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For my next project I am going to work up some rivers and get them cast in resin. I want to do something that is different from all of the other companies out there. What would you guys like to see in a river set that isn't out there now and is missing from or would make your games better?

Bogged down tanks half submerged would look great.

Not sure if "not out there" is an issue, but a river needs a few things.

Some kind of "ford" section, or multiple sections. Maybe with an extended muddy bank space to show wagon/tire/tread ruts to show the spot is crossable.

Possibly a bridge with the kit. I know after i bult my own river I ended up building my own bridge because no one would ever post the "under span" dimension.

River forks are always good. Either a split of the main channel or a smaller tributary entering.

So maybe something like a main kit with 6 foot of run with two ford sections and one section for a bridge span.

Supplemental kit of a section with a main river fork and 2-3 feet of river with one ford.

Supplemental kit with a main river section tying in a smaller tributary. Then 2-3 feet of smaller tributary.

Possibly a wide delta marsh? I'm thinking like side pieces that can be built onto a tributary section showing something like a beaver dam that floods out a larger section of table space. If anyone has been trout fishing in the back country you know the idea...not impassible to troops but a complete bog for most vehicles.

Dry river isn't something you see alot of either. maybe hard to pull off with out much depth to work with, but could be possible.

Here is what I had in mind. 2 or 3 different straight sections, 2-3 different curves, a ford, a Y section and possibly a section of rapids or white water. I intend to do a bridge, but I may do that as part of a deluxe set and also sold separately. I am planning on doing the surface as a river bottom rather that the usual ripple effect that everyone does. That way water effects can be poured directly over top and give it a realistic look. I just hate all of the cartoonish looking rivers with ripples and even waves in the surface. I like my terrain to look as realistic as possible. The set will be enough to cross a 8' table and it should sell for around $25-30.

A river section I have never seen anyone produce and have had to make myself is a section with a 45° angle. Every river set out there seams to be made to come onto the table at 90° angles.

Something to keep in mind is the length of your river sections and their modularity. I've got multiple river sets from various manufacturers and that's one thing that always bothers me. The sections don't link up well and you end up with a piece that is either a few inches to short, or too long and it hangs off the board. Some sets work fine if you are making a straight river but put down their river bend/ curve piece and suddenly everything is out of alignment again.

It's funny you mention that. I was discussing this with some friends and the topic of board edges came up. I had already been looking at a 45 as an option but I didn't want to have it hit the board edge and hang over. I was considering a short piece that would also be cut at the angle so it met the table edge flush. Keep the feedback coming guys. It is really appreciated.

A lot of real rivers have rocky areas near where the crossings were. However most rivers I see made from gamers or sold by companies are grass or mud banks.
Make a section where the fjord is river rock.
Also I saw a world war 2 pic that I really liked that had a river crossing of smaller boats. However the one side of the river had been hit with lots of artillery and you could clearly see pools built up where muddy water seeped in. Thought that might make an interesting piece. Kind of like the Battlefront cratered roads. Not sure if doable but just thought it looked cool.

I have made my own rivers and they turned out ok. I too have an issue with ending short on a board edge or just going off the edge if I don't put them together they way I initially planned it. Would be interested to see what you come up with to deal with that.

A Bridge is a very good idea that matches the river as far as spacing.

I want them to be realistic. I am hoping to sculpt in rocks, trees, debris, etc. into the river beds. I want to also sculpt in a detailed river bank. Most rivers out there just have a mound along the river's edge for a bank and I don't care for them. At the same time I don't want to make them overly wide. Because honestly the water features on most boards are really more of a stream than river. I'm trying to figure out how I can do some small falls as well, but I don't know that it is feasible.

Wow, Falls would be extremely ambitious. Not sure how you would accomplish that unless your rivers were tall. I am looking forward to seeing your finished product. Also cant wait to purchase your cobblestone roads count me as one of your first customers on those.

The cobblestone roads are having the molds made this weekend. If all goes well I should have sample pieces back to me sometime this week.

Not happy with the way this project is turning out. I'll try and post pics later for feedback.