While D&D 5E can easily be played theater of the mind style, playing with minis is very popular, so WotC's latest release, the D&D Campaign Case: Terrain provides an alternative to a vinyl battle map. It can be used with the D&D Campaign Case: Creatures or with your own minis.
Like the creature case, the terrain case is heavy, so the outer box is glued shut, so you can't take a peek at your local game store. Inside the outer box is a thick cardboard “keepsake box” with a satin rope handle for easy carrying. Also like the creature case, a strong magnetic flap on the side with the rope handle keeps it securely shut. The keepsake box design is black with metallic sapphire blue ink. It's very attractive and should hold up to reasonable wear and tear (but I wouldn't put it down in a puddle of water).
Speaking of grids, the terrain case offers two options. A folding, 22-inch by 25.5-inch “Adventure Grid” is one battle map version. The case also comes with 30 5”x5” interlocking tiles that can be put together in whatever configuration you want or paired with the big Adventure Grid for an especially epic battle. Both options are double sided with wilderness on one side and dungeon/stone on the other, and the grids are sized to be used with standard minis or the creature case tokens.
Like the other campaign case, the terrain case has a top tray with plenty of room for additional vinyl cling sheets, if WotC produces them, or incidental notes. Or you could add the sheets from the creature case and a few handfuls of token discs to the top tray and only carry one case to your game. The tray also has a ribbon attached to make it easy to pull out. Below that tray, the interlocking terrain tiles are wrapped in thick paper to protect them, though they fit comfortably snug in their trays to minimize bouncing.
While the Campaign Case: Creatures had a nice variety of creatures, it didn't include every option in the Monster Manual, let alone those from later books. The variety of terrain items and objects in this set feels more complete as is, though I'm sure the D&D team could come up with lots of ideas for supplemental sheets to purchase, especially for the recently released Spelljammers: Adventures in Space (hint, hint, WotC). Vinyl clings of spelljammer ships would be cool. Similarly, third-party companies could product reusable vinyl clings of other terrain options if WotC doesn't (hint, hint).
I really liked the Campaign Case: Creatures, and it's a great solution for those without the storage space and/or finances for a full range of minis. A battle map, by contrast, is easy to store so the Campaign Case: Terrain is less of a problem solver. A few dry erase markers on a vinyl battle map can do a lot, but if you want a more polished approach or the ability to swap map elements faster than can typically done by drawing on a battle map, the terrain case is also an excellent solution.
While less essential than the creature case, in terms of quality of design, components, and general usefulness, the Campaign Case: Terrain rates basically the same – between a B+ and A-. The final grade depends upon mapping tastes and style, which for me, varies. Still, the vinyl cling terrain looks very nice and prevents confusion due to bad drawings and for that alone it might be an A-.
What's Inside
Inside, you'll find a matching blue-and-black folder containing five sheets of full-color vinyl clings of various terrain types and objects, like trees, shrubs, campfires, coffins, tents, staircases, and more. The vinyl clings can be applied to the grids, removed, re-positioned, or returned to their original sheets for future use.Speaking of grids, the terrain case offers two options. A folding, 22-inch by 25.5-inch “Adventure Grid” is one battle map version. The case also comes with 30 5”x5” interlocking tiles that can be put together in whatever configuration you want or paired with the big Adventure Grid for an especially epic battle. Both options are double sided with wilderness on one side and dungeon/stone on the other, and the grids are sized to be used with standard minis or the creature case tokens.
Like the other campaign case, the terrain case has a top tray with plenty of room for additional vinyl cling sheets, if WotC produces them, or incidental notes. Or you could add the sheets from the creature case and a few handfuls of token discs to the top tray and only carry one case to your game. The tray also has a ribbon attached to make it easy to pull out. Below that tray, the interlocking terrain tiles are wrapped in thick paper to protect them, though they fit comfortably snug in their trays to minimize bouncing.
Overall
Overall, the package is nicely done. The titles and folding grid are thick, laminated cardboard so they'll stand up well to routine wear and tear. Water spilled on top shouldn't be a problem, especially if wiped up promptly, but the sides of the tiles and Adventure Grid are exposed cardboard so if a drink is spilled on the table you might want to grab the tiles/grid quickly so the sides don't absorb the liquid.While the Campaign Case: Creatures had a nice variety of creatures, it didn't include every option in the Monster Manual, let alone those from later books. The variety of terrain items and objects in this set feels more complete as is, though I'm sure the D&D team could come up with lots of ideas for supplemental sheets to purchase, especially for the recently released Spelljammers: Adventures in Space (hint, hint, WotC). Vinyl clings of spelljammer ships would be cool. Similarly, third-party companies could product reusable vinyl clings of other terrain options if WotC doesn't (hint, hint).
I really liked the Campaign Case: Creatures, and it's a great solution for those without the storage space and/or finances for a full range of minis. A battle map, by contrast, is easy to store so the Campaign Case: Terrain is less of a problem solver. A few dry erase markers on a vinyl battle map can do a lot, but if you want a more polished approach or the ability to swap map elements faster than can typically done by drawing on a battle map, the terrain case is also an excellent solution.
While less essential than the creature case, in terms of quality of design, components, and general usefulness, the Campaign Case: Terrain rates basically the same – between a B+ and A-. The final grade depends upon mapping tastes and style, which for me, varies. Still, the vinyl cling terrain looks very nice and prevents confusion due to bad drawings and for that alone it might be an A-.
