I've finally gotten round to starting work on my own arena and it's gonna be circular!

The first problem was a matter of size. Some quick calculations and I decided a 14" radius would be about right, this gives approximatly the same area (615 square inches vs 625) as a Town (701-800 Gold) arena as this is the size of game we usually play and will mean the avatars start around the normal distance away from each other.

The other problem I face that as it will probably live at my local gaming club it needs to be fairly robust so.....to my local timber mill............

I started by building a wooden frame the which the arena will sit in, the dimensions are 32" x 32" on the outside and 31" x 31". The duck tape is soften the sharp edges and make it more user friendly.



The next step was to build the structural part of the floor, this was made from an inch thick sheet of polystyrene foam cut into a 14" radius disk. The locations of the 2 pits and the 4 entrances ramps (2 for warbands, 2 for beasts) were marked out



And carved out



Then the disk was stuck using PVA glue into the wooden frame, weighted down and left to dry overnight



I'll update this thread as I progress with my arena................................

Just a quick hint for using isolation foam to build structures that will get alot of use,

Stay away from the cheap white one, and go for the thicker density material,
usually those have the pink or purple colour, they will not crumble along the sides and are very easy to texture and work with, they are also more robust and will last through alot more games,

nice idea for a circular arena btw

Nice start.

I like the idea of the circular arena into a square location. Will the box be the outer walls, or is it only for protection? You could do a very nice "moat type" pit surrounding the round surface!

Hmmmmmmmmmm now you got me thinking the original idea was the box was for protection and I was gonna build wall around the circular part but now you have got me thinking about a pit / moat area instead, this would be easier to build

And I think it could look very effective!

I've decided to go for the pit around the arena. Thanks for the idea Gaelion

The plan now is the make the arena look like it is held on a giant metal tray which is suspended on chains above a pit of spikes (very Mortal Kombat). The perspective will be slightly out but I think the effect will work ok.

Did a bit more to it tonight (cut a foamboard outer rim for the disc that forms the arena about 1/2"above floor level, stuck it on then filled gaps and strengthed join using filler) will post more pics at some point

Now I am gonna try and come with some background to with it as well.....

Can be really nice! What about into a kind of volcano pit, so the background could be lava type, reddish walls, and you could play a lot with lighting, ... difficult indeed but could look great.