Review - Terrains4Games Terrain Pieces

I've been thinking about upgrading some of my terrain for a while.  In spring 2021 I did some google searches for terrain manufacturers and found the Terrains4Games (T4G) website:  

Terrains4Games

T4G is based in Poland.  Their products looked interesting, and after finding positive reviews of their products online I took a longer look at their website.  My specific need was to get a variety of fields, hills, woods and rocky areas that would cover all the possible terrain requirements for my 28mm Saga games.  I already have a good selection of buildings and marshes.  Of course, anything I bought would also be usable in the other periods I play.

T4G makes multiple types of fields and hills to choose from.  They produce 2 sizes of forest which consist of a base piece and separate trees.  They also sell the base pieces separately, which in addition to being less expensive, would also allow me to use my existing trees.  I realized that if I bought a few extra of the medium forest bases, I could also use them to represent rocky areas or ruins by placing some of the rocks, walls or fallen columns that I already have on top of the base.  With storage space at a premium, anything that can perform multiple functions is attractive to me.

Looking at the specs on the website, I noticed that the two sizes of forest base were slightly longer than the maximum size allowed under the Saga rules.  I emailed T4G to ask if they could make them slightly smaller and quickly received a positive reply.

I thought the prices were very reasonable and ended up ordering 3 fields, 3 hills, 2 large forest bases and 4 medium forest bases.  Everything would arrive painted and ready to use on the table.

I will note that the time between ordering and receiving my order took several months.  This is not a criticism because their website is very clear on their production and shipping timeframes.  Also, I asked for different-sized forest bases than their standard products and I expect custom requests to take longer.  Both times I emailed to ask a question they replied quickly and provided great customer service.

I received my package last week.  Upon opening the box, everything was securely packed with each piece tightly wrapped in several layers of thick plastic and packing peanuts filling all the open space.

Everything unwrapped and laid out on my dining room table.  The color on the T4G website photos is a brighter green.  I would describe the color of the pieces I received as medium green.   The pieces have varied shapes and each is finished differently with green and brown static grass, rocks, and bits of flock and vegetation.  Bare areas are painted with what looks to me like 3 shades of brown.  Most of the photos have a 12"/30cm ruler to show scale.

Two Plowed Fields: They are made from HDF/hardboard and are very sturdy.  You can see the material in the second photo where I flipped one field over.

One Rising Wheat Field: In addition to the basic fields, T4G offer fields with a variety of different crops.

Two Large Forest Bases: I am going to use these as large woods pieces with some trees placed on them.  They are also made of HDF.

Four Medium Forest Bases:  I am going to use these to represent multiple types of terrain with trees/rocks/ruins placed on them.  No ruler in this photo but they are around 20 cm long and 11 cm wide and made of HDF.

Size comparison between a large and medium base.

Gentle Natural Hill:   This hill has a central ridge running the length of the hill with an equal slope on each side.  The slope is able to support two 28mm Balearic slingers from Crusader without the miniatures sliding; a nice feature.  It is made from styrofoam based on HDF.

Tournament Hill: This hill has an all-around slope with a large flat area on top and is also made from styrofoam based on HDF.

Hill - Basic Version:  This hill is only made from styrofoam without the HDF base but was much cheaper than the other hills I bought.  Similar to the Tournament Hill but with less detailing, it has a slope around the edge and a flat top.

A mix of flower tufts and a bonus sticker.

Overall I am very happy with all the pieces, they are high quality and the price I paid was excellent for quality, fully-finished terrain.  They have a wide variety of other types of terrain pieces available and I highly recommend them.

Ruined Cathedral

I have wanted a terrain piece like this for years.  It is a great centerpiece for post-apocalyptic games I play such as Across the Dead Earth and the upcoming 7TV:Apocalypse.  In addition it can be used for a range of other eras from medieval to modern.

Early in 2018, someone in one of the wargaming groups I follow on Facebook mentioned a terrain manufacturer named Wild Land Store.  After looking at their Facebook page, I communicated with them and asked some questions about their products.  I eventually ordered the cathedral, a smaller intact church and 2 bus stops.  Wild Land is located in Ukraine and were very helpful in arranging payment and in less than 2 weeks I had my terrain.  I highly recommend them.

I will note that there are not any written instructions.  However they sent me pictures from different angles and the small number of parts made it easy to put together.  Each wall is 2 pieces of MDF (1 for each side), and the wall supports each have 2 pieces.  It was very easy to assemble.

The detail is cut fairly deep and really lent itself to drybrushing.  I sprayed it black to prime it and added some black paint on spots that didn't get enough coverage.  I drybrushed a dark gray, a medium gray and a light gray in succession.  After painting the outer area brown, I applied static grass and added some bushes.  I also wanted to add some vines, so after consulting the Facebook group Tabletop Commanders Forum, I used pva and flock.  I think it turned out well.

