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How to Make a Reusable D&D Battle Grid

"Dungeons &Dragons," or "D&D," is a fantasy role-playing game that relies heavily on imagination and luck. Most of the actions a player takes in the game are based on twenty-sided die rolls. The battle system is turn-based and requires some type of grid on which to place character markers, which are usually miniature action figures resembling your characters. You can purchase pre-made "Dungeon Tiles" to piece together a visually aesthetic battle grid, but it is very simple to build your own reusable grid with basic, inexpensive supplies.

Things You'll Need

Dry erase board
Permanent marker (ultra fine)
Ruler
Dry erase marker

Instructions

- 1
  Purchase a standard dry erase board, preferably at least 20 x 20 inches in size. It is always better to have as large a board as possible because this gives you more options for drawing dungeons of varying sizes.
- 2
  Mark off every inch along each edge of the dry erase board with a ruler. Measure very carefully to ensure that your lines will be straight after you draw them. Dividing the board into 1-inch squares is a typical method as the miniature figures tend to be based on 1-inch scales. If you are using custom figures or markers, you can make slightly larger or smaller squares.
- 3
  Draw straight horizontal lines across the board from edge to edge with a permanent marker, and then draw straight vertical lines until your board is a grid. Use a yard stick or thin piece of cardboard as a straight edge to guide your marker as you draw. Using an ultra-fine-tipped marker is best so that your dry erase marker lines are clearly distinguishable against the permanent grid lines.
- 4
  Draw a dungeon map on the grid with a dry erase marker, using the permanent lines as a guide for creating a neat floor plan. When you are finished with the map you have drawn, you can simply erase it and draw a new one without causing any damage to the grid underneath.

Role Playing Games