"Hmm, ,what sort of Dungeon layout to Build" Topic

So I want to build a new dungeon for gaming on, and I have a few options for how to build the parts.
a) Wall-Less halls and rooms, like Warhammer Quest, these are easy to play on and very quick and easy to build, but they aren't that pretty. Super modular though
b) Walled Halls and Rooms, a bit more complicated, these are far more visually impressive and make a more complete game experience.
c) Walled Tiles, instead of making smaller rooms and halls, I'll build 12 x 12 tiles with rooms and halls all built in, this is faster to set up and tear down and they store easier than the above, but have less options. But they'll work better for certain games (Super Dungeon Explore in particular gets a lot of love in my home)

I dunno, what do you guys think? I've done all of these in the past and never can settle on which I prefer.

Glenn,

This is still on my to-do list:

link

link

TMP link
TMP link

I would love to make the sides 1-inch tall, cut angled about 75 degrees, so as to allow access from above. The sides would be angled sort of like these concrete lined irrigation canals:

YouTube link

Dan

And if anyone needs 4" by 4" MDF:

link

Dan

If speed of setting up and taking down is a primary consideration, you might want to consider the Dungeon Command tiles:

They are modular, come in two sizes, and have jigsaw puzzle joints which lock the tiles together during play. As a bonus, they are two-sided and have an "above ground" pattern on the reverse side.

I use them for a solo dungeoncrawl campaign which you can read more about here: link

Try it my way:

link

link

link

Worked for me!

I'll eventually get around to doing something like Dan's post shows, using Hirst Arts for the less cavey and more buildy bits. In the meantime, I'm experimenting with using a simple ground cloth (a grey sheet with mottled greys painted on it at random), and chalk pastels. It's 2D, of course, but it's certainly versatile. You can draw whatever you like on it with the pastels, building a dungeon on the fly, and they wash out when you're done. Also, it sure transports easily.

Doug

I recently undertook a large dungeon-building project. I've been very happy with the results. I built several different sizes of square rooms, various straight corridors, L-corridors, a T-corridor, and a + corridor. I've also altered the layout somewhat with stairs and elevating pieces. These have 2" walls throughout, with doors and wall fillers that slide into grooves. I considered several options like you, but finally decided I really preferred the full 3D effect of walled sections. These are 1/2" pink insulation foam mounted on 1/8" MDF. The only "odd" thing I did was to finger joint all my corners. Not sure why I did that, but it seems sturdier.

You can see more pictures here barts-toys.blogspot.com

Pedrobear, the D&D adventure system tiles are also extremely good though there's only three games from it that got made. They also have a good mix of minis you can use as well

Hi Glenn,

I started out using walls, but I went to 2d tiles with 3d columns and doors and assorted furniture.

While I loved to make full 3d dungeons the problem was that you had to be standing over them to play. With 2d you and your dungeon players can sit down.

Of course make your 3d furniture and doors as sexy as you like.

Hope this helps.

I wonder if anyone has tried to make a dungeon complex with walls carved like the underground temples of megalithic Malta:

link

Does anyone know?

Dan
TMP link

You might be able to pull it off using plaster patch in molds. Not sure if it would work, but a surface mold with a layer of patch and then press foam into it, perhaps sandwiching the foam between two molds (one for each side).

Unfortunately, the big problem is one that a lot hit with that kind of detail, most people aren't going to see it at all because of the corridor type system.

One other option that may work better than entirely pre-made tiles would be to have premade walls of different types and a larger board to go under it. Would probably take up less space in the end and would open up a lot more options at later points

YouTube link

I've gone for wooden shadow boxes from the craft stores and stockpiled them over time with the weekly coupons. Skill-sawed to put in doorways:

goblinhall.com/2013/02/26/27

Not photographed yet, but have some flat piees for hallways. The hall sections don't need their own walls, since most of those are provided by the rooms, and I don't worry about odd hallway stretches that don't abut room walls.

I prefer walls, and the quick set-up of modular rooms. Does require storage space.