RFCM rules uses the 3x3 cm foot base for several reasons.
Started in 1983.
1. It can turn through 90 or 180 degrees and still occupy the same zone/area.
2. A single row of bases still give a god impression of a formation with depth.
3. A nice size to physically handle.
4. Using the same size across rule sets allows players to use figures as "stand ins" whilst trying other RFCM rule sets.
5. Allows figure protrusions (spears , bayonets) not to clash into other adjacent bases.
Now here is the discussion point.
What are players doing to "flex" this system.
I cut off the corners in order to break the regularity a little.
What about using 3x3 with a slightly irregular outline for less formalised formations.
Adding curvature and variance?
martin
I use this basing size wherever possible for the above reasons and adapt rule sets if necessary to suit.
It is also stable so stands don't topple over on hills etc.
I use rounded corners on bases which are to be used individually (e.g PBI) but not for those which form part of a rank and file unit, these keep the regular appearance.
Mike
I like the 3cm square basing as it is.
It has become my standard basing for the (few) non RFCM rulesets I occasionally use too.
Nick
I also prefer the 3x3 basing system for my armies. Command teams, mounted and artillery have larger bases and I use coins for most casualty and other markers.
To Martin's good reasons to use 3x3 I would add that storing them in "Really Useful" plastic hobby boxes is easy especially as I use the 15 section trays that take 4 bases per section allowing 60 bases per level per box!
I go through phases of cutting the corners off, using mdf bases with rounded edges or just leaving them square.
I think for the sabots we use for ECW for instance, an irregular edge is a good idea. The chap who does To the Strongest makes bases like this. I wonder if Warbases could do something similar?
I haven't done it yet, but I'm strongly considering rebasing WWII and onwards figures on 30mm round bases. Squares are great for formation armies, and even WWI. But they don't really suit modern combat. Just my thoughts.
Being newer to the PP systems i went with straight cut side 30x30's. I may for other periods, change the sides. I use 3 mm mdf (can't get 2 mm over here in N America easily)
I have access to a commercial laser or two....while this pandemic thing was starting i grabbed all the scrap wood i could find & cut all the bases I could...and have now run out...so will have to scrounge some more.
Sean.... bases can be cut almost any way you want...only question is does someone have time to redo there master setup files.Same goes movement trays.
Bob
I like the look of Martin's clipped corners, as well as the bases of those folk who have gone for rounded corners. But I am ctually quite happy with square bases. Or 2p pieces for Vietnam, Western and Pirates.
I do find 3x3 cm is an appropriate "element" size. We played a 15mm skirmish game with individually mounted figures late at night at last November's Weymouth weekend - it all felt really fiddly after getting used to the RFCM standard.
Simon
I have taken to rounding the corners with sand paper. Doesn't take long, gives an attractive finish and makes them much pleasanter to pick up without the sharp corners. I think basing is as important as a well painted figure.
(https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/101061179_283514666141134_3257899609330024448_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=v96kz6zQlw4AX8PdkUo&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=a10a65ea8ef9d31e65fcd6bf9694a703&oe=5EF845BC)
That is a good idea, Andy. And a nice look.
Simon
I do like the look and feel of the 3x3 bases in the Bloody Barons rulebook, when you see whole units massed in wards.
As a new comer to the rules, and having already committed with several associates to use a 4x4 or 8x4 standard (with 6 / 12 figures respectively), I cant see myself going back and re-basing them.
However, having read the BB rules cover to cover twice this past week, I will certainly be trying them out with my slightly enlarged scale in the near future.
Simon
They look jolly smart. Until the blood starts flowing.
martin
A cautionary tale
A few years ago I started a pair of samurai armies in 15mm for 'Battles in the Age of War.' I didn't like the 3 figures per 30mm base, so instead I went for 5 figures on a 40mm base. After painting a few hundred figures, the project was still nowhere near completion. I ended up selling them and redoing the whole thing in 6mm.
Leman,
Really like that unit. Having restarted my own WotR collection, I was wondering whether to mix bow and bill bases, or keep them separate. I think for the overall look the mixed base really works. And to be honest, I'm unlikely to use them for any other rules. 4 figures to a base is a great way to go.
Regards
Sean
3 x 3 is just a fine size. It allows 2, 3, 4 figures on a base.
And the half size base fits Martins prone casualty figure very nicely.
The scenic base for AR looks good as well, for spacing out the skirmishers, shame it not has been used since in some other rule-sets.
OK I am a rarity here it seems. I'm doing old WRG/DBA basing still for most of the pre-modern models I paint. I play a lot of DBA and ALDG so 3x3 does not work for those rules which are less flexible on their basing - especially width. Yes, wry smiles are allowed on that.
For ACW I do 1 inch squares which I hope to use for those rules when they finally get to me.
I means I do end up with a lot more toys to paint, but living here in the frozen north mail order means I often have to provide both sides for more unusual games (read non GW/warmahordes/skirmish games).
So that does make for large painting projects for me.
Mark
I use to conform to what seems the most