RPGfinity - Gridfinity Modular DnD System

A modular tabletop system using  Gridfinity squares, and it is endlessly expandable by joining multiple baseplates together. The floor bases are modular, meaning the Dungeon Master (DM) can change the terrain to fit the narrative of the story, even mid game!  

 

Boost Me

The system uses four main components. The Baseplate, The Wall, Floor Base and Floor Tile. I optimized each component to be the best quality it can be using FDM, although they should look even better using a resin printer. Each component uses very little material. 

 

 

For example, the Floor Tile only uses 3 grams of plastic, while the frame for it only 1.5 grams. Instead of printing a 100 full tiles with magnets, you can just print the modular tile instead. You save 50% of material and magnets, and I incorporated a nub to keep the tile firmly in place and the bottom is hollow, so you can pop it off easily.  

 

 

They are very easy and fast to print, and since the tiles are oriented vertically, they retain excellent detail! Best of all, no supports! making the cleanup very easy and fuss free experience! (except for the brim… you will need to clean the brim…)

 

 If you cant or dont like to paint, you can print them in color and skip that messy step. I printed these in gray to showcase the geometry aspect of the models, however you can use different filaments for terrain (RED for eldritch, gray for stone, green for nature, transparent blue for crystal, etc)

 

You can omit the Floor Bases altogether and just use the Floor Tiles themselves. 

 

However for transport convenience and aesthetics, I recommend printing the Floor Base. It weighs very little and uses magnets to secure the tiles in place, meaning the DM can prepare the game layout and pack it neatly in any box for transport to the basement lair. I still havent placed the magnets and it is VERY stable (thanks Zack!)

 

 

 

I use a standard GF system, but you can scale it down if you want, however I will only design, prototype, provide support, multilevel pillars and expansion packs with magnets for the original scaling system. My advice is that the magnets should be oriented with the north pole facing up. As a guideline,  the north side of the compass is attracted to the south side of the magnet. The reason for this is to avoid nasty surprises in the future if you decide to use it with your friends stuff. If you are a introverted nerd like me, dont worry about it. Slap a magnet in and use that as a reference :D

 

 

The walls are stone only, however I am making variations for those as well. I added holes in The Wall modules,  (the ones shown here are prototypes), to make the removal of tiles easier. Have in mind the walls are still a work in progress, biggest doubt I have is what height to make them. Eventually I will add a system for attaching things to them (traps, switches, light, etc) using magnets and steel.

 

The wall pieces themselves are not only used for the edge of the Baseplate, they can be used to make pathways and limit movement.. Currently designing a door pathway, that you will need to find a key for or have a rogue lockpick, or a portal that only a mage can use. Or maybe one of your characters can teleport through the wall to the other side, open a lever and let the others through.

 

 

 

To start things off, is the fantasy edition featuring 4 terrain types, it's been a while since I played, however here are some suggestions on how the mechanics, terrain and walls work. More experienced DM's will know better how to tune it to their needs:

 

 Movement (TBD by the DM, this is just a general guidline)

• On your turn, you can move up to your speed ( 5 feet is 1 square). Moving more than 2 squares is considered a fast move.
• You can move before or after your action.
• Diagonal movement = 5 ft per square (or up to the DM)

• Movement dictates your movement status effect: 

  One square Stable (resistance to certain spells and knockdown) 

  Two square: No effect 

  Three squares or more fast (bonus to evasion against ranged, but chance to fall or trigger negative effects)

   

 

Terrain

I recommend printing this in a silk purple or red

 

• Eldritch Terrain - Twisting, shifting ground infused with unnatural energy. The walls and floors pulse as if alive.
• Maddening Aura: Creatures must make a Wisdom save or suffer confusion (Dark Elf, Undead and Orcs have 50% resistance)
• Reality Distortion: Spells behave unpredictably (wild magic surges).

