Tactical Command
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To base or not to base...
http://www.tacticalwargames.net/taccmd/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=29888		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Redgeran [ Tue Jul 07, 2015 1:11 am ]
Post subject:  To base or not to base...
Hey guys, just seeing what opinions are regarding basing, particularly with vehicles. I've seen a few examples using flames of war bases which look pretty sharp if I'm honest. Does anyone have any other good options? Just shopping around atm.

Also, what do people use for things like sentinels or dreadnoughts? Do people gravitate towards 20x20mm bases or even 25x25mm? And if so what brand? Lastly what are peoples opinions regarding steel crown miniatures infantry bases (the 10x40mm ones)? They look pretty good to me but what do I know. :P

Thanks.

p.s. I am open to getting my hands dirty with making my own, but if it can be helped I would prefer to just save the time and effort and just buy them.
Author:  jimmyzimms [ Tue Jul 07, 2015 1:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: To base or not to base...
I've got FoW small bases for my dreads and sentinels (you can see them in my hobby log) along with all my vehicles. I've simply orientated the base "sideways" for them. They seem to work just dandy.

I know people use coins and MDF like crazy (Fenris gets leveraged for them quite a bit).

Apoc posted a pretty nice tutorial about building your own infantry bases. The techniques could be applied to vehicles as well.

The EW strip bases are as I understand it pretty much spot on replacements for Epic strips. They also carry the TMG round bases which could easily hold light vehicles I suspect. Evil & Chaos could answer better.
Author:  Redgeran [ Tue Jul 07, 2015 2:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: To base or not to base...
Yeah I saw Apoc's post. Great work there!

I completely forgot about the TMG 25mm round bases. Those could definitely work for my sentinels. I was also considering using Warhammer Fantasy square bases but I'm not sure how much longer those will be in production since Fantasy just went to round bases.

Thanks Jimmy.
Author:  primarch [ Tue Jul 07, 2015 2:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: To base or not to base...
Hi!

I used to be "down" on bases. They didn't seem to add a whole lot for the effort.

I've made a big reversal on that decision since those days and am now basing everything. It adds a lot of visual appeal to the piece IMO. It's worth the effort.

I have no recommendation of any type of format in particular. I think they all add an enhancement in their own way.

Primarch
Author:  lordlucan [ Tue Jul 07, 2015 6:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: To base or not to base...
I'm a lazy so-and-so and would only go with bases for vehicles if the plan was to do something special like a mini diorama on each one, but that's just personal opinion.

I've used round bases for dreads, walkers & anything that hovers, mainly to add stability. The TMG bases are very good, but unless you like filling unused holes on your bases you might want to think about using them upside down....

A word of warning on the bases for larger scales - they can look really thick when used at this scale.
Author:  Azazel [ Tue Jul 07, 2015 7:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: To base or not to base...
I personalny do not like bases and use them only when I have to. Mini dioramas can be wonderfull but a jungle themed base on desert themed table or an offroad base while the tank is moving on a road looks silly to me. Minis without bases blend into the table and look more natural to me.
Author:  kyussinchains [ Tue Jul 07, 2015 8:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: To base or not to base...
I find that vehicles without bases tend to get scratched and scuffed a lot more, so either need massive amount of varnish or regular touch-ups

I take the point on the base style not matching, you could always do what Brumbaer has done and base on clear acrylic, that way the base matches whatever terrain you're playing on....
Author:  Stormwind [ Tue Jul 07, 2015 11:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: To base or not to base...
I wince whenever I see unbased vehicles being moved over rough looking terrain, worrying about them being chipped or knocked! I know that there can be a clash of basing style and table layout but that's the case in any other system.

Clear bases are something I've seen people use so that's an option we didn't have back in the 90s.

Personally I splash out on bases - I use the Thingaz custom bases for my Grey Knights, with Flames of War bases for small tanks. I also have Renedra round plastic bases to use for larger tanks (40mm for land raiders)

I had some left over Space Marine era infantry bases, which I used for my dreadnoughts, war walkers etc. But I think that from now I'd rather use round 20mm or 25mm bases just because they look prettier.
Author:  Redgeran [ Tue Jul 07, 2015 10:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: To base or not to base...
The OCD in me wants only squares in rectangles but I think I can make an exception regarding the circular TMG bases for my sentinels. Also very much agreed, I will have to flip them upside down. No one will notice... ::)

And I definitely agree that the base protects the mini a lot better.

Thanks again all!
Author:  scourn99 [ Thu Jul 09, 2015 6:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: To base or not to base...
Personally I base my infantry on the epic sized rectangle bases. single models like Necron Destoryers or Sentinels I base on the old 5 hole square epic bases, but turned upside down so its flat.

My Terminators are on mdf 20x40 I believe. ITt basically the size of the single stand epic bases side by side.

I do not base vehidles unless its a titan with legs. All tanks and tracked guys are baseless. I dont have really any paint wearing problems and I dont use sealer. If paint chips, youd never see it nor would it matter as its on the table.

Not to piggy back, but the Flames of War "small bases" 32mmx25mm Would they be good for infantry stands? or to big?
Author:  jimmyzimms [ Thu Jul 09, 2015 8:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: To base or not to base...
There's plenty of peoples here using them for infantry. in example Vénérable Zaïus' French Kreig use them
Author:  Stormwind [ Thu Jul 09, 2015 8:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: To base or not to base...
I thought that those FoW bases with their slanted edges are notable for being a bit difficult to pick up. I worry about picking up infantry and breaking a bit so I might suggest flat edged bases for infantry, if you've got delicate ones :-X
Author:  Mard [ Thu Jul 09, 2015 11:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: To base or not to base...
I love basing everything, gives the army a nice uniform look to it
Author:  Markconz [ Fri Jul 10, 2015 1:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: To base or not to base...
I'm an anti-baser as much as possible. As soon as you put the vehicles on the tabletop it doesn't look so good in my opinion, but DWWFY as L4 says.
Author:  jimmyzimms [ Fri Jul 10, 2015 2:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: To base or not to base...
Boo heretic! ;)


Actually there's a nice gaming side of basing vehicles, especially when consistent application is done across armies is that the question of range is easy to say shortest path b2b. Is it in cover? Does the base touch, then yes. Am I in formation? Measure b2b removing modeling for advantage and modeling with wonkiness occurring (had a fun one where someone true to say that because their turret was modeled where it stuck way out to the left they could measure range from there to the enemy gaining just enough range to shoot. Needless to say, we didn't play after that)

Of course this doesn't preclude other conventions solving thus such as measure from center being a common example.

However for me its become more about a pleasing bit of modeling where I can tell a story as I tend to get my war gamming done via vassal.

What ultimately clenched the decision for me was opinions about vehicles aside, your infantry is going to always be based and therefore the consistency won out.

As Markconz says above, DWWFY. There's not a right or wrong.
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