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.

Hi all! Was just wondering what you opinions are on MDF terrain, and if you have bought some which manufacturers you prefer.

I have this as a FAT mat http://store.frontlinegaming.org/fat-mat%3A-urban-combat-2-6x4/dp/849 so I'm looking for scenery to fit in.

I was thinking something like this: http://impudentmortal.com/product/28mm-entry-level-near-future-set/

and this http://frontierwargaming.com/?product=4-watch-towers-landing-pad

would look neat, but I have no previous experience with MDF so any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks

Phew, big question...

Simply put you have a huge range of MDF. All of it is generally pretty durable and easy to assemble, it just depends on the amount of detail you want, and if you want it pre-painted, with-or-without interior details etc.

There are loads of excellent companies. I like the look of the Warsenal stuff. Sarissa had some neat stuff but their prices suck. My personal crack is 4Ground but they don't have much of a sci-fi line (I own nearly the entire Old West line and then some).

What level of detail are you looking for? If you're looking to spray paint some stuff just to block line of sight, just go for the cheapest stuff you think looks cool.

Thanks! I will look at the Warsenal catalog.

I'm mostly looking for LOS blocking terrain, that has an industrial or 40kesque feel to it. Interior details are not my highest priority. Just want something that would fit 28mm models well.

Yeah if you're just trying to get some stuff on the board with maybe a coat of spray paint and some minor paintwork, the set from Impudent Mortal would work fine. The difference is that a fully detailed/pre-painted building from say 4Ground is $75...vs. having a portion of a table covered by that set!

So really the budget is the main difference between most of these companies. While it may not share a 40K aesthetic, heaps of companies seem to make stuff for Infinity as well. Industrial stuff should be easy - haven't really seen much if any gothic 40k-esque styled bits though.

Have you ever seen/used any good looking Infinity or Malifaux terrain? I like a bit of that sci-fi look, but I'm not sure if the scale would be too different.

That looks like a nice mat with roads and building plots. What are the measurements for the plots themselves? How much space have you got to put buildings in there before they overlap onto the road?

I'm not a huge fan of MDF stuff, maybe because I've already spent way too much money on GW terrain haha... and there are just so many to choose from now.

I just found these guys today: http://ttcombat.com/

They are UK based but the scifi and scifi gothic stuff looks cool, and the huge new building too.

 Gunzhard wrote:
I'm not a huge fan of MDF stuff, maybe because I've already spent way too much money on GW terrain haha... and there are just so many to choose from now.

I just found these guys today: http://ttcombat.com/

They are UK based but the scifi and scifi gothic stuff looks cool, and the huge new building too.

I was just coming back to mention them. I actually just got the abandoned apartment delivered yesterday. It is a little fiddly and not quite as well cut as the other MDF buildings I've had, that said it is more complex and I might just have got a poorly cut kit. The only other MDF buildings I've been working with so far are the Sarrissa Precision WW2 terraced houses so I might just be used to the more simple kit designs.

Some companies make brilliant MDF kits, others are a bit lazy (but you normally get them much cheaper).

The only minor issues I've run into (maybe one out of ten buildings I've received) is that you'll get a random piece of MDF which was not the proper thickness which can ruin a small portion of a building or require some extra work.

Some other companies are: Warmill, Micro Arts Studio, Deathray.

Not to dissuade anyone from FAT mats but if you want a really wonderfully nice mat at a better price (with better art) take a look at Deep Cut Studios. A 6'x4' mat shipped from abroad is less than the $95 FAT Mat and that's the nice mousepad material as well. Their art is a lot finer/accurate in my experience.

I'm not a huge fan of the puzzle-connection nature of most MDF kits, however some kits are very well done and for some subject matter, MDF works great.

Crossover miniatures shipping containers are a mega bargain, look great on any sci-fi or modern table and paint up quick with colored spray paint follwed by a wash and drybrush.
http://crossoverminiatures.com/product/economy-shipping-containers-28mm-scale-mdf-4/
Because they are shipping containers it doesn't matter that they're simple and blocky. Here's what mine looked like when done.
http://www.lead-adventure.de/index.php?topic=85946.30

Also, don't ignore lasercut cardboard terrain. This is not the simple card terrain of the 90's. Rather, layering methods often give you more realistic looking terrain than MDF with almost the same durability and at a lower price. Also you can get curves and shapes that just aren't possible with MDF. I was very pleased with the bits I got from lasercutcard.
http://lasercutcard.co.za
They've got a good reputation and some very impressive looking models. Their ruined art-deco building sections would look great in a 40k setting.

I just bought up an (Infinity table's worth) amount of Shark Mounted Lasers mdf terrain (they had a deal going ). Cost me $200USD but in a pinch will probably do 2-3 table's worth of 40k terrain (on average, infinity seems to use around double what used to be recommended for 40k games - and on a smaller table).

It was a mostly pleasure to assemble compared to some mdf terrain I've had to do in the past (micro arts, I'm looking at you).

 chromedog wrote:
Shark Mounted Lasers

I will buy from these guys based only on company name. Brilliant. 40k sharknado.