I've found that even not using a map, having a whiteboard helps in these situations.  I bought a small magnetic one at Staples, and some magnetic tokens.  At the time when this becomes really relevant, I just sketch a quick outline of a map- nothing major, and put a token for the pc group and a token for the npcs.  As people break off, I'll put other tokens down, but for most cases, I only end up using 2-4 tokens- not tactical combat by any means, but it gives a frame of reference, and a quick way to determine line of site without being too arbitrary.

In most combat situations, I don't need it- and I try to do it on the fly in most cases, as resorting to this does take you out of the moment a bit.  But having that option has helped in several cases.

Without a map or miniatures, how to best determine line-of-sight, etc?

  The dark guy took a week to fall down. He stumbled, caught himself, waved one arm, stumbled again. His hat fell off, and then he hit the floor with his face. After he hit it he might have been poured concrete for all the fuss he made.


I just guess the guy fell on the floor (by a gun-shot) wouldn't move like a concret cast???

Any missing word in this sentence, like a preposition?

It's a part of Red Wind by Raymond Chandler.
