Foundry VTT offers powerful dynamic lighting and vision tools, but not every game needs (or wants) real-time fog of war tied to light sources and line of sight. Sometimes, all you need is something simpler—a way to manually reveal parts of the map as your players explore, without worrying about vision settings, light angles, or token configuration.
That’s exactly what Simple Fog – Manual Fog of War delivers. Lightweight and intuitive, this module gives GMs full control over map visibility with an interface that’s fast, clean, and easy to use during live play.
What Is Simple Fog?
Simple Fog – Manual Fog of War is a Foundry VTT module that replaces or supplements Foundry’s built-in fog of war system. Instead of relying on token vision or lighting to reveal the map, it lets GMs manually draw areas of visibility—or cover areas back up—with a paint-style interface.
The result is a more traditional, theater-of-the-mind-friendly experience. It's ideal for groups who prefer simplicity, don't use tactical lighting, or want tighter control over when and how players see parts of the map.
Key Features
Manual Fog Painting
Simple Fog adds a “paintbrush” interface that lets GMs click and drag to reveal or hide parts of the scene. It works similarly to image editing software: you “paint” the fog away where you want players to see, and can just as easily paint it back on.
Adjustable Brush Sizes
You can quickly change brush size for detailed fog removal (e.g., narrow corridors) or broad reveals (e.g., opening a large room).
Hotkeys and Toggle Controls
A single hotkey press can toggle between “Reveal” and “Hide” modes, allowing for rapid changes without navigating menus. It’s designed to be efficient in the middle of gameplay.
Scene-Wide Control
Need to hide the entire map again? Simple Fog includes controls to reset the fog layer with a single click.
Player View Support
Everything the GM reveals is visible to players immediately—there’s no need to mess with token sight or vision settings.
Why Use Manual Fog?
While Foundry’s dynamic vision system is excellent, there are several scenarios where manual fog is the better option:
- Theater-of-the-Mind Scenes: You want players to see parts of a map but don’t care about precise line of sight or lighting.
- Highly Pre-Staged Maps: You're managing visibility for set pieces, cutscenes, or narrative transitions, not tactical exploration.
- Simplified GM Control: You prefer to dictate visibility directly without relying on player token movement.
- Performance-Friendly Maps: Manual fog uses fewer system resources than dynamic lighting, making it ideal for larger or older maps.
Installation and Setup
- In Foundry, open the Module Browser.
- Search for Simple Fog, install, and enable the module.
- In a scene, click the Simple Fog controls in the left toolbar (you’ll see a fog icon).
- Choose “Reveal” or “Hide,” adjust brush size, and click/drag to apply.
There’s no need to configure lights, walls, or token vision unless you want to.
Tips for Use
- Prepare Fog Before Sessions: For dungeon crawls or linear maps, pre-reveal key areas to save time during play.
- Combine with Scene Notes: Pair fog reveals with Journal Pins to guide players as they explore.
- Use Layers Strategically: Reveal “safe” areas but leave trap or encounter zones hidden until triggered.
- Quick Resets for Replay: Easily re-fog maps for replays, multiple groups, or out-of-order exploration.
Final Thoughts
Simple Fog – Manual Fog of War is one of those modules that does one thing—and does it exceptionally well. It gives GMs direct control over what players see and when they see it, without the overhead of complex lighting systems or token vision management. Whether you're running classic dungeon crawls or narrative-driven scenes where lighting mechanics aren't important, Simple Fog helps you maintain flow and immersion with minimal effort.
For GMs who prefer a hands-on approach or need a simpler solution than dynamic lighting, Simple Fog is a must-have tool in the Foundry toolbox.
