[SF] What terrain will I need

[Red-24]

So while I wait for a rulebook (that will need reading) and miniatures (that will need painting), I figured I should get started on some space terrain. I see asteroids all over the squadron and fleet boxes, so I assume I'll need some of those, some planets, some nebula?

For someone who has the rules, and therefore access to the scenarios, can you tell me what I would need to play the various scenarios in the book?

I'd like to know:

• the recommended size for planets. Will I need various sizes?
• how many planets I should make?
• how big asteroids should be.
• how may asteroids to nicely represent an asteroid field on the tabletop.
• if I will need stars. How big they should be?
• how dust fields, nebula, etc. should be represented.

Do most people just use a black cloth/felt, or do you have one with a starfield?

 

[Da Boss]

A few thoughts:

If you are using models - its also worth considering having templates to show the area covered by the asteroid field / planet etc but which still allow ships to be easily moved across them / into them.

If you have a look at the battle report here - this might give an idea of how it works for us:

http://forum.mongoosepublishing.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=49225

You can just put your cool models on the templates and take them off if they are going to get in the way?

 

[Greg Smith]

There are planets to download and print here (at the bottom of the page): http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/miniatures/noble-armada/rulebooks/a-call-to-arms-noble-armada.html

Asteroids and gas clouds here: http://www.epicarmycard.com/Resources.htm

Many of mine are simply pictures of planets and nebulas from the net, printed on photo paper and cut out.

 

[Red-24]

There are planets to download and print here...

And are these the same types of templates for use with Star Fleet (hence my [SF] in the topic)?

Templates are quick and easy, but I like modeled terrain. That's why I was wondering about sizes and what scenarios are in the ACTA:SF book.

Thanks

 

[GalagaGalaxian]

First off, I don't have CTA:SF yet. However in Noble Armada small planets/moons are 2-3 inches, larger planets are 4-9 inches and Gas/Ice Giants are 10" or bigger. Asteroid fields are of variable size and represented by scattering individual rocks around to mark the "boundaries" of the field (and probably fill in the middle so it looks better). Like Red-24, I would love to know if its the same in CTA:SF as I am planning on making some terrain myself.

This may or may not help Red-24 (he already seems to be aiming for 3D terrain), and hopefully he doesn't mind the slight tangent (if so I'll edit this out) but if anyone wants some idea for 3d terrain to go with your minis, here are some basic tips. For small planets/moons I can recommend Ping-Pong balls! Properly painted the look pretty good. Of course, ships can pass over planets in CTA, so simply put a 2D template underneath your 3D one, that way if a ship has to move over, or finish its movement on top of, a planet, you can simply remove the 3D one and the 2D template will still be marking it's location.

For larger planets Foam balls covered in watered down white glue works well (though I've been meaning to try other substances like drywall patch putty). Volcanic rock makes excellent asteroids, though normal rocks can work too, especially if given a paintjob.

 

[Greg Smith]

There are planets to download and print here...

And are these the same types of templates for use with Star Fleet (hence my [SF] in the topic)?

Templates are quick and easy, but I like modeled terrain. That's why I was wondering about sizes and what scenarios are in the ACTA:SF book.

Thanks

Yes the planets are the same size for NA, B5 & SF.

The scenarios use random terrain.

Planets are:
Lifeless rock, up to 3"
Earth-like, 4-9"
Gas giant, 10" plus

Asteroids & dust clouds should be 4-6 square inches.

There are also comets: 1-2 asteroid in the centre with a dust cloud tail 1-4 inches thick, up to 18" long.

And black holes. 1-2" diameter.

 

[Rick]

I've made up planets for various ship combat games - ping pong balls work well, as do the balls from roll-on deodorants. For larger planets, balls from ball pools are good and for big ones - have a look around halloween times for a costume plastic ball-and-chain - the ball on that works well.

The best way I've found of dealing with these is to glue them onto a large flying base, then matte varnish before painting (helps the paint to stick).