I recommend printing this in a matte grey

 

• Stone Terrain - Solid, cold stone floors with rough walls
• Echoing Footsteps: Stealth checks have disadvantage. (Dwarf and Rock Gnomes are not affected)
• Loose Stones: Moving  fast on tiles containing piles of loose rocks  may trigger falling  debris and losing a turn (Dex save)
• Steel does'nt rock: If a character misses an attack with a sharpened weapon (such as axes, daggers, or swords), they deal 50% less damage on their next two turns. 

Printing in brown or green recommended

 

• Nature Terrain - Overgrown roots crack through the floor, vines hang from the ceiling, and patches of moss create slick surfaces
• Difficult Terrain: Movement is halved in thick vegetation and slippery moss. (Elf and Druid are not affected)
• Living Vines: Animated vines may grapple creatures at random.
• Poisonous Flora: Some tiles may release toxic spores (Con save). 

I remembered I am bad at painting, so I took my own advice and used BL transparent PETG for the crystal tiles

 

• Crystal Terrain - Sharp, shimmering formations of magical crystals. The air hums with arcane energy, refracting light in mesmerizing ways
• Magic Amplification: Spells cast here have increased range or potency.  
• Reflective Surfaces: Light-based spells bounce unpredictably
• Fragile Ground: Too much force can shatter the terrain, causing collapses (effect of which TBD by the DM) 

 

Perhaps you can use the more unique tiles for special effects, for example the Cracked Crystal tile has risk of breaking or a Eldritch Tentacle can grab you. 

 

Additional Terrain Types can be found here, click on the images or title below:
 

In order to keep things relatively organized, the main system and it's updates will be here, while themed tiles, walls, obstacles, items will be in separate models.

WOODEN INTERIOR

 

GOLDEN INTERIOR

 

 

 

- TILE MODIFIERS -

There are 5 in total, pics are incoming

 

You will find some tile modifiers on a separate profile. Like the other tiles, future addons will probably be on another model, because it will be utter chaos if I try to cram everything here. Basic guidelines are below, but as always, it is up to you how ti implement it:

Plate 1 - Shadow Veil 
Marks a tile that is obscured by darkness or suspected invisible enemy presence… or nothing at all. Roll the dice!

The design slots in, change colors for different effects

Plate 2 - The Obelisk

Marks a tile where an elite enemy or hero has perished. Chance to spawn an elite enemy undead unit if a unit attacks while adjacent or chooses to pass through that tile

 

Plate 3 - Tentacle

A tentacle of a… could be anything really! 

 

Plate 4 - Grave Marker

Marks where an enemy unit has perished, chance to spawn a skeleton or a wraith unit if a unit attacks while adjacent or chooses to pass through that tile. Rogues can also loot the tile for a chance to find some booty!!! ( no, not that kind of booty)

 

Plate 5 - Goo 

Marks a tile where there is goo… or an oil slick, you get reduced movement. Hit it with a fire spell, it may turn into a pissed off tentacle (see plate 3) or spawn a fire (Coming soon!)

 

 

 

Things left to do:

 

 

Basic NPC's such as spiders, rats, lizards etc

More Baseplate options (2x4, 3x3, 2x5 etc)

Weapons, potions, loot,  and magical items in chests and from defeated enemies.

Special tiles containing loot and gold( for example gold tiles, printed with silk filament, money to buy weapons from wall and tile NPC's)

Some scenarios may include merchants or crafting systems for equipment upgrades.

Multilevel Baseplates and combat rules defining how to use them

After I figure out the basics and making everything necessary for the fantasy system, I will make a Cyberpunk system (inspired by the Shadowrun tabletop game) and space combat (Star Trek and The Expanse). I may or may not create a whole system and rule system.

 

 

If you have a request, suggestion for a terrain type or advice shoot me a comment.

 

 

And last , but not least, a huge shout out to Zack Freedman, who did his surname the truest of justices and made the Gridfinity system completely free… enabling me to release this and gather all the profitses! hahahah, silly  hoo-man!