Bundle or Single Mat? Save on Wargaming Terrain Sets

By Mats by Mars - Print-On-Demand Wargaming and Role | Published: 2026-10-15

Category: Buying Guides

Decide between a wargaming mat bundle and a single mat with clear rules on storage, table size, and reuse. Includes practical trade-offs for terrain bundles.

Quick answer

Buy a wargaming mat bundle only if you already rotate two or more armies or run a campaign that changes biomes often. Otherwise, a single mat gives you more value per dollar and avoids storage clutter. If you are unsure, start with one mat that matches your most-played army and add a second later.

What a bundle actually changes at the table

A bundle is not a discount on one mat; it is a change in how often you reset your table. Two mats let you leave one set up for a campaign and keep another for pickup games. That matters most when your group meets weekly and you do not want to rebuild the same battlefield every session.

Check the available sizes before you commit. Mats by Mars lists sizes such as 22"x30", 24"x24", 24"x36", and 30"x30" across its mats, so a bundle can mix footprints that do not share the same table coverage. Measure your table first, then choose sizes that either match or intentionally vary.

Storage and transport trade-offs

A single mat rolls or folds into one slot in your bag. A bundle doubles that footprint unless you store mats flat or in a dedicated tube. If you carry your terrain to a store or club, count the extra weight and bulk against the convenience of switching themes mid-campaign.

The material itself helps here. Mats by Mars mats are printed on heavy weight matte banner material with a slight texture that keeps models from sliding, and they are wet-erase compatible and easy to clean. That durability means a bundle is not fragile, but it is still more surface area to protect.

Mixing themes without buying twice

The strongest case for a bundle is thematic range. A sewer mat and a mold-covered mat serve different scenarios but share the same table size, so you can swap them without changing your terrain footprint. If your group plays narrative campaigns, that range keeps the table fresh without new scenery.

If your group plays one army in one setting, a single mat is the better buy. You get the same print quality and the same texture on one surface, and you spend the difference on models or terrain pieces instead of a second backdrop you rarely unroll.

Decision rules for bundle vs single mat

Rule 1: Count your active armies: If you regularly field two or more armies with different basing themes, a bundle earns its cost. If you field one army, buy a single mat and put the savings into models. Two or more armies: bundle. One army: single mat.
Rule 2: Measure your table before you choose sizes: Compare your table dimensions against available sizes such as 22"x30", 24"x24", 24"x36", and 30"x30". A bundle only helps if each mat fits the same table without overhang. No matching size, no bundle.
Rule 3: Budget for storage, not just the mat: A bundle needs a tube or flat storage spot for each mat. If you cannot store them flat or rolled separately, a single mat is the lower-risk purchase. No storage plan, buy one mat first.
Rule 4: Test one theme before committing: Buy one mat, play five sessions, then decide if you want a second. This avoids paying for a theme your group never uses. One mat now, second mat after five sessions.

Product facts to compare

Mats by Mars: Sett in Stone (Red) Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat: Manicured cobblestone thoroughfares above ground can serve as a market-day backdrop or a dungeon hall, with size options including 22"x30", 24"x24", 24"x36", and 30"x30". One mat covers two common settings, which reduces the need for a second themed mat if your campaigns mix urban and dungeon play.
Mats by Mars: Noxious Sewer Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat: Printed on ultra-durable heavy weight matte banner material suitable for the outdoors, with a slight texture that keeps models from unwanted sliding and a wet-erase compatible, easy-to-clean surface. Durability and cleanability make a bundle more practical because each mat survives repeated setup and teardown without special handling.
Mats by Mars: Creeping Mold Tabletop Wargaming Play Mat: Vibrant, scratch resistant, detailed design on the same heavy weight matte banner material, with size and overlay options. If you want a second biome without changing table size, matching the size of your first mat keeps terrain and movement trays consistent.

Who should choose which

Best for

Groups that rotate between two or more armies with different basing themes
Campaign players who want a sewer, mold, or trench setting without rebuilding terrain
Players with a dedicated storage tube or flat shelf for multiple mats