I would say that this is not just a 3.5 tip – with 4e’s many abilities that focus on moving your opponents around, terrain is more important than ever. Pull them off that ledge, push them into a ditch, or slide them into that gravel patch so they can’t quite get their footing.

I will say one thing, though: make sure you think about how the combat will be drawn out and run. Don’t over do it. It needs to be something that everyone can visualize, draw, and work within.

While not all your 3D maps will be for the underdark, these map templates are fantastic for anyone who wants to put a tad extra effort in making awesome 3D maps.

I have been running Iron Heroes for several years not, and the setting for a combat is a critical piece of any scene. It really becomes like it’s own NPC. Even if you do not plan on ever running Iron Heroes, I highly suggest you get a PDF version of Mastering Iron Heroes.

Chapter 4 of Mastering Iron Heroes covers a concept called Zones, that is areas within your combat, that have mechanical components to them, that the players or NPC’s can use, during combat. The mechanics will work with any d20 game. I guarantee after you read this chapter, you will never design a plain 20′ x 20′ room again.