If you could have all of the Geo Hex you could have, would you take it? Do you already have a large collection of Geo Hex sets. or just one set. or are you dreaming of how wonderful it would be if you had it? If you are interested in getting Geo Hex, what is the best way to get started?

First off, we need to look at the sets. Geo Hex comes in either green or desert colors, in Game Scape and Battlescape format. Rather than go into a highly detailed description of every single piece provided in each and every set, I will give you an overview of what is generally included along with any comments I may have.

Worldpac Gamescape Set - This looks like a good way to get started. Along with a moderate selection of Geo Hex, you get a 4'X 6' Gamescape Map that is flocked to look like the rest of the set. Also included are matching stream and forest cloth and a bag of lichen. The big difference between this set and the regular set is that it has fewer full hex and half cut hexes. All of the sloping shapes, except for one that has a notch on one end, is included. It has all the cut in half sloping pieces that the regular set has, which is very good, especially if you like to start your hills from the edge of the wargame table, as I do. If I were to have it all to do over again, this is the set I would have gotten.

Gamescape/Battlescape Set - This is the original Geo Hex terrain system. It's stuffed full of goodies. My only disappointment is that there were not enough pieces to cover a 4' X 6' or even 3 1/2'X 5' table as I have. I had to keep my old green felt. But I am glad I did. The Geo Hex sticks to the surface of the felt and does not slide around. If you want your wargame table to be the official Geo Hex color, you will want to buy a Gamescape Mat to go with it, or a Battlescape Mat, if you are using the Battlescape Set. I have had a lot of fun with this set. This is a good set to have if you like to construct fairly detailed terrain.

The Expander Set - Like the name says, you need the regular set or the Worldpac set before you get this one. If you have the Worldpac set, you will also need Road Cloth. You also get to choose either 1" or 2" roads. Also the road hexes are flocked on the other side without a road. That's a feature I like.

Master Terrain System - This set has everything. To get the same amount of shapes, you would need Gamescape/Battlescape sets, and an Expander set and there are still more shapes included that you would have to buy separately. This is a good set to have, especially if you a lot of money you can spend. Better yet, if you're rich enough, get both Desert and Green types!

The Rough Terrain Set - This set is useful. It's good for making cliffs on your battlefield or bluffs along your steams and rivers. There are also a good number of transition pieces so your sloping ground can be transformed into the rock faces where you want them. Here again, there are half pieces so you can make your cliff start off the end of the table. This is a good set for gamers that use small scales like micro armor.

The Sunken Road Set - If your battlefields require sunken roads you will find this set a life saver. It also includes road cloth.

The Hill Set - This is the first set of Geo Hex I ever bought. At first I did not appreciate it that much. I still had dreams of constructing something like a model railroad layout in Geo Hex and the Small Hill set did not do it. Now I find it the most useful set. With it I can construct a good number of small hills or a ridge line with several minor knolls on top. The hills can be quickly put together and set up in many different configurations which is another plus for the set. This is the set I would recommend for the beginning wargamer with little money to spend. Another recommendation I would make would be for the beginner to add one piece pack PFH61 Half Hex for Gamescape or BAHG1 if he is using Battlescape. I would recommend to the makers of Geo Hex that they include this piece in their Hill set. If is a good piece for gamers who like their hills to come out from the edge of their table.

The Rough Hill Set - Like the Hill set, it has the same number of pieces, four of which are transition pieces. It would be a cheap way to add some rough terrain to your layout.

The Mountainscape Set - Like they say, it is three times the height. This set is a lot of fun. It has plenty of half pieces so your mountains can start out from the edge of your wargame table. You can stack your mountain several levels high with it, if you wish. I find it very useful in my wargames. I have two sets of them.

The Mountainscape Expander Set - This set has one full hex, two half hexes, and four quarter hexes, several other pieces and two transition pieces. For the transition pieces to be useful, you need the regular Geo Hex. With just the Small Hill set or only the Mountainscape Set, these pieces are not that useful

Mountain Packs - Geo Hex makes spare pieces for all it's terrain. The Mountain Paks include shapes that are not in any of it's Mountainscape sets. That includes ramp and cave pieces. Without the Mountainscape Expander set, one or two ramp, transition packs is a good idea. There are no half pieces included. If you like to start your mountains out from the edges of your wargames table, you will have to rely on the ones provided in your Mountainscape set, or get a pack of DFH81 for Gamescape or QAH81 for Battlescape.

Accessory Packs - All the shapes included in all but the Sunken Road set can be found here. There are also other shapes not found in the other sets. My only complaint is that there are no half pieces for the sloped or rough packs that are included in the Worldpac Gamescape set, Game scape/Battlescape set, Master Terrain set, or the Rough Terrain set. I would buy extra half pieces if they were available.

Geo-Scenic Accessories - These are a must for the Geo Hex purist. You can get different 4' X 6' game mats in the official Geo Hex colors as well as Stream, Road, Farm field and Forest Floor cloth. For the historical garner, the Gamescape, Battlescape and Seascape mats are best. There are more comer locks and tree bases for those who want them as well as other accessories for SiFi and Fantasy gamers.

Getting More Mileage Out Of Your Geo Hex Terrain - I like to lay out my felt before I set out my Geo Hex. If there is a lot of water areas in the game, the Seascape or blue felt would be the best thing to set out first. If you don't have enough Geo Hex to cover the land area, or if the height of the landscape requires most of your set you are better off using a land color. Setting up a Geo Hex layout takes time. Unless you are only using the Small Hill set or a small portion of your regular set getting everything set out right could take a half hour or more. If you don't like spending the necessary time, then Geo Hex is not for you. It takes time for a new Geo Hex owner to get used to setting up. There are several combinations and if it is not set up right, bare hex sides will be left showing. You can use lichen or pebbles to hide the sides left uncovered.

Another good thing to get are small hills from about 3" x 3" to 3" X 9" in size. These you can lay on top of your Geo Hex hills to give them a more rugged appearance. I have also used some nice looking rocks to give it the took of a rugged peak.

Getting Started - The best combination for the gainer with a moderate amount of money to spend would be the Gamescape/Battlescape set and the Mountainscape set, following, if not at the same time. All the extras could be added after that starting with the Expander set. This set is a good addition if only for the double flocked hexes, Then depending on what you wanted, you would be either getting the Sunken Road set or the Mountainscape Expander set, or both. It is also a good idea to get a few Mountain packs if you have the Mountainscape set. They will give your mountain layout more versatility. I have said nothing about the Rough Terrain or Rough Hills sets here. If the starting Geo Hex owner prefers rough terrain, he doesn't really need the Mountainscape set to start with. When he does get it only the Mountainscape set will be needed by him. It's purpose is only to cap the tops of his hills. With one the other is not that important.

For the wargamer with limited resources. the Small Hill set is followed by the Mountainscape set is the best combination. Nothing else is needed. With the Master Terrain System, two sets of Mountainscape and two sets of Mountainscape Expander sets along with two ramps from the Transition Pack in the Accessory Packs Mountain Packs selection is needed.

I heartily recommend that anybody who buys the regular Geo Hex should also be able to make mountains. Hills can be used to give an army the height advantage; mountains to channel the attack. Together they increase the variety of battles the wargamer is able to fight. and they look good. Anyway, those are my recommendations for the person who is thinking of about getting Geo Hex or is planning to expand his layout.

(Editor's Note: GEO-HEX is available from GEO-HEX, 2126 North Lewis, Portland, OR 97227; Telephone 503-288-4805)