spot is to point in the general direction of a place on the map. If you or someone else can’t tell what you’re pointing at, your map is too cramped.
If you look at one area and have to move your eyes excessively to get to another, your map is too spacious.
You’ll tell when your map’s perfect when you can comfortably move your eyes and tell the difference between the general area of two places or things.
If your map is too cramped or spacious overall, then there are two things you can do.
If you have a digital form of the map, then this solution is typically easier to use.
You can scale your locations and landmarks to a comfortable space.
This is similar to table models representing these locations and entities, as it is easier to move all the pieces.
If you don’t have either of these, and your map is only on paper, you might need to start over and change the ratio of your next copy by comparing the two.
If you have a specific area that’s cramped (and only that area), you might want to save as much work as possible and only try to move around the necessary areas to prevent your current map from changing too much or in a way you don’t like.
Types of Maps for DnD Campaigns
There are many types of maps and ways to make maps. There are sketched maps, digital, paper copies, and even 3D modeling maps - and more - but we’ll stick with the easiest methods for beginners.
Sketched Maps
Usually, the sketch would be the first stage of most maps when prepping your actual map, but there’s another option.
If your sketch copy is close enough to the best it will get, then it’s better to stick to the sketch if it is developed enough.
This also saves a lot of time, but on the other hand, you might not want to always rely on the practice run that you might have spent the least time on. It’s an option, though!
Paper Maps
The best part about this option is that it’s the easiest method to proceed with, knowing that all you need is your pencil and paper.
There’s also the option of going big with a more spacious area of paper or adding to the map as you use sheet by sheet to create the big picture.
This is also the cheapest and most accessible method, knowing that no additional subscriptions are required. The only downside is the inevitable topic of human fault.
On top of this, you can’t use tools as simple as drag and drop and other tools to make such things as the perfect circle.
If you need tools and want to get involved, I recommend at least the simplest tools, like a ruler and compass.
Digital Maps
Another great option that I would recommend to another map-maker is digital software.
This way, you can easily access the perfect map-making tools, such as preset landmarks, so you won’t have to draw out every detail.
The only mentionable thing to note is that every map-making DM has preferences on which software to use if they want a 3D-looking map, a top-down grid map, or the classic geographical map.
In addition, many apps and websites have their own tools and accessibility ranges so pick one that fits you.
If you want a basic and really easy map to use, I use Inkarnate.
Also, if you want the full perks of the experience, most apps and websites have a subscription to pay for all of the features.
3D Modeled Maps
If you have all of the time in the world and money to spare, then go for it!
With 3D Modeling, you can generate a standard set of randomly generated maps(if needed) and use those 3D models of buildings and characters to set up the board in any way possible.
From making a whole table’s worth of model space to playing around with the pieces, we don’t blame you!
This method is the least time-consuming, but it takes up a lot of space and money.
Many official DMs use this method, which I consider a creative approach.
If you want to start, you might want to stick to something simple instead of this immersive but fun option.
Overall, there are many options to choose from and many ways to pursue those options. I hope this guide has given you the tools you need to make your next great map!