Multi-Level Terrain and Size of the Table

[Culven]

With Terraclips, it has become very easy to build multi-level terrain, but it also leads to some problems to which I have yet to find a solution. The main issue essentially comes down to, "should the playing surface be limited to 9 square feet, or just limited to a 3 foot square?". If we were to use a 3 foot square with 3 full levels, we now have a table that is three times the area of a standard 3 foot square outdoor table. This can severely hinder certain crews while providing a huge advantage to Spirit crews.

So, what is the best solution? Should the terrain be limited by total area of all levels or only by terrain footprint? Or does someone have a more elegant solution?

[dsmiles]

Well, I would say just use your own discretion.

My current TC table uses a full bottom level, about 2/3 second level and about 1/4 upper level, and that's only because I didn't have enough clips. (Apparently 2 boxes of clips wasn't enough for 2 sets of Sewer TCs.)

[mythicFOX]

Not sure this is really a 'rules' question. How much terrain and what type is more of a personal preference thing.

There are more factors than just total playable surface area, the ease of movement between these areas is something that will be a huge factor. Personally I say a 3x3 board, however I only play with single level buildings weather than full on multi level stuff.

Just my 2.

[Mr_Smigs]

need to point out... that even at 3 floors high, by the measurement rules, it's still only 3 feet by 3 feet....

a model 18" up, but only 3 inches forward, is only 3 inches away for targeting purposes (not conting LOS) ... setups with multiple heights are a serious advantage for a number of factions/lists (Lilith comes to mind immediately...)

[Q'iq'el]

The "vertical" does not affect all the crews and scenarios in the same way. Some objectives require b2b contact, others are within x" (and since we measure only horizontally, that means you can complete them being several inches above or below).

In the end it's up to the table designer to create a "good" and balanced table. It's more of an art than science and that's why rules do not meddle with it (and probably shouldn't - the recommendations are already pretty strict, as is).

Even if all you have are 10 carton boxes, you can still build a horribly unbalanced table with it. We have to trust the table designer to understand how game works and go for balanced approach that gives enough challenge to everyone, but not so much that the spirits and teleporting crews become unbeatable.

[Spiku]

How does Base to Base apply over multiple heights?

We had been treating it so that you only count as in base to base if your models would be touching at their relevant levels:

LCB standing next to a H2 wall can place the Dreamer ontop of the wall, as this would be B2B from above. However, were it a H4 wall, we would consider it not in B2B.

Do we in fact get to place things on any level so long as from above, if the table were flattened, they would be in B2B?

[Ratty]

How does Base to Base apply over multiple heights?

We had been treating it so that you only count as in base to base if your models would be touching at their relevant levels:

LCB standing next to a H2 wall can place the Dreamer ontop of the wall, as this would be B2B from above. However, were it a H4 wall, we would consider it not in B2B.

Do we in fact get to place things on any level so long as from above, if the table were flattened, they would be in B2B?

I think Base is a fairly well defined concept, IE. The bottom of the models volume. So BtB means just that, the bottom of one model must be next to the bottom of the other model.