Can I ask this question without it getting closed? If it will get closed, is there some way to ask the question WITHOUT getting it closed?
How to speed up combat by helping players to visualize the scene?
We play D&D 5e over Discord, using voice and chat channels, and use D&D Beyond for character sheets and most die-rolling.
It generally works great, but sometimes combats lag, reasons for which the GM and I have discussed privately. There are numerous factors, some of which may be discussed with the group as a whole.
One issue, though, is that players clearly have problems visualizing the combat, with who is where, and frequently ask questions about the general scene. ("How far away did you say they were?") Some of that is probably unavoidable, but perhaps there are ways to help players visualize things that will help speed up combat.
We specifically don't want to get super-tactical. We've tried using Roll20 to host combat maps and icons, and things slow down even more, as we get very fiddly with measurements and such, plus it requires more prep than the GM wants to do.
A possible solution might be some sort of shared electronic whiteboard that would allow the GM quickly draw diagrams, perhaps of the general battlefield. Back when we played in person sometimes sketching on a physical whiteboard was a quick way to communicate without descending into grid-based measurement.
That might not be the only solution, so I want to keep the question open-ended.
My question is, have you had this problem and how did you solve it?