Terrain Templates in 40k
Warhammer 40k is introducing area terrain templates to the core rules of the game. From what I have read, I think that this is a good change, even though I used to be very reluctant to use templates.
From what I can tell, templates were added to the game for two reasons. The first was the ever-growing presence of the tournament scene. Tournament tables needed to be both balanced and quick to set up in a repeatable manner, to ensure as competitive a playing field as possible. The second was terrible terrain rules, which meant that L-shaped ruins were king.
GW saw the various terrain set ups used by major tournaments and then made their own. Now, with the new edition, they are taking that a step further. There will be a set of standard terrain templates for area terrain, and all terrain has been reworked with these templates in mind.
This is a good thing.
This means that tables can be varied again. You can have woods, pipes, containers, and all can be useful elements on the battlefield. It really will be nice to see something other than L-shaped ruins and some crumbled walls.
Will it be the best terrain system in a game ever? No. But as long as it makes for varied battlefields which allow a variety of battlefield roles to be viable, then I will be happy.
This was on my mind today because I made a set of the templates.
PSA: the cardboard Kill Team boards can be cut up to make a full terrain set. It isn't perfect, and is missing a quarter inch here and there, but for casual play it is ideal. For photos, ping me an email. I might sketch out the layout of tiles as it took me a bit of rejigging to make it work. Only one bit required some Frankenstein-esque surgery.
Now time to make some terrain to go on the tiles, that isn't just ruins.
Quack