Hey everyone,
I could really use some advice on how to upgrade my tabletop setup. There are so many ways to go about it, and I’m completely torn right now.
Currently, I’m just using a standard dry-erase battle map and throwing some scatter terrain on it. It works and it’s okay, but it’s just not that awesome. I want to take my game to the next level (I briefly thought about a TV table, but decided against it for now).
I’m currently debating between two main approaches and would love your input:
Option 1: Crafting DIY Terrain (XPS foam or cardboard)
The Pros: Total creative freedom. I could easily make curved walls, round rooms, and custom shapes.
The Cons: It’s a massive time investment per piece. Also, if I want different biomes or ground textures, I’d have to craft a ton of different pieces. Plus, they don’t naturally interlock, so I’d probably have to mess around with magnets to keep the board stable.
Option 2: 3D Printed Systems
I’ve been looking into 3D printed tiles (like OpenForge Click & Lock, or grid systems where you can insert individual floor tiles and attach walls).
My Ideal Setup: I’d love a system with a base grid where I can just swap out the floor plates (water, swamp, city streets, cave floor, etc.) and securely plug in walls, hedges, and pillars so they don't constantly get knocked over during play. (Obviously, I could still just place regular scatter terrain on top of it).
The Cons: Everything seems so strictly square! I can hardly find any curved tiles. Furthermore, there are so many different systems out there. I haven’t found a perfect "all-in-one" system on Maker's World yet (maybe I’m just using the wrong search terms?).
The Question:
I am going back and forth on this. What do you guys use and what would you recommend?
Should I start crafting and use magnets? Should I go for a 3D printed Click & Lock system? Or a Grid system with inserts?
Any advice, system recommendations, or specific search terms would be highly appreciated! Thanks in advance!