Comments on: Hex-based Campaign Design (Part 1) http://www.welshpiper.com/hex-based-campaign-design-part-1/ Campaign Development for Busy Game Masters Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:12:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Todd http://www.welshpiper.com/hex-based-campaign-design-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-3880 Todd Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:06:22 +0000 http://www.welshpiper.com/?p=494#comment-3880 <a href="#comment-3877" rel="nofollow">@Erin D. Smale </a> Thanks, that does help! Reading it the way I did was hard to figure out how a Water Hex would turn into land ;-) @Erin D. Smale
Thanks, that does help! Reading it the way I did was hard to figure out how a Water Hex would turn into land ;-)

]]> By: Erin D. Smale http://www.welshpiper.com/hex-based-campaign-design-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-3877 Erin D. Smale Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:51:40 +0000 http://www.welshpiper.com/?p=494#comment-3877 <a href="#comment-3874" rel="nofollow">@Todd </a> : Each column represents a primary terrain type for an Atlas hex and each row is just a terrain type; the intersection indicates frequency. I suppose I could have Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Wildcard on the left-most column, but I thought this was cleaner. Sorry for the confusion. I've updated the labelling - hopefully this is clear. @Todd : Each column represents a primary terrain type for an Atlas hex and each row is just a terrain type; the intersection indicates frequency.

I suppose I could have Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Wildcard on the left-most column, but I thought this was cleaner.

Sorry for the confusion. I’ve updated the labelling – hopefully this is clear.

]]> By: Todd http://www.welshpiper.com/hex-based-campaign-design-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-3874 Todd Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:19:21 +0000 http://www.welshpiper.com/?p=494#comment-3874 <a href="#comment-3869" rel="nofollow">@Erin D. Smale </a> Looking at it again, I see my issue. I was reading the grid from left to right, not top down. I was expecting the two to cross, but they are slightly different. For example: Top down Water = P, W, W, S, T, W, - Left to right Water = P, W, W, W, W, W, - Is there a reason for the difference? @Erin D. Smale
Looking at it again, I see my issue. I was reading the grid from left to right, not top down. I was expecting the two to cross, but they are slightly different.

For example:
Top down
Water = P, W, W, S, T, W, -

Left to right
Water = P, W, W, W, W, W, -

Is there a reason for the difference?

]]> By: Erin D. Smale http://www.welshpiper.com/hex-based-campaign-design-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-3869 Erin D. Smale Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:11:06 +0000 http://www.welshpiper.com/?p=494#comment-3869 <a href="#comment-3865" rel="nofollow">@Todd </a> : I'm not sure I understand your question--all terrain types have a secondary entry. Or am I missing your point? @Todd : I’m not sure I understand your question–all terrain types have a secondary entry. Or am I missing your point?

]]> By: Todd http://www.welshpiper.com/hex-based-campaign-design-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-3865 Todd Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:35:25 +0000 http://www.welshpiper.com/?p=494#comment-3865 I had a question regarding the Water, Swamp, and Desert Secondary hexes. According to the article, the Secondary hexes account for 6 of the full hexes and potentially all of the half hexes. What should be done for the entries that do not have a Secondary entry? This issue also causes an issue for the adjacent Atlas hex assignment. I'm guessing that you would use the Primary instead. BTW, excellent article! I had a question regarding the Water, Swamp, and Desert Secondary hexes. According to the article, the Secondary hexes account for 6 of the full hexes and potentially all of the half hexes.

What should be done for the entries that do not have a Secondary entry? This issue also causes an issue for the adjacent Atlas hex assignment. I’m guessing that you would use the Primary instead.

BTW, excellent article!

]]> By: Alex http://www.welshpiper.com/hex-based-campaign-design-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-3834 Alex Tue, 17 Jan 2012 07:39:32 +0000 http://www.welshpiper.com/?p=494#comment-3834 <a href="#comment-3829" rel="nofollow">@Erin D. Smale </a> Thank you Erin, i get it all. I'm trying to smooth algorithm of region hex to fill it. @Erin D. Smale
Thank you Erin, i get it all. I’m trying to smooth algorithm of region hex to fill it.

