Modular Terrain from Back 2 Base-ix

About a year ago I was working on an idea for a modular gaming table using "tiles with depth" so terrain could easily go up or down.  It was interesting to come across a new product today from Back 2 Base-ix that seems to use a similar idea.

40K Madness...

Have you completely lost it when you start playing games of 40K...against yourself?

It's not a problem, though...I can quit any time I want.

40K MODULAR TABLE

If you were putting the tiles on a surface that was at least 4'x6', then you could probably get away letting gravity keep it all together. However, there's always table bumping and the support surface is often smaller (like a kitchen or folding table), meaning a portion of the tiles need to be able to cantilever off the edge.

They need to be joined somehow, and while I have many ideas about how to do this, the one in the lead at the moment involves clevis pins and hair-pin clips...you may be familiar with them by a different name, so here's what I'm talking about looking under the tiles: (color for clarity)

I'm showing three holes per side in case the tile has a feature that dips below the playing surface, as discussed in the last post and shown here: (pinned at highlighted locations)

Bolts and wing-nuts would provide a more secure connection, but wouldn't be quite as convenient. However, it would be easy to have both on hand and use whichever was more appropriate.

And here's a look at some modular hills placed on the playing surface instead of being joined to the surface:

P.S. The bunkers and vehicles are from 3D Warehouse, my thanks to the original modelers.

See part 1 of this modular table idea here.

40k Terrain - Modular layout

While I know using 24"x24" table 'tiles' increases the number of joints (and therefore helps in guessing ranges/distances), I still think they have merit due to their flexibility. The discussion over at Strictly Average inspired me to post some of my past terrain thoughts (which are now on hold, due to the Waaaagh!)

The idea: Instead of flat 24x24 modules, build simple 5-sided boxes so that the main playing surface is elevated. This gives you the freedom to go both above 'grade' and below.

Also, while I like the idea of modular hills, I don't think I'll include them in the table tiles. Done separately from the table, the hills would be more flexible and could hide the table joints/measuring aides.

See part 2 of this modular table idea here.

See how to make the buildings here.

40K TERRAIN with Pegasus Hobbies Gothic building sets...

This is a little closer to what I had in mind. I'd still like to stretch the building sets with some less ornate panels...get more out of them. I'd also like to elevate the whole structure and have a stair leading up to the main entry (again, like zigor). That would also allow for a blasted floor and rubble spilling out of the building.

And of course, whatever configuration I set the pieces up in, I plan to have a lot more flooring remnants at the various levels. I like the idea of almost everything counting as a ruin, but minimizing the area terrain (I wouldn't want to play the entire interior as area terrain). I'll have to consider that if I decide to glue these up into a permanent configuration. Right now, I'm just having fun building and seeing how far the pieces will go (I used most of what I have on this set-up).

I was very careful when I was shooting the pics...some of them are pretty fuzzy...

WARHAMMER 40K TERRAIN, casting building components...

Well, I finally did a wall panel. I'm not sure I'm all that crazy about he results. These haven't been sanded or shaped to fit together, or glued, painted, etc. (they are just stacked in the picture). Those things might help, but I'm not sure about continuing with this idea.

I like the Gothic buildings of 40K, but our resin casting endeavors will probably yield much better results. As mentioned before, the foam molds and water putty might ought to be left to concrete barricades, bunkers, bridges, etc. Or a more industrial style building. Or natural elements...

Still, I'll probably cast a few more of these and remove some of the 'window glass', just so I can make at least one 12"x12 or 24" building ruin.

Unfortunately, the first glimpse of a home-made building left me thinking...man, I'd rather pay $20 bucks and get this:

Speaking of that, if I were to buy a building, what are your thoughts on an Imperial Sector (manufactorum, administratum, sanctum imperialis, additional pieces for 4th bldg)

VS.

the Imperial Strongpoint (box set contains one Imperial Strongpoint, including two plastic Bastions and three plastic Aegis Defence Lines).

I guess it just depends on the type of battlefield you're going for...obviously they pushed one for Cities of Death and one for Planetstrike. The Strongpoint does come with some cool weapons bits...not sure if they would come into play in a normal (non-Apocalypse) game though.

WARHAMMER 40K TERRAIN...getting out of control...

I'm coming up with ideas for molds faster than I'm making them or casting. Here's an update showing floor tiles (that you can't see) and a multi-use buttress element...and some entourage for fun and loose scale (thanks to the modelers of 3D Warehouse).



While I didn't shoot a pic yet, I did try another sand mold blast crater the other night. It came out better, but I'm still not sure they're worth making. I'll try to get it on here, I'm interested in getting your opinion (may be hard to tell without being painted). Of course, for an average cost of pennies, they look pretty good.

40K TERRAIN, SKETCHUP OF PANEL #2

Okay, I skipped the floor panel for now...that will be mold #3.

Mold #2: The same mold could produce all three panels shown in the picture, depending on the spacer blocks I included. The foundation panels and parapet panels are mold #1 from the previous post.

I think the window mullion (center partition) is too thick...proportion is a little off, but I also think it's as slight as I'm comfortable with using the Durham's. It's not so off that a building made from these panels could be used to pad out a battlefield that had other GW or Pegasus items. (also, it'll be much less noticeable once "battle damage" is applied...)

40K TERRAIN CASTING, sort of...

Matt, the idea here was a low wall, balcony railing, or parapet wall...(red panel is the foamotype)

An individual panel...

And the foam mold...

Obviously, this technique isn't going to capture fine detail, but it will probably work for some generic, modular building panels, especially after I correct some mistakes I made. It seems well suited to anything constructed of concrete...like bunkers, barricades, etc.

After seeing the results of this first attempt, I'll probably try a mold to create flooring or road next. (as soon as life allows)