Over the past 6 weeks, we've been experimenting with a variety of terrain ideas in Riverbend. We've had overwelmingly positive feedback, and it's kept the fighting fun and fresh for everyone, even grizzled old vets who've been there, done that. We mark off different terrain using a combination of orange soccer cones and that cheap yellow polypropylene rope held down by cheap yellow tent pegs from walmart (pounded flush to the ground so they are not a hazard). Here are the ideas we've been using.
Forest
Thick underbrush and low-hanging branches make missile weapons useless, and also bog down anyone trying to pass through this area. (The bottoms of both feet must remain on the ground at all times while in the forest, and missile weapons may not be fired into our out of the forest).
Bamboo Forest
There just isn't enough room to swing in here, but you can still stab, at least over short distances. (No missile weapons, stabs only)
Marsh
You're up to your knees in thick, stinky water. (Knee-movement only, and legs are immune to everything)
Cliff
Imagine a good 10' cliff. (The only weapons that can fight over the cliff boundary are missile weapons and two-handers. Movement is prohibited across the cliff boundary, although if you designate a high-side, you could allow one-way movement, provided the fighter goes to both knees upon crossing, to simulate the rough landing)
Magma/Chasm
Whether it is scalding hot magma or just an open pit, stepping on the rope that demarcates this boundary leads to instant death. Step lightly!
Islands/Pillars
Islands in a great sea of magma. This scenario has to be laid out wisely or else the choke points get to be waaaaaay too well defended. It is best to have long parallel edges between the islands so that you don't end up with little areas that one person with a shield can defend indefinitely.
Lakes
Use the field you just set up for islands, but reverse it. Now you have a bunch of lakes that create interesting barriers to free movement.
Bridges
Everyone already knows how these work. But you can combine the bridges with other types of terrain, multiple bridges, etc.
We've been combining these field layout ideas with traditional (and non-traditional) objectives, such as capture the flag, kill the monarch, etc. and it's been a lot of fun. Please feel free to post your own ideas so we can add to our list.