Most of the pictures have 28mm miniatures from Studio Miniatures or Dead Earth Games to show the scale.  When I took these pictures yesterday morning it was cloudy and so the light varies.  The actual color is what you see in the brighter photos.

One of the good things about this building is that it is really 4 separate pieces.  You can use all or some of them in a game.  It also makes storage much easier.

2018 Begins with Hasslefree

Since resuming painting, I have been making good progress.  I've finished 19 miniatures since my post 3.5 weeks ago; the ones I started then plus some that were partially painted.  I haven't been able to seal them yet as it is too cold outside for spraying them with varnish.

After Christmas I started a new batch of recently arrived miniatures that are detailed below.  Normally I don't paint things that I just bought, instead choosing things out of my stockpile for a particular project.  But that is what I am currently motivated to do, so I am going with it.

I made an order with Hasslefree in late November during their sale.  A few days later, I received an email to let me know my order would be slightly delayed due to an inventory error.  When the package arrived in December, I discovered they were kind enough to include a free miniature in my order.  Even better it was one I had considered getting.  Great customer service as usual, plus two pieces of candy.

Top row l-r:
1. Karl Drax: A miniature based on the character Ronon Dex from Stargate Atlantis, a tv show I watched during its 5-season run starting in 2004.  Played by Jason Momoa, now more famous as Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones and Aquaman in Justice League.  I choose to ignore the awful Conan movie he starred in.  I'll use him as a hero or alien mercenary.
2. Dynamic Jynx: I'll use her as a 7TV character with psionic or other superhuman powers.  The big question is what color to paint the ball of energy in her hands?
3. Finn: P-A survivor
4. Kendra: P-A survivor

5. Destiny: 7TV heroine with a 70s vibe.

Bottom row l-r:
1. Winter Morgan:7TV spy
2. Rihanna: P-A survivor who appears to be based on Rosita from the Walking Dead.
3. Post-Apoc Wolsey: P-A version of Shaggy from Scooby Doo.  There is actually a "Scooby Apocalypse" comic that started in 2016.  Not sure whether this mini pre-dates that.  Hasslefree make the rest of the gang as well, I may get them in future.
4. Elite Sadie:  Not fully assembled yet.  I've had a terrible time trying to attach the arms.  One piece has the right arm, a weapon and the left hand.  The left arm is small and difficult to match up at the shoulder and wrist simultaneously.  I wanted to use the shotgun but am ready to give up and try the other gun or sword to see if I can salvage her.
5. Maria: P-A survivor and FREE!

Since I took this picture, they have been based, brush-primed (too cold for spraying), and the bases, weapons, shoes. belts and hair painted.  Also underway but not pictured are a Guru (evil mastermind) from Crooked Dice and another mini from Black Cat for a total of 11 (twelve if I can get Sadie's arms to attach) .

Also arriving in December as part of my post-Thanksgiving orders was a Secret Base from Crooked Dice.  This is a MDF set that builds a 60cmx60cm aka 2'x2' secret lair,underground bunker, etc.  I plan on using it for games I run in 2018.  Construction has started tonight. 

This:

Will turn into this:

http://www.crooked-dice.co.uk/wp/product/secret-base-starter-set/

The last bit of news is the most exciting.  My upcoming local convention, Siege of Augusta, is in 2 weeks.  This year will be different since my 11-year-old daughter told me months ago that she wants to attend.  I plan on playing in whatever games she is interested in trying.

Goliath's Horses

Wow, what a long time between posts. Well, I have been painting, I just am not the best photographer and I find it hard to find time to set up and take photos of an entire army at once.

Anyway, this post is an update on one of my current projects and also a figure review. I have had an Avar army since the days of WRG 7th edition, originally painted around 1991 or 2. It has always been one of my favorites. I have slowly updated it over the last few years and recently decided to add 2 new command stands. So I purchased a pack of Khurasan Miniatures Avar Command, which contains 2 generals and 2 standardbearers. The riders have nice poses but the sculpting is only average and not quite as detailed as the Essex Avars, and are roughly the same size. This isn't the clearest photo, but you can see the size comparison (l-r: Essex Khazar, KM standardbearer, KM general, Essex Avar):Before I go any further, I should note that each of KM's ranges are done by different sculptors (listed on the KM website). The other KM figures I own and have seen are very well done. However their Avar horses are on steroids! Essex horses are not exactly underfed, but the KM horses make them look like ponies (l-r: KM, Essex, KM, Essex):

The riders look way out of scale when mounted. My solution was to mount the KM riders on some spare Essex horses I had. They are currently being painted and when they are done the whole army will appear on the blog.