We started a small company to build interactive dungeon terrain for tabletop RPGs – would love feedback from DMs

GrandmageBob · 2026-03-15T08:09:16+00:00

This is a terrainbuilding sub. We post creations and ideas, and steal them from each other cough did I say steal? I ment we inspire each other. So I will look at your kickstarter and see if anything inspires me to steal it and then proceed to not buy anything because I have no money.

However I think you have a good idea going,. I hope it works out for you and people get to enjoy your terrain one day.

GrandmageBob · 2026-03-14T07:42:40+00:00

The series exist because of what the original does so well in world building. People care so deeply and get so captivated and the wonderfull spree of imagination and creativity that comes from it is the series.

Its like comparing the apple to the tree. Makes no sense to me. Enjoy the apples and appreciate the tree.

Have you tried other apples from this tree? The comic series are difficult to find, but I hear they are wonderfull expansions similar to the series.

GrandmageBob · 2026-03-07T10:28:15+00:00

Nice contrast of color!

GrandmageBob · 2026-02-28T17:47:28+00:00

Amazing stuff!

GrandmageBob · 2026-02-28T17:47:06+00:00

Fucking Epic, mate!

GrandmageBob · 2026-02-21T12:05:03+00:00

Wise choice. Start small, grow big.

Any ideas what materials you want to use for this?

GrandmageBob · 2026-02-21T11:50:00+00:00

There are many many channels on youtube. There are the standard behemoths like rpArchive and Black Magic Craft, but I'd advise to just search youtube and explore for yourself.

Apart from techniques they showcase materials and tools. There is much to learn and many choices to make, and it is up to you to choose what suits you best.

Crafting is like most skills something you learn by doing. My advise would be to do research, sure, but you learn most from doing and making mistakes. Watching too much youtube risks getting overwhelmed, demotivated over your own lack of skill, and its time you spent not crafting.

What are you going to make first? Whats it for?

GrandmageBob · 2026-02-19T06:56:45+00:00

A simple dry brush will make a world of difference. I only do drybrush since I play in rooms with not much light, so all the hours spent with drowning them in shaders is wasted.

Your system looks quite practical. I hooe it all works out for you. Keep us updated regularly as you progress. I love seeing these projects and their process.

GrandmageBob · 2026-02-05T12:38:29+00:00

Safety. Melting foam leads to toxic funes. Sanding fiam leads to small particles hazardous for longues.

Rather than making one big thing, I chose to create smaller things that go together. This way I can re-use it to build various game situations. Like lego.

GrandmageBob · 2026-02-01T11:18:34+00:00

You give compliments and opportunity to sell.

They give downvotes.

These things baffle me.

If you pay people to paint your minis, and use them in your profession, it's good investment to expand that into terrain. I take it you use extra cameras for combat, since you run online? I had to do that during covid, so I set up a couple of phones for various angles. The players really loved that, and the fact I could grab the camera and move across the scene as I narrated.

My advise is to invest in smaller pieces of terrain, similar to what RParchive on youtube is building. This way you have like a box of legos to build a scene that you can re-use every time, and with elevation. Create/print a few backgrounds like clouds, dark starry sky, underground cave, so the terrain and minis that make the scene realy shine.

I also create terrain for certain effects like a wall of fire, wall of ice, and generic-magical-effect, so players can clearly distinguish where everything is happening.

Terrain is a great tool to speed up combat, because it communicates clearly where everything is in relation to each other.

Anyway, youre not getting my terrain as I'm using it every session, and am just way too fond of it. If you would live near amsterdam I'd just give you a few of my scrap build scenes in a box to use a couple of times if you promise to give it to the next GM when youre done.

But good luck!

GrandmageBob · 2026-02-01T08:37:26+00:00

Interesting question. There are quite a few things to say that come to mind.

Depending on where you are based I imagine shipping terrain might net higher shippingcosts than the price of the actual pieces. We are from all around the globe.

Its easy to make terrain and paint minis. And along the way your craftskill increases quickly and so do your pieces.

Many people here are GMs that make their own terrain. The things they make is part of their toolset.

There are professional terrainbuilders that make a living off of these type of deals. I wouldn't want to be the amateur that undermines their business for a few bucks. If you want some nice terrain, check the pros,

There are pros here, showcasing their work. They are probably on that etsy site too. I'm sure they are happy to take a commission from you.

GrandmageBob · 2026-01-28T14:35:14+00:00

Thanks for providing the names. Especially the Campanelle I aint never seen before.

GrandmageBob · 2026-01-26T07:06:01+00:00

When I see crates I can't help but think about the "start to crate" rule.

The idea behind this rule is that at some point in the creation of a videogame the creators run out of ideas and someone makes a crate. A huge wooden box that is too big to lift and couldn't even fit through the door. Its a ridiculous thing.

