Transform your tabletop battles from flat, uninspiring skirmishes into immersive, tactical masterpieces with proper terrain and scenery. Whether you're commanding armies through Desert Terrain, navigating the mystical landscapes of Thalor Terrain, or battling amongst the Undead Terrain, quality scatter terrain elevates every aspect of your wargaming experience.
Why Terrain Matters in Wargaming
Terrain isn't just decorative—it's fundamental to tactical gameplay. Well-placed scenery creates cover, blocks line of sight, defines objectives, and forces players to think strategically about movement and positioning. A bare table reduces wargaming to simple dice rolls, whilst a properly terraformed battlefield rewards clever tactics and strategic thinking.
Planning Your Battlefield Layout
The Rule of Thirds
Divide your gaming table into thirds both horizontally and vertically. Place terrain pieces at the intersections and along these lines to create natural focal points and tactical chokepoints. This prevents the dreaded 'terrain clump' in the centre whilst ensuring the entire battlefield remains engaging.
Density and Balance
Aim for roughly 25-30% terrain coverage on your table. Too little and ranged units dominate; too much and movement becomes frustrating. Using varied pieces like our Assorted Terrain collection helps create visual interest whilst maintaining playability.
Creating Thematic Battlefields
Desert Warfare
Desert environments offer unique tactical challenges. Our Desert Terrain pieces work brilliantly for arid battlefields—think rocky outcrops, ancient ruins, and scattered debris. Pair these with sandy-coloured gaming mats and minimal vegetation for authentic desert combat scenarios perfect for historical or sci-fi games.
Fantasy Realms
For fantasy settings, the Thalor Terrain #3 and Thalor Terrain #2 collections provide mystical, otherworldly elements. These pieces excel at creating enchanted forests, magical ruins, or alien landscapes. Layer different heights and textures to build depth and visual storytelling into your battlefield.
Horror and Undead Settings
Nothing sets the mood for gothic horror or undead armies quite like atmospheric terrain. The Undead Terrain #8 collection features graveyards, crypts, and macabre scenery perfect for vampire counts, necromancers, or zombie apocalypse scenarios. Combine multiple undead terrain pieces to create sprawling necropolises.
Tactical Terrain Placement
Line of Sight Blockers
Place larger terrain pieces to break up firing lanes and prevent one side from dominating through ranged superiority. Hills, ruins, and dense terrain force players to manoeuvre for advantageous positions rather than simply standing and shooting.
Objective Markers
Use distinctive terrain pieces as objective markers. A ruined temple, mysterious obelisk, or strategic hilltop becomes more than scenery—it's a tactical goal worth fighting for. This adds narrative weight to your battles.
Deployment Zone Considerations
Avoid placing terrain that heavily favours one deployment zone over another. Symmetrical doesn't mean identical—mirror the tactical opportunities rather than exact placement to ensure fair, competitive games.
Painting and Customising Your Terrain
Whilst our 28mm terrain pieces arrive ready to use, painting them to match your gaming aesthetic creates stunning, cohesive battlefields. Use spray primers for base coats, dry brushing for highlights, and weathering techniques for realism. Don't be afraid to mix terrain from different collections—a desert outpost with undead elements tells a story of ancient curses in forgotten wastelands.
Storage and Transport
Protect your investment with proper storage. Foam-lined cases prevent damage during transport, whilst modular storage boxes keep collections organised by theme. Label containers clearly—nothing disrupts game night like hunting for that perfect terrain piece.
Building a Versatile Collection
Start with versatile, multi-purpose pieces before specialising. Our Assorted Terrain provides excellent variety for different scenarios. As your collection grows, add themed sets to support specific campaigns or game systems. Mix and match to create unique battlefields every game.
Final Thoughts
Quality terrain transforms wargaming from a simple game into an immersive hobby experience. Whether you're recreating historical battles, commanding fantasy armies, or fighting in grimdark futures, thoughtfully placed scenery adds tactical depth, visual appeal, and narrative richness to every engagement. Invest in your battlefield, and watch your games come alive with strategic possibilities and stunning aesthetics.
