This is not so much a terrain question as a model placement, playability question...

I have seen a number of terrain pieces that have been made using, I believe, a Hirst arts mold to make a staircase - which, whilst looking very nice - always has me wondering how you actually play it, as no model would be able to stand on the realistically modeled stairway...

So what do you guys do?

Do you just lie the model on its side on the stairway?
Use a token to mark its position?
Place some kind of stair shaped chock under the models base upon the stairway so it can stand at any given position?

Any thoughts appreciated

Scott

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www.scottswargaming.blogspot.com

You could use Blu-tack to keep them in place? Normally I just try to position the model so it's not slipping down too far.

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See my WIP thread here. viewtopic.php?f=50&t=25624

You could place a block (a (part of a) spare step) on the step below to even out the steps. As you're moving up the stairs, the piece 'follows' your model
Your model will be able to stand straight but the stairs might not look as good as you want.

Never tried this as I've never played on such staircases before but I guess it should work.

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What we used to do during siege battles is mark the position on the stairs and leave the mini on the ground beside it. Particularly if there was a fight on the stairs. It's not ideal but we found, in gaming terms, was the quickest and easiest way. Otherwise with the metal minis, we'd often end up with two at the bottom one the stairs anyway but with missing arms and chipped paint work!!!

I will be re-doing my stairs in the future though, making every fourth step broader so hopefully they can balance better. In terms of the casted stairs, I'm sure the terrain experts can probably give you a better insight.

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2014 Backlog Reduction Oathtaker (3 points)

Really depends on the steepness of the stairs and the balance of the models.
Sometimes, models do just fine.
At other times, turning the model around (especially those with extended arms or weapons) can alter the balance enough.
Depending on how crowded the stairs are, laying the model down usually solves any problems, but that may not always fit.

Best tip is probably to test any stairs in advance and construct your terrain with the most suitable combination of slope, step size, possible alteration of normal and broad steps - and otherwise, indeed construct some inverse stairs at the same time to keep models straight.

i use hirst i make a step piece 3/4 inch tall and flip it upside down making a 1 inch platform for the miniature

World Works Games and Wyrd Miniatures did some flat pack terrain that have some innovative stairs. I'm sure this comes from someplace else, they just did it REALLY well in these sets.

The steps have a bit of a gap between them so that there is a lip to hold the edge of the base in place, allowing the model to be "on" a stair or ladder.

It's what I plan to do when I get to that point again...

same here

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That's a lot cooler looking than I would have thought.

I may have to do that...

This design will also support larger figures. The small step has a 3/4 floor block glued to the bottom. So it will support up to a 40mm base. The up side down step part is fine for a few short steps.


They look better painted.



The step for normal size. The step with a 3/4 floor block for up to 40mm bases. A 1"/25mm floor block for oddly balanced figures.

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"the same as a duck you must be made of wood"