Terrain

[Guillaume]

I answered that I prefer the plaster cast from Hirst Arts. However, since I do not have the money for such a huge investment (it is cheaper than Dwarven Forge, but still costs quite a bit), I am using card stock exclusively. I am building my dungeon parts using the Stones Edges product that I print at 66% resolution (it is scaled at 1,5").

 

[Djeta Thernadier]

Have to second this...some of the stuff you find for aquariums are just plain cool.

That column is similiar to the ones we use.

 

[Karen]

All of the options listed (except Dwarven Forge) require work that is well worth it if you end up using the terrain. I've gotten very fond of the cardstock models (though I am putting them on matboard or foamcore to help them last longer). There are a lot of great sets for them now. My major investment for it has been a paper cutter (saves the calluses *grin*). My partner got a load of the Hirst Arts molds (courtesy of myself and a friend) for Christmas and has been happily humming around dripping plaster on his workbench on weekends ever since . The molds are great, you can do a LOT with them, and they are very sturdy (dental plaster is good stuff); he also uses them for wargaming terrain.

So in essence, we use a combination of 'cardstock' and plaster molds. My suggestion is to start with what you can afford, and what you can store (storage gets to be a big issue with 3D terrain). The cardstock models require a color printer, cardstock, a backing if you want extra sturdy, a cutter of some kind, and an adhesive. The plaster models require the molds (solid investment and will last a LONG time), the plaster, adhesive, paints, and terrain fuzzies (grass, sand, etc.). Foam is as someone said good for outside terrain, but it's hard to do too much creative with it unless you are a sculptor with a foam-cutter *grin*, and Dwarven Forge is beautiful, but very expensive, especially if you are willing to make your own (the plaster molds are just as good looking and nearly as hard).

 

[MarauderX]

Legos anyone? I am about to embark on getting a few lego packs to add in, as they are easily adjustable and can be built & rebuilt around any terrain or whatever I need. I don't think they make lego-beholders or other critters, but they do enough with the medieval terrain to spark my interest. It will work for the mechanics of putting together a dungeon/castle/forest in 3D instead of trying to explain it to players. Imagination will have to come from the players as I think the blocks only come in one shade of brown, green, black and grey.