A detailed and interesting battlefield is key to any wargaming experience, and having a proper 'battle mat' significantly enhances this experience. Battle mats bring your imagined landscapes to life, providing an immersive backdrop for your miniatures. This article delves into what battle mats are, their history and evolution, different types available, and the advantages of using them. We'll also guide you on selecting the best battle mat for your needs and tips to get the most from it, ensuring a great miniatures wargaming experience.
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What is a Battle Mat?
The centerpiece of every wargaming session is the battle mat. Even the best painted miniatures and terrain look sad on a blank table. This indispensable asset, often made of neoprene, cloth, vinyl or cardboard, constitutes the very landscape where the drama of your virtual conflict plays out. A battle mat, in simplest terms, is a surface, sometimes marked with a grid, topology, or just simulated landscape graphics that enhances your gaming experience. Whether you are commanding massive legions in an epic fantasy standoff, or outsmarting rival gangs in a far flung future, a battle mat provides the canvas for your masterpiece of a gaming scenario. Far from mere extravagance, it's an aid helping gamers to visualize the battlefield, measure distance in-game, mark interesting features such as dense woods or quicksand, etc. For seasoned gamers, the battle mat is more than just an accessory; it's an avenue of immersion, making the narrative come alive and coalesce your intricately painted miniatures and painstakingly assembled buildings and other terrain elements into a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. A battle mat isn't just a simple game component, but a catalyst awakening your miniature world to life.
The History and Evolution of Battle Mats.
The story of battle mats is enmeshed deeply in the tapestry of wargaming history. Take a step back in time and you would find players reliant on hand-drawn maps, giant heavy sand tables, computers the size of a bathroom or just mental imagery to play out their wargaming drama. Even though this presented a spark for players' imaginations, it was not effective as a long-term solution or one that regular folks might have access to. That's where battle mats came into the picture. Battle mats, in their most primitive form, were just pieces of grid-lined paper. Designed to plot movement, artillery strikes, battle strategies, and other details of the battle and offered a visual tableau for their miniature conflicts and adventures. As the wargaming community expanded, so did the need for more versatile and engaging battleground surfaces. Battle mats evolved, incorporating durability, portability, detailed designs, and game-specific themes. Fast forward to today, we have battle mats as an essential part of the tabletop gaming experience, promising a vibrant and interactive arena for gaming enthusiasts worldwide. In a nutshell, the sheer advancement of battle mats is reflective of the wargaming industry's growth, proving its worth as a game-changer in its own right. Today I wouldn't even consider playing a miniatures game without one.
Different Types of Battle Mats.
If there's one thing that's true in the world of wargaming, it's that no two games (or gamers) are quite the same. The same can certainly be said for the plethora of battle mats that are out there today. From size and style to materials and design, you're spoiled for choice when it comes to selecting the perfect miniature battlefield. Rubber-backed battle mats made of neoprene (scuba suit material aka giant mousepads) have become wildly popular and are renowned for their exceptional resilience and non-slip properties. However, they tend to be heavy, need to be rolled up as opposed to folded up, will only work on a table of its size or larger, can't be cleaned, and are... well... perpetually flat. Vinyl mats are an inexpensive option as high quality graphics can be printed on them and they are quite durable. The downsides of vinyl are many however, they tend to hold their shape and want to remain rolled up. They are also rather slippery and can also have unsightly ridges in the material itself. Cardboard battle mats while useful in small sizes are problematic when trying to represent a full 4ft by 6ft battlefield. A new development in recent years has been cloth battle mats. Cloth battle mats have many of the benefits of neoprene mats but the inherent properties of cloth make it a superior choice to neoprene.
#1 Price, a cloth battle mat is generally cheaper than a neoprene battlemat. There are many reasons for this, not the least of which is just plain weight. Neoprene mats are heavy and cost a lot to ship, while cloth mats are light and can be folded up into a smaller footprint without permanent creases.
#2 Ease of handling and table setup. Cloth battle mats are light, compact and can be easily transported in your backpack or bookbag to the local game store or convention and setup in seconds. Takedown is just as easy. One other benefit I think that gets overlooked is table fitment. A 4ft x 4ft and bigger neoprene mat is not usable on a 2x2 end table or a 3ft wide folding table. Even our biggest cloth battle mat will though, as the excess just drapes over the smaller table effortlessly.
