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Made in ca
Fresh-Faced New User



Longmont, CO

The table we use for gaming in my garage is 54x54” and after years of planning I’ve finally realized that I’m unlikely to ever build the full 4x6’ wargaming table with Realm of Battle tiles inset that I wanted.

My question is how important is the 30x44 battle board size “required” for 1000pt 40K/AoS games compared to something like a 48”x48” mousepad mat in the middle of my already square table?

-Will

 
   
Made in de
Longtime Dakkanaut




Anything larger then the minimum-size given in the missions should be fine.

40K missions are purpusefully designed to measure things from the centre and don't have a fixed table size (aside from a minimum).
   
Made in au
Owns Whole Set of Skullz Techpriests






Versteckt in den Schatten deines Geistes.

FlightMedic wrote:
My question is how important is the 30x44 battle board size “required” for 1000pt 40K/AoS games compared to something like a 48”x48” mousepad mat in the middle of my already square table?
It's a nonsense requirement created to support an existing product, which in an of itself only existed because it was the size of board GW could fit in their standard box size. Ignore it.

4x4 is totally fine for 1000 points.

Industrial Insanity - My Terrain Blog
"GW really needs to understand 'Less is more' when it comes to AoS." - Wha-Mu-077

 
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut




FlightMedic wrote:
The table we use for gaming in my garage is 54x54” and after years of planning I’ve finally realized that I’m unlikely to ever build the full 4x6’ wargaming table with Realm of Battle tiles inset that I wanted.

My question is how important is the 30x44 battle board size “required” for 1000pt 40K/AoS games compared to something like a 48”x48” mousepad mat in the middle of my already square table?


30 x 44 is "minimum". Not "required."
   
Made in us
Master Engineer with a Brace of Pistols





washington state USA

In addition to what H.B.M.C. said the larger table allows for more tactical movement. especially with dispersed objectives. I still play 5th ed (usually at 2K) so things like outflank, infiltration, scouting, transports all become very important. normally we play on a 4X6 because we use pre-made mats and custom tables in that size, but from time to time we use the entire table as most of the stores tables are 4X8 with some terrain boards made for it.






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I'm a bit old school but realistically, measuring out 30" x 44" seems ridiculous and weird to me. Make round numbers.

500 = 3' x 3' board
1k = 4' x 4' board
1.5k = 4' x 4' up to 4' x 6' board
2k = 4' x 6' board

These are simply easy to measure out, standardized and make he most use out of readily available folding tables and other such home goods. My home board is three 2' x 4' boards which can be set next to each other on top of 1 or 2 standard 2-1/2' x 6' folding tables. The folding tables are nice because you can just toss a roll of model train faux grass on it and tape off the playing area. Tournie and faux tournie players are the only ones who care about that minutiae and no one else can give a real answer as to why the hell GW changed the normal table size to these weird measurements.

I keep trying to convince people to play 5' x 5' boards as they keep everything about the battlefield essentially equal while granting an extra square foot of playing space... I have thus far been unsuccessful in this endeavour in any large scale impact, though my gaming group does not care and sometimes doesn't even notice.

 AlmightyWalrus wrote:
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Made in pl
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Hecaton 807256 11441908 wrote:

30 x 44 is "minimum". Not "required."

How many people do you know who , went there is you have to do X to get Y, will do X+1? And how many do you know who would not do it. There is a reason why with stuff like table size, models counting as painted/unpainted people ask for minimums or if something is enough. Same way with army size, no one stops the over all population of w40k to play 2000pts games with less then 2000pts, but there aren't many people bringing 1500pts to such games.

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Made in gb
Longtime Dakkanaut




Karol wrote:
Hecaton 807256 11441908 wrote:

30 x 44 is "minimum". Not "required."

How many people do you know who , went there is you have to do X to get Y, will do X+1? And how many do you know who would not do it. There is a reason why with stuff like table size, models counting as painted/unpainted people ask for minimums or if something is enough. Same way with army size, no one stops the over all population of w40k to play 2000pts games with less then 2000pts, but there aren't many people bringing 1500pts to such games.


