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Battle Maps Tools Reference

This guide explains every DM tool in the Battle Maps section:

  • every item on the top toolbar
  • the Token Lifecycle drawer
  • the Spell Overlays drawer
  • the Initiative Tracker drawer

Use this as the complete reference while running encounters.

Scope and Notes​

  • This guide focuses on the DM battle map interface.
  • Some controls are context-sensitive and only appear when a tool is active.
  • Token Lifecycle and Spell Overlays drawers are mutually exclusive (opening one closes the other).

Toolbar Reference​

1. Reset Token Positions​

Purpose:

  • Repositions map tokens to their default placement logic.

When to use:

  • token layout is messy
  • you want to quickly re-seed clean token spacing

2. Save Encounter Setup​

Purpose:

  • Saves the current map token setup as a reusable preset.

When to use:

  • you expect to run the same encounter layout again

3. Load Encounter Setup​

Purpose:

  • Opens the preset picker and applies a saved setup for the current map.

When to use:

  • recurring encounters
  • you want to restore a known token layout quickly

4. Grid Toggle​

Purpose:

  • Shows or hides the map grid overlay.

Tip:

  • useful for cinematic scenes where you want a cleaner map view

5. Grid Controls Group​

Includes:

  • Grid size in pixels
  • Grid opacity slider
  • Grid color selector

Purpose:

  • fine-tunes readability and scale alignment for your map

6. Grid Mode Cycle​

Purpose:

  • switches between grid modes (square and hex)

When to use:

  • changing rules style or map style mid-session

7. Token Controls Drawer Toggle​

Purpose:

  • opens or closes the Token Lifecycle drawer

8. Spell Overlays Drawer Toggle​

Purpose:

  • opens or closes the Spell Overlays drawer

9. Measure Distance​

Purpose:

  • enables the DM measuring tool on the map

Typical flow:

  • enable measure tool
  • place/drag measurement
  • optionally share to players

10. Share Measurement​

Purpose:

  • shares current DM measurement with players

Visibility:

  • shown only when measurement sharing is relevant

11. Plan Route​

Purpose:

  • enables route planning mode for movement paths

Typical flow:

  • enable route tool
  • set route path
  • optionally share route with players

12. Share Route​

Purpose:

  • shares the current DM route with players

Visibility:

  • shown only when route sharing is relevant
  • can behave as share or clear depending route state

13. Player View Toggle​

Purpose:

  • enables or disables DM player-view mode for visibility checks

When to use:

  • validating exactly what players can see on the map

14. Initiative Drawer Toggle​

Purpose:

  • opens or closes the Initiative Tracker drawer

Shortcut:

  • press I while the tabletop is visible

15. Zoom Group​

Includes:

  • Fit map to view
  • Reset zoom to 100%
  • Zoom out
  • Zoom in

Purpose:

  • controls camera scale for tactical clarity

16. Fullscreen​

Purpose:

  • toggles DM map fullscreen mode

When to use:

  • maximizing focus during combat

17. Close Map​

Purpose:

  • exits the active tabletop map view

Hidden/Reserved Toolbar Item​

Grid Settings button:

  • present in markup but currently hidden
  • reserved for a future grid settings modal

Drawer 1: Token Lifecycle​

Header:

  • Token Lifecycle
  • summary line with token counts and state summary

Main list:

  • one card per token with
  • name and type
  • duplicate index badge when needed
  • visibility/lifecycle badges
  • HP and AC
  • grid or hex position

Per-token actions:

  • Select
  • Center
  • Rotate left
  • Rotate right
  • Set Visible
  • Set Hide
  • Set Fog (placeholder exists but currently hidden)
  • Hide Name or Reveal Name (when supported for token type)
  • Defeated or Restore
  • Remove

Use cases:

  • quick lifecycle management during combat
  • visibility cleanup for stealth and reveal moments

Drawer 2: Spell Overlays​

Header:

  • Spell Overlays
  • quick purpose text for area-of-effect templates

Create Template form:

  • Shape: circle, square, rectangle, cone
  • Size field (feet)
  • Width field (conditional for rectangle/cone)
  • Rotation field (conditional for rotatable shapes)
  • Color picker
  • Opacity slider
  • Visibility: Visible to All or DM Only
  • Optional spell name
  • Add Template action

Active Overlays list:

  • each row shows
  • color swatch
  • label (name/shape/size/rotation)
  • visibility badge
  • creator badge
  • Aim or Cancel Aim action (for supported shapes)
  • Delete action

Operational note:

  • overlay canvas captures pointer input only when overlay interactions are active, so normal token dragging remains usable by default

Drawer 3: Initiative Tracker​

Header:

  • Initiative Tracker

Section A: Turn Controls

  • current round and active combatant context
  • Prev
  • Next
  • Round
  • Reset

Section B: Sync and Log

  • Sync Tokens
  • Activity Log

Section C: Bulk Actions

  • damage/heal amount field
  • Apply Bulk Damage
  • Apply Bulk Healing
  • Save for Half checkbox
  • effect name and duration inputs
  • Apply Effect

Section D: Combatant Cards

Each initiative card includes:

  • name, race/class, selection checkbox
  • editable Init, HP, Temp HP, AC
  • active effect rows with inline edit and clear
  • linked token mini-controls (rotate left, center, rotate right) when token exists
  • Notes button

Section E: Bottom Actions

  • Add PC
  • Add NPC
  • Sort
  • Clear
  • End Combat
  1. Open Initiative drawer for turn control and bulk actions.
  2. Open Token Lifecycle drawer for token state and visibility management.
  3. Open Spell Overlays drawer when placing area effects.
  4. Use Player View toggle to validate what players can see.
  5. Save Encounter Setup after finishing a battle map you will reuse.