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The RPG Action Map

The Action Map is a tool to clarify relative (fictional) positioning for generally smaller encounters. Breaking out an entire battle map for a simple random encounter can take more effort to set up than to play out, so this is a perfect moment to use the Action Map! Save that effort for the important boss battles and campaign altering encounters!
  • Game Design, Graphic Design
A square image containing the multiple segments that make up the action map. The map has 3 rings that form around a centre block. All 3 of the rings are diagonally cut off from each other to create a 4 distinct segments indicating north, east, south and west. The entire map has a paper like texture, and each ring grows darker, starting at a yellow colour on the outer ring up to a deep red for the centre portion.
Action Map 1.4

There you are, sitting in front of your GM screen, looking at a bunch of puzzled and confused faces as discussion starts to run rampant and profanities are being thrown around… well maybe not that bad but we’ve all been there. We sometimes think to ourselves “Well this is a simple encounter, no need to bust out the battlemat.” after which everything proceeds to fall into utter chaos: The cleric gets knocked by an ogre moving through a door she forgot was there; the rogue has been mostly useless due to never figuring out where flanking positions were, and the wizard’s spells all missed because he forgot he wasn’t in range for any of them…
I’m sure you can add a few of your own experiences to the mix.

The RPG action map aims to find the sweet spot between grid-based tactical combat and free-flowing theatre of the mind encounters. The simple structure lets you improvise encounters whenever needed and gives you the freedom to focus your prep only on the most important set-pieces. Let the Action Map give structure to your descriptions while retaining the freedom of your imagination!
Press on the PDF button to download your version now, or support me over on Ko-fi or DriveThruRPG.

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The RPG Action Map

A square image containing the multiple segments that make up the action map. The map has 3 rings that form around a centre block. All 3 of the rings are diagonally cut off from each other to create a 4 distinct segments indicating north, east, south and west. The entire map has a paper like texture, and each ring grows darker, starting at a yellow colour on the outer ring up to a deep red for the centre portion.
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