Before starting this review, I want to thank 1985 Games for sending us two types of BattleMap: City and Hell. These are laminated maps perfect for any tabletop RPG that can give a visual representation of exploration and battles.
In case you want to bring these accessories to your gaming table, you can find them on the official 1985 Games store at the cost of $16.99 (about €15.70) each. A third type of map is also available for the same price: Ocean. If you use the code NoDiceUnrolled15 at checkout, you will receive a 15% discount on your order!
BattleMap Technical Features Review
Each map is laminated and sturdy, giving it a really important merit for this kind of product: durability. The first feeling you get when you hold it in your hand is that of a quality product; the care for the materials is evident and remarkable.
Even the dimensions do not go unnoticed; I’m not sure if the images included in this review show it properly, but each BattleMap is a good 24″x33″ (approximately 60 x 84cm). Their size ensures that they can be used in any game situation, without having to run the risk of having to place separate sheets side by side, with the result of penalizing stability. In case it turns out to be too big for a given scene, it can always be left folded in half.
Here, however, the only (small) flaw emerges. Being very sturdy and large, it obviously has to be folded; when you unfold it the first few times, it doesn’t stay perfectly adherent to the table, but it has some creases. Fortunately, the problem is easily solved by stretching it for a while under a weight (or bending it in the opposite direction).
Going into more detail, the BattleMap grid boxes are 1″ on the side (about 2.5 cm), which is the standard size for these products.
Usage and Related Products
As you can see in the images included in this review, both sides of each BattleMap are usable and keep the same theme; those received present one with the pavement of the streets of a city and the other with lava, both in two different versions. Valuable designs manage to give the right context to the play, without ever becoming invasive; in fact, they do not have any type of element other than the basic motif and this is excellent for customizing them at will.
To do this you can use other 1985 Games products, among which I recommend Dungeon Craft and Counterspell Miniatures. Both respecting the standard dimensions for this type of product, they fit perfectly in size. The real difference is whether you want to stay on 2D or if you want to switch to 3D. Alternatively you can also choose to use two-dimensionality for the environment and three-dimensionality for the creatures and the result will be just as fantastic.
If you are not interested in these two solutions, keep in mind that an alternative solution (in addition to simple markers on the map, of course) is to use erasable markers. In fact, the quality materials allow a comfortable and quick cancellation, which does not damage the product in the slightest.
Conclusions of the BattleMap Review
One last detail that denotes the care taken in packaging this product can be found on the transparent film that contains it when new. A small QR code allows us to access some free content that we can include in our role-playing sessions; in my case I found homebrew material for D&D5e.
To conclude this review, I can certainly say that 1985 Games has not betrayed our expectations with BattleMap; their products are always synonymous with quality, practicality and beauty!
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