It’s time to jump into the cat tub time machine and learn some ancient techniques for great looking terrain, 4th edition style!
Today’s Hobby Flashback is brought you to by the 4th Edition of Warhammer 40k. Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen this book came out way back in 2004. Rules wise, this book is totally different, but it’s CHOCK full of hobby: combat patrol, battle missions, break through missions, scenarios, the whole kit and caboodle that you don’t see much anymore.
Terrain leads off this special rules section because it’s kind of important to have some features when you’re doing smaller missions like combat patrol.
Making a terrain table for 40k is this easy”
- Layer of Glue (or latex color match paint)
- Pour Sand
- Use Color mixes (or latex color match paint)
What I’ve found works really great for tabletop textures in the past is going to the store, and color matching paint! Roll it out, pour your sand, or finely grounded down wood chips, dump it, knock it off, and then hit it with another coat of paint. You trap that texture in-between two layers of paint so it’s probably not going to chip up or come off because that paint is sealed in.
They used to sell trees which where essentially pipe cleaners for instruments, dipped in glue and flocked and that’s that.
Google Vogen Terrain PDFs to find these today.
They put in a nice template here, they had to blow it up 200%, cut it out and it would make the floor. They had some really neat missions, I go into detail in the video for each one of these.
Then they had a really cool template to make a bunker too. Just copied this at 100% but don’t forget you need two of them.
They also showed you how to make craters which was very effective.
Then there was some great Kill Team terrain examples in here that you might have seen these at a Game Day, I loved them even though I’ve never had a chance to actually make or play on them.
You can see these books on eBay for just a few bucks, so if you’re not satisfied with what’s out there from GW or the price tag on it, these are some really great tutorials and even rules which I think you’ll really enjoy.
How to Make Terrain – 4th Edition 40k Rulebook Flashback RETRO
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About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at the Las Vegas Open, each of which attracts thousands of players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the 2011 Adepticon 40k Team Tournament. He was even featured for his painting in issue #304 of Games Workshop’s White Dwarf Magazine.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
