Warhammer Terrain in 40k: Battlefield Setup Overview

When it comes to Warhammer 40,000, the terrain is just as crucial as the armies fighting upon it. Terrain isn’t just for decoration—it plays a key role in movement, cover, and line of sight, shaping the way battles unfold. Understanding how to set up and use terrain effectively can mean the difference between victory and defeat.

In this series, we’ll dive into the basics of battlefield setup and terrain features, and by the end of it you should understand how to build engaging and strategically balanced gaming tables.

Understanding the Warhammer 40K Battlefield

The Basics

Warhammer 40K battles take place on rectangular battlefields, which can be any flat surface large enough to accommodate miniatures and terrain. Common battlefield options include:

Gaming Tables – Dedicated wargaming tables designed for miniatures.

Modular Gaming Boards – Pre-designed battle boards with built-in scenery.

DIY Battlefields – A dining table, a piece of MDF, or even the floor can be used as a battlefield.

While any surface can work, the size of the battlefield is dictated by the mission you’re playing. The standard sizes for Warhammer 40K battlefields include:

Combat Patrol (500 points): 44″ x 30″
Incursion (1000 points): 44″ x 30″
Strike Force (2000 points): 44″ x 60″
Onslaught (3000+ points): 44″ x 90″

A comparison chart displaying different battlefield and army sizes for each mission in 40k.

The Role of Warhammer Terrain

Terrain is an essential part of the Warhammer 40K battlefield. The scenery on the battlefield is represented by terrain models, which impact gameplay in several ways:

Obstructing Line of Sight – Buildings, ruins, and large obstacles block shooting attacks.

Providing Cover – Terrain features can offer defensive bonuses, making units harder to hit.

Altering Movement – Some terrain types slow down movement or require special rules to navigate.

Creating Thematic Battlefields – From war-torn cityscapes to alien jungles, terrain enhances immersion.

A battlefield with heavy cover and varied terrain to illustrate line-of-sight blocking and cover mechanics.

According to the core rulebook, terrain features should be placed before the battle begins, and missions may dictate specific terrain layouts.

Placing Terrain: Rules and Best Practices

While there are no strict rules on how to place terrain, a balanced battlefield generally follows these best practices:

Ensure Even Distribution – Avoid clumping all terrain on one side of the board.

Use a Variety of Terrain Types – Mix ruins, forests, craters, and obstacles for diverse gameplay.

Consider Line of Sight Blocking Terrain – Strategic placement of large obstacles prevents an overwhelming advantage for shooting armies.

Follow Mission Guidelines – Some Warhammer missions specify terrain layouts to ensure fair play.

A before-and-after example of an unbalanced battlefield vs. a well-balanced terrain layout. Demonstrating terrain variety.

How Much Terrain is Enough?

A good rule of thumb is that you should only cover 25%-33% of the battlefield in terrain. Too little terrain favours shooting-heavy armies, while too much terrain might disadvantage them and overly favour melee-based forces.

A graphic demonstrating the ideal terrain coverage (with overlays of percentage breakdowns).

Building Your Own Warhammer Terrain

While Games Workshop produces high-quality official terrain kits, many hobbyists enjoy creating custom scenery. Here are some options for building your own terrain:

3D Printed Terrain – Many STL files are available for printing custom scenery, ensure quality prints by purchasing from our shop.

DIY Terrain – You can transform foam board, cardboard, and household items into detailed battlefield elements.

Kit bashing – Combine elements from different model kits to create unique structures.

Modular Terrain – Purchase multi purpose terrain that you can assemble into different variations.

A work-in-progress shot of custom 3D-printed terrain being painted and assembled.

No matter what approach you take, well-crafted terrain enhances gameplay and makes battles feel more immersive.

Conclusion

Terrain is a fundamental aspect of Warhammer 40K, shaping the flow of battle and adding depth to strategic decisions. Whether you’re using official terrain kits, crafting your own scenery, or playing on a simple table with improvised obstacles, understanding terrain placement and features will elevate your wargaming experience.

In the next article, we’ll explore example battlefields and how to balance terrain for fair gameplay—stay tuned!