#3 Dimensionality. A neoprene mat is.. flat. Even if you put a book underneath, it's still mostly.. flat. The great thing about cloth mats is that you can build up, hills, cliffs, and ridgelines and even create depressions like sunken roads or rivers easily. Just design your battlefield topography with books, magazines
or foam pieces, then just throw the cloth battle mat over top and give it a tuck and pull here and there - BOOM instant topographical battle field.
#4 Texture. With neoprene, vinyl, and cardboard battle mats the surface is and always will be.. smooth. Some cloth battle mats however, like our line of 'Plush Cloth Battle Mats' have soft grass like texture built in and allows the terrain and miniatures to sink into the battle mat, which gives a subtle yet impactful effect.
My Personal Thoughts.
I am a member of a local gaming club and we game every Saturday evening with anywhere from 6 - 16 people gaming. Literally any game you have ever heard of gets played at the club. When we first got the club started we invested in a bunch of neoprene battle mats and even built a custom wall organizer for them. We used these mats for years. Then one day someone brought in a plush cloth battle mat and built hills and a river underneath of it with a pile of WhiteDwarf and Wargames Illustrated magazines we have at the club. We were hooked.. I don't think we have used a neoprene mat since and have amassed quite a collection of cloth mats. I take that back.. we do use them, we flip the neoprene mats upside down to the rubber side and put them on the 4x4 tables when we play board or card games. When I am setting up for my Mordheim campaign day or a one off game of Spectre Operations, or ANY game for that matter.. I always grab a cloth mat, I don't even consider the neoprene mats any longer. The two main features responsible for this are the ability to make hills and depressions and the soft fuzzy texture on the plush mats, these are the proverbial game-changers! As I looked around the market for cloth battle mats, I really felt like the few companies that make cloth battle mats weren't putting enough emphasis on just how good and versatile they are. Some of the companies had poor or limited designs or their designs were rather cartoony. So, BattleMatBazaar was born! But let me say with 100% conviction that even if I had nothing to do with BattleMatBazaar I will still recommend cloth battle mats to anyone and everyone that will listen.
Transform your tabletop battles into epic adventures with a hand crafted battle mat from BattleMatBazaar.com. Elevate your wargaming experience with our premium mats designed to immerse you in thrilling combat scenarios. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or just beginning your journey into the world of miniature wargaming, the right battle mat can make all the difference. Discover the perfect battlefield for your next game and unlock new levels of realism and immersion. Explore our diverse selection of cloth battle mats today!
-SD
Versatile modern battle mats technologies
Explore our diverse selection of battle mats at Playmats.eu, designed with various technologies to suit your gaming preferences. If you need a light and easy-to-assemble mat or one that is thick and durable for intense gameplay - we have options for you. Choose from single-sided rubber mats, double-sided rubber mats, double-sided latex mats, and single-sided anti-slip fabric mats. Do you prefer a mat that is light and easy to assemble, or thick and resistant to intense games? Regardless of whether you prefer fabric or rubber mats, with two-sided printing or one-sided printing, you will find something for yourself here. Enhance your gaming experience with our advanced playmats.
Enhance your experience with advanced battle grid game mats
The high-quality modern polymer material can withstand the heat of battle, so you can lead your large armies to victory without fear of casualties. These excellent and battle-tested wargaming mats can be double-sided, providing more practicality and more space for game planning. With carefully crafted details, our battle mats almost increase the player's experience on their own, making every dice roll a moment of excitement. Discover the ultimate gaming experience with battle grid game mat and feel how quality and creativity make your tabletop adventures more amazing than ever. Explore our range of double-sided battle mats and choose the perfect two-sided game mat to elevate your gameplay. If you want to know more about technologies we use at Playmats.eu - just send us a message or ask on live chat below.
Neoprene battlemat dedicated for Star Wars: ShatterpointSW: Armada Playmats
SW: Legion Playmats
SW: X-Wing Playmats
Various battle mat technologies - Malifaux Station, SwampNeoprene battlemats dedicated for Star Wars: Shatterpoint
Our rubber battlemats dedicated for Star Wars: Shatterpoint is the ultimate choice for enthusiasts of this epic sci-fi game. Specially designed to enhance your gameplay, these playmats feature specific battle zones essential for strategic plays. These zones, marked with precise indicators, allow players to navigate and control the battlefield with accuracy. Our double sided game mats are crafted to meet the highest standards, offering a smooth and durable surface perfect for intense gaming sessions. Whether you prefer a standard size or a custom dimension, we have the perfect double-sided gaming mats to enhance your Star Wars: Shatterpoint experience. Explore our collection and discover how our mats can transform your gameplay, providing a realistic and engaging environment.
