So like most every other person, I would love a spiffy brand new set of Dwarvern Forge pieces and like most every other gamer I can't really spend hundreds of dollars on that, so what is there to do?
I keep hoping to get lucky on eBay since things usually end up cheaper there but it's just as expensive there. I've actually managed to find Dwarven Forge sets cheaper on other gaming sites but still pretty expensive.
I've tried doing paper craft and it's kind of fun cutting the pieces out but I just fail at gluing them. I suppose I'll get better with practice, but then it's also incredibly time consuming and time isn't always something I have.
I played around in Google to try to find cheaper alternatives but didn't really have a lot of luck. About the only thing I found were the Mage Knight 3D dungeons but 1) I don't know how good those are and 2) I'm not sure how much you get for the price.
So does anyone have any good alternatives to the Dwarven Forge pieces for people too much in a hurry to do paper craft?
Anyway I use and love Hirst Arts stuff, I dont actually do the casting myself, but buy it already cast for me in dental plaster. You can get some elaborate stuff, I mostly go for dungeon floor and walls, and then dressing from various sources. Im working on modular sections at the moment, my earlier efforts came up great once painted, but I made the sections too small (like 3x1 tiles) so it took ages to set up. Aiming now for sections more like Dwavern Forge: 3x3 or 4x4, with some thinner and longer and so on. (Here's a tip, base with foamcore board not plasticard, craft glue wont fix to the latter and eventually everything pops off.)
While cheaper, Hirst Arts requires a time investment, even if you don't do your own casting you need to assemble, glue, undercoat, paint. It does come in cheaper though and is a lot of fun.
Good Luck
Go get yourself a hot knife at Michaels (art supply store), 2" thick pink styrofoam insulation from Home Depot and begin cutting (outside, a hot knife 'cuts' by vaporizing styrafoam.. You want basic shapes, then get out an Xacto and whenever you're watching television, be scoring a brick grid on the walls. Go over the grooves with a ball point pin. Don't worry if things look rough or uneven because that pretty much just helps to make it look beat up. You can add details one of three basic ways: cruise a dollar store and spend $7. If you shop wisely this will cover everything that you will need to make your dungeons look more interesting. Buy a couple of Hirst Arts molds. You can also design whole dungeons using this tactic but it takes a long time and in the end is arguably no better than step one. Three, just keep your eyes open for bits and pieces. I recommend this anyway if you're planning on going 3d in your games.
Ultimately, if I were you, I'd aim for being able to make three rooms at first (make them in pieces so that you can put them together differently next dungeon). Alternatively, start with a set of dungeon tiles and just start carving.
Paint with a water based spray paint. Design masters or Krylon H20. Or handpaint. Just don't use regular spray paint because it will melt it.
Oh, and try to find someone in your group who has a disposable income. Dwarven forge is pretty nice stuff after all.
You can see my post over in the minis forum.
I did play at a table at DDXP with someone that was using the Worldworks stuff, and it was cool, but they were only able to use it because they drove to the con. The paper walls aren't easy to transport, let alone a house. They are light but vulnerable. I actually flew with the Naloomi's terrain.
In any case, JR miniatures has really good stuff too: www.jrminiatures.net/28mmsteampunk.aspx . I really like their Steampunk line.
I keep going to the links you've provided. It really looks like Naloomi's is a store and the stuff they have for sale there is mostly Hirst Arts. Am I missing something? I didn't see the stuff you had in your picture Alphastream1.
In any case, JR miniatures has really good stuff too: www.jrminiatures.net/28mmsteampunk.aspx . I really like their Steampunk line.
Here is a link to what I was using.
A lot is Hirst stuff, but some is custom and he will paint, which is nice if you are low on time. Time is big for me. I kept looking at Hirst every year at Gen Con, then realizing I lack the time. Maybe when my kids are older and we can do it together... but for now I'm happy to outsource and pay a bit more (especially when the prices are reasonable - at D&DXP I saw weak plastic terrain that sold for more than this).
I like the stuff in your link too. Very cool.
I've always wanted to buy modular dungeon hydrostone walls but I haven't found any wall sets that have curved/circular walls to make rooms/areas that aren't composed of just orthogonal walls. Nalsworkshop has great stuff but I couldn't find curved walls.
Talk to the owner. He seems pretty flexible. He also shows that he has a bunch of curved-wall molds, so he could likely come up with something based on your particular needs. Also, in the bottom left is a link where you can suggest a product.
(And then post here so we can all get ideas and get some for ourselves too!)
www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/310903/3d-d...
I've always wanted to buy modular dungeon hydrostone walls but I haven't found any wall sets that have curved/circular walls to make rooms/areas that aren't composed of just orthogonal walls. Nalsworkshop has great stuff but I couldn't find curved walls.
This is a year later I know, but in case anyone else is into 3d dungeon terrain - I have come up against this issue and planning to make the curved sections in foam insulation board, modular 4x4 square tiles to go with my other bits (basically Dwarven Forge sized, but made in Hirst Arts.)
Insulation Foam is cool because you can just hit it with undercoat and go for your life, it wont melt like styrofoam. Draw on brick pattern with a biro, carve it up, good times. I have a huge sheet hidden from my wife behind the computer, just waiting to get over this cold and get a day off
www.dungeonstone.com
We are also offering a promtion for August of $5 off any order of $25 or more.
Just use the coupon AUG500 at checkout (exp. 8/31/2011)
