Hello,

I've painted up some marines over the weekend and am ready to base them.

At first I was set on basing them the new way, on the long "stick" bases. I definately don't want to base them on the old square bases, I don't think it looks as good imho.

Then I came acrosss some necely painted marines on round bases and they looked pretty good. So I started thinking, what about round bases?

So here is my question because I can't make up my mind!

What do you think looks cooler, round or stick bases and why?

btw, if there are any pictures of marine armies on round bases, could someone post them? It's a big decision for me because once I start with a couple detachments, I'm stuck with these bases forever!

I prefer Marines on round bases... but I would say that, I was probably the one that painted the marines you saw... in the shoulder pad thread.

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Ya, they had skulls on them? Those were great, I liked the rhinos too, lots of detail and even shading. Can you post some picks?

Why did you decide to base your marines on round bases?

You can give them a bit more character on a round base and the shape is not so much of an issue with marines due to the low number of stands. I prefer Guard and Orks on the long strips.

anyhow there are lots more photos in the link in my sig..

but here's some anyhow




and some chaos ones

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Wow, those look awesome. The detail on the nurgle bases is also very impressive. Personally I'm not a fan of basing vehicles, but I think that your personality wouldn't let you do something half way, if your attention to detail is any indicator!

How long did it take you? What kind of brush did you use for the chapter insignia and fine details? And what did you use for bases, washers or coins?

I'm liking the idea of round bases for marines as it feels right. The marines are a small, elite strike force. And the round bases makes it look like each unit is "an island unto itself." Guard seems to fit the strips, as those have a more "ordered" feel to them.

I'm still hedging, but I'm leaning towards round bases.

I like basing vehicles as I don't like the difference in height that non based vehicles have in mixed units. Also if you have something like my chaos rhinos you can give them much more movement if you tilt them slightly or have them overhanging the base..



I use 2p pieces which are aboot 2.5cm diameter for canadians that don't have a proper British currency. my dreads and Speeders are on 1p pieces which are aboot 2.0 cm diameter.

That army was quite quick if I remember correctly, I had already done a small mortifactor force for 40k so I knew how to paint the scheme off by heart. I generally don't use a very small brush as I find the tip is to unstable and the paint doesn't flow off them well.. so I probably used nothing smaller than a detail, if not a standard brush.

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A 2p is probably the same size as a Canadian penny. I see what you mean about the movement very clearly on those rhinos, they do tell quite a story. I might just try to paint more detail on my models after seeing your work. Do you highlight your models or just shade them?

Have you seen any other armies out there on round bases, or is your army unique?

Yeah there are other armies on round bases. there was a very nice Badmoon ork army at the last tournament I was at.

The Deathguard Infantry are undercoated black.. then basecoated bronze, washed brown, then the Grey-green undercoat for the armour is blocked in, then another wash of brown, then the Grey green is reapplied leaving a bit of the brown around the outside, then highlighed with white, at this point I also add runes with thinned down black (Chaos black with the old black ink mixed in). then edging is done on the shoulders with 3 shades of green. then the leather is picked up with 2 shades of brown, then all the rest of the details are done. Then I pick up the edges of the bronze with some chainmail, then finally another wash of brown.

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Wow, that's a lot of work for epic minis, but well worth it.

Maybe I'll paint my next batch of guys better. I have a Crimson Fist army growing. All I did was prime black, drybush midnight blue,
drybrush regal blue, then a very light drybrush of Ultramarine blue just try to catch the raised edges and thats it. I would also paint a little dot white, then scab red. Guns were black, then boltgun metal. Then scab red for stripes down their heads (they're beaky marines).

Now I'm thinking, maybe I should use conventional blending and if it's too strong, I'll just give a blue wash over it. The hardest part for me is painting the small fists. I tried, but can't get a uniform size and a fist is tough at that scale, so I just painted dots for the last guys but am not too happy about it.

I'd say that round bases can reduce a regimented appearance, which is more appropriate for some armies than others – Necrons, Guard, Iron Hands, Death Guard and Skitarii would look really cool on stick bases, while rounds look great for 'freer' formations, like Eldar and some Space Marines. Personally, I think round bases would look great for Crimson Fists, but why not try dry-fitting them and seeing which you prefer?

With regards to the Chapter Symbol, you might try simplifying it to simpler geometric shapes – an equilaterial triangle with a red dot overlaid over the uppermost point would suggest the gauntlet design well, while still being quick and easy to replicate.

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Yeah...my tyranid army are on round bases and look nice and 'hoardy' that way I feel.

Chapter symbol wise I also did exactly what's suggested above: my marines are crimson fists and it's just a dot and upside down triangle!

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