The two types of D&D maps

Considering it is a tabletop game, most of the visualization in D&D is left up to the imagination. Some groups may rely on the DM'south descriptions of the locations they find themselves in, while other groups utilize maps. Whether y'all play in-person or online and with or without battlemaps, chances are you lot will be creating a map for something while playing D&D.

There are two main types of maps used commonly in D&D: regional maps and battlemaps.

Regional Maps

These maps are typically on a larger scale than battlemaps. They show the region from a bird'southward-middle view. These maps can be anything from a world map, provincial map, or metropolis map.

If used for exploration, and then these maps tin contain a filigree. This blazon of exploration is typically called a "hex crawl" and is addressed in depth in the D&D Hazard Tomb of Annihilation.

Battlemaps

These maps are usually on a smaller scale than regional maps. Typically, they are self-contained for a unmarried encounter, though they tin can grow to brandish the entirety of a dungeon or building that players are working their way through.

Battlemaps are usually overlaid by a standard 5-foot past 5-foot grid to make actor movement and scaling consistent.

How to make D&D maps

There are two primary means to make maps; they tin be hand-fatigued or made using online software. Hand-drawn maps have been around since the inception of D&D. These maps, almost ordinarily used for in-person games, tin be combined with terrain pieces or miniatures.

Hand-drawn maps can be drawn on anything from a piece of printer paper to whiteboards, but in recent years, wet-erase grid maps have become thecrème de la crème solution.

Mapmaking software, due to the sheer number of options, is a much less straightforward solution. In that location are enough of ways to use digital maps, you could print them off or utilise a communal screen for in-person sessions, or use them with virtual tabletops for online sessions. In this article, we will explore which software is best for which purposes while making D&D maps.

The Best DnD Map Making Software

There volition never be a straight-up "all-time" D&D map maker. The below-featured map makers will list the pros and cons of each software, also as their best use example.

Inkarnate

Inkarnate is easily the all-time fantasy map making software on the market. It's got a slick UI, tons of assets, and can create detailed maps in a matter of minutes.

Pros

  • Easily the most fleshed out, versatile map building option
  • Completely online, no software download or install
  • UI is thorough enough to create amazing maps but streamlined enough to build maps apace
  • Gratuitous and Pro versions
  • Tin can import custom avails
  • Pro version allows for commercial sale of maps

Cons

  • Walls don't "snap" together, which tin make the cosmos of dungeons or other indoors areas clunky
  • Subscription model, non a one time purchase
  • UI tin become slow on big maps with lots of assets or slow internet connection

Use Case

Inkarnate tin can be used to create regional maps and battlemaps. I have found myself reaching for Inkarnate nigh of the time I am creating a straightforward battlemap. Because I endeavour to go on my session prep to under two hours, information technology's extremely nice to exist able to dial out a detailed map in v to ten minutes.

Inkarnate'south regional map maker is also a bang-up tool, though I tend to use it much less ofttimes.

I do have to say that creating a map with lots of rooms, such every bit a dungeon or large edifice, is a bit of a grind with Inkarnate merely due to the level of item they require.

All in all, I would compare Inkarnate to a "map-focused Photoshop". The layering, blending, and usage of assets has a like feel to the infamous epitome editing software and while information technology might non be the most streamlined D&D map-making software, it is a groovy mix of piece of cake to utilize and customizable.

Check out the gratuitous or pro version at inkarnate.com

Wonderdraft

Wonderdraft is a fantasy map-making software that focuses specifically on regional maps.

Pros

  • Regional map-making tools are unrivaled
  • One time purchase

Cons

  • Software download, no in-browser option
  • While battlemaps can be created using the software, it is certainly not meant for this application
  • No free option

Employ Case

Wonderdraft is unrivaled in its power to create regional maps. While Inkarnate is a shut 2d, the i time buy, huge array of assets, and streamlined UI make this the best solution for larger-scale maps.

Purchase Wonderdraft for $29.99 at wonderdraft.cyberspace

Dungeondraft

From the same creator as Wonderdraft, Dungeondraft focuses specifically on smaller-scale battlemaps.

Pros

  • The vector-based system can scale to any resolution
  • Walls and floors are seamlessly integrated, making the creation of complex indoor environments a breeze
  • Custom assets, brushes, etc. are hands available
  • No net required to use
  • Born lighting system
  • Ane fourth dimension purchase
  • No boosted commercial licensing

Cons

  • Software download, no in-browser pick
  • While regional maps can be created using the software, it is certainly not meant for this awarding
  • No complimentary option
  • From personal experience, can crash unexpectedly on the M1 Macbook Air
  • Fewer assets than Inkarnate

Use Instance

Dungeondraft has been my get-to battlemap creator recently, especially when doing an interior scene such as a dungeon, cavern, or fortress. In my stance, Dungeondraft'due south Building Tool is the quickest and about effective way to create indoor battlemaps out of whatever D&D map-making software bachelor on the market.

Buy Dungeondraft for $29.99 at https://dungeondraft.net/

Dungeon Scrawl

Dungeon Scrawl is an online map architect designed to create simple maps with a paw-drawn feel.

