Do you use miniatures in your Dungeons & Dragons or Pathfinder games? Is it a unique playing map each time or something abstract? Many gamers find that PVC game grids are a good compromise. GMs can scribble down the terrain as and when it is needed in as much detail as necessary.
Let’s take a look at how they work.
Abishai RPG Battle Grid Mat
The mat in the video above is the Abishai RPG Battle Grid Mat which both a dry erase PVC film but also a double-sided neoprene mat to create that ye olde map effect underneath. I think it works very well.
It currently has a bank of 100% 5-star reviews on Amazon.com but won’t ship internationally (at least; not to Scotland). The package comes with colour markers and two heavy duty clips to hold the PVC to the map.
Shopping Link: Abishai.
Evolve Skin’s Original Battle Grid Game Board
This grid currently sports the ‘Amazon’s Choice’ for ‘battle boards’ logo which I’m sure helps sales, but it’s funny to think Amazon has had to research RPG products. While Abishai might be the challenger brand, Evolve Skins look to be the current established player.
The 1-inch square map over for a hex max (0.88″) and there’s even a set of DnD dice as a teaser… though I suspect they mean ‘dice used to play DnD’). This package comes with an eraser and a set of markers too.
Shopping Link: Evolve Skins.
EverGame Game Mat
This mat is the cheapest of the PVC gaming grids we’re looking at today, but it has dozens of reviews over at Amazon and averages at 4/5 stars.
This game grid is 24″ x 36″ is coated on both sides, as you would expect, as it flips from hex to grid. One pitch for this product is that is shipped to you rolled up, not folded, so you can roll it the other way for a while to straighten it out.
Shopping Link: EverGame.
Hexers Vinyl Mat Alternative
There’s something about the Hexers grid that feels way more old school than the others. Perhaps it’s the red pen used in the marketing photographs?
The grid folds into four, closing in on itself along a cut like a board game grid, but is also flippable to either a hex or a grid format. Unlike the other grids that we’re looking at today the Hexers mat doesn’t come with a pen but recommends Staedtler Lumocolor correctable pens for use with the product.
Shopping Link: Hexers.
Have you tested and used a gaming grid or PVC cover? Let us know your thoughts on which products to bring the gaming table in the comments below.
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