]]> By: Erin D. Smale http://www.welshpiper.com/hex-based-campaign-design-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-3829 Erin D. Smale Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:26:55 +0000 http://www.welshpiper.com/?p=494#comment-3829 <a href="#comment-3827" rel="nofollow">@Alex </a> : Sure--if I understand what you're asking, the Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary terrain types listed above are just the most likely "matches" for the terrain is the centre hex, while still allowing for variation. The correlation is somewhat artificial, in that I came up with the terrain type weights based on the number of vacant surrounding hexes. You could shift the weights in the IPP table, but you'd end up with a lower chance that the surrounding terrain matches the centre hex. IOW, the correlation I've assigned provides more gradual (and less abrupt) terrain change. @Alex : Sure–if I understand what you’re asking, the Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary terrain types listed above are just the most likely “matches” for the terrain is the centre hex, while still allowing for variation. The correlation is somewhat artificial, in that I came up with the terrain type weights based on the number of vacant surrounding hexes.

You could shift the weights in the IPP table, but you’d end up with a lower chance that the surrounding terrain matches the centre hex. IOW, the correlation I’ve assigned provides more gradual (and less abrupt) terrain change.

]]> By: Alex http://www.welshpiper.com/hex-based-campaign-design-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-3827 Alex Sat, 14 Jan 2012 20:33:55 +0000 http://www.welshpiper.com/?p=494#comment-3827 <a href="#comment-3823" rel="nofollow">@Erin D. Smale </a> Thank Erin, that explains all. Can you say please more about "correlation" for types? ^_^ @Erin D. Smale
Thank Erin, that explains all. Can you say please more about “correlation” for types? ^_^

]]> By: Erin D. Smale http://www.welshpiper.com/hex-based-campaign-design-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-3823 Erin D. Smale Sat, 14 Jan 2012 02:21:51 +0000 http://www.welshpiper.com/?p=494#comment-3823 <a href="#comment-3819" rel="nofollow">@Alex </a> : The numbers you're seeing in the IPP table don't indicate number of hexes. Instead, they're "weights" for each terrain type. Assuming a baseline of "1" for wildcard, Hills occur 3 times as often, Forest 6 times as often, and Grassland 9 times as often. IOW, these numbers influence the random distribution. It's not a straight interpretation of the tables in the article, but it's a bit more interesting than stating that there's always 9 primary, 6 secondary, and 3 tertiary terrain types in each Atlas hex. That said, the "weights" are based on the table above, so there is a correlation. If you want strict numbers of each terrain type, you should assign them manually. I think the IPP results give a bit more latitude, however. Hope this explanation helps. Cheers! @Alex : The numbers you’re seeing in the IPP table don’t indicate number of hexes. Instead, they’re “weights” for each terrain type. Assuming a baseline of “1″ for wildcard, Hills occur 3 times as often, Forest 6 times as often, and Grassland 9 times as often. IOW, these numbers influence the random distribution. It’s not a straight interpretation of the tables in the article, but it’s a bit more interesting than stating that there’s always 9 primary, 6 secondary, and 3 tertiary terrain types in each Atlas hex. That said, the “weights” are based on the table above, so there is a correlation.

If you want strict numbers of each terrain type, you should assign them manually. I think the IPP results give a bit more latitude, however. Hope this explanation helps. Cheers!

