Boarding Actions Terrain Set: How to Build and Paint It

By GUNNZO | Published: 2026-11-01

Category: How-to Guides

A practical, step-by-step guide to assembling, painting, and setting up the Boarding Actions Terrain Set for Warhammer 40,000, with checkpoints to avoid common mistakes.

Quick answer

Build the 68 modular pieces in sub-assemblies by wall type, prime them dark, then paint the walls and floors separately before gluing. Dry-fit every corridor joint before committing to glue, and set up your boards with clear 1-inch walkways so models can move without tipping.

Why sub-assembly painting saves you time

The Boarding Actions Terrain Set is a full terrain set with 68 modular pieces and two double-sided gaming boards. Because the pieces are modular, you will handle them often during games. Painting walls and floors separately lets you reach inside corners and avoids repainting areas you have already finished. It also makes it easier to keep a consistent scheme across all 68 pieces without losing track of which piece goes where.

Deal with tight fits before you prime

Modular terrain often has push-fit connections that are slightly tight. Test-fit every wall, door, and floor piece before any paint or glue. If a joint is too tight, lightly sand the contact points. If it is too loose, plan to reinforce it with glue or a small amount of gap-filling putty. Doing this before priming saves you from scraping paint off later.

Choose a scheme that works on both board sides

The set includes two double-sided gaming boards, so your terrain will sit on different backgrounds. A neutral, dark metallic scheme with light edge highlights reads well on most surfaces and suits the cramped spaceship corridors the set recreates. If you want more variety, use a limited palette of two or three accent colors and repeat them across the set so the board looks cohesive rather than random.

Step-by-step build and paint process

Sort and dry-fit all 68 pieces: Lay out every wall, floor, door, and accessory piece. Push-fit them together in the configurations you plan to use, then separate them. Check that each joint seats fully without force. If a joint needs more than light pressure, sand the contact points before priming; forcing it can crack the piece.
Clean mould lines and flash: Use a hobby knife to scrape mould lines from visible edges and a fine file for flat surfaces. Pay attention to the inside corners of walls, where lines are hardest to reach after assembly. Skipping this step leaves shiny lines that show through thin paint; check each piece under a bright light before moving on.
Prime in sub-assemblies: Keep walls, floors, and doors separate. Prime them with a dark grey or black spray in thin coats, rotating each piece to cover recesses. Let them dry fully before handling. Priming assembled corridors traps spray in closed joints and causes paint to pool; keep pieces apart until after the base coat.
Paint walls and floors separately: Base-coat walls in a dark metallic or grey, then drybrush a lighter metal on edges. Paint floors in a contrasting dark brown or rust tone. Use a small brush to pick out cables, panels, and door frames with one or two accent colors. Keep your accent colors consistent across all pieces; a test piece first prevents a mismatched board.
Seal and assemble permanently: Apply a matte varnish to protect the paint, then glue any joints you want fixed. Leave modular connection points unglued so you can rearrange the set. Store pieces in a box with dividers to prevent chipping. Varnish before gluing; glue on painted surfaces bonds poorly and can fog nearby paint.
Set up the board with clear walkways: Place the double-sided boards and lay out corridors with at least 1 inch of clear width between walls. Use doors and junctions to create sight-line breaks, and leave open floor areas for objective markers. Test the layout by moving a few models through it. If a corridor is too narrow for a model's base, widen it before the game; cramped gaps slow play and cause tipping.

Product facts

Warhammer 40000: Boarding Actions Terrain Set: Includes 68 modular terrain pieces and two double-sided gaming boards. Plan your painting and storage around many small pieces, and test board layouts on both sides before finalizing your scheme.
Warhammer 40000: Boarding Actions Terrain Set