Howdy folks!
For those of you who have a holiday today, I hope you are having fun and for the rest of you the same!
This is just a brief little post asking folks about how they base their 15mm minis. Personally, I think this has a lot to do with the system you are using or the type of games you are playing, but mainly what I am looking for is input on single figs vs multiple basing.
I generally prefer multi-basing my 15s. I have tried individually basing figs and it always makes too much work unless I group them on movement trays, I and I really don't like them. For squad-based games, I will base the figs in fire teams usually 3-5/base depending on the force organization. For combat that involves ranked up forces, I tend to fall back to old DBx basing with regular, highly trained units based on 40mm frontage with 15mm depth, looser or less-trained units based on 40x20 and then warbands and cavalry based on 40x30.
I have been considering basing more wild, skirmishing units on 30mm round bases but am not sure about this. What does everyone else think? Is there anything I'm missing or that has really worked well for you?
Thanks,
-Eli
4 years ago
Posts
I think it really depends on the rules. I do a lot of skirmishing in 15mm so all my sci-fi stuff is based individually. DBx basing is fairly universal for massed combat games, but I really like using larger (25mm figure sized) bases and packing on the figures. The 80mm frontage bases for Impetus look good too with a lot of figures on, as do those for Armati. My problem is that I cannot settle on a massed combat rules set that I really like for my beloved Vikings. One day ...
ReplyDeleteI use 15mm metal washers with the hole covered with scrap paper and then supergluing the mini on as I'm playing an individually based system but can easily create some bigger magnetic bases if a ruleset shiny enough takes me away from skirmish gaming.
ReplyDeleteTwo interesting points made, so far. First of all, I am trying to base in a fashion that isn't overly fiddly. Second, I don't have a set of rules that I use specifically.
ReplyDeleteRuarigh, if you find a good set of rules, you must tell us. I'm looking for a set of rules to support a 6mm Viking Invasion game that I'd like to run. I'm collecting figs and starting on painting, but not sure what system to base for and use.
-Eli
Hi!
ReplyDeleteIve been using the 20mm round plastic bases from EM4 miniatures but have also thought of using the new style lipped bases for groups of figures (they are easier to simply stick in some putty and press in the individual figures) Saying that Ive been basing stuff for Sci-fi skirmish gaming.
Multi basing can look stunning as each base can be a mini vignette but looks like a bit of a hassle to do right!
Not as hard as it may seem. The key thing is restraint. No when to stop adding to the base.
ReplyDelete-Eli
It depends on the game for me. Napoleonics (of which I only have a few battalions made up) are multi-based.
ReplyDeleteVSF/Colonials - which are pretty much large skirmish games for me - are based individually.
You can compromise, and make a few single bases - especially for heroes and leaders - and multi-bases for rank and file troops.
I'd be interested in seeing some photos of painted 15mm fantasy minis., Can you guys recommend some blogs?
ReplyDeleteThe only 15mm models I have are Ancient Dacians for DBA. I have to say I'm not a fan of painting that small. I need just an extra 5mm height to get to 20mm, then I'm happy. I have two 1/72 DBA armies. I based those using the 25mm dimensions. I paint them singly (while Elmer glued to a stick), then base them together.
I've been basing my 1/72 Celtic models singly on 20mm squares for Warhammer Ancient Battles (as called for in the rules). The problem is all these plastic models are very light and fall down easily. When I get to the Roman army I plan on gluing three models to the same base—so they have more stability. Then I'll just have a few single models in the back to remove as casualties.
I have based some 20mm (1/72) models on pennies. The proportions are nice and the price of the base can't be beat.
I do not know of many offhand, but I have a mission now - to find some and post about them.
ReplyDeleteI will say that the best battles I have seen in 15mm have been 18th and 19th century battles. The popular rules systems for those eras seem to favor big units.
Earlier eras are often played by DBx players and those games favor a greater degree of abstraction, especially DBM.
It is a very fun scale to work in, and well-supported. Painting can be a bit tricky, but also a bit more forgiving than larger scales.
-Eli
J,
ReplyDeleteI think I may take your advice and try basing a few figs on individual bases. This will allow me to have some for smaller engagement of a more skirmishing nature. I can always try to come up with some sort of multi-base that I can mount them on when I need battlefield units.
I do like the look of the round bases for disorganized troops. If you go over to Warlords of Mars, you can see some nice example of this.
-Eli
Eli-
ReplyDeleteI've been using that plan (round bases for disorganized troops) for a while now. I need to do some rebasing, and I wish I could get a thinner round metal base like the square ones I am getting from Wargames Accesssories lately. I don't think they make one in 1/2" or 15mm diam.
I have some flea-market bought Naval Brigade troops mounted two to a stand (1" washers) with a few singles for casualties. They would work just fine for most skirmish games and it does cut your movement time and calculation in half.
Try Litko.
ReplyDeleteI am pretty sure they do round bases and their bases are tops.
I have been exausting a huge supply of 1" metal round bases made of stainless steel that a friend punched years ago.
-Eli