[RPG] Do the map scales suggested in the DMG tie into any rules

dnd-5emaps

The D&D Fifth Edition Dungeon Master's Guide on p14 suggests using three map scales:

  • Province – 1 mile per hex, 5 miles per inch
  • Kingdom – 6 miles per hex, 30 miles per inch
  • Continent – 60 miles per hex, 600 miles per inch

The DMG suggests that these scales are useful in that a full page map:

  • at the province scale represents the area that can be reached from the center of the map in one day's travel, assuming clear terrain
  • at the kingdom scale shows a region about the size of Great Britain or about half the size of California, and suggests that such a size is plenty of room for adventuring
  • at the continent scale is useful for showing how multiple kingdom scale maps fit together

Other than these suggestions, there doesn't seem to be much that hooks these particular unit sizes and scales into the rest of the rules system.

Are these unit sizes and scales significant in that they tie into the rest of the rules system somehow?

Best Answer

They tie in slightly.

If you look on PHB page 182 (the section on travel pace) you'll find that 6 mile hexes (the Kingdom-scale hexes outlined on DMG 14) in particular divide neatly into the distance that can be traveled in a day. At a normal pace you go exactly 4 hexes, at a fast pace 5, at a slow pace 3. Other than that I know of no reason not to use different size hexes if it suits you.

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