Today I'm going to discuss an aspect of the hobby that can be overlooked but really makes our games that much cooler to play - yes, I'm talking about scenery.
With the focus of our hobby being on the armies we build, paint and play - it's only natural that scenery takes a bit more of a back-seat role in the hobby... however, when you compare some of my work in progress pictures to some of the other photos that are shown on the blog that have buildings in them, it suddenly makes the models look more like soldiers as the background sets the scene.
Same really applies in game too, scenery gives you something to fight over - be it a city that you are fighting over, a vitally strategic spaceport you are trying to capture, an isolated skirmish in a forest to disrupt a supplies convoy and so on. The scenery really can add to the narative of a mission by providing a visual aid and as a result make our games more immersive too.
Furthermore, scenery adds to the game mechanically too. From a tactical standpoint, scenery can provide you with cover from enemy fire, obscure your advance by denying line of sight for a turn while you prepare for your next move or force your opponent to commit to a costly offensive to remove you from an entrenched objective. This is why its great visiting places like Warhammer World to play as they have gaming tables to play on and if you get the chance to, I highly recommend booking a feature table as they are simply superb!
What are your thoughts about scenery in general? What kind of scenery would you like to see for games based in the Great Crusade and the Horus Heresy?
Until next time!
Hector Cephas
I've come to enjoy the terrain aspect of the hobby a whole lot more since I started playing Infinity. I would love to see some less Imperial / 40k-esque terrain, i.e. a more industrial style stuff without all the skulls and such. Mostly, think the new genestealer cult mining vehicle style in the form of buildings.
ReplyDeleteI love scenery. Can't get enough of having a great board to fight on.
ReplyDeleteI do honestly believe GW will be working on some sort of modular defensive fortification now, similar to the AoS chaos fort system, for the Imperium of Man. It would sell and would look great too.
I love my Castellum lots too, but once again; it isn't for tournaments.
They already kind of have a modular imperial fortification... the Bastion was made to be built in a variety of ways (though you usually need more than a single kit to do so) and their wall of martyrs line is very modular as well.
DeleteScenery=great game. Unless it's sh!t scenery. Those buildings fall into the first category. Can't wait to see more scenery from you guys and gal.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few of us that have some great scenery projects. Watch this space for updates. Once the Shadow Crisade weekend is behind look for 2 or 3 sizeable ones. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love scenery and wholeheartedly agree it adds to the experience and is quick to do, and sometimes very cheap. I've made power generators from cake trays and noodle pots, and a watchtower from a plastic skull cup. Rocks can be made from shaped polystyrene blocks.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing that is great for scenery which is old computer components such as CPU heat-sinks and fans for an industrial board - I'm planning on taking apart one of my old computers for this purpose.
DeleteGood topic! I've been trying to push the envelope a bit with mine, not just slapping the modular sets down on the table but putting them on bases, creating realistic textures with filler putty, sand and rocks, then trying to colour match and weather it as best as possible to my mars style gaming mat. It's made a big difference to the gaming too, when the boys come round for 30k they have been really impressed and the word 'Immersion' gets bandied around a lot.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely not something I have done properly enough before, I wish I could push a little further on the realistic textures but model placement becomes a bit of an issue when you go too far with gradients and rounded surfaces.
Keep up the great work dudes, can't wait to see what the Bunnies put out.
I love scenery, but I find GWs offerings can be a bit meh... hence buying a 3D printer. At the moment I'm designing a zone mortalis board. My aim is to have multi level sections, starship walls and gun turrets for scene setting and objectives.
ReplyDeleteI love FW stuff though. The stuff on the top of my wish they hadn't gone list from FW is all terrain.