Dungeon Tiles Are a Great Game Tool

Dungeons and Dragons, the table top role playing game, has inspired many wonderful tools available for those of us who play the game. Dungeon tiles are one of the lesser known tools. I'd like to showcase their uses in this article. And remember, they don't have to be limited to only actual Dungeons and Dragons gaming. You can use these versatile tiles in many RPGs.

The tiles are thick cardboard cut into several sizes. The standard square size for a D&D map is a one-inch square, so these tiles are sized that way. The average set is going to have some 8 by 8 tiles, 4 by 4 and 2 by 2. They come in various themes -- themes familiar to any role player. You can find forest themes and dungeon themes and sewer themes. Each side of the tile has a different picture. The artwork is generally top-notch on these and they do a great job of varying the terrain. So in a forest theme, for example, you'll have tiles with a few trees and a few stumps. You'll have tiles with no trees, but a stream and the ruins of a stone wall. Or perhaps there will be a few tiles with giant spider webs (think of the Mirkwood forest scene in "The Hobbit").

What makes dungeon tiles so awesome for the game master is that they are sturdy and cheap (you can get about 30 tiles for $10). It saves you from having to create maps by hand or from having to draw maps on the fly with a battle mat. I prefer to save my creativity for the the story and the non-player characters, so the tiles are perfect for me. It's as though the tiles can set the stage and I can populate it with my monsters, allies and strangers.

For the players, dungeon tiles give them a beautiful window into the imaginary world of the game. That is one of the strengths and weaknesses of D&D -- so much of it happens inside each player's head. So having the tiles (along with your miniature figures, of course) can ground the player's experience. The players have some nice drawings to help flesh out the story.

The designers do a great job of making sure that the terrain is varied and that there are good hiding spots. In this way both the game master and the players can take full tactical advantage of the tiles -- the archer can use a fallen log (to continue with my forest theme) for cover. The game master can use the spot where two trees grow together as an ambush spot.

Overall, for the price, dungeon tiles are a great tool for a GM to have in his or her toolbox. Pick up a pack of them and let your imagination run wild.