Before I begin work on my new gridded terrain board, I need to decide what size grid squares I’m going to use. I laid out the options available to me in a recent blog post … and most comments from my regular blog readers seemed to favour the 8cm x 8cm/11 x 7 grid.
To help me decide which of the three options I will choose, I drew three squares and placed a number of figure bases from my Belle Époque collection in each to see both how many each would hold, and which looked best. The results are as follows:
11cm x 11cm
I could easily get three double-base infantry units and a single-base artillery unit into an 11cm x 11cm grid square.
8cm x 8cm
I could just about get two double-base infantry units and a single-base artillery unit into an 8cm x 8cm grid square.
4cm x 4cm
I could only get a double-base infantry (or a single-base artillery unit) unit into a 4cm x 4cm grid square. I could not have got a double-base cavalry unit into the size of grid square.
I think that having done this the best option is obvious ... it has to be the 8cm x 8cm grid square.
Bob, I tend to agree. With a central spot, as has been suggested by others, you also have the option to treat the 8 x 8 cm square as four 4 x 4 cm squares for lower level, tactical games - or skirmish games with larger figures. Best wishes, Arthur
ReplyDeleteArthur1815 (Arthur),
DeleteCheers! It looks as if the 8cm x 8cm grid square will be the way to go … but with a central dot of some kind in each grid square.
All the best,
Bob
I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who has to work stuff out like this, thanks for sharing Bob
ReplyDeleteDemitri Ioannou,
DeleteWelcome to the club! Sometimes it makes a lot of sense to put ideas down on paper, especially if it helps to solve a problem. It’s certainly cheaper than starting something and then discovering that you’ve made a mistake.
All the best,
Bob
BOB- Yes, 8x8cm seems to be the better option- just enough figure bases not to be overcrowded- a nice choice for your Belle Epoque project. Regards. KEV.
ReplyDeleteKev Robertson (Kev),
DeleteThe 8cm x 8cm grid square does seem to be the best option. That said, my wife just put a spanner in the works by asking why I hadn’t used hexes!
All the best,
Bob
Of course, if you had 4” squares (10.16cm) then you could still use your 4cm bases - and it would give you a bit of “spare” space so things don’t look too crowded. Sure you’d have less grid squares on the tabletop battlefield, but it would avoid the appearance of overcrowding (and you might have available room on the square to squeeze your miniatures in along with certain terrain items - such as trees).
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Geoff
Elliesdad (Geoff),
DeleteThanks for the suggestion.
The problem is that the board I’m using is 35" x 22", which translates into 88.9cm x 55.9cm, which does not divide easily into 4”/10.16cm. If it had, it’s the option that I would have chosen. As it is, I’m going to have to fudge things a bit if I use an 8cm x 8cm square.
All the best,
Bob
I also will experiment with the look of things before finalizing a set up. I'm working on a complete new set up using felt boards, wooden trees and cork tiles hills. I've ended up settling on three size grids based on my one page and big battles variants. 4" squares for 28mm figures and eventual 1/72 WW2, 3" squares for 1/72 and epic scale minis and 6cm for my Risk piece armies. I'm also doing new 3x3 boards in each scale. I'm doing 3 sets for each, green, white for winter and brown for desert. The idea is that this will be light weight and compact for storage and provide all the terrain I need, until I get the itch to do it again! 😁
ReplyDeleteMark Cordone,
DeleteThat’s a very comprehensive and all-encompassing strategy, and it should provide you with lots of fun wargaming in the future. I look forward to seeing your terrain in action.
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob the 8cm x 8cm sure looks the most practical. I also liked the 4” option suggested by one of your readers. But I understand your reasons in this case. And definitely the 8cm x 8xcm is very practical by place a single unit you still have plenty space for trees or building etc Quinn
ReplyDeleteGlory to Ruritania (Quinn),
DeleteAs you write in your comment, the 4" x 4" option would have been better, but the 8cm x 8cm one is the best compromise solution that I can come up with.
All the best,
Bob
Your experimentation and comparison of grid sizes are very informative! It's great to see how you considered both functionality and aesthetics. The 8cm x 8cm grid square sounds like the perfect choice for your terrain board.
ReplyDeletebmg
Bmg,
DeleteI am a great believer in the old adage that if something looks right, it probably is. This is a case in point.
All the best,
Bob