VLOG: Building A Mega Pirate Gaming Table – Day One
June 19, 2017 by lloyd
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ok I paused this to comment. you don’t know time bandits. Lloyd I feel it’s your duty to educate the lads. John Cleese is epic as robin hood.
you have to stick one of those berserkers with their bits chopped off on the hammock to represent Justin on his jollys. with captain Jack Sparrow stood next to him asking him if he’s a eunuch.
This Table has the feel of Awesome about it already. I would make the river slightly wider. Just enough to fit a ship, I think it would add to the theme that this is set on a series of rocky islands, the river then becomes a channel to other land masses, also allowing the concept that the 2 land masses you have are like little fortress islands leading to the main area behind.
I think the idea is that the river/inlet would be for row boats and smaller crafts that would come down from deeper in the island to upload their cargo at the docks.
But, it could also be cool as two larger island separated by a small channel.
nothing turns me on more than modularity. NOTHING
Oh this is going to get epic…
Will Warren break out the Parrot and Hat like last time you guys did pirate stuff?
Although there are exceptions and complications to this. For instance in Portsmouth (UK) there is an area called Gunwharf Quay 🙂
Good video, more long form vlogs please!
And shame on you for not knowing Time Bandits!
I know right, a little bit of me died inside lol
I know from experience designing my sci-fi mats, that diagonals work really well in wargame table tops or doing wargame mats myself. They make the mat or table top look dynamic and far better than straights. I often feel the Dropzone mats are bloody amazing they could release one with diagonal roads and streets. Diagonals make the table top or mat look as though it is moving. I agree with you that the docks should be diagonal and be strutting into the sea. Looks alot better.
“Don’t touch it! It’s EVIL!” (kinda how I feel about GW)
I know you mentioned using the mat for filming, but could you ask them about how they made the rippling water for their game photos?
And don’t forget some defensive gun positions to protect the harbor from raiders and PIRATES. And if goods are being brought down the river by longboat, the big house could be the warehouse where they’re stored until shipped.
And don’t let John, being the Historical, get away without the right knots and number of belaying pins.
They showed one or two pics ages ago and it’s really smart. They use a glass coffee table with a blue colour under it.
https://www.facebook.com/Firelockgames/photos/a.996968190380754.1073741832.935798846497689/1276007672476803/?type=3&theater
I can’t find the one I’m thinking of but this shows it. Some of the boards are actually proper water effects and have awesome waves
brilliant stuff! @lloyd‘s terrain builds have always been some of my favourite bits of content you guys make 🙂
Nice work Lloydie.
The difference between a boat and a ship depends on which century you are talking about as the meaning of the terms has changed.
In modern terms it’s a boat if it can be carried in another vessel. A ship carries boats. If it itself is too big to carry, then it’s a ship.
The exception are submarines. They are always called boats as a matter of tradition when they were called under sea boats.
Sort this out then! According to this picture most of these are just boats! 😉 😉
https://goo.gl/images/r8sfwI
Looks great. really look forward to an update to see where it goes next.
I did the google thing on boat vs ship and found some general rules 😉
Boat small, ship big. A ship can carry a boat, a boat cant carry a ship
Boat mostly stays close to shore, Ships are ocean going
warship vs gunboat.
None of these rules applies for fishing vessels or submarines. They are almost always called boats 🙂
Brilliant!
Kway.
I’ll be giving this game a try this weekend at Recon (a Historical Miniatures Gaming Society convention in Orlando) where the Firelock Games will be having a booth. Really looking forward to it.
The difference between a boat and a ship is that a boat only has one deck where as a ship has multiple decks
They have the rigging guides and sail templates at their website :
http://www.firelockgames.com/downloads/
And you get to learn what each of those sails is called.
The difference between a ship and a boat is generally a boat is small enough to be carried on a ship and a ship is big enough to carry a boat on it. Like a cruise liner is a ship but the emergency escape craft(life boats) are boats. Thats according to the US Navel Institute.
Having the docks near a stream or river also makes sense as they would want easy access to fresh water without having to trek miles inland or dig a well.
Looking good but what about a sandy beach, rocks and cliffs are cool but if its the Caribbean where are the sandy beaches?
There are a number of different definitions around the world, and many vessels that don’t fit into the definitions. There are more technical definition that involves the fact a boat will have a low center of gravity and a ship a high centre of gravity so a ship will heel outwards when it turns and a boat will heel inwards.
Another more traditional definition is a ship will have no less than three masts and carry a square rigged sail.
It’s looking great already! I’ll be keeping an eye out for that rope bridge 😉
Great vlog. I love all the foam terrain you guys do, I’m tempted to make some the same fashion myself, a shame I did bought a lot of polysterine I need to use in some way…
Another week another gaming table – I take it you gents re adherents to the philosophy of stretch targeting then? 😛
Seriously, looking good. Thanks for the impromptu table design tutorial, really keen to see how it progresses.
very inspiring stuff, than you guys. there will come the day when i start builing my own terrain like this … once i’ve got the time for it.
And i showed my father you foam-terrain and now he wants to use this technique to work on some terrain for his model train table, so thanks from him too 😉
I may be needing to look back at this vlog come September when Ghost Archipelago hits.
It might be cool to add a cave or grotto that’s only accessible via the sea. Or if you want to be really fancy, one that leads to a secret entrance to a house on top of the cliff.
