Building Types

[ARCangel]

So, recently I read a post where terrain was being discussed and one of the posters mentioned diversity of terrain. He said that you should have around 2-3 different terrain manufacturers' product on your table so it doesn't look samey. Other than tables specifically built under a certain theme, what are your thoughts on this? Do you use diverse terrain? If so, how many different types? What do you use?

[Claudius Sol]

I sort-of vary my terrain, though the aesthetics are meant to fall within a specific theme, typically.

When I first started out, I had quite the assortment of random bits and bobs... Being a poor college student, I had been using old packing styrofoam, books, cans, plastic containers, etc.

I think the first actual kits I got were from Burn In Designs, and I didn't really do them any favors as I was new to the whole terrain construction thing. Then I got a bunch of warsenal, plastcraft, shark mounted lasers, and underground lasers terrain.

I mostly go with warsenal currently, as their Comanche and Cosmica lines fit my Mother Base aesthetic.

[Section9]

I have lots of different makers. Got Systema, Warsenal, Warmill, Underground Lasers, Micro Art Studios District 5 buildings and some cars, Antenociti's Workshop cars, etc. I want to get CNC Workshop stuff, but the shipping from Australia to the US is a killer.

Everything is mixed and matched.

All buildings from the same maker makes it look like a housing development or a military base.

[schoon]

I really don't think you can go wrong - different manufacturers or same - so long as you like the end result and it's a playable table.

I tend to stick with a few manufacturers that have the right feel for me.

[VisOne]

I use anything from any where if the price, look and feel is right. If I can't find it commercial I'll make it myself is a great learning curve no one supplier make's the "right" terrain for this game in either density or aesthetics in my mind. I often cringe at whole tables of the same manufacturer because more often than not it's some deal and its not just a cookie cutter table it's unpainted to boot to me that's a bigger sin.

[Section9]

I use anything from any where if the price, look and feel is right. If I can't find it commercial I'll make it myself is a great learning curve no one supplier make's the "right" terrain for this game in either density or aesthetics in my mind. I often cringe at whole tables of the same manufacturer because more often than not it's some deal and its not just a cookie cutter table it's unpainted to boot to me that's a bigger sin.

My pieces are only basecoated, but as soon as I dropped them on the table it inspired everyone else to paint their terrain.

Even a mono-color base coat makes the table look SO much better.

[MARC C]

So, recently I read a post where terrain was being discussed and one of the posters mentioned diversity of terrain. He said that you should have around 2-3 different terrain manufacturers' product on your table so it doesn't look samey. Other than tables specifically built under a certain theme, what are your thoughts on this? Do you use diverse terrain? If so, how many different types? What do you use?

There is a risk that things won't align properly if you use different manufacturers. Staircases, catwalks and bridges from one manufacturer may be to high or too low when put next to the other product. Its probably why most people concentrate on one manufacturer.

I'm not that bothered about sameness in Sci-Fi. There are many reasons (themes) why an area would have all the same buildings : Military base, Outpost, Prefab Habitats, Colony, Vacation Resort, etc. Even today when you look at large cities its not hard to find a few blocks of the same buildings built by one contractor.

On the other hand I'm also a big fan of large cities where a variety of styles coexist. My home city of Montreal has building ranging from the 1800s up to today within a few blocks in the central area. The older the city the more chance of it being eclectic architecturally.

It all comes down to personal preference in the end. There is no right or wrong approach really.

[ARCangel]

So, recently I read a post where terrain was being discussed and one of the posters mentioned diversity of terrain. He said that you should have around 2-3 different terrain manufacturers' product on your table so it doesn't look samey. Other than tables specifically built under a certain theme, what are your thoughts on this? Do you use diverse terrain? If so, how many different types? What do you use?

There is a risk that things won't align properly if you use different manufacturers. Staircases, catwalks and bridges from one manufacturer may be to high or too low when put next to the other product. Its probably why most people concentrate on one manufacturer.

I'm not that bothered about sameness in Sci-Fi. There are many reasons (themes) why an area would have all the same buildings : Military base, Outpost, Prefab Habitats, Colony, Vacation Resort, etc. Even today when you look at large cities its not hard to find a few blocks of the same buildings built by one contractor.

On the other hand I'm also a big fan of large cities where a variety of styles coexist. My home city of Montreal has building ranging from the 1800s up to today within a few blocks in the central area. The older the city the more chance of it being eclectic architecturally.

It all comes down to personal preference in the end. There is no right or wrong approach really.

Well a lot of manufacturers stick to similar sizing, but even so just because you have multiple types on the table doesn't mean you actually have to have it all lock together. I could grab some of your stuff and make it work with each other, but have a few Top Down pieces intermingled with it, and some Commanche pieces from Warsenal across the board. You're right though, its definitely a matter of preference.