Warzone40K.com has released their Concrete 72" x 48" gaming mat. Available in either PVC or cloth, with a special print quality of (720 DPI). In addition they can place any hex or grid that you might require on the mats.

If you haven't heard of Warzone40K before swing by their website and checkout the considerable range of gaming mats that they have available.

One of the questions that I get most frequently is what do you use to cast Hirst Arts blocks and where do you get it from?

I have been using Excaliber dental plaster, which has an 18,000 psi and a 0.09% expansion in the white color. I stay clear of the gray as it has bubble issues. However, recently I picked up a box of Merlin's Magic and will be giving that a thorough testing. It has a 14,000 psi with a 0.06% expansion. There seems to be a consensus that Merlin's Magic is easier to work with and it has been more than a decade since I originally gave it a try.

Where do I get it from?

Only one place, Clint Sales and Mfg. for nearly 15 years I have done business with them and they have -never- let me down. Not only is their prices on dental plaster one of the best out there, they have always had the best rates when it comes to shipping. When you are buying 50 pound boxes of dental plaster that means something. Having cast more than a ton (yes...literally more than 2,000 lbs.) of Hirst Arts blocks I appreciate prompt service, consistent quality plaster, and reasonable prices.

for some shameless self-promotion.

Have you ever needed some inspiration?

Be it for how to paint something or even scratch building ideas...

Have you ever wondered what flowstone in a cave looks like? (see image to left)

What colors should I use for lava?

Are you sick of the mundane and seek something beyond the realm of the ordinary?

Are your perceptions of reality stuck with the status quo?

I cordially invite you to step through the doorway into a place where imaginations are given freedom.

MacAttack001's Miniature Terrain Inspiration board on Pinterest. With more than 400 pins (and growing) dedicated to images that inspire me and hopefully you as well.

It doesn't cost you anything. I don't get a single penny from it. I do however get the opportunity to share with you some stunning images!

If you...like me...love miniature scenery, be it for wargaming or RPGs, please check out my Miniature Scenery board. With 2,300+ pins of DIY/tutorials, materials, tools, dioramas, model railroad layouts, wargaming/RPG scenery pics it is a sizable collection.

In a good way though! BP Laser has half a dozen Ruined 28mm Sci-Fi Buildings that they are producing now. Those of us in the US currently are enjoying a stronger dollar compared to the Australian dollar combined with cheaper delivery fees...it is a good time to take a look abroad.

I have bought from BP Laser in the past and the one mistake that occurred he rectified without any hassle what so ever. His buildings have good tolerances (i.e. no sanding to get parts to fit) and go together well and I certainly like their visual aesthetic.

I hope you will check them out!

Perhaps sensing that the Imperial TIE Bomber and TIE/D Defender are under utilized, Fantasy Flight Games has upped the ante with the announcement of Imperial Veterans expansion pack for X-Wing. It looks as if they are giving an incremental boost to both ships, but I am jumping ahead of myself.

Right off the bat...the new fiery red paint job on the TIE/D Defender jumps out at me (of course...my bias may be showing). While I will admit I am decidedly less enthused by the TIE bomber Gamma Squadron's white stripe.

In this new expansion you will find 8 veteran pilots, thirteen upgrades and rules for the Tractor Beam (fans of the original TIE Fighter game will recall that the Defender was equipped with one).

Losing the upgrade icons for the cannon and missile but you gain an automatic evade token after executing a 3, 4, 5-speed maneuver at a cost of -2...wait what? You mean that my TIE/x7 is actually cheaper??? Yeah, I will take that and a bag of Huggies!

Hehehehehehe! I am sorry...it just fills me with SO much happiness to know that my TIE Defenders are going to instill the proper level of respect into those Rebel Scum.

My shop teacher once told me, "You can never have too many clamps." There is an awful lot of wisdom in that statement and it has served me well in the 30 plus years since he told me that.

When I saw the Bachmann Right Angle Hold & Glue Set of clamps it quickly became apparent that I need to purchase a set of these from Micro Mark. These two foam-lined plastic clamps hold structures at right angles while you apply your favorite adhesive. They look like they might be easier to use than the Original Right Clamp, also available from Micro Mark.

Going to order a set and give you my thoughts once I have had a chance to test them out.

If you are in the market for some Flexible Cobblestone Street for your 28mm Bolt Action games check out this O & G scale peel and stick streets. It is 4 inches wide and 12 1/2 inches long, easy to cut and conforms to surfaces that are not perfectly flat.

This is from Chooch Enterprises but you can get it from Micro Mark.

Just in case you missed it...with all of the other Star frenzy that is going on!

No, not the Classifieds...Classified the retro-clone of the 1980's role-playing game about the world's most-famous spy. Yes, Joseph Browning over at Expeditious Retreat Press has recreated the James Bond 007 RPG, without James. Still, he has brought the game up to date for current vehicles, weapons, and gear.

I just picked up a PDF copy and gave it a thorough read through and am compelled to say it is captures the essence of the original. You can even purchase a print version from Lulu.  As soon as I get my copy from Lulu I will give a full review of the product.

Let me know in the comments if you would like to see some fan content for this game on the site!

Things From The Basement has released a new line of terrain Buildings On A Budget. These laser cut buildings use birch plywood and chipboard with accessible interiors. Instructions are available for download here!

Looking at these buildings I am seeing a lot of potential, especially when it comes to the roofs. You could use the a number of the Roof Molds (i.e. clay tile, wood shingle or slate shingle molds) available from Hirst Arts. If those don't peak your interest perhaps the O-Scale Weathered Gray Shakes from Scenic Express? Of course you could certainly keep it old school and simply cut out your own shingles...method one, method two, or thatching.

These are great looking buildings and with all of the bits you can get at places like Thomarillion you can create some truly stunning scenery while staying within your budget!

These are some of the best videos covering wargaming/RPG scenery that I have ever come across and I thought since it is a slow news day that I would go ahead and share them!

If you know of some great terrain videos please share the links in the comments below!

Beasts of War have the 2015 Gaming Awards: Nominations Phase is now open! Covering game materials released from 1st December 2014 to 30th November 2015. The categories include...

Best Miniature Game
Best Board/Card Game
Best Game Expansion
Best Gaming Artwork
Best Gaming Accessory
Best Terrain Product
Best Paint Job
Best Model Kit

Don't miss out on your chance to help shape the 2015 Gaming Awards!

Fantasy Flight Games released the second part of the preview for the Ghost Expansion. In this installment we get a look at all of the pilot cards and the maneuver dials for the Ghost and the Phantom Attack Shuttle.

Looking at the Ghost maneuver dial (left side), it matches up well against the YT-1300 with addition of the red 5 K-turn. Hera as the pilot of the Ghost can make good use of that maneuver dial, positioning the Ghost to take advantage of the range "1" 5-dice attack. When you look at the full range of crew abilities and think about potential synergy from other upgrade and modification cards the Ghost expansion looks like a really powerful ship to add to your Rebel forces.

With the upcoming January release of Osprey's new game...En Garde...I have started looking about for miniatures to fill out my ranks of Musketeers and the Cardinal's dread Red Guard. For the Musketeers I am leaning towards Warbases the Mousquetaire Mega Pack this includes...

4 Mousquetaires
Comte de Roquefort
Captain de Travaille
Madame de Winter
Madame Bonasieur
Cardinal Richly

Which are obviously heavily based off of the BBC series The Musketeers.

For the Cardinal's Red Guard...Blue Moon Manufacturing and the Cardinal's Guard box set, with 5 mounted and 5 guards on foot. It is a very good value and I prefer the sculpts to others I have seen.

I would certainly be interested in hearing from anybody else who has alternative miniatures to look at!