Special battle mats dedicated to various games with marked zones
Our special playmats dedicated to various games with marked zones are designed to provide an immersive and strategic gaming experience. These mats feature clearly defined zones, allowing players to plan and execute their strategies effectively. Our double sided game mats are perfect for a range of games, from futuristic sci-fi adventures to intense RPG scenarios (battle grid mats). Each double-sided battle mat is made from high-quality materials, ensuring a non-slip surface that enhances gameplay. The versatile design allows you to switch between different gaming environments easily, making them ideal for both casual and competitive play. Available in sizes like 36"x36" or 37"x37" (Malifaux battlemat) our mats cater to various gaming preferences. Customization extends beyond size and material to include unique graphics and themes, such as detailed sci-fi landscapes or immersive fantasy world environments. With Playmats.eu, you can create the perfect battleground for any game, ensuring an optimal and engaging gaming experience without sacrificing functionality.
Use advanced wargames battle mat technologies
Our collection of battlemats by technology at Playmats.eu offers an array of materials designed to suit every player's preferences. From fabric battle mats to latex battle mats and rubber battle mats, each type brings its unique qualities to the table. While latex mats are more affordable, they require more care to maintain their quality. Fabric battlemats carry a nostalgic charm that resonates with veteran gamers, evoking memories from early series of the Warhammer 40K. Rubber mats, on the other hand, offer the perfect balance of durability and ease of use, making them a popular choice among players.
The ultimate in rubber battlemats technology
Explore our range of double-sided gaming mats that offer the versatility and quality you need for any gaming scenario. Rubber battlemats are known for their superior durability and versatility. Whether single-sided battle mats or double-sided playmats, our rubber mats are crafted to withstand the rigors of intense battles. The rubber battlemats technology ensures that these mats are always ready for action, providing a reliable and stable surface for all your gaming needs. Although slightly more expensive, the quality and performance of rubber mats make them a worthwhile investment for serious gamers.
Custom battle mats with marked zones in different technologies
For games requiring clearly defined play areas, our special playmats with marked zones are the perfect choice. Designed to suit a wide range of games, these mats feature precise indicators that help players strategize and control the battlefield. Our double-sided battle mats come in various sizes, ensuring that every player can find a mat that fits their gaming space. Made from premium materials, these mats offer a durable, non-slip surface that stands up to intense gameplay. At Playmats.eu, we offer personalized battle mats and custom zones tailored to your specific war game requirements. As manufacturers, we can bring almost any design to life. Whether you want unique patterns from the Star Wars Universe or custom graphics for your Warhammer 40K 2D terrain zones, we can create the perfect mat for you.
Contact us to discuss your ideas and find the perfect battle mat, or design your own size and pattern. Choose between battle mats technologies or expand your range with a historical games battlemats. Discover the difference a quality battlemats technology can make!
Link to Silipi Technology
Frostgrave Cultists - Various battlemats technologies for wargamesUnderstanding the materials used in battlemats by technology
When selecting a battle mat, the material it's made from is a crucial factor that impacts its durability, feel, and overall gaming experience. At Playmats.eu, our battle mats are crafted from a variety of high-quality materials, each with unique benefits. Fabric battle mats offer a soft, nostalgic feel that harks back to the early days of tabletop gaming. These mats are lightweight, easy to transport, and perfect for quick setups. Latex battle mats, on the other hand, are known for their flexibility and resilience. They provide a textured surface that adds realism to your games but require careful handling to maintain their condition. Lastly, rubber battle mats are the most durable and versatile, offering a non-slip surface ideal for intense gaming sessions. These mats are best choice for serious players.
Advanced technologies in battlemat production
The technology behind "Battle mats by technology" has evolved significantly, offering players more options and better performance. Double-sided technology is a key advancement, allowing for versatile use of the mats. Double-sided gaming mats provide two distinct environments in one product, enhancing gameplay variety and value. These mats are especially useful for gamers who enjoy different genres and settings, as they can easily switch between themes without needing multiple mats. Our double-sided battle mats are printed with high-resolution artwork, ensuring detailed and immersive environments for every battle. Additionally, the anti-slip backing technology ensures that the mats stay in place during gameplay, preventing any unwanted movement that could disrupt the game.
