I would guess, "nothing," though I'm sure you're looking for more than someone's guess. For my money, though, I'd say any difference would depend on the language of the game rules you're using. Functionally, they seem like the same thing to me. Of course, you can have an encounter without combat/battle, so there's that, I suppose.
I'd be curious if someone does have specific definitions though.
Yeah I thought the same thing but after looking at bunches of maps there are differences so I began to wonder is there is some sort of standardization. JSM
*shrug* I've been playing AD&D since the '70s and I only first heard the term "battle map" a short time after 3rd Edition came out. Of course, I wasn't — and I'm still not — sure if what I heard was "battle map" or "battle mat" ...
I suppose an encounter map could be any map with sufficient detail to role play an encounter and a battle map would be to a specific, miniatures-driven scale and would always include some form of grid, to facilitate miniatures combat. But, I'm just writing out my thoughts as they happen here, which amounts to "still guessing," so I guess I'll just lurk until someone actually answers your question authoritatively.
Posted By: DogtagI suppose an encounter map could be any map with sufficient detail to role play an encounter and a battle map would be to a specific, miniatures-driven scale
This is what my understanding of the difference is also.
Our battle "Mats" are vinyl (squares or hexes) and they come as large as your dining room table. We also call the big one the "Idiot Mat" since it protects the table from dice marks (sometimes thrown in anger with a curse at the dice gods) and the inevitable spills.
Battle maps are tactical with a grid with detail that allows for cover, use of feats, etc. plus the secret door for the arch-villain to escape through. Also, these are called set piece maps and come out for the big battles and grand finales.
Encounter maps can be tactical and/or strategic and/or free-form. You meet some ogres in the wood who have a few human bandit archer allies on the right and left. A battle map almost always is a detailed encounter map. Bottom line - most GMs don't have the time to create battle maps for each possible (and sometimes unused) encounter, but when you haul out a battle map at the end of the dry erase vinyl corridor the party becomes focused because they know you are about to bring on the pain. Happy GMing - Miri
Comments
I'd be curious if someone does have specific definitions though.
~Dogtag
JSM
I suppose an encounter map could be any map with sufficient detail to role play an encounter and a battle map would be to a specific, miniatures-driven scale and would always include some form of grid, to facilitate miniatures combat. But, I'm just writing out my thoughts as they happen here, which amounts to "still guessing," so I guess I'll just lurk until someone actually answers your question authoritatively.
~Dogtag
KenG
Battle maps are tactical with a grid with detail that allows for cover, use of feats, etc. plus the secret door for the arch-villain to escape through. Also, these are called set piece maps and come out for the big battles and grand finales.
Encounter maps can be tactical and/or strategic and/or free-form. You meet some ogres in the wood who have a few human bandit archer allies on the right and left. A battle map almost always is a detailed encounter map. Bottom line - most GMs don't have the time to create battle maps for each possible (and sometimes unused) encounter, but when you haul out a battle map at the end of the dry erase vinyl corridor the party becomes focused because they know you are about to bring on the pain. Happy GMing - Miri