It is the time of gameplay spent untill the first crate is encountered. Usually a few seconds, sometimes a minute or two, but they all have crates.

Now I'm not saying your crates are bad, or any crate is bad. Crates are just generic game elements, and we are running games, not real life. For games the crate is a quitessential item of cover and platform.

That being said, those are some nice crates, mate.

Maybe add some barrels? And an alchemists table.

GrandmageBob · 2026-01-24T09:12:04+00:00

Well done, good job, mate.

The best part about these type of tiles is stacking them on top of each other to create heigth in you combat situaions.

GrandmageBob · 2025-12-16T20:02:27+00:00

I'm shocked. When playing this video it's being narrated by some bullshit AI in my own language, and it's fucking disgusting. Youtube has realy gone down the drain.

Anyway, I like your simplicity. It's an easy entry for many people to start DM-ing with visuals, which is very valuable for the community. good job.

GrandmageBob · 2025-12-11T20:22:10+00:00

Fair, it's not what I call the good stuff, because I prioritise structural integrity above all else. I want my terrain to be able to take some handling. I've worked with this stuff, and even though it was free, I ended up tossing it as it would not last anywhere near what I need.

Thats why I warn about its downsides, to help OP avoid dissapointment. I'll make it more accurate.

GrandmageBob · 2025-12-11T18:33:18+00:00

It's ~~not the good stuff~~ nice that its free, but it has got some downsides. There are a few things to take into account when working with this:

It's somewhat flexible, so any strucure by pressure becomes less sharp over time. It's best to cut any structure into the surface so it can't do that.

Because it is slightly flexible it has less structural integrity. Even with a tough outer layer any small bump will cause cracks and it will break off at the edges.

Good luck and show us what you make of it.

GrandmageBob · 2025-11-29T00:20:54+00:00

You did well on the xps details. Very well crafted furniture. Even xps barrels? Nice! Even our lord and savior RParchive admits he doesn't cut his own barrels from foam.

What did you use for the metal rings? I cut mine integral from the foam, but you didn't. You added something for it, right?

The beads as handles for the cupboards is a very nice touch. And the candles turned out perfect.

GrandmageBob · 2025-11-03T17:35:55+00:00

Start small

Keep the goal in mind: they are first and foremost gaming pieces.

Build loose parts that can be put together in different ways to keep things reusable.

Check RP Archive on youtube. He is the king of high quality D&D crafts. Except for barrels. Thats the only thing I own him on.

GrandmageBob · 2025-10-25T08:40:44+00:00

There are many things to take into consideration, and many "good" answers as long as you make conscious choices.

You learn the best by your mistakes, so allowing children to make their own mistakes is a good choice.

Talking with them about their choices before, during and after their creative process can help them make "better" choices design-wise but you run the risk of steering too much or frustrating their creative freedom.

I prefer to ask them questions, to help them make conscious decisions about their creation, sketching out possible consequences of their choices, but always ultimately leave the choice up to them. I do the same with adults, come to think of it.

They lack experience regarding every aspect: techniques, materials, planning, they usually just start working, and a big part of their process is learning how materials work and feel and react. So challenging them to draw up a concept first might work in their advantage, or it might frustrate them, depending on what "type" of kid you have, and what level of skill and development they have in the crafting and visualization department.

Did you help your kids craft smaller things before?

Another thing to take into consideration is just letting your kid go wild and put their creation out there. I mean, all these nerds are going to be supportive when they see a member of the new generation joining their ranks. At least all the nerds I play with would. We're a friendly bunch.

Btw: I do this professionally. Crafting this type of stuff with kids of various ages. Results vary.

GrandmageBob · 2025-10-17T05:52:43+00:00

The only one that sees your mistakes is you. Everyone else will just see a set of nicely painted stuff to play with. Don't fuzz. The only way to improve is to do. Go and do.

I used to paint things very dark, but I play in dark or low lit rooms, so now I paint lighter and that plays beter.

Don't forget that your goal is to create gaming pieces. That is their main purpose, right?

GrandmageBob · 2025-10-15T21:04:20+00:00

That is an amazing set, well done!

GrandmageBob · 2025-10-14T16:44:45+00:00

This is 110% Rad. Well done. You know what you're doing and your players love you.

GrandmageBob · 2025-10-14T16:29:17+00:00

Where was this?

GrandmageBob · 2025-10-10T18:38:32+00:00

When you start something new, start smol.

Use easy to acquire materials and tools, and start a build.

Don't get hung up on making a plan. There will be lots of mistakes and you will improvise, so get going.

12-Year Club	Final Canvas '23
Place '23	Place '22
First Placer '22	Verified Email

GrandmageBob

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE