FDM Terrain WiP & Gameplay
I’ve been working on a container-based terrain setup for skirmish games recently and wanted to share a few progress shots along with how it’s been performing on the table.
The goal from the start was to keep things practical. Simple pieces that print reliably on an FDM machine, can be used in quantity, and don’t require a huge amount of painting time before they’re playable.
Keeping It Simple: Print, Spray, Play
Most of the terrain here started as straightforward prints with minimal cleanup. Rather than aiming for display-level pieces, the focus was on getting a full board ready quickly.
Spray cans did most of the work:
- Base colours applied directly after printing
- Light dry brushing and weathering
- No heavy detailing or time-intensive steps
The idea is that you can build up a full board without getting stuck in a long painting backlog.
WiP Painting Shots
Building Verticality with Containers
One of the main advantages of using containers is how easy it is to create vertical gameplay without complex terrain pieces.
Because they’re consistent in size, they:
- Stack cleanly
- Create natural platforms
- Block lines of sight effectively
- Encourage movement across different levels
Even just a few stacked pieces can completely change how a board plays.
In-Game Use
Once everything was on the table, the difference was immediate.
The board felt more dynamic:
- Elevated firing positions
- Covered movement routes
- Multiple paths through the terrain
It also helped avoid the “flat board” problem where everything happens at ground level.
Gameplay Shots
The Approach
The key idea behind this setup is simplicity:
Instead of lots of unique terrain pieces, this uses a small number of repeatable elements that can be arranged in different ways each game.
That makes it:
- Quick to print in batches
- Easy to store
- Flexible on the table
If You Want to Try It
I’ve been building this out as part of a larger container-based terrain project called Container City.
If you want to follow along or get notified when it launches, the Kickstarter preview is here:
There’s also a Free Checkpoint Alpha terrain piece available which uses the same design approach if you want to try it out yourself:
Still experimenting with expanding this into a larger setup, but so far it’s been one of the quickest ways to get a functional, good-looking board together.
Feel free to tag Wargame Geeks on socials if you print Checkpoint Alpha.
