If you're a Warhammer enthusiast then you'll definitely need to check out Tabletop Time. But don’t press any video launch buttons until you’ve read all of the article - thanks!
The team run a YouTube channel that in the leadup to Arc40k created a series of videos documenting the process of building a custom gaming tabletop. The ‘Titan Graveyard’ was commissioned by a local gaming store in Ringwood, The House of War and it’s official unveiling came at the Arc40k 2023 event weekend.
The Titan Graveyard is themed around the aftermath of a historic titanic battle on the planet Mars, it features a Warlord Titan, Reaver Titan, & a Chaos Warhound Titan (directly from Dave’s own collection!).
In their series of videos, viewers can follow along as the channel's team take them through the entire process of designing and building a custom table of terrain.
The first video takes you from the beginning of the project. You learn how they select the models they want to include - in this case Forgeworld Titans will be fighting across a devastated martian landscape. Once decided upon we see Murray, Jen and Dave plan how to position the Titans on the table. Because it is going to be a playable piece they discuss and show how taking into account factors like line of sight, strategic positioning, and playability for the participants of Arc40k are important.
Assembly & cleaning of the models comes next using a combination of warm soapy water, glue, and other tools. This process can be a challenging one, especially for larger models, but it's essential to ensure that everything is stable and secure. But because of the scale of the project they have some fun bringing some tools not usually used by most hobbyists - there’s some very fun moments - trust me.
Then it's time to start painting. This is where the real magic happens, and they add intricate details, colors, and weathering effects that bring the Titans to life. I certainly saw some techniques and learned some processes I’ll be trying on my next project - it’s filled with pretty cool hobby advice.
One of the most exciting aspects of the final videos in the series is the level of anticipation and excitement leading up to the big event. As it draws closer and the time left to finish gets shorter, the videos become increasingly focused on preparing the terrain for its big reveal, including transportation logistics, setup, and final adjustments to ensure that everything is perfect. It’s hectic - including a late night finish the night before the event that I’m certain many an Arc40k participant will relate to!
When the big day finally arrives, we get to experience the energy of the event as the custom terrain is unveiled for the first time. I think Tabletop Time really captures the true excitement of Arc40k, as gamers take their positions around the custom-built Titan Graveyard and engage in epic battles using the incredible terrain pieces.
You really need to watch the video to see the looks of awe and appreciation on the faces of gamers, and special guests a like, as they take in the stunning beauty and detail of the custom terrain.
What sets Tabletop Time's terrain apart is the level of detail and realism that goes into each element.
The Tabeltop Time crew, Dave, Jenn, & Murray are all skilled painters and modelers, and they take the time to carefully craft each piece of terrain with incredible attention to detail. From realistic textures on rocks and cliffs to intricate weathering effects on buildings, every element of the terrain is designed to create an immersive and believable world for the games to take place in.
The result is that Tabletop Time's custom tabletop is a testament to the creativity and skill of the channel's hosts, and is a true inspiration for wargaming enthusiasts everywhere.
Overall, the Titan Graveyard Video series is a must-see for any wargamer looking to take their hobby to the next level. Best of all the Titan Graveyard now resides at the House of War in Ringwood, Melbourne. Not only on display, but available for their customers to bring along their armies and have a game of Warhammer 40,000 across the carnage of Titanic combat.
From us at Arc40k, we are extremely grateful for the time and effort Dave, Jenn, & Murray put in building and finishing such a massive project to such a short timeline. Their involvement in this project, and visit to Arc40k over the weekend really enhanced the player experience as they took the time to talk to the participants, engaging in hobby conversations with their fans and most importantly walking away inspired themselves - Thank You!
So, whether you're interested in building your own custom terrain, curious how others do, or simply love to watch the excitement of wargaming events, this channel has something for everyone. So be sure to subscribe and join the community today and experience the thrill of this custom terrain build like nothing you have seen before!
