With both a table and too much time on my hands I spend a lot of time solo gaming. So naturally I have to set up tables to play on. Fortunately I am also playing games that include a terrain generation system. Yet of course one is never quite satisfied with the result so hence this modified system.
The idea behind most terrain systems is to provide a single layer of terrain. What I have provides for multiple layers so that terrain can be stacked upon terrain such as a hilltop town or a stream meandering through a wood. So at the bottom you have the base layer which are the folds and shapes of the land. Upon them you have the surface layer which are your woods and towns. Finally you can have a dynamic layer which can incorporate weather and other temporary changes to the terrain.
I have it based upon the one used in Flames of War in this case their Mediterranean table.
Base Layer
1-2 Mountain
3 Wadi or stream
4-6 Flat
Surface Layer
1 Orchards and Fields
2 Village and farms
3-6 Nothing
Dynamic Layer
1 Mud
2-6 Nothing
There it is. It does involve a bit more die rolling. There will also generally be more terrain on the table using this system.
The dynamic layer depending upon the effect could apply either to the whole table or to individual sections. Mud is an example of one where it could be applied to only parts of the table.
A final though have an eye to the narrative of the battlefield, how it hangs together and will shape the battle. Don;t be afraid to fiddle around with it, if it will make for a better and more enjoyable game.
