Who uses 3D terrain with their games?

[Corsair17]

How many of you use 3D terrain in addition or instead of maps? And if you rely on 3D, without maps, do you simply measure inches, etc? Thanks

[LBHills]

I generally don't use terrain. I'll use wet-erase on a grid to convey just enough detail for the PCs to make tactical decisions (walls, rough terrain, obvious hazards, objects large enough to act as cover, etc.)

3D terrain can be fun to build and really does help set the mood even better than a description. But to me, really unique or remarkable terrain seems to lose its impact when it's reused. Players notice physical models more than even the most vivid description, and get a feeling of being in the same area again. ("That big shrub keeps following us from planet to planet!")

But I do more detailed maps - and do recommend 3D terrain - for areas that you as the GM intend to use over and over again. Your PCs' ship is a good place to start: but anyplace that really would look mass-produced in the Starfinder universe is a good pick - a generic defensive fortification or weapon emplacement, wrecked hovercar, makeshift barricades of barrels/crates/etc, lamp posts, etc.

3D terrain also dominates over simple map-markings when a battle needs that third dimension - if the PCs are fighting in a comm tower, a missile silo or the steps of some ancient monolith, it's a lot easier to determine relative range and falling distances, see where the levels connect, and make the scene more vivid.

[TodimusPrime1]

I am currently crafting some terrain for Dead Suns book 3. We are not there yet (Just started book 2) so I figure it gives me plenty of time. I am trying to roughly recreate one of the maps. I am fine printing the map and using that, but I am crafting the buildings, etc because I am enjoying just being creative and experimenting. I may not be able to reuse a lot of these pieces, because they will have a distinctive look to them, but I don't think I care right now, because I am just enjoying the process. (Later I might care though when I realize how little use I get out of all the work that just sits on a shelf now...)

[TodimusPrime1]

I do wish there were more tutorials / youtube videos out there on scifi buildings. Most of what I see that is scifi are either shipping containers or post-apocalyptic building ruins or is very boxy for wargames and tends to be gridless. I get that scifi buildings have a much more complicated look and are hard to reproduce, but would still love to see what people are making and how.