"A new Eylau map in hex" Topic

Hello All,
I have completed a terrain project. I present below the Battle of Eylau scenario for the Napoleon Battle's rule system in hex map. It is 4" hexes, using 3 hex map sheets that cover 12' by 6' of table space.

This project started with a brainstorm session that spawned a grand idea. The desire was to use 28mm figures for the Napoleon's Battles system. A straight increase in measurement s did not work so my fellow NB enthusiast and I devised a hex based system for the rules.

While play testing the 28mm games, we discovered the hexes cleaned up many quirks of the system. Most importantly, it allowed us bring new players into the Napoleonic era with the hexes making it easier to teach the system. It was so successful we adopted the original 28mm hex system for the 15mm armies the majority of the club owned. We started to play the Napoleonic era again and it was great.

The one road block was the lack of terrain for our new system. Many of us had Hex maps for aerial combat games, but we needed hills and woods to go over the ground level. The terrain ideas included buying completely new maps just to cut up and purchasing templates to spray the hexes onto felt. We discovered that the hex template from Company Y may not work on the hexes map from Company X. We were stuck for a while when I saw a great hex map making tutorial at Terra Genesis from a link seen here on TMP. The key was learning how to create your own hex template.

(The how to…)

After reading the article I rushed to the local hardware store and purchased a sheet of plexiglass. I laid out my hex map and mark the hex intersection points.

I then grabbed the wife's power drill, yes it's hers not mine, and drilled out the intersection points. I grabbed a sheet of insulation foam, laid the template on top, and started marking the points.

After a grand game of connect-the-dots I had a foam sheet with a hex grid completely matched to my Hex felt maps. Eureka!

With this feat accomplished I set around choosing the scenario and designing the map. I went with Eylau because there was interest in refighting the battle and I love the 1807 campaign. The scenario was also "hilly" enough to create many pieces usable for other scenarios. With a blue print in hand I started cutting the hex pieces for the map. I even purchased a new hot knife scroll table.

Then the painting started

Half way through I told my companions I had enough to cover six of the nine feet of the scenario. They said "Make it bigger!" As commanded I made more hexes. What are friends for…=)

Then more painting

The flocking

Now the project is done. Here is the final product with some DUST models testing out the new map.

The felt map is a Holtz map with 4" hexes. The woods were wooden hexes ordered from Litko and Gamecraft miniatures.

I have 52 individual pieces that range from 1 hex to 19 hex pieces. The club is now trying to figure out what other games we can use the map for.

Thanks if you made it this far down. I hope you enjoyed it.

Very nice indeed!
Great looking table.
I use 5 inch hexes myself. So much better with hexes.

Thanks, enjoyed the story. That is a lovely sized table.

When do we get to see the game and how it looks for NB @ 28mm or 15mm with this map system?
Looks brilliant!
Can't wait!
MG

Interesting post and an enjoyable read. Thank you for the 'how to' on making a hex template using clear acrylic sheet – I think you've just saved me quite a lot of cash!!

Second the request for an AAR on NB@28mm.

I like it, but, where's is the SNOW?

and yes:
YouTube link
YouTube link

Great project, great execution. I also await the AAR!

Thank you for the positive replies.

Some samples of our 28mm games can be seen at the club website. These games use 5" hexes.

csga.webng.com/index2.html

I do appreciate that Eylau was fought in a blizzard. But building snow terrain can be limiting. My own 15mm Nappies collection is focused on Friedland. I have already determined how to use these pieces to build that map as well.

I am planning to cheat and the AAR pictures will be in black and white. Another idea is to cover the whole board in baking powder. =)

I hope to get the AAR by the end of spring.

Use some of the sheets of white snow covering that most stores sell at Xmas time. Its 3 foot x 5 5 foot.

It goes for aroud $3.00 USD a roll before Xmas and about 50 cents after Xmas in most stores.

Work's great.

Example: auction

Or even some old white sheets.

For all those that requested a battle report.

TMP link

Thanks