Making Wargaming Terrain: Terrain Templates

Terrain is a key part of war and wargaming. I use terrain templates to define the perimeter of my area terrain features. The same templates are used for most terrain types, I just put different items on top to represent the type of feature, i.e. fruit trees make an orchard.

12″ x 4″ Plantation/Orchard

I have tried various types of template over time.

Felt

Felt pieces are the traditional wargames terrain template. Very easy, very durable and very light. Some people don’t even bother putting scenic items on top, which however is a tad boring for my taste.

Flocked Cardboard

For many years I used flocked cardboard. This is cheap and easy to make.

Just cut out the cardboard and Flock. At the time I was using Woodland Scenics Grass and Burnt Grass flock hence the green look. This coincided with lots of Eastern Front Crossfire so the colour suited.

Marsh

The Marsh sections on top of the example template were home made. Wood putty, rocks, twigs for logs, gloss varnish for water, paint and flock.

Flocked Hardboard

I made a new set of templates for my Field of Glory Terrain. They are from Hardboard, roughly shaped, hacked with a knife to bevel the edges and replace straight lines with wonky edges, then Flocked with Flat Earth and Dry Brushing. I was surprised at how easy it is to shape hardboard. To make a straight cut you just have to score the shiny side then snap the hardboard. I flocked the textured side not the flat side. For some reason I decide this would help prevent the hardboard warping, but also because it gives the glue more purchase.

Being hardboard they are more resistant to warping than cardboard. On the other hand they are heavier.

12″ Broken Ground

14″ x 10″ Open Field

12″ Brush (Rocks)

12″ Brush (Brush)

12″ x 4″ Enclosed Field

7″ x 4″ Vineyard using Hedges

10″ x 8″ Plantation/Orchard

12″ Forest

14″ x 10″ Village

10″ x 8″ Village

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