If miniatures are the heart of a wargame, then for me, terrain is the soul. It shapes the battlefield, sets the mood, and determines how stories play out through movement, positioning, and line of sight. For Warring Clans, my Sengoku Jidai project, powered by The Barons' War ruleset, terrain isn't just an afterthought—it's a fundamental part of the experience.

This week, I'm diving headfirst into terrain planning, and I couldn't be more excited.

Building the Battlefield from the Ground Up

One of the key rules I've set for myself on this project is to start entirely from scratch—no repurposed terrain, no shortcuts. That includes trees, scatter, buildings, the works. I want every piece to be era-appropriate, immersive, and practical in gameplay terms.

When it comes to terrain for Feudal Japan, one of the best-known and most reliable MDF options is Saissa Precision's 28mm Japan range. I used this extensively when developing Test of Honour all those years ago, and the range was later refined and expanded specifically with Test of Honour in mind. I've fought countless battles over those village houses and shrines, and I have incredibly fond memories of the terrain being put through its paces in playtesting sessions.

But for Warring Clans, I wanted to take a different path. As much as I love that terrain—and I genuinely do—I felt that going back to it would feel more like revisiting old ground than building something new. This project is about a clean slate and a fresh perspective, so I've made the decision to explore different options, especially now that I'm the proud owner of a few 3D printers.

If you're looking for high-quality MDF terrain for your samurai games, I can't recommend the Saissa Precision 28mm Japan range highly enough. But for me, this time, it's about pushing myself to try something different.

3D Printing: Traditional Meets Digital

That’s where 3D printing really comes into the equation. I’m fortunate to have access to a few printers, and I plan to make full use of them throughout this project. Right now, my focus is on a stunning range of designs by David Millward, released under the banner of 3D Alien Worlds. His models capture the spirit of Sengoku-era Japan perfectly—shrines nestled in the hills, humble peasant homes, imposing gates, and intricate rural buildings, all full of detail and character.

I’ll be honest—I’ve already spent a small fortune on 3D Alien Worlds STL files (with zero regrets), and in doing so, I’ve started planning out the first tabletop layout. Having a clear goal is key: once this initial setup is complete, I’ll be able to expand the options by creating modular pieces that can be swapped in and out to add variety and replayability over time.

These printed models will form the architectural backbone of my Warring Clans table, bringing not just structure, but atmosphere. They’ll help define the setting visually and narratively, ensuring that every battle feels like a true clash in the age of the samurai.

The First Piece of the Puzzle?

With the broader terrain strategy set, it was time to tackle the details. And the first step? Trees.

Not just any trees—correctly scaled, handcrafted, and bursting with character. After Bad Beagle Wargaming kindly shared their fantastic video tutorial below, I was instantly hooked. The techniques were simple, the results were stunning, and—most importantly—they were doable.

So I did what any inspired hobbyist does: I hit the hobby store and bought everything the video recommended, and more. Armatures, foliage, bases, adhesives—if it was on the list, it's now in my workshop. There's something incredibly satisfying about knowing my trees will be hand-built, one by one, shaped to fit the aesthetic of Sengoku-era Japan. I will be sharing the results as the table starts to take shape.

Modular Terrain Bases for Maximum Flexibility

The table will be built on a gaming mat, with modular terrain bases placed on top. This setup allows for flexible layout changes while maintaining a clean and consistent look. Each base will feature grouped terrain elements—like a grove of trees, a rice paddy, or a ruined shrine—that function as defined areas for gameplay.

Since I'm using The Barons' War ruleset to run Warring Clans, I'm approaching terrain design with in-game mechanics in mind right from the start. That means each terrain base will fall into one of four types: Open, Area, Building, or Obstacle, with clear, consistent definitions for how they affect play.

Here's how I'm thinking about terrain effects:

• Movement – Terrain may be Passable, Crossed, Difficult, Very Difficult, or Impassable, depending on its features (e.g. flat paths vs. paddy fields).

• Line of Sight – Elements like bamboo groves or elevation changes might Hinder, Block, or offer Clear lines of sight, or count as Higher Ground for strategic advantage.

• Defence – Terrain can provide Hard, Soft, or No Cover, and in some cases, serve as a Defensive Position for groups.

Every piece I build will be designed with these classifications in mind and clearly tagged or marked to avoid ambiguity during play. The goal is scenic terrain that not only looks great on the table but also communicates its game function intuitively, helping players stay immersed and focused on tactical decisions.

More to Come (and a Friendly Community to Help Me Get There)

Terrain is just one piece of this ever-growing puzzle, and while I've got a vision, I know I'll be asking plenty of questions as I go. That's why I want to give another shoutout to the Medieval Japanese Wargaming Facebook group—a welcoming, helpful community that's already offered advice, resources, and encouragement. I'll be leaning on them (and probably you, if you're reading this!) as I continue building out the Warring Clans tabletop. I also want to acknowledge everyone who has taken the time to send me an email after my last blog post. I promise to respond to everyone as soon as possible.

There's something deeply satisfying about seeing a battlefield come to life. Whether it's hand-made blossom trees or freshly printed temple gates, each piece adds a new layer to the storytelling. And I can't wait to share the next steps with you.

Until then—back to the hobby bench!

Do you have any tips on creating appropriate terrain for this period? Have you 3D printed any of David's files and have advice? I’d love to hear from you.

The links below are to product creators mentioned in this blog post:
Sarissa Precision: https://sarissa-precision.com
Test of Honour: https://greyfornow.com/collections/gaming
3D Alien Worlds: https://www.3dalienworlds.com