PlayerAid Border on a Play Mat: Do You Need One?
By Mats by Mars - Print-On-Demand Wargaming and Role | Published: 2026-11-01
Category: Product Reviews
A PlayerAid border prints key tables and turn-order reminders along the mat edge. Here is when it earns its place and when a plain mat is the better buy.
Quick answer
Buy a PlayerAid border if you regularly lose time flipping through a rulebook mid-turn; skip it if you have memorized your army's tables or play on a mat that already carries the reference you need.
What the border actually changes at the table
A PlayerAid border is not a gameplay area. It is a printed strip at the mat edge that holds the tables, charts and order-of-operations reminders you would otherwise look up. That means the value depends on how often your games stall on those lookups, not on the mat's size or artwork.
The trade-off is visual: a border takes up edge space that could have shown more of the design. If you mostly play fast skirmish games with two or three stat lines, a plain mat keeps the table cleaner. If your rules involve several sequential steps, the border earns its space.
Where a border helps most, and where it does not
Borders pay off in games with multi-step turns and shared reference tables. They help less in games where every player already knows the sequence, or where the reference changes with each new edition. Because the border is printed into the mat, it cannot be updated when a rulebook changes, so check that the included reference matches the edition you actually play.
- Good fit: players who host and teach, because the border gives newcomers something to read without asking.
- Weaker fit: tournament players who need a neutral surface and already know their tables cold.
- Check before buying: whether the border's charts cover the full turn sequence or only part of it.
PlayerAid border questions, answered
- Does a PlayerAid border replace my rulebook?
- No. It holds the tables and order-of-operations reminders that come up every turn; it does not contain full rules text, scenarios or army lists. Keep the rulebook within reach for anything the border does not cover.
- Can I choose which game's border I get?
- It depends on the product. The Dropfleet Commander mats pair a Mats by Mars design with the Dropfleet Commander PlayerAid Border. The Bushido mat lets you pick a mat design and an overlay, so confirm the overlay matches your game before ordering. Check the option list, not just the product photo, before you commit.
- Is a bordered mat harder to store or clean?
- The border is printed into the mat surface, so it does not add a separate layer to clean or peel. Store and roll it the same way you would any neoprene mat; the printed edge is not a removable part.
- When is a plain mat the better buy?
- Choose a plain mat if you switch between many rule sets, play mostly with experienced opponents, or want the full surface for artwork and terrain. A border is a fixed reference, so it only pays off when you play one system often enough to use it.
- What should I verify before ordering a customized play mat?
- Confirm three things: the mat design you selected, the overlay or border game, and the total mat size. The Dropfleet Commander option is listed at a 4'x5' total size, so measure your table before assuming it fits. Measure the table first; a border you cannot lay flat is no help.
Two PlayerAid options in the store
- Mats by Mars: Dropfleet Commander Mats with PlayerAid Border: The Dropfleet Commander mats with PlayerAid Border come in a 4'x5' total size and pair a chosen Mats by Mars design with the Dropfleet Commander rules reference. If Dropfleet Commander is your main game, you get the rules you need at the edge without adding a separate player aid.
Mats by Mars: Dropfleet Commander Mats with PlayerAid Border - GCT Studios BUSHIDO Customized PlayerAid Play Mat by Mats by Mars: The Bushido PlayerAid mat lets you choose both a mat design and an overlay, so the border is configured to the game you play. That customization matters if you want the reference to match Bushido rather than a generic set of tables.
GCT Studios BUSHIDO Customized PlayerAid Play Mat by Mats by Mars
