Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Due to it being my 16th on saturday, i got a shed loads of cash as i didnt actually ask for anything. I was looking at the realm of battle board today, as i dont actually have anything to play on, and i was wondering if its worth it?

Its pretty expensive yes, but for an almost instant gaming board, i wouldnt mind paying that.

What are your guys opinions on the board, and how does it paint up? no idea what i would paint it as though, i want to use it for 40k / fantasy.

thanks ahead, Jack.

If you are remotely practical and have access to tools, then some mdf, sand, PVA and glue will get you started too. There are a few guides to building your own table on this site.

However, from my own experiences of building a table, you have to want to build a table. I am enjoying making mine, but it is not a five minute job. If you just want something to play on, buy a RoB board. Considering what I have spent so far on mine, RoB is decent value.

well, due to this being my last year of school, i dont have all the time in the world, that i think a home made board would take. I found at waylandgames i can get it for £120, but trying to justify it to the parents will take a while. I think the fact its pretty practical is why im drawn to it, my friend has 6 2'2 mdf tiles, and god theyre heavy. My mum just doesnt want a table strewn everywhere, so i think thats where the RoB comes into practice.

MDF is pretty heavy, I agree. Don't forget though, you'll need to shell out a bit of money to actually paint the board and so on as well.

yeah, maybe a scenert pack is needed too?

Sure is. The RoB board is fairly bare. You're better off making a board from blueboard and mdf wood, price wise, but I do like how the RoB board looks. It will also take a lot more elbow grease to put together a modular/storable board comparable to the RoB board. I don't know what kind of place you live in, but building your own board will definitely require either an outdoors workspace or a garage. If you don't have access to either, (if you are like me an live in an apartment,) then go with the pre-made board.

Another option are gaming mats. They are cheap, roll up for easy storage, and you can buy very decent ones that have rubberized bottoms and texturized surfaces.

I have played on RoB board and it sucks. If you don't base it minis will be just sliding on the board (which makes them to fall over) and the sound that it makes when you place your minis on it is too load (as board is hollow). Also the board pieces don't stay together. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!!!!!

err... well like i said dont have time to make a board to that quality or the experience tbh..

been searching reviews and topics all over the net, and from what i can gather, ignoring the pointless gak about the skulls and price, the board is good for what it set out to be. Which i guess is a nice modular board, that can be made easily. I have also played on a RoB board illukinsaa, but i dont understand your frustration? the clips are there to keep it together, but thanks for the heads up on the sliding, as the only boards i have played on have had flock / sand on, so if i got one i guess i would have to do the same! If anyone has a board to show also, that would be nice and welcome!

Here: take a look at this Sabol Designs mat:

http://www.saboldesigns.net/combatmat.html

http://www.thewarstore.com/SabolDesignsCombatMat.html

I think that a quality mat like that would be worth the money.

BTW, Happy Birthday !

i would prefer an actual stable surface to play on than a mat, i just dont see the point in mats, would be easier to play on the kitchen floor.. but meh thats my opinion :/

I just like them because they convert any kitchen table into a game table! But that's just me. Being a dad with a few kids, I need every chance I can get to make things able to pack away.

Well yeah i totally agree with you on the packing away front! If i had a table it would need to be stored away, i just didnt know if the realm of battle was a good investment for what im looking for.

I do like the battle board but it does have some negatives to it.

The biggest is it is a heavy sun of a gun. It must weigh close to 20 lbs.

It also requires a surface to be put on so a 4x6 table set up is still necessary to support all the weight. (I still had to use the foam board as support on top of my coffee tables since it wasn't wide enough)
I'm have never tested the strength of the clips that help it with the rigidity so I am not 100% on this but seems logical.

It still takes up a ton of space when collapsed, better, but now you have to find a place to store a 2x2x8" block.

Setting up can take a bit of time and practice to get it done in a reasonable time, I usually build the board while someone else gets their models out or builds their list. (bummer because that could be an extra 20-30 mins of game time)

Other than those, the rest of the issues can be solved fairly easily.
Finishing the board with paint and flock helps with models sliding down the hills. Another thing I did was apply some rubber cement to the bottom edge of the bases. This helped a ton with the sliding.

The best thing I like about it is the modularity which is also its curse. Sure you can move the pieces around and create different terrain. This is great but you always always have to play with some form of a hill somewhere on the board. I have a lot of city terrain so the hill makes it difficult to place buildings some times.

All in all, it is a good buy and works well. I am happy with mine and it has served me well. I am actually going to leave it at a buddy's house so we have options of where to play and I'll make another board by hand.

I hope some of this insight is helpful.

Thank you it was indeed helpful i would also like a cityfight board, but just getting there seems a bit of a task, but the all roundness the Realm of Battle board gives, seems cool.

The realm of battle Board is nice, I am not sure its $225 nice but if you have the cash its ok. It needs finishing but nothing a little dry brushing and flock won't fix.

I like the RoB board, it didn't take me too long to fill in all the skulls areas and then paint up. A big brush from BnQ and some cardboard means that you can base paint it and then drybrush it up in no time.

All things are a compromise, it's easier to store than a full size table and that's a godsend. There are also more tiles on for pre order now, so that I may have a 8x6 table to play on soon. Have a look at what deals may be coming up, last year they were selling a load of scenery with the table for a descent saving. Just be ready to bend your wallet, though there was a thread on Dakka of a guy who built a full table and costed everything and the difference wasn't spectacular.

Get it it it's very easy to transport, durable, rigid & Kick a**.