Allright, time for some musings. One: my portable terrain set didn't see much use in the last two years. I don't have exact numbers, but the cases it was used can be counted on one hand. and a hand belonging to an alcoholic lumberjack at that . Well, my local community has grown, including having several table-worth sets of terrain (MAS MDF, CB Gen.1 and Gen.2 cardboard, with bits and pieces of 3-d print, as well as homemade cardboard terrain). Add to that what other members have at their homes (there are 2 or 3 really nice, functional tables-worths, still in the upgrade phase), and we really have more terrain than we need for our local tournaments. So, my PorTable is sitting in the storage boxes and waiting out for an odd chance it is ever needed. But, in the meantime, we had Gen.3 (Sandtrap) and Gen.4 (Mazebreaker) terrain come out. I got one of each, I have some observations I'd like to share (on the odd chance anyone finds it interesting - @Koni do you still frequent the forums?). Gen.3, or Sandtrap terrain (Akashi Site) - it was a very nice change of style after a number of releases of the Gen.2 set (Op: Kaldstromm, Hlokk Station from Crimson Stone, Darpan Xenostation etc - same stuff, basically, just in different colors). The buildings were given the supports, of which I'm not exactly a fan - wiel they provide partial cover, they malso make movement next to the buildings kinda difficult. Also, the linking modules should have been made into the linear obstacles I mentioned here: narrower, but higher than they are. Now, Gen.1 and Gen.2 terrain had excellent stackability. They were perfect for storage purposes (Gen.2 Expansion Packs less so, but still doing fine). Gen.3 is... problematic: the supports stick out and are easily damaged (bent or broken) because of that. They also get under the modules, preventing one from turinng a module up and using it to store smaller pieces. Now, I understand why the supports were needed from a construction point, but the result is less than perfect. Gen.3 Expansion Pack I have skipped. It seems an overall jinxed design - three platforms providigng next to no LoS break on the grund level, resting on legs that are - by the look of it - thin and flimsy. No apparent ways to get onto the platforms themselves. Stackability for sotrage, well... I expect it is at least problematic. Also, notable drawback: no Objective Room in this set, despite ITS missions in the seasons when it was sold still sometimes requiring one (albeit, true, less and less of those with every ITS season...). Now Gen.4, or Mazebreaker terrain, that's something new. I like the Multi-Mission Research Modules - while they eat up a significant amount of cardboard, being closed form every side, they are interesting shapes, and can be placed both vertically and horizontally. Very good pieces, and easy to store, due to their rectangular shape. The stalagmite ridges - I like those, too: we have thin, linear obstacles at last! Ones you can shoot through, but not really move through, too. Assemblying them was a little wonky, though, and I have a feeling they may be prone to coming undone. And, like any natural shape, not easy to fit into my storage box. The obelisk / artifact, well, okay, it doesn't do any harm. Not particularly interesting outside of a Mazebreaker scenario iteslf, but not a big piece, so not really an issue. The altar, however... it eats up a lot of cardboard, and I can hardly see much universal use for it. Especially should someone end up with two or three of those in their table set (due to getting a number of Mazebreaker sets). It takes a lot of space in a storage box, too. All in all, not a fan. I have no idea how Mazebreaker Expansion terrain pack will look like, but CB, please - give it a good design. Some suggestions, if the terrain sets up to date are any indication of what is to come: Make sure the Mazebreaker on its own hits the stores in relatively few months. And Expansion not long after. We had to wait for the Akashi Expansion for quite a while, and I could have felt the problem new players trying to build their first terrain set with your cardboard were feeling. Please bring back the printing on the reverse of the gaming mat. It was there with Gen.1 terrain, and I'd love to see it back. Why? Because you need more than 2 sets of carboard terrain to set up a 200pts table (32x48), and if oyu are an old hand like me, you end up with several of these paper gaming mats you don't really have any practical use for. But back in the day, when there was a piece of eye candy poster on the other side, we have used them to promote the game by hanging the poster at our local gaming store. Also, note on the buildings with partial-cut pieces - ve careful with the desing, guys. Too sharp of a bend, and cardboard delaminates. Not nice...