]]> By: Alex http://www.welshpiper.com/hex-based-campaign-design-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-3819 Alex Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:24:16 +0000 http://www.welshpiper.com/?p=494#comment-3819 <a href="#comment-3817" rel="nofollow">@Erin D. Smale </a> Hello Erin, thank you for reply. Ive tried IPP2 with RegionMapTerrain. And you know what, i got some issues with what IPP generates and what it should generate/ For example, in _RegionMapTerrain.ipt there is a rule: Table: GrasslandHex 9:Grassland 6:Forest 3:Hills 1:[@GrasslandWildcard] and IPP created next list: Forest Forest Forest Forest Forest Grassland Grassland Grassland Grassland Grassland Grassland Grassland Grassland Grassland Grassland Grassland Grassland Hills its 5*forests, 12*grasslands and 1*hills. But the rule said: 9*grassland,6*forest,3*hills and 1*wildcard. the question is: why so many grasslands IPP have generated? :) or may be its right and i cant get something? ^_^ @Erin D. Smale
Hello Erin, thank you for reply. Ive tried IPP2 with RegionMapTerrain. And you know what, i got some issues with what IPP generates and what it should generate/ For example, in _RegionMapTerrain.ipt there is a rule:
Table: GrasslandHex
9:Grassland
6:Forest
3:Hills
1:[@GrasslandWildcard]
and IPP created next list:
Forest
Forest
Forest
Forest
Forest
Grassland
Grassland
Grassland
Grassland
Grassland
Grassland
Grassland
Grassland
Grassland
Grassland
Grassland
Grassland
Hills
its 5*forests, 12*grasslands and 1*hills. But the rule said: 9*grassland,6*forest,3*hills and 1*wildcard.
the question is: why so many grasslands IPP have generated? :)
or may be its right and i cant get something? ^_^

]]> By: Erin D. Smale http://www.welshpiper.com/hex-based-campaign-design-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-3817 Erin D. Smale Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:45:58 +0000 http://www.welshpiper.com/?p=494#comment-3817 <a href="#comment-3816" rel="nofollow">@Alex </a> Hi Alex - thanks for checking this out. If you're filling out a Regional map, you can fill the Atlas hexes via the large table in the "Assign Hex Terrain" section above. If you're working on an Atlas template and need to fill in hexes, you can use the d12 method on the table just below that. I've worked out an <a href="http://www.nbos.com/products/ipad/ipad.htm" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Inspiration Pad Pro</a> table to help you out. It's not completely automated, but can at least help you figure out how to "populate" an Atlas hex using the guidelines above. Here's the table: <a href="http://www.welshpiper.com/wip/_RegionMapTerrain.zip" rel="nofollow">http://www.welshpiper.com/wip/_RegionMapTerrain.ipt</a> It's still in beta and subject to change, but unzip the file into the "Generators" folder of your IPP installation. When you open the table in IPP, choose the central Atlas hex type from the drop-down menu and the table will provide results for the rest of the hex, as well as the primary terrain for the 6 adjacent Atlas hexes. Let me know if this works out for you. Cheers! @Alex Hi Alex – thanks for checking this out. If you’re filling out a Regional map, you can fill the Atlas hexes via the large table in the “Assign Hex Terrain” section above. If you’re working on an Atlas template and need to fill in hexes, you can use the d12 method on the table just below that.

I’ve worked out an Inspiration Pad Pro table to help you out. It’s not completely automated, but can at least help you figure out how to “populate” an Atlas hex using the guidelines above. Here’s the table: http://www.welshpiper.com/wip/_RegionMapTerrain.ipt

It’s still in beta and subject to change, but unzip the file into the “Generators” folder of your IPP installation. When you open the table in IPP, choose the central Atlas hex type from the drop-down menu and the table will provide results for the rest of the hex, as well as the primary terrain for the 6 adjacent Atlas hexes.

Let me know if this works out for you. Cheers!

]]> By: Alex http://www.welshpiper.com/hex-based-campaign-design-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-3816 Alex Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:09:22 +0000 http://www.welshpiper.com/?p=494#comment-3816 Hello Erin, big thank you for your work, great guide. But can you say the rules of how to fill atlas hex. I mean, i have type of atlas hex, filled central hex in atlas hex, and what next? how should i fill other empty hex with my other not used hex for this atlas-hex? Is there any rule about what type of hex can be near other hex? Can i fill atlas hex by rounds from center hex? Im trying to automate it, not to do by myself. Hello Erin, big thank you for your work, great guide. But can you say the rules of how to fill atlas hex. I mean, i have type of atlas hex, filled central hex in atlas hex, and what next? how should i fill other empty hex with my other not used hex for this atlas-hex? Is there any rule about what type of hex can be near other hex? Can i fill atlas hex by rounds from center hex? Im trying to automate it, not to do by myself.

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