Terrain stuff (ideas and later wip)

[Canadian_F_H]

So I have been doing a lot of thinking planning and scrounging. Aparently I don't have any terrain what so ever from my old days.

 

Will be building some new stuff out of bits and bobs. Basically your classic, cardboard tubes and miscellaneous small boxes and bits of wood.... plus I intend to essentially shred all my empty sprues for filler material and rubble. Add in assorted bits for casualties on the terrain.

 

 

But I was thinking (tho I doubt I'll ever have the money atm) of a little pipe dream of mine was to own the full city scape terrain for 40k. And the hills and trees from wfb(really acceptble in either... so I was looking and I saw the Aos shattered dominion and thought, wow, that would make a cool demon world for 40k. Anybody else thought That?

 

Anyways, I think I'll dump my wip terrain in here at some point but for now this is just a thread for bantering back ideas on what to make.

 

Will update with some more detailed plans

[Major_Gilbear]

I really enjoy making terrain (although storing it... is another matter! ), but mostly see pre-made kits on people's tables nowadays - I therefore look froward to seeing what you make. :)

One thing I will say though; just like with miniatures, the time and effort spent is directly proportional to how good it looks at the end - and as we all know, a cool-looking game is a big part of wargaming's appeal!

[Canadian_F_H]

Most of my old terrain was home made. I don't miss most of it, because honestly, it was mostly a "learning experiance"

 

Tried a lot of different materials, methods, paints, etc.

 

I want to keep it relatively simple. I won't be going for super micro details. Even various debris from the bit box will probably be viewed as dusty old debris from worlds at war for years. So I can probably hit them with an appropriatebase color (sm chapter livery of choice for example on an arm bit in the debris pile) and wash it heavily with something dirty.

 

But mostly I nwed to get the main parts of the buildings done so I can at least play on em.

[Khulu]

I'm really interested in this.  The wife got me a couple building kits a couple months ago so I'd stop using her stuff as a stand in (can I help it if the wine rack made the best ruins?), and I do really like them, but I want to make some "natural" elements and the terrain itself on my own.  I'm always on the lookout for ideas.

 

One thing I found helpful was the youtube channel TerrainTutor, it's a guy who just records his process as he makes commissioned terrain boards for various games/hobbies.  I've taken a few of his ideas already.  I glued my GW buildings to thin boards with a hot glue gun and then made the board look earthy by stippling watered-down spackle on it.  Made for a really easy dry-brush to some decent soil (obviously not a masterpiece of any sort, but it will set the tone without distracting from actual models, so I like it).  It was easy and not too time consuming so I really enjoyed it and will do it again.  

[Canadian_F_H]

One of my plans is to create a table similar to this one...

 

https://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Citadel-Realm-of-Battle-Gameboard-2016

 

By purchasing several sheets of plywood (or similar material) and cutting them like the different altitudes of a topographical map. Laying them on top of one another, glue and screw then come back and finish with various techniques.

 

For a smooth hillside you could sand it and use wood filler. For a rough hillside just pick at it and break up the edges a bit then glue in assorted rocks and such....

[Major_Gilbear]

You'd really be better off doing rigid insulation board over a ply base - much lighter, and you can cut into it as well if you want.

 

For rock faces, try some big pieces of bark and blend them in with drywall filler.

 

The only thing to be wary of with modular boards of this type is storage - they don't usually stack very well. :)

[Akrim]

Well, ive been "the terrain guy" for my gaming group for many years. Some of them in my not so financially well days : P... I could recommend a few tips:

 

-Foamcore (aka Foamboard): very cheap and decently durable material, excellent for making buildings. Only need a good Exacto blade and a hot glue gun (& white glue to seal the foam edges if you plan on spraying). Dollar stores usually have it or Michaels.

 

-Cork sheets: makes great ruined walls or floors (good for basing material too)

 

-Plastic sewing canvas: Just basic plastic mesh, cheap and cuts easy with plain scissors. Makes great detail material.

 

-Textured sprays: These days you can get a host of sprays for metallic or grainy finishes, instant texturing.

 

-Premade kits can get expensive, esp Cities of Death (you dont get alot for what you pay). You can always stretch out a kit with the above materials. I particularly like Pegasus Hobbies Hexagon and Platformer kits, cheapish and you get a plethora of terrain bits.

 

-Trees: Ive made many a forest- my favorite method is to get some bundles of plastic house plant material ( most craft places have a plant section) and some garden wire (thicker the better). With the wire simply cut some strands and twist them - leaving some loops at the base for support - in the desired size and shape. At the top fan out some of the wire a bit and hot glue in your foliage till you cant see it. The trunks can be wrapped in glue soaked gauze or flexible filler.

 

For playability sake, i like to make my forests modular. I build tree bunches on bases approx 5-6" wide and then use thin rubber sheets to make the larger area ( so the trees can be moved to make room for models.)

 

One great source i recommend for inspiration and ideas is Pig Iron Productions facebook gallery, tons of stuff built from very cheap material and looks incredible: https://www.facebook.com/pigironproductions/photos?ref=page_internal

 

Also a little older but Necromundicon: http://www.ironhands.com/necro.htm

[Canadian_F_H]

Thanks for the info.