Quick and easy way to make small encounter/battle maps

[Ghaundan 65]

 Although I prefer a narrative theme for most of my playing as it sets the mood but when combat erupts there's usually alot going on and weapons with special rules like flamers, blast weapons and cover having a good overview of the battlefield is important. So, does anyone know any good tools or just tips for how to make some quick small maps i can use?

[player1509572 16]

Pencil, paper, eraser, an ability to sacrifice fidelity and pretty for speed and "good enough"ness.

Failing that, bring some gridded paper, passable "stand in" markers for the players and the villains, and just bust it out when it's needed. This way, you can get an acceptable overview with easy cone and blast etc calculations, without having to spend time and effort on making/printing/caring about detailed maps and designs.

[ItsUncertainWho 3]

Battlemats with wet erase markers or a white board and dry erase markers. Both are relatively cheap and last forever. The White board is even useable away from the game table.

Another option would be to pick up a large pad of newsprint from an art supply store. Draw what you need in pencil, use it on an easle or tear it out and lay it flat on the table.

[Darth Smeg 234]

Excel.

Take a look at Egalor's examples in this thread.