Introduction

Modular Gaming Table 'Desasta' is a gaming surface from Ziterdes. It is oriented to 15mm and 25-28mm but is suitable for many scales. Desasta is Item 12908, one of 12 terrain modules with different topographical (and man-made) features that can be combined.

The Modular Gaming Table (MGT) series of ZITERDES you demanded everything from! Because the 12 terrain modules with different topographical features can be combined optional. So it is clear, no matter what you play - whether Warhammer, Warhammer 40K®, Warmachine®, etc. - you and your opponent are starting now face challenges unimagined magnitude. In the MGT of ZITERDES shows the true master, the true victor.

The vast plain "Desasta" [a slang mispronunciation of disaster? - Ed.] offers you more ways to carry out large troop movements. Or you equip your Modular Gaming Table with terrain pieces or buildings in addition. The flat surface is perfect for epic battles to offer the space, they need.

These Modular Gaming Table (MGT) items are designed so that they can be played individually or in combination with other modules.

These rigid plastic tables measure:

Width 600,00 mm (23⅔ in.)
Length 600,00 mm (23⅔ in.)
Height 40,00 mm (1½ in.)

Ziterdes trumpets of their MGTs:

- Can be combined with each others
- Brown primed and partially static grassed
- The modules are very light, yet sturdy

Ziterdes has a marketing relationship with NOCH, who kindly provided this sample for review.

Ziterdes

Based in Germany this company creates a range of models for fantasy and Sci-Fi genres:

Steam-Punk
Dungeons & Dragons
Fantasy (Warhammer)
Historisch
Sci-Fi (Warhammer 40000)

To serve those genres many different product lines are offered:

Tabletop Gaming Table
Single Boards
Modular Gaming Table Sets
Gaming Mats

Dungeons
DunkelWelt - An extensive gaming world with Starter and Extension Sets, Special Editions, Single Modules. Furthermore, DunkelWelt includes Dunkelstadt - "the ultimate playing area for all dungeon players and jailers," with...
Dunkelstadt Dungeons
Special Edition Monte Christo
Dunkelstadt Single Modules
Statues
Furniture & Accessories

Buildings
Pyramids, Temples and Ruins
Houses
Bunkers & Positions
Castles & Fortresses
Tents
Towers
Ships & Boats
Bridges & Jetties

Terrain Accessories
Terrain Pieces
Tabletop Bits & Pieces
To Water
Landscaping
Trees
Basing Material
Glue
Waters
Grasses, stones & groundcover
Miniature Plants
Snow and Ice
Landscaping Colors

Welcome to the world of Ziterdes!

Modular Gaming Table

These tables are made of thick plastic and they are sturdy. MGTs are made to stand alone or be joined with other tables and incorporated into larger scenes.

This model is packaged in a plastic bag. It has no particular label except for a product sticker on the underside, and a label inside a separate package packed within. That pack holds three clips and four support blocks.

Those clips are used to secure MGTs to each other. The support blocks are hard foam and keep the MGT from sagging under the weight of your hoards.

Detail

Desasta represents a plain. It is molded with a rough surface, pre-painted with a generic earth brown. A couple of rocks and low mounds break up the surface, creating defilades or obstacles. In one spot, wheel track ruts are molded into the earth.

Ziterdes added several small areas of static grass. I have read that the recent release of Ziterdes features a complete covering of MGTs with static grass.

Instructions

A brief mention of the clips and support blocks are included.

Scale

The previous 10 Ziterdes items reviewed are advertised as scaled for 25-28mm; MGTs are listed as also suitable for 15mm. Those three scales are explained with "height" scale and "ratio" scale:

* 25mm Traditionally popular for pre-20th Century wargaming, though most historical gamers have now switched to 15mm. Excellent scale for display games. Continues to be popular for fantasy wargaming, historical skirmish-level games, science fiction, and for use with role-playing games. Same as railroad S gauge. 1/64. ¹

* 28mm The "large" 25mm figures are sometimes listed as being 28mm. 1/58 ².

* 15mm The most popular scale for pre-20th Century wargaming. Also used for fantasy, science fiction, and 20th Century "skirmish-level" games. 1/107 ³

You can see several Ziterdes models arrayed on Desasta. I think that these tables have potential for modelers beyond gaming so I present some examples for you to judge the versatility of this product for your desired scale with the photos I staged:

* A pair of 25-28mm hobgoblins (plenty of room for a hobgoblin battalion)
* Common AFVs in 1/35, 1/48, and 1/87
* Fighter aircraft in 1/72 and 1/48
* 1/48 large helicopter

I think from those you can extrapolate your envisioned model(s) on this MGT.

Conclusion

I wish there were Ziterdes Modular Gaming Tables back in ancient days when I was frequently gaming. This MGT is sturdy, and I appreciate the ability to securely clip the tables together - if you ever played D&D or Squad Leader and ruined your deployments by bumping a board, you know what I mean. I also appreciate the support blocks that keep the sturdy table from potentially sagging under the weight of your forces.

I believe these have potential beyond gaming, like providing a diorama base. One can spread ground material (permanently or temporarily) to create the scene desired. The thick plastic is rigid yet much lighter than an equally sized piece of wood or resin.

The next gaming session I attend, Ziterdes Modular Gaming Tables will be very useful. I look forward to using it and recommend it.

Please remember to mention to NOCH and Ziterdes and retailers that you saw this product here - on Historicus Forma!

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References
^¹ ² ³ “TMP All About Scales.” The Miniatures Page, July 25, 2009. http://theminiaturespage.com/ref/scales.html.