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.

Thanks for all the input so far guys! Keep it coming!

I actually play on RoB boards all the time (my preferred store is actually an official GW store, the manager is awesome). I agree that infantry, especially top heavy models like flyers, REALLY hate those hills. I've never played on the FAT mat or the sector imperialis. I'll say that storage is not a big issue, I might even leave the table up permanently. I'm still really torn between the sector imperialis and fat mats (FW is a big expense, even when money is no object )

I think the sector imperialis looks really cool when it's painted up, and it's got a lot of detail due to being 3D...It definitely has more "Wow" factor than the others (IMO). I've played on one many times before, and not had any problems with model placement. For dice, I just roll on a different surface or in a box. If you're going to put a bunch of time into terrain and you like urban layouts, get the GW city; the original ROB board from GW isn't worth it while the city benefits a lot from the raised detail and looks awesome. For something more casual, get the F.A.T. Mat.

Now what I'd really like to see is a mousepad-style mat made that's thicker and has detail cut into it...

I have played on the RoB and FAT Mats. And I own a FAT Mat and the Urban tiles from Secret Weapons.

I think the Mats are a far better gaming surface. The FAT mats are were I will be spending my money. I won't refuse to play on plastic tiles, but I also won't be purchasing any new ones either.

The Sector Imperialis is gaudy as all hell. It looks like Jervis threw up on a table.

The FAT Mat seems to be great, but you get precisely one layout. It's durable, easy to store, and ready to go, but you get one layout--ever--and not one you get to pick. If board variation (and design) doesn't matter to you, then I don't see any downsides to it.


I can't recommend the ROB boards, as I still think they have too much wonky detail (skull pits, mountains, deadly sidewalks), but I LOVE my Tablescapes tiles. Cheaper than GW, much easier to use terrain and models on, and a lot more variation in your setup. If you want to be able to vary your board, or if you want to be able to design your own layout, even if it never changes, you can't go with the FAT Mat. Your SWM Tablescape tiles can be painted to match YOUR army (and you can get bases that match them too). That's a non-starter for the FAT Mat. but only you will know if that even registers on your radar.

I can only see buying the ROB board tiles if you are definitely planning on getting some FW sections to add to them.

I can't stand plastic playing surfaces because of perpetually falling models and cocked dice. From the choices above, definitely FAT mats.

All I did for mine was buy several $20 sheets of solid colored linens (enough colors for grass, sand, dirt, and asphalt) then invest the rest of my money in highly detailed terrain templates from wargamevault.com. The buildings and models cover up enough of the table at any given time so that the solid colors beneath are background, as they should be, and the lack of ground detail is a plus. It lets everyone focus on the nicely painted/printed models and terrain. The linen sheets are held in place with binder clips since my table has thin overhanging edges. As a plus I can paint at the table when no one's gaming and spills are absorbed by the linens as "battle damage".

To me - the FAT mat that is the city one is just TOO much detail. I kind of feel that way about the city RoB board as well. But in particular, though I like the FAT mats in general the detail on the urban one is just so much that it takes away from the armies on the table imho.

I think of terrain and the table much like a frame around a picture (with the picture being the armies). It looks better when it's nice, but if there is TOO much to it, it takes away from the picture.

Ultimately, a FAT mat is 2D, no matter how good the artwork (and believe me, I like them very much - I own 2 with a third to come) so if money were no object then I would have an Imperial Sector ROB. However, money very very rarely is 'no object' so the question is somewhat loaded.

In reality, I would choose a FAT mat over pretty much anything else.

A properly painted sculpted gaming board will look better than a flat printed mat ever can. After that, it's up to you. There's nothing magical about the hills on the Realm of Battle board; any similar sloped surface can result in sliding models. If that's an issue, the compromise is to use stepped hills, but I find those ugly. YMMV.

I painted my RoB board with Dulux vinyl matt, and that's enough to stop infantry models sliding (although I've not tried it with units on movement trays or lrge heavy models, so I bow to others' experience). Acrylic model paints, aside from being horrendously expensive in bulk, dry too smooth.

If money really were no object, I'd commission a custom design.

I've used small sheets of sandpaper to get models to stay in place on slopes. The paper can get moved as needed or glued on as "sandy/rocky ground". Counterweights in the bases help keep things upright (nickels or washers are perfect).

I still agree with the picture frame analogy, though, and $250 is simply too much for a gaming surface which I can make (and customize) myself for $50.