Quick Links
D&D Beyond has launched the early release version of their Maps features, called Maps: Alpha. This feature allows you to create and drawDungeons & Dragonsmaps as a DM and use them in your Campaigns. It also allows players to interact with the maps with their characters and lets you add enemies, NPCs, buildings, objects, and more.
D&D Beyond Maps has a variety of tools at your disposal for your campaign: Basic Maps, the ability to upload images as maps, Draw, Fog of War, ruler, tokens, and more. Maps are a useful tool for both online and in-person campaigns.
How To Access D&D Beyond Maps
How To Create A Map
There are two ways you can create a map:
Once you have a Campaign ready or have selected a premade one, go to theTools dropdown menu and click Alpha Maps.
Next, you’ll have the option toupload a Mapfrom an image on your device or tocreate a Basic Map.
Creating A Basic Map
By creating a Basic Map, you can make a map for a variety of different settings and locations.
Basic Maps gives you the following options:Mushroom Cave, Grass Field, Grass, Wood Floor, Red Sands, Snow, Water, Boat, Stone Tiling.
Uploading Your Own Maps
If the Basic Maps aren’t your style, you can upload your own.
By selectingUpload Map,you will be directed toname your mapandupload your desired imagefrom your browser.
Next, Maps will ask you how aMedium Token—or a single square—will lookwhen placed on the image you uploaded.
Lastly, select theplus sign from the My Uploaded Maps menu to add it to your current Campaign.
If you selected one of theirpremade Campaigns, the Basic Map and Upload Map functions will be the same.Thecontrols will also be the same.The only thing that will change will be the characters, monsters, and companions you can place on the map.
In this instance, they will be turned to these Campaigns’ assets, but you are able to add and make your own as you normally would for your own Campaign.
Map Tools
Now that you have a map at your disposal, you’re free to draw on it and add things to it using a variety of DnD Beyond’s tools.
Open Menu
Open Menu shows you all the maps you have in your Campaign,allowing you to easily switch between locations.
By clicking on Open Map Browser, you can open the Map creation screen so you can create new maps and add them to your Campaign.
Panlets youmove your current maparound the screen.
Fog Of War
Fog of War lets you create a large visual block object on the map.You can change the shape of your brush from a circle to a square, as well as the size of your brush. This feature also comes with an erase tool, which lets you erase anything you’ve drawn with this tool.
You can only erase things you’ve created with the Fog Of War tool using the Fog of War Eraser.
Furthermore, you will have the option toCover All and to Reveal All.Cover Allcovers the entire mapwith the Fog of War tool.Reveal Allcompletely clears everythingthat has been drawn on the Map using Fog of War. you may undo Cover All by selecting Reveal All.
Reveal allpermanently erases everything you have drawn with the Fog of War Tool.Likewise, Cover Allpermanently covers over everythingyou’ve drawn with the tool. Make sure you haven’t drawn anything you don’t want to get rid of using this tool.
Draw
Draw is like thePencil or Pen toolon drawing and photo editing programs. It allows you todraw and write on the map.This can be items, objects, buildings, and more. You canchange the size and color of your pencil.You’re also able toerasewhat you’ve drawn and change the size of your eraser.
You are only able to erase things you’ve created using the Draw tool.
Ruler
The Ruler tool allows you tomeasure how far two points are apart in the map.This saves you from counting squares if one of your players wants to run forward 40 feet or if one of them wants to get close enough to an enemy to use a certain spell.
Point And Ping
Point and Ping are two different tools, but they’re in the same menu.
Point functions like a laser pointer.If you want your players to pay attention to something, you’re able to draw their attention to it.
Ping highlights a small area in redtemporarily, kind of like a radar. This is useful for attacks, skills, and abilities that have a specific area of effect.
Token Browser
TheToken Browser allows you to search for and add your players’ characters, monsters, and companions.you may place them anywhere you want on the map. You are able toedit their names, their border colour, and hide themso only you can see them.
Other Features
At the bottom of your screen, there are a few more buttons. You can start the session, zoom in and out, set the map to full screen, view the game log, and copy the invite linkto your campaign.
