Looking for Rivers

[OldNick]

This year I am working on improving my terrain.  I game in 25mm (or is it 28mms now?) And have a old school minimalist approach to terrain.  Not looking fora diorama or model railroad but functional.  My big disappointment has been rivers. Looking to upgrade and improve what I have.  So what would you recommend that works for you?  Easy storage, looks nice tabletop.

Thank you for the help!

Mark

[shelldrake]

I have been chasing the perfect rivers for my games for years.  I have resin ones that rise up above the table, I have tried 4mm MDF with rivers painted on them that go across the table as one piece, MDF river sections  and even thin strips of different material, and I never seem to be happy.

What I am now working on is some 6mm thick MDF boards that I cut in to different widths (I purchased about six boards).

Each board is as long as my playing area, but not as wide -this way I always have a gap between the two river banks.

This allows for different river widths by placing different sections oppsite each other. I am placing some blue cloth under neath them so as to have water as well.

I have only just started working on my idea and hope to paint the MDF this week, but here are some photos to give you an idea (and yes, I need to iron my water too!).  I just threw these on the dining room table to take some photos for you.

I made my fairly straight, as I play skirmish games and the number of twists and turns would be limited, but cutting the boards in to different patters, thicknesses and sections can make a lot of different river options and the river will actually be below ‘ground level’ as it were.

I play tested this river with a Napoloeonic skirmish game and was very happy with the results.

Now I just need to paint and flock the boards and they are game ready.

 

Oh, and the boards stack up for easy storage too.

 

I am guessing most places would sell MDF boards big enough (here is one placethat sells what I am using here in Australia: https://www.bunnings.com.au/our-range/building-hardware/building-boards/mdf )

 

[Mr. Average]

Cigar Box Battles makes a great set of cut-out fabric terrain.  I attest to the quality of CBB products, as well.

[Will McNally]

Thin sheets of clear plastic, painted on the reverse side with cheap brown acrylic caulk mixed with sand/grit for the banks.

Here’s a more complex version I created for winter

[Author]

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