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I am currently looking at this http://www.pworkwargames.com/en/gaming-mats-terrain-tabletop-pwork/10-gaming-mat-tabletop-wargaming-city-ruins-pwork.html#/material-pvc/size-3x6_92x183cm

I have a 3x6 table. There is nothing I can do about that sadly. What are peoples thoughts on this for looks/value?

Is PVC or cloth preferable?

Thanks again Dakka Dakka crew!

I have experience with several mat companies, but not that one. They do have some decent designs.

The material you want is Mouse Pad or Neoprene - it's the "best" of them. There are some very decent Vinyl manufacturers out there, but the change in cost is normally only $15-20 and for something you'll be using for many many years, spend the extra cash.

Also, don't buy a 6'x3' mat just because that is the table size you own at the moment. That's a rather weird table size/shape. Just order a normal 6'x4' and let it hang over the edges. Don't limit yourself because of your current table. You may well be bringing this mat around with you to clubs or other peoples' houses. 6'x4' is a pretty standard size for gaming, and often other games do 4'x4', neither of which can be done on a 6'x'3. You'll lose a lot of versatility if you choose that odd smaller size (the 6x3 seems to be aimed at dinner tables, which is nice...but doesn't fit in with a lot of other current games).

So, while I can't comment on the quality of PWorks stuff - if you're going to spend the money get a 6'x'4 Neoprene/Mouse Pad mat.

PS: From a value perspective, the average cost - shipped, at least in the United States is roughly $85-100 for a 6'x4' mat in Neoprene/Mouse Pad. I can't comment on shipping or costs to the UK.

Thank you for the advice.

I might just do that. I will see if I can find a way to support the mat with a bit of wood or something. A 6x3 would make the game too thin.

Are there any decent "city ruin" designs from a company you recommend?

There are some excellent options. The companies I've used and seen in person are:

Deep Cut Studios
http://www.deepcutstudio.com/product-category/mats-size-6x4/

Urbanmatz
https://www.urbanmatz.com/c/6-x-4

Gamemat.eu
https://www.gamemat.eu/our-products/battle-mats/6-x4-g-mats/en/

I actually just received an urbanmatz "Concrete Area" mat and it's pretty slick. I got an off-printed one which has a small graphical error (saved me 30%), but the mat is really cool:

(not my mat!)

Sy2pie wrote:
Thank you for the advice.

I might just do that. I will see if I can find a way to support the mat with a bit of wood or something. A 6x3 would make the game too thin.

Are there any decent "city ruin" designs from a company you recommend?

I'd highly recommend these guys: https://www.gamemat.eu/our-products/battle-mats/6-x4-g-mats/us/

I own the "Forges of Mars" mat and it's awesome. Good quality, good detail. Expect to spent around $85-$100 for a decent 6x4 neoprene mat. The one I have is more specific and narrow in how you can place terrain, but they have others that are open-ended/city type mats that would probably fit your needs. Shipped fast from the Czech Republic, arrived in about a week. The GW city ruins and industrial terrain I have looks great on the mat, any generic sci-fi/industrial stuff would look good too.

I went for the Neo Tokyo one in the end. The other ones I wanted were all sold out.

http://www.deepcutstudio.com/product/wargames-terrain-mat-neo-tokyo/

I own a 3x3 Dirty Roads mat from Urbanmatz and also a 3x3 desert mat from FAT Mats from Frontline Gaming. Both are virtually the same quality of mousemat material. Even the bags they came in were the same. I imagine these companies are probably all using the same manufacturer. The mats are real nice, they roll up nice for storage and are durable enough to play on a lot.

I also own a fully painted GW realm of battle board set, with a thick layer of dust on it. Haven't touched it since I got these mats.

I've bought both my matts from http://www.frontlinegaming.org and couldn't be happier with the price, and product. I highly recommend them.

My only beef with FLG mats as that I find all of their art pretty sub-par compared to the other companies. I'd probably say I like Urbanmatz art the best, but I prefer the material of my Deep Cut mat (it's flat compared to a tiny sheen on the Urbanmatz ones).

The neoprene-backed fabric mats are good, but I have a couple of issues with them - the print isn't as vibrant as that on a vinyl or rubber mat, and it'll be harder to remove any spillages. In their favour, they're easier to lie flat and won't crease if left stored rolled up lying down. For me, I'd probably buy neoprene mats for my personal use, but for my club, I prefer the vinyl ones.

Sy2pie wrote:
I went for the Neo Tokyo one in the end. The other ones I wanted were all sold out.

http://www.deepcutstudio.com/product/wargames-terrain-mat-neo-tokyo/

I got that same one, as 4x4 Mousepad.
It works very well on my 5x3 table, folding over the edge and staying in place.
Keeping it in the roll-up bag is a pain to store. Do not leave it folded over for long, as it developed a lumpy ripple where it had stretched around the fold. It settled back down after being used for a few hours though.
I'm looking to get a different 4x6 mat of the same Mousepad type.

I will agree that storing your mats - you'll want to lie the bag horizontally and not stand it in a corner. So they slot well under beds or tables, but yeah you don't want to hang them vertically or fold/crumple up the mats - regardless of how resistant they are.

Some (repeat: some) companies do provide Neoprene/Mousepad mats with stain resistant material, though I've never tried it in practice. I do think a full can of coke or wine is going to ruin a mat - though perhaps they'd stand up to some harsh scrubbing? I've been fortunate enough not to have to try any of that stuff yet.