Customization and care of your battlemats for best gaming experiences
Customization is another important aspect of battlemats technology. At Playmats.eu, we offer custom battle mats to meet your specific needs, whether it's a unique design for your Star Wars setups or specialized zones for Warhammer 40K game mats. Our team can work with you to create a mat that not only looks great but also enhances your gaming experience. Taking care of your battle mats is also crucial for maintaining their quality and longevity. For fabric and latex mats, gentle cleaning with a damp cloth and avoiding harsh chemicals is recommended. Rubber mats, while more durable, should also be stored properly to prevent damage. By following these care instructions, you can ensure that your custom battle mats and other technologically advanced mats stay in top condition for years to come.
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Epic naval games like Black Seas and pirate-themed adventures come to life with our premium fabric battle mats. These mats, designed using advanced battle mat technology, enhance the realism of sea waves, making your maritime battles more immersive. The undulating texture of fabric battle mats perfectly mimics the ocean's surface, adding an extra layer of excitement to your naval engagements. Whether you&#;re navigating through treacherous waters or engaging in epic ship battles, our fabric mats provide the ideal backdrop, ensuring every wave feels real and every game memorable. Discover the advantages of our high-quality fabric battle mats for your maritime games and elevate your gaming experience.
Contact us if want to know more about fabric battlemats technology.
In historical wargames, every second counts. Speed and efficiency in moving troops are crucial to victory. Our battlemats technology offers the perfect solution for fast-paced gameplay. The smooth surface of our mats ensures that your units glide effortlessly across the battlefield, reducing game time and increasing enjoyment. Games like A Song of Ice and Fire benefit greatly from our battle mats, providing stability and precision during intense battles. Say goodbye to mats shifting during play and hello to seamless, uninterrupted action. With our premium battle mats technologies, your troops will march to victory on a surface designed for optimal performance. Enhance your historical and fantasy battles with our cutting-edge battlemats technology and experience the difference.
Battle Mats by Technology
Available Sizes & Game Themes
Neoprene Battlemats Technology
36"x36" WH40K
44"x60" AoS
48"x48", 44"x90", 60"x44" Killteam,
Any size & Theme
Latex Battlemats Technology
36"x36" Bolt Action, 44"x60" SW: X-Wing,
48"x48", 60"x44" Gaslands
44"x30" Infinity,
36"x36" Warhammer
44"x60" Star Wars
37"x37" Malifaux
Double sided battle mats Technology
36"x36", 44"x60" WH40K
48"x48" AoS
60"x44" SW: Legion
44"x90" Marvel Crisis Protocol
Single-Sided Rubber Battlemats Technology
35.5"x27.5" Blood Bowl
44"x60" Various themes, 48"x48"
60"x44" AoS, 36"x36" WH40K, 44"x30" Bolt Action
Fabric Battlemats Technology
44"x30" SW: Shatterpoint, 60"x44" Various themes
48"x48" Black Seas
44"x60" Gaslands
36"x36" Infinity
Custom Battlemats Technologies
Custom sizes available
Any theme, your design
At Playmats.eu we offer a diverse range of battle mats tailored to enhance your battle gaming experience. Each category is designed to meet specific gaming needs, ensuring that every player can find the perfect mat for their battles.
Our battle mats technology is not just limited to wargaming. We extend the same high standards and innovative techniques to our universal playmats for board games and card games. We understand that board game enthusiasts and card gamers require playmats that enhance their gaming experience, ensuring smooth gameplay and protection for their game pieces and cards. Whether you are diving into an intense RPG session or a strategic board game, our playmats are designed to provide the perfect surface for any game. The materials we use, including high-quality rubber and fabric, are carefully selected to offer durability, flexibility, and a premium feel. Our playmats feature vibrant, high-resolution artwork that brings your favorite games to life, making each session more enjoyable and immersive.
For card game aficionados and RPG players, our customization playmats technology offer a unique and personalized gaming experience. Imagine playing Pokémon or Magic: The Gathering on a playmats designed specifically for your favorite cardgame player's board. Our playmats not only protect your cards but also enhance the overall aesthetic of your gaming setup. For RPG enthusiasts, games like Dungeons & Dragons or Pathfinder become even more immersive with a dedicated playmat featuring intricate designs and thematic elements. The smooth, non-slip surface ensures that your dice rolls are consistent and your miniatures stay in place, allowing you to focus on the game. With our double-sided playmats, you can switch between different designs to match the theme of your current game, making each session unique and exciting. Explore the possibilities and elevate your gaming sessions with our advanced playmat technology.
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