Solving the age-old paradox of wargaming hills

In this video I will attempt to solve the age old problem of making wargaming hills that play well AND look good.

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[JanitorScruffy]

As someone who has been an IRL toy soldier for life size wargaming, I have fallen down many a hill and into many a ditch, without the angles even being too steep. So believe me when I say, that little man is doing his best 😭

[TGSICaptain]

At 3 minutes in, when the beat drops for drumlins, I had to pause--come down here to the comments--and let you know you're making content that really resonates with people, Eric. That shit made me laugh AND smile. Thanks.

[BlackMagicCraftOfficial]

Videos of old dudes trying to walk down steep hills? Hell yea.

[Bluecho]

Eric: "You can't use the occasional existence of terraces to justify flat hills! It's the exception that proves the rule!"
Also Eric: "The existence of the Drumlin entirely justifies the existence of round hills jutting out of flat plains!"

[jimgetz]

I'd love to see a follow-up video of what the hills looked like after the con. How well did they stand up to abuse? Are there things you would do differently in light of feedback? etc etc

[artizan]

Hi Eric, I've been putting a LOT of though into this problem, for YEARS. I came to the conclusion as you that 15 degrees is the max. However I realised the fundamental issue is the movement trays we use. I switched to using multiple trays for 4 infantry models on each, or 2 cavalry, similar to how historical games work. They let you tackle more natural looking terrain, as well as change formation quickly. I wanted them to look seamless, and keep a low profile, so I magnetised 2mm MDF bases for my models, and for trays I use 1mm mild steel plates. The units fit together perfectly, and keep the 3mm profile of GW bases, so they look more like the old GW studio photos where they wouldn't use movement trays. Love your work, your hills look great!

[NotOnLand]

For cheap plasticard, look in a home improvement store for yard sale/for sale/for rent type signs. They're typically dirt cheap and often the same exact material, only with printing on one side. If you go around spring they'll likely be on sale, I got several for $0.20 each

[JackSmith-qpnh]

Whenever I see the close up thumbnails I imagine the miniatures are people sized and Eric is just naturally 500 feet tall.

[sprootown]

Functioning stackable hills are one of the first things you should build....You nailed it with the angle. Great job, and good looking!

[ThisNameWasntUsd]

One of the best solutions I've seen is to put T-Shirts or laundry under your wargame mat. You can sort of push a movement tray down into it, and it looks really organic

[weirdweaver]

This is the perfect balance between entertaining and practical information. No goofy personas or voices, no over the top exaggerated reactions, just instructive explanations with a mild joke here or a pleasant cutaway edit there.
You have earned my subscription sir.

[huwtindall]

Square Based sent me. I love hills also. I copped out and built tiers though for playability. Have an Empire army so love having the cannons and missile troops on top!

[shlem]

The drumlin bit absolutely murdered me. Fantastic video.

[Cuthbo]

Where were you when I needed this 15 years ago, Eric? Where were you when the Westfold fell!? Where-

Thanks, great vid 👍

[DeclanMBrennan]

Very nicely done. You have an artist's eye.
Some out of the box but not necessarily practical ideas:
(1) Have magnets in the bases of the figurines and metal (perhaps a very light mesh) embedded in the hill underneath the outer layer.
(2) For adaptive hills, have a flexible latex outer layer with a four by four set of air bladders underneath that can be inflated as needed. Adding automation to this could make a cool project.

[ianmaitland]

It's always a good idea to weigh down the bottoms of your lightweight minis, so they fall over less. It only cost 2 cents a piece to hot glue a pair of pennies to the underside of a mini's hollow base. 👍

[danacoleman]

WOW!!! you did a great job making the terrain AND creating the video! 👍

[philpeters]

Tip for steep hills. Add texture. either little rocks or "logs" for bases to "hook" onto.

[ethanhinton-ji]

I think you need to make your Britonias’s a castle

[TheZapan]

If you're on a budget, you can recycle your models plastic sprues by melting them in a bath of acetone, before using a rolling pin to create plastic wafers.
When left to cure between two non-stick flat surface, they efficiently replace plasticard and can be cut and sanded to shape.
Plus every scrap can be re-melted and turned into other terrain projects.