That's irrelevant to the point Hecaton is making. Also, when it comes to table size it's not uncommon around here for people to use the old 6x4 size for 1500+ point games, because that's what clubs and stores often have. I don't think any of the stores or clubs near me went to the trouble of cutting down existing boards when the new minimum size was introduced. They have often acquired some of the minimum-size mats since the change, but it's not uncommon to play one game on a 6x4 one week, then on the minimum sized board the next.
   
Made in us
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Sort of irrelevant for me. I have the new game boards for the official minimum (as I like it), but I'll play on a 6x4 still if I need too. Not going to go out of my way to play on old standards though, as I prefer to play what I'll see at events, which is the minimum.

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Made in ca
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Stasis

I'm a fan of the smaller boards, I just wish they'd adjust ranges to match.

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Made in pl
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Slipspace 807256 11442421 wrote:

That's irrelevant to the point Hecaton is making. Also, when it comes to table size it's not uncommon around here for people to use the old 6x4 size for 1500+ point games, because that's what clubs and stores often have. I don't think any of the stores or clubs near me went to the trouble of cutting down existing boards when the new minimum size was introduced. They have often acquired some of the minimum-size mats since the change, but it's not uncommon to play one game on a 6x4 one week, then on the minimum sized board the next.


But that is how the world works. The only people that play on 6x4 are those that had those tables before the change and who didn't want to update them, for what ever reason. Considering how fast w40k goes through its players, if the "minimal" table size is going to stay the same for one more edition, there are going to be many people playing that size of a table, aside for those that play 10+ years. It is like the games, from what I have been told, was about 1750 or 1500pts, and before that even smaller, specialy considering the army size model wise. Now the avarge game is 2000pts and the number of people who think of w40k with a mind set to play something else is the minority. Saying to others that this is just the minimal table size is like telling people to play narrative or open to "fix" their problems.

If you have to kill, then kill in the best manner. If you slaughter, then slaughter in the best manner. Let one of you sharpen his knife so his animal feels no pain. 
   
Made in ca
Longtime Dakkanaut





Somewhere in Canada

If you change the size of the board, you will have to change the numbers in the mission to work with the new sizes.

Because they measure from the middle, changing board size alone does nothing- you just added inches to the deployment zone that you will never use anyway.

You shouldn't let this stop you from adjusting table size to suit your needs- just be aware that you also have to tweak the numbers in order for using a bigger table to actually matter.

Also, as others have mentioned, scaling table size to game size makes sense, even if you disagree with GW's numbers, so thinking about escalation as you consider your options can be helpful.
   
Made in us
Fixture of Dakka




NE Ohio, USA

PenitentJake wrote:


Because they measure from the middle, changing board size alone does nothing- you just added inches to the deployment zone that you will never use anyway.


You might not use that space, but I do.
I like long range firepower. Always have. My vision of the 40k battlefield is sci-fi guns, bigger sci-fi guns, really big sf guns & ridiculously big sf guns.
So I'll often deploy such units as far back as possible.
I assure you, barring terrain, my guns have no problem dealing with a table that's 48" across instead of 44". (My fast units don't either)
It also doesn't bother me that the opponents shorter range/melee units need to cover 2" more ground to threaten my guns.
   
Made in us
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Chicago

 H.B.M.C. wrote:
FlightMedic wrote:
My question is how important is the 30x44 battle board size “required” for 1000pt 40K/AoS games compared to something like a 48”x48” mousepad mat in the middle of my already square table?
It's a nonsense requirement created to support an existing product, which in an of itself only existed because it was the size of board GW could fit in their standard box size. Ignore it.

4x4 is totally fine for 1000 points.


This would be my suggestion as well. 48x48 is a good size and you'll have room on the edge for gaming supplies.
30x44 is a stupid size. Plus, if you're into modular boards, doing things in feet is much easier. If GW really wanted to feed their pocketbook and make things smaller and easier for folks, they'd have gone with the 34" square that is a standard card table. Then they could sell proprietary sized game mats AND throw a bone to folks with small playing space.

In general though, I'd say pay less attention to the recommended size and more attention to the scenario you're playing and especially the amount of terrain. Even a silly 30x44 board can be fine if you've got plenty of terrain to challenge movement and limit line-of sight. I like a big 4x6 table for my sci-fi games (or even a 6x6 or more sometimes...), but even after all these years I've still got to remind myself to put enough terrain out (usually alot more than I initially do) to keep it from becoming a shooting gallery.


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Karol wrote:
Hecaton 807256 11441908 wrote:

30 x 44 is "minimum". Not "required."

How many people do you know who , went there is you have to do X to get Y, will do X+1?


Plenty. And generally by anyone who is even remotely serious about the thing.

'Bare minimum' only gets you so far. It's another way of saying low effort and lack of interest/commitment.
   
Made in eu
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Southampton, UK

Deadnight wrote:
Karol wrote:
Hecaton 807256 11441908 wrote:

30 x 44 is "minimum". Not "required."

How many people do you know who , went there is you have to do X to get Y, will do X+1?


Plenty. And generally by anyone who is even remotely serious about the thing.

'Bare minimum' only gets you so far. It's another way of saying low effort and lack of interest/commitment.


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Made in au
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Versteckt in den Schatten deines Geistes.

Slipspace wrote:
Also, when it comes to table size it's not uncommon around here for people to use the old 6x4 size for 1500+ point games, because that's what clubs and stores often have. I don't think any of the stores or clubs near me went to the trouble of cutting down existing boards when the new minimum size was introduced.
I've seen plenty of places with taped up boards that cut down the play size on an existing 6x4 mat. Even crazier are the ones that cut their 6x4 mats up.



This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2022/10/13 04:55:23


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Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut




Karol wrote:
Hecaton 807256 11441908 wrote:

30 x 44 is "minimum". Not "required."

How many people do you know who , went there is you have to do X to get Y, will do X+1? And how many do you know who would not do it. There is a reason why with stuff like table size, models counting as painted/unpainted people ask for minimums or if something is enough. Same way with army size, no one stops the over all population of w40k to play 2000pts games with less then 2000pts, but there aren't many people bringing 1500pts to such games.


When people are complaining that the board sizes are too small it's very relevant.

And I know plenty of people who do more than the bare minimum. And there are plenty of people in Poland like that, so enough with your crypto-racism against Poles.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Karol wrote:
But that is how the world works. The only people that play on 6x4 are those that had those tables before the change and who didn't want to update them, for what ever reason.


Or those of us who find that 30 x 44" is a very inconvenient size for gaming. I'd rather have something that makes a round number in feet or cm.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2022/10/13 05:30:50


 
   
Made in nl
Dakka Veteran






Hecaton wrote:
Karol wrote:
Hecaton 807256 11441908 wrote:

30 x 44 is "minimum". Not "required."

How many people do you know who , went there is you have to do X to get Y, will do X+1? And how many do you know who would not do it. There is a reason why with stuff like table size, models counting as painted/unpainted people ask for minimums or if something is enough. Same way with army size, no one stops the over all population of w40k to play 2000pts games with less then 2000pts, but there aren't many people bringing 1500pts to such games.


When people are complaining that the board sizes are too small it's very relevant.

And I know plenty of people who do more than the bare minimum. And there are plenty of people in Poland like that, so enough with your crypto-racism against Poles.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Karol wrote:
But that is how the world works. The only people that play on 6x4 are those that had those tables before the change and who didn't want to update them, for what ever reason.


Or those of us who find that 30 x 44" is a very inconvenient size for gaming. I'd rather have something that makes a round number in feet or cm.


That, and many other games also have suggested board sizes and it's very, very annoying if your board is too small. And, of course, GW can always change things up again and then you'll have people glueing 3/4 inch strips to their boards.

   
Made in fi
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PenitentJake wrote:
If you change the size of the board, you will have to change the numbers in the mission to work with the new sizes.


Uh no you don't...The missions are designed so that they work regardless.

Hell on tuesday I played 1k scenario with 2k board size.

Guess what? We didn't need to redesign distances. Because the mission doesn't actually care what size board you play with...

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2022/10/13 07:03:25


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Made in gb
Longtime Dakkanaut




tneva82 wrote:
PenitentJake wrote:
If you change the size of the board, you will have to change the numbers in the mission to work with the new sizes.


Uh no you don't...The missions are designed so that they work regardless.

Hell on tuesday I played 1k scenario with 2k board size.

Guess what? We didn't need to redesign distances. Because the mission doesn't actually care what size board you play with...

That's largely true, but a couple of the diagonal deployment types can be quite annoying to create with a 6x4 board.

On a related note, why does GW seem to love diagonal deployment so much? It's really annoying to set up and even more annoying with the number of secondaries that require you to get into or keep units out of deployment zones.
   
Made in us
Master Engineer with a Brace of Pistols





washington state USA

Yeah, i prefer the end to end or table quarters over diagonal.

The 4th ed rulebook also has some interesting scenario setups that included L and U shape deployments.





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Luton, England

They say in the description for table sizes that they are the minimum recommended sizes and I think they really mean it.
They have those sizes as it pairs up with the boards they can put in their boxes but I personally feel having bigger boards makes the game alot better, movement and weapon ranges become more meaningful and its just a better experience.

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Really depends on the size of your battle.

If it’s a small scale battle on a large board? You may find you spend more time in silly knees bent running about business than actually kicking names and taking well let’s just leave that one there.

If it’s a large scale battle on a small board? You may simply find there’s literally no room to manoeuvre.

For your 54x54? Eff around and find out is the only way to figure out what’s gonna work.

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Made in gb
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I'm lucky. I have a 6' x 4' table in the loft, with two 2x2 tables to one side for figures, books, coffee etc.

Since the 6x4 is actually made up of six 2x2 I have a lot of flexibility in size.

I tend to use 6x4 most, occasionally dropping to 4x4 and going cityfight terrain dense.

The 30x44 battle board size is in my opinion a bit of a nonsense: I have some of the GW boards that size and just stick them all together,
   
Made in us
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Karol wrote:

But that is how the world works. The only people that play on 6x4 are those that had those tables before the change and who didn't want to update them, for what ever reason. Considering how fast w40k goes through its players, if the "minimal" table size is going to stay the same for one more edition, there are going to be many people playing that size of a table, aside for those that play 10+ years. It is like the games, from what I have been told, was about 1750 or 1500pts, and before that even smaller, specialy considering the army size model wise. Now the avarge game is 2000pts and the number of people who think of w40k with a mind set to play something else is the minority. Saying to others that this is just the minimal table size is like telling people to play narrative or open to "fix" their problems.


no, i got myself a table and bought a 6x4 playmat for it because its the smart dimension to take when youre playing multiple different game systems.

on it i can do:

Legions (6x3)
infinity(4x4)
Malifaux (3x3)
Bushido (2x2)


And no, it litterally is the MINIMUM recommended size, stop overthinking it. 40k isnt more or less broken because you have 4" more on your table.
   
Made in nl
Longtime Dakkanaut





I'd go as far as saying that the recommended 30x44 table for 1k is unplayable because your just lined up covering the entire length with a normal amount of units.

Play 48x48 and be happy.
   
Made in ca
Deathwing Terminator with Assault Cannon






I play almost all my games on 6x4.

For smaller games (<40PL or so), we sometimes split the table in half into two 4x3 tables.

My table is made from two 72"x30" commercial folding tables - so there ends up being nice 6" gutter for dice, books and reserves along the both long sides.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2022/10/13 13:42:56


 
   
Made in pl
Fixture of Dakka




 VladimirHerzog wrote:


no, i got myself a table and bought a 6x4 playmat for it because its the smart dimension to take when youre playing multiple different game systems.

on it i can do:

Legions (6x3)
infinity(4x4)
Malifaux (3x3)
Bushido (2x2)


And no, it litterally is the MINIMUM recommended size, stop overthinking it. 40k isnt more or less broken because you have 4" more on your table.


Good luck playing the game of w40k on an infinity table, specialy when it is what we here call an "american" style table. And I have no idea you would fit even a 1750pts game on to a 3x3 or 2x2 table. As the 4" isn't important thing. For some armies, those with extrem movment, with flyers maybe it does not matter as much. For armies that don't really care about engaging the enemy or who don't have to do it to win. Maybe it is true to a degree too. But try playing something like LoV on a small and bigger table and after 10 games on each you will definitly see the difference. Especialy when the terrain is proper GW size with proper separation of no terrain between them. On small tables some armies can't run an optimal build and screen themselfs from something like demons for example. To me that counts very much as impacting the game. Now what ever it breaks it or not, mostly depends on the army someone plays.

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