Last updated November 11, 2026.
Short answer: SOURCE is the hex terrain to pick if you want a full 3D board that sets up in under 5 minutes, needs no painting, takes 25mm to 38mm bases and slides apart with no connectors. SOURCE Adventures is the lowest price to start with 3D hex terrain at $30.
The options at a glance
| SOURCE | Heroscape terrain | Lorescape | HexTech | Neoprene hex mat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maker | Adventure Together | Renegade Game Studios | Lorefoundry | Gale Force Nine / Thunderhead | Various |
| How pieces join | Slide together and lift apart, no connectors | Interlocking tiles, piece by piece | Hex-clip connectors | Buildings on removable hex bases | Flat mat, no pieces |
| Hex and base fit | 45mm hex, 25mm to 38mm bases | About 44mm hex | Sized for 32mm miniatures | 1.25 inch BattleTech grid | Usually 1 to 1.25 inch hexes |
| Finish | ABS, UV-printed art, no painting | Plastic, painted or unpainted editions | ABS, UV-printed art | Pre-painted resin | Printed cloth top |
| Height | Stack hexes, walls and multi-hex parts | Stack tiles | Stack tiles | Fixed buildings and hills | None |
| Price to start | $30 (SOURCE Adventures), $114.99 (Starter, 282 hex spaces) | Terrain expansions $35 to $85; master set $225 | Crowdfunded; retail after pledges ship | About $35 per 2-pack | About $100 CAD for a 4x4 ft mat |
| Open files | Free STL files under an open license | No | No | Paid STLs | No |
Pick by what you play
D&D and Pathfinder
SOURCE covers wilderness, towns and dungeons on one system. Stack hexes for cliffs and high ground. SOURCE Adventures boxes add walls for dungeon rooms and corridors. Every piece is pre-colored, so the table is ready the night you buy it. Read the D&D guide.
BattleTech and Alpha Strike
Most BattleTech terrain sits on top of a map or mat. SOURCE replaces the mat: foundation panels are the board, and stacked hexes show every elevation level in 3D. Mech bases fit on one 45mm hex. Read the BattleTech guide.
Heroscape figures
Heroscape figures and rules play on SOURCE. SOURCE pieces do not lock into Heroscape tiles, so you build the map in SOURCE and keep your armies. Read the Heroscape guide.
Gloomhaven and Frosthaven
Build the scenario room in 3D with SOURCE hexes and play with your standees and miniatures on top. Read the Gloomhaven guide.
Mat or 3D terrain
A mat is flat and fast to roll out. SOURCE is just as fast to lay down with the 39-hex foundation and adds real height. Read mat vs 3D terrain.
Why players choose SOURCE
- Any world ready to play in under 5 minutes. Pieces slide together and lift straight out of the middle of the map.
- No painting. Hand-illustrated art is UV-printed onto ABS plastic. It is waterproof and scratch resistant.
- Room for big bases. One 45mm hex takes 25, 28 and 32mm bases with room to spare and 38mm bases edge to edge.
- Patented and open. US Patent 12,551,778 B2, with free STL files and an open license to print and sell compatible parts.
- Proven. 1.5 million+ SOURCE hexes and tiles sold. $201,565 raised from 1,103 backers on Kickstarter. SOURCE: Starter was a 2026 Origins Awards finalist.
Sources
- Heroscape terrain prices: Renegade Game Studios. Setup review: GamesRadar+.
- Lorescape build and connectors: Lorescape FAQ and OnTableTop.
- HexTech: Goonhammer review.
- Neoprene mats: Deep-Cut Studio mat listing.
Shop SOURCE terrain · See SOURCE Adventures · How SOURCE works
Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, BattleTech, Alpha Strike, Heroscape, Gloomhaven, Frosthaven, Lorescape, HexTech and Dwarven Forge are trademarks of their owners. Adventure Together is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.