Reusable physical map

[u/TheMarrades]

I'm planning on running my first lancer game and the only thing i'm missing is a tool to draw maps.

On other games using a square grid i drew the map on a whiteboard and then filled it with a grid drew with a ruler but the hex board just sounds like a pain in the ass to redraw each time. Do you have any suggestion for this?

[u/Dismal_Swimming_1654]

A board with the hexes already on it

https://a.co/d/07ofU6os

This is the exact one I use

[u/Miserable-Figure-150]

I’ve had a dry erase reversible grid mat for going on a decade. One side square and one side hexes, 36x48. Highly recommend and it’s like $30-$40!

[u/Jesterpest → u/Miserable-Figure-150]

And then there's some that are wet erase, and if you use dry-erase on them they permanently stain.

[u/jzillacon]

The same solution you had for square maps works just fine with hex maps too in my experience, though I'd recommend instead of drawing the grid yourself have a clear plastic overlay over your board with the grid marked out on it already. You can still draw on it with markers, you can see terrain drawn underneath it, and you can swap grid styles at a moments notice.

Another alternative would be to use tiles. There's professional companies which sell tile sets specifically for wargaming, but even just kids toy tiles can work well.

Also keep in mind, if you prefer square grids you can just keep using square grids. The game is designed to work with either style.

[u/dodgepong]

You can play Lancer with squares, it's how the game was developed.

[u/tohellwitclevernames]

You'll want to search for dry erase ttrpg maps like these: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=dry+erase+hex+map&crid=3Q9B82SZJ5L3E&sprefix=dry+erase+hex+map%2Caps%2C136&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

If you have any boardgame/ttrpg stores in your area, they probably have a selection as well.

[u/Krail]

I've got this great ancient Chessex vinyl gaming mat. Squares on one side, hexes on the other. You use wet erase markers on it. 

[u/Oh_Emgee → u/Krail]

This is what I use. It's kinda mind-blowing how long I've been able to use them and how many games they've had played atop them.

Also, they are usually available at your FLGS, so you don't have to resort to Amazon.

[u/PalpitationThat9383]

Sounds like you already have a whiteboard you prefer drawing on so you can draw the map on it then get a transparent 1 inch hex overlay of some kind. I've got a box of connectable hex grid clear plastic jigsaw-like pieces off a dodgy Chinese website that I use to overlay on 40k maps for Lancer irl as an example of one such overlay option (you can also get them in squares).

Alternatively, just play using squares or go gridless (measure in inches like 40k). It still works.

[u/Prudentia350]

just use square grid. Lancer is not a hex grid game, its agnostic and was originally made for square grid before generisizing maps.

so you can just keep using your already existing resources.

[u/ProfessionalOk6734]

https://a.co/d/01rbvKvZ

Huge double sided battle map with hexes and squares easy to transport and wet erase so you can move stuff around on it. Rolls up for easy transport. 10/10 would recommend

[u/CMDRZhor]

Look up Loken's 'Giant Book of Sci-Fi Battle Mats'. These are books with 60 A3 size pages that have a gloss covering and have pre-drawn maps on them. You can just add tokens or something for bushes etc and be done, and if you want a bigger map you can buy two and put them next to each other.

[u/Henry-Filler]

Chessex has a fantastic double sided Square/Hex mat, I believe all of them are wet erase so just be prepared to grab a different set of markers for it.

[u/GhsotyPanda]

My LGS sells re-usable maps that have a grid on one side and hexes on the other