Looking great. I like the rope bridge idea, and you can just copy the Pirates movie by hanging skeletons from a chain next to it.
A lot of those islands have small waterfalls cascading down the cliffs as well. Though that might be a bit much to make.
Tis good, thoroughly enjoyable 🙂 now finish the city board I’ve been waiting two years to see finished 😛
looking good, and in the modular setup you could even have a larger river by using the long table edge as the back line
Also remember it is not completely a skirmish game rather a game with units of figures
It’s looking great! Good luck with the ship rigging.
Great start!
What foam exactly do you use for this? Was looking to make some for myself
@johnlyons I have faith in your ability to learn how to rig a 16th to 17th century sailing ship.
That will be an epic table. Blood & Plunder is one of the games on my ‘tempted’ list, not least because of the terrain possibilities with land and sea combat.
@lloyd I am now fully convinced that you have the best job in the world. Looking great so far!
Also, it just screams “cobblestone”. Tons and tons of cobblestone.
Awesome, guys. You could add a rotating bridge between the two main land masses. The bridge would allow food and cart traffic, and it could rotate out of the way to accommodate any boats that are traveling the river. It could also server as an objective point as any faction not controlling the bridge are going to have a tougher time crossing sides.
Lots of comments on the ship and boat thing. While the boat can fit in a ship and ship cant fit in a boat thing was correct until subs came around (tell a submariner a sub is a ship…i dare you!). The way we look at it from a recconaissance point of view is that a boat leans into a turn where a ship leans away. Look at any pics of boats/ships turning and youll see what i mean.
As for time bandits, what an awesome film!! I need to dig that out again, ive not seen it in ages.
Great work on the board, i think i may have to steal this for the club!!
Great video. I love watching @lloyd at work on the foam. Great results in super quick time.
As far as the boat/ship thing goes you’ll just have to compromise and call one Boaty McShipface and the other Shippy McBoatface 🙂
It’s always a joy to watch Lloyd pluck at foam.
Excellent stuff! Ive been playing Blood and Plunder a couple of times now and I can say that you are in for some good gaming. Its one of the best games Ive played. The games Ive played has been intense all the way until the last turn and they have been swinging back and forth during play.
To really manuover your ships you might need a little more sea. Your board is very inspiring. Ive started working on a harbour 2-3 weeks ago and terrainbuilding for BaP is something I enjoy.
Good Luck with your board, I’ll follow your progress.
1. Would the docks not be inside the bay?
2. I want a hammock too.
3. Nice dress Justin
This may be too much info but as far as Wharves vs Quays etc. It’s a 2×2 grid:
Built… …On Piles. …On Fill
______________________________________________
Parallel to shore Wharf …………….. Quay
Perpendicular ” Pier ………………… Jetty
I knew the white space would screw up!
And now I see that, having landed on page 2, @davetaylor nailed it on page 1!
I love this build. The world needs more foam terrain. I also like the longer Vlog, more please.
This looks good but you guys already have me into Guild Ball so this will have to wait until next year
A boat can go on a ship, but a ship can’t go on a boat. Unless you’re talking about submarines.
Great vlog!
@lloyd What type of foam is that? I’d like to have a go at making this terrain for my Blood and Plunder games.
Hey @ghostbear, upholstery foam. Have a look at this google search:
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=upholstery+foam&source=lnms&tbm=shop&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjhsNzh2eDTAhVHJcAKHRoFAb8Q_AUICigB&biw=1680&bih=984
Thanks man! We’re looking to build up our terrain for this game.
good start.
@lloyd you do know there is an “L” in paLm tree right? its pallllm….not paaaam.
@justin: nice dress mate…keep it classy!
As a Florida native…good luck finding colors for the rocks. Only sand on the beaches. If there are any rocks….it is mined limestone to break the surf from hurricanes!
A great vlog. Need to get me some sponges!!
That’s coming together nicely.
Watched this when it first came out. Loved it!
would love to have some pirates
do you have a link to the supplier of the foam that doesnt involve selling an organ to fund the price, i tried an upholsterer where i live and barely escaped kidneys intact
I didn’t catch it if it was mentioned, but what type of paint works best with the foam? Great vedic, thanks.
I know this table has already been finished, but it would be cool to see a beach on there as well
I have to build me one of theses tables
Outstanding table guys. I really like the foam terrain idea. It will look great when it is covered with the Blood and Plunder figures.
@lloyd where do you get the foam from?
Hi @onlyonepinman In the UK you can try here http://www.dunelm.com/stores
Our local Coleraine store has a department for making curtains and cushions etc. and they have a shelf with upholstery foam.
Looks great, that should facilitate some awesome gaming!
You might have sorted the rocks but are you sure the water is the right blue? 😉
I had forgotten just how cool this is
If somethings worth watching, it`s worth watching again and again. Now of to watch the other show`s, but first need to save this first part and add the rest as and when they show.
Those ships are just absolutely awesome!
That foam is just awesome!
awesome, will have to hunt down some of that foam 🙂 really like the modularity that you are thinking into it.
Time bandits was awesome
Only just gotten around to watching this, fantastic work, love the idea with the foam TM-lloyd great table and proper artistry gents
Can someone please tell me where they got the boat docks or ‘jetties’ shown in the video?