lsudny's mapping tips.

- don't spam objects, also don't clutter them;
- one enemy can do the job of two (or more);
- make sure your enemies aren't overwhelming and making the map painful to play;
- gold usually is placed for an extra challenge; in races it can help to find the flow; spread your gold out to make an additional challenge;
- work on the tileset, it's good when tiles are representing something; lines-only tilesets are bad; you can use patterns to make the tiles less random;
- you can use repeating (with slight changes) object patterns;
- you can make a mission for player;
- room-by-room maps are usually bad (not always, though);
- it's good when the map has some flow (but not always);
- it's good when the map isn't repetitive;
- there is no overall rule about what you should make first (tileset or objects) - the best way *for me* is to make some tiles, then add some objects, then add some more tiles, etc.;
- *always* playtest your map to make sure it's beatable;
- just keep mapping - you'll start to understand what makes a quality map;
- if you develop a style that works, stick with it if you want to;
- listen to advices from respectable authors;
- look at other people's maps, get inspired, be original and innovative and try new ideas!