"Boardgame boards for 28mm wargames?" Topic

I'm trying to convert a board gamer into an occasional wargamer. The freeform nature seems to be a stumbling block for him.

I think playing on a game board would help the transition.

Are there any game boards with 1 inch squares or hexes that would make a good playing surface for skirmish wargames? Preferably something sci-fi, modern, or neutral but will accept fantasy if no other options exist. I'd rather stick with a board than tiles. I'm not sure he's ready for tiles yet.

Please, no OOP suggestions unless you can still get them at fair prices. As this is meant to be a transition item, I'd prefer not to go too high priced.

not 1 inch squares, but Zombicide is a great miniaturse based board game

While the miniatures are not 28mm Battlelore by fantasy flight games might be along the lines of what your looking for.

link

Fantasy Flight games might also have a few others that might suit your tastes as well. As I recall there are also a number of people who have converted Command And Colors, to use miniatures as well. There is also the Hex Command series that are free for download. They may also be worth a look for you.

imagineimage.org/Rules.htm

Hope that gives you somewhere to start.

Cheers.
GeorgeD

OGRE used hexes
Early versions of Heavy Gear and Battletech use hexes.
DUST used large squares
Super Dungeon Explorer uses squares
Space Hulk

Space Hulk, Sedition Wars, Mantic's Deadzone, Zombicide… Or you could print out a hex map and convert movement and ranges.

IIRC, MERCS miniatures initially preferred a 2D game mat/map. And they have Myth and the latest KS, MERCS: Recon.

Thanks for the input. To be clear, I'm looking for a board I can use with my current skirmish game. I'm not interested in the game that comes with the board.

I don't want to have to print the board. I want something that looks like what he's used to. A nice solid, professional game board.

Thanks again.

Maybe as a suggestion then. You could look at some of the pre painted battle mats like the ones by Monday Knight Productions or Hotz Mats??

Cheers.
GeorgeD

fasa map set

inch and a quarter hexes?

auction

Deadzone is very good as the game mechanics are a good stepping stone into more complex SciFi miniatures games.
The figures are a bonus as they can be used for anything you move onto and the game mat can be used for future measurement skirmish battles too.

Why not go to a Salvation Army or thrift store. They have board games for sale there all the time. Find one with a board you like and there you go. Even check the yard/garage sales that should be starting up soon.

D&D maps for 1-inch squares. Heroclix maps for 1.5-inch squares.

Would they work?

Mike

Descent 2nd Edition sports one of the best (if not the best) modular fantasy tiles. Yes it's tiles, but it's really good.

Star Wars Miniatures game is a great sci if skirmish game on mats with 1 in squares.
Clif

Battletech has hexes. Don't know if that helps.

Star Wars boards/mats would be my suggestion as well, seeing this is in the scifi section. I don't have time to look for links now but there are many that are free to download, so it's an easy way to go. Obviously they aren't free to print tho so may not be cheaper than some used boardgame playing surface.

There is also an option of using a tiling map software (I've used Tiled) and making your own grid map using background images of your choice. Needs printing too so not exactly free, but you may get something closer to your requirements.

You can buy blank gameboards on Amazon. Maybe using those simply glue a map, interior view printout, etc on top of it and grid it yourself. Instant gameboard.

A big box of hexon? YouTube link

John T

Try Heroclix maps. They are a bit larger than 1" grids. Tons of scenes. Guys in the Marketplace at the forums sell maps for only a few dollars each. You might have to join the forum to see the marketplace there. I've been there since the forums were new. Tons of great buys I've made. Plus, you can buys older Heroclix figures for pennies on the dollar then use them in other games. Just a thought. I don't see that forum mentioned on TMP much.

hcrealms.com/forum

Or buy HC maps on ebay or wherever.

Thanks for all the input. Some very useful suggestions. I'm sure I can find what I need now.

fine heroscape tiles..
they can be had on Ebay.. you can make terrain with hills and rivers etc. and still have hexes..

if and when you no longer want hexes the tiles will probaly hold their resale value or appreciate.

Try;

Gears of War
Battletech

BT just release their 25th anniversary Intro box set. The old game used to come with paper hex maps. This one come with solid boards and 26 Mechs. Nicely put together too.