Creating immersive and realistic terrain is an essential part of the wargaming experience, whether you’re battling in the worlds of Warhammer or building a fantasy landscape for your tabletop RPG. At HRC Wargaming Terrain, we specialize in crafting detailed and durable wargame terrain to enhance your battles. In this article, we’ll take you through the process we use to create our wargame terrain, ensuring that each piece is built to last and enhances the immersive experience of your battlefield.
1. Preparing the Base: Cutting and Sanding HDF Board
Every terrain piece begins with a strong foundation. We use high-density fiberboard (HDF) for our bases due to its durability and stability. First, we carefully measure and cut the HDF using a jigsaw, allowing us to shape the base into organic, irregular forms that mimic natural landscapes. Once the base is cut, we use an angle grinder to smooth the edges, ensuring that the base sits flat on the table without any rough edges. This provides a stable, reliable foundation that holds up to repeated use during intense wargaming sessions.
2. Creating the Structure from XPS Foam
With the base prepared, we move on to creating the terrain’s structure. For this, we use mostly extruded polystyrene foam (XPS), a lightweight and versatile material that is easy to work with. Using a hot wire cutter, we shape the XPS foam into hills, cliffs, or ruins, depending on the terrain style we are creating. Our team then hand-carves finer details into the foam, adding realistic textures like cracks, rock formations, and battle-damaged surfaces. This precision carving ensures that every terrain piece looks unique and life-like, providing players with an immersive setting.
3. Adding Texture with PVA Glue, Sand, Bark, and Gravel
To enhance the realism of our terrain pieces, we apply a combination of textures that mimic natural landscapes. After the foam structure is shaped, we coat it with a layer of PVA glue. We then add a mixture of fine sand, small bark pieces, and gravel to the surface. The sand replicates soil, the bark simulates large rocks or debris, and the gravel adds additional depth and variety to the terrain. This step ensures that the surface looks rugged and organic, providing a tactile experience when players interact with the terrain.
4. Priming with Acrylic Paints
Once the texturing has dried, we prime the entire terrain piece using high-quality acrylic primers. This step is crucial for ensuring the paint adheres properly to the textured surfaces. We typically use darker tones like dark grey, or brown to serve as the base coat. These colors help create natural shadows and depth, which we build on during the next stages of painting. The primer not only improves the paint’s vibrancy but also adds an extra layer of protection, making our terrain pieces more durable for long-term use.
5. Painting with the Drybrush Technique and Applying a Wash
Next, we move on to painting, a process that brings the terrain to life. We usually use the drybrush technique to highlight the raised textures, carefully applying light coats of earthy tones such as browns, greens, and greys. This technique accentuates the natural look of rocks, soil, and other elements, giving them a weathered appearance. After drybrushing, we apply a wash — a diluted paint — to deepen the shadows and bring out the finer details. This creates a sense of depth and realism that enhances the overall aesthetic of the terrain.
6. Adding Static Grass and Greenery
To give the terrain a more natural and dynamic feel, we add static grass and greenery. Using PVA glue, we apply static grass to selected areas, simulating patches of grass and vegetation. We carefully choose the colors and lengths of the grass to match the landscape, whether it’s a barren wasteland or a lush battlefield. For added realism, we incorporate small tufts of foliage and moss, making the terrain look like a living environment. This step ensures the terrain blends seamlessly with your miniatures and enhances the immersion of your wargaming experience.
7. Sealing with Colourless Varnish
The final step in our process is to seal the entire terrain piece with a colourless, matt varnish. This varnish provides a protective layer that helps preserve the paint and textures, ensuring the terrain can withstand the rigors of frequent gameplay. We typically use a matte varnish to maintain a natural finish, but satin or gloss can be applied depending on the aesthetic we’re aiming for. This sealing process locks in all the fine details and ensures that the terrain remains durable and visually stunning over time.
At HRC Wargaming Terrain, our handcrafted pieces are designed to elevate your tabletop gaming experience by providing detailed, durable, and immersive environments. Our seven-step process — from cutting and shaping the base to adding final touches like greenery and varnish — ensures that every terrain piece is crafted to the highest standard. Whether you’re setting the stage for epic Warhammer battles or creating intricate landscapes for tabletop RPGs, our terrain is built to bring your game to life.