Terrain Tips and Ideas Last updated

This section is dedicated to the creating of terrain for use on your Clan War table top. It will include information on materials used, techniques for making terrain, and ideas and instructions for various types of terrain. If you have any tips or ideas you would like to see posted, please feel free to send them in, I am always looking for submissions.

Materials and Tools - Stuff to make terrain with
Ideas and Suggestions - Inspiration, instructions, and techniques for making terrain.

Materials and Tools

Foam Board
The type of material I prefer is an extruded polystyrene insulation board that is available in most hardware stores. It comes in sheets of blue or pink compressed foam that are available in various thicknesses. Once you have cut the basic shape, the stuff can be sanded into a final shape if desired. This stuff is great for making hills, and I have used it to make a tower keep for another miniatures game. Thinner sheets can be used for bases for terrain pieces, and the thicker stuff can be used for hills or even entire terrain tables. It is great stuff.

Tips for working with Foam Board Always use a sharp knife. If your blade starts to dull, the foam can tear. Another option is a Hot Wire Cutter. Many types of spray paint can dissolve the foam. Test any spray paint you are planning on using on a scrap first. If the spray will dissolve the foam, then you should coat the foam with a protective layer first. Two good choices are watered down PVA glue, or Gesso Paint. You can use a bamboo skewer or similar object to etch lines in the foam to simulate stone seams. Use the skewer to break through the surface of the foam, and compress the foam along the line of the seam. Once painted up this looks pretty good. Sources for Foam Board Hardware or DIY stores.

Oh, and it is not just made by Dow Chemical, Owens Corning makes it as well, and I am sure others also. I go this picture from Hive Constructions, which has a great page on materials and tools.

Foam Core
This is a composite material made of foam sandwiched between two layers of cardboard. This stuff is used for making buildings, as it works very well, has good structural integrity, and can be glued together with white glue. You must cut it with a very sharp knife, or you will peel the cardboard off the foam or shred the foam along the cut, leaving cavities and extra material along the edges. The joints often have to have paper or paper tape used to smooth them out to hide the "sandwich" appearance in the joints.

Tips for working with Foam Board

Always use a sharp knife. If your blade starts to dull, the foam can tear.

Many types of spray paint can dissolve the foam. Test any spray paint you are planning on using on a scrap first. If the spray will dissolve the foam, then you should coat the foam with a protective layer first. Two good choices are watered down PVA glue, or Gesso Paint.

Sources for Foam Board

Art Supply Stores

Discarded signage from a convention or large retail store. They often use this material for signs, so you can find it in bulk if you are lucky.

Hot Wire Cutter
Hot Wire Cutters are used for shaping foam board for use in terrain. For those of you who have the access, The Armory carries a Hot Wire Cutter, so your local hobby store might be able to get one in.

Warning: Be very careful when using such a device, you can get hurt very easily. Always use this device in a well ventilated room, as the fumes created are not healthy.

Ideas and Suggestions

Shrine
This one is from Shinjo Yoshimitsato's CW pages. It is a great looking Shrine, with a Torri arch in front of it. Take a look at this one.