Creating A Base For Your Projects

For almost all pieces of terrain you will need a nice sturdy base to mount your projects on. Some people choose to use mat board or cardboard, but these materials prove to be ineffective in long term applications, they will always warp. So for our bases we chose a thin particle board.

First things first, you need to purchase some 1/8th inch MDF board (sometimes known as masonite). It's important to get the thinnest piece of particle board you can so that you do not disrupt the battlefield too much. You can buy one large board (4'x6') at a home improvement store and have it cut down into more managable sizes (2'x3').

Next, draw your templates. Usually a kidney bean (or any other organic shape) shapes are the best. Not too big, but large enough so a few mechs can fit inside. It is important not to use a shape that is geometric, if you do you will find that peoples eyes will go immediately to the recognizable shape and will distract away from the entire table layout.

Cut the shapes out of the masonite using a jigsaw. Only a jigsaw will work! Dont try to cut shapes with anything else - as great as battletech is it isn't worth hurting yourself.

Grind down the sharp edges of the masonite with a rotary speed tool, like a dremel.

And there it is, the finished product. Ready for trees, buildings, rubble, or anything else you can imagine to affix to it.