I discovered a neat trick for making battle maps more dynamic and I wanted to share. I create different versions of the same map and stack them in the correct sequence on the map layer. At the appropriate time during a battle I'll go to the map layer, click on the topmost map image and select To Back to drop it to the bottom of the stack of images and reveal the next map image. This can be done for as many map images as you want. As an example, I designed an encounter where the bottom of a ship is slowly filling with water over time, slowly covering the detritus, crates, and ladder as it rises. I'm also snuffing out dynamic lights as they sink below the water to increase the tension as the situation becomes darker and more desperate.