Pros

  • Import from donjon Random Dungeon generator
  • The UI is very clean and easy to use
  • The simplified purpose of the tool allows the creation of complex buildings or intricate tunnels very apace
  • Gratis to use
  • Tons of unlimited pixel exportable options that tin can integrate with Photoshop or Illustrator to further populate maps
  • Assets by Two Minute Tabletop (for non-commercial employ just)

Cons

  • Maps cannot mimic real-world textures like Inkarnate or Dungeon Fog
  • Battlemaps only, no regional map options

Apply Case

Dungeon Scrawl is meant to exercise one thing actually well, create intricate dungeons. Whether y'all are creating a large building with multiple rooms and floors, or a cavern that twists and turns under the footing, Dungeon Scrawl is the best option to create them quickly and finer.

If y'all would like your dungeon to exist populated with intricate features, Inkarnate is a better bet simply information technology volition take much longer to produce a quality issue.

You tin can check out Dungeon Scrawl for free at probabletrain.crawling.io/dungeon-scrawl. If you lot similar it, please support the developers 🙂

Dungeon Fog

Dungeon Fog is similar to Inkarnate. It is an online builder that has tons of avails and textures with a freemium model.

Pros

  • Can organize maps into groups or "floors" as well as into campaigns
  • Door and windows snap to walls assuasive for easier creation of multiple rooms
  • Better organization of avails than Inkarnate
  • Can be used to brand regional maps and battlemaps

Cons

  • Much more than expensive than Inkarnate
  • Less free avails than Inkarnate
  • UI isn't very easy to navigate
  • Very difficult to notice which assets can be used for free users

Employ Case

Dungeon Fog is a competitor with Inkarnate, but in my opinion, information technology is more expensive with a less convenient interface and limited functionality.

The biggest advantage Dungeon Fog has over Inkarnate is the ability to speedily make dungeons or large buildings with interconnecting rooms.

For a full review of the software check out our Dungeon Fog Review. Yous tin can check out Dungeon Fog at dungeonfog.com and go 10% off using the coupon code ARCANEEYE.

Dungeon Builder by Hobbyte

Hobbyte is a downloadable map builder that focuses on isometric (3D) dungeons.

Pros

  • Extremely unique and absurd way of displaying maps
  • Commercial options available
  • Can brand small regional maps and dungeon maps
  • Easy to modernistic avails
  • You can roll dice, open doors, reveal traps, and gradually present your maps manually or using their fog of war feature. This is of import because these maps would exist extremely difficult to apply in a typical online platform like Roll20 and Fantasy Grounds.
  • Scalable exporting to fit any resolution

Cons

  • The free version is more of a demo than a viable map maker
  • Commercial licenses are much more expensive than Inkarnate
  • Maps can exist confusing to look at
  • No online solution

Use Case

Hobbyte is the best choice for isometric D&D maps. Non everybody will be looking for a solution to brand isometric maps, but if you are this is the best pick.

You tin check out the free verion of Hobbyte hither and buy the Dungeon Builder and commercial licenses here.

RPG Map Editor 2

RPG Map Editor ii is an online and downloadable D&D map maker that focuses on pixel-style maps.

Pros

  • The best matter about this tool, in my opinion, is its integration with the Watabou 1 Page Dungeons tool and the donjon Random Dungeon Generator. Both of these tools are stellar starts to creating a dungeon, and being able to manipulate them with RPG Map Editor 2 really brings it dwelling house.
  • Completely free (even commercial utilize)
  • Cool, pixel-fashion artful
  • Maps tin exist exported to upload to Roll20 or other virtual tabletops

Cons

  • There aren't a ton of assets or textures only you can custom import icons
  • Focuses mainly on dungeons, rather than other types of maps

Use Case

RPG Map Editor two is a slap-up tool for creating simpler dungeons. I employ it when I want to pre-generate the dungeon using Watabou or donjon and so make edits to the layout with RPG Map Editor.

Y'all can RPG Map Editor ii for free here. If you enjoy using information technology, please support the devs 🙂

Profantasy'southward Campaign Cartographer iii

CC3 is hands the most intensive (and expensive) map-making software bachelor on the market.

Pros

  • Extremely powerful, vector-based, CAD software
  • Frequently featured on HumbleBundle to make the large price tag more palatable
  • Add together ons tin allow for making all kinds of maps from big-calibration regional maps down to small-scale, single building maps
  • Tons of asset packs available for download that tin can customize the way your maps look and feel. Plus, some asset packs are past Mike Schley, a professional person map maker who has made maps for many official D&D modules

Cons

  • Gaining access to the entire suite of map-making tools can price $1245 USD when not on sale
  • Because the functionality is so extensive, at that place is a very steep learning bend

Use Case

Campaign Cartographer 3 is for hardcore map builders. If you want to invest fourth dimension and money into condign a professional or semi-professional map architect, CC3 is for you lot. If yous are a DM who is looking for quick and easy software to make maps for their sessions, I would strongly consider looking at other options.

Conclusion

At that place you have it! Nosotros've looked at the all-time D&D map makers, their pros, their cons, and the apply case for each.

Do you have a favorite way to make D&D maps that weren't mentioned here? Let us know in the comments below!

Mike Bernier

Mike Bernier is the lead content writer and founder of Arcane Eye. Outside of writing for Arcane Eye, Mike spends most of his time playing games, hiking with his girlfriend, and tending the veritable jungle of houseplants that have invaded his business firm. He is the author of Escape from Mt. Balefor and The Heroes of Karatheon. Mike specializes in character creation guides for players, homebrewed mechanics and tips for DMs, and ane-shots with unique settings and scenarios. Follow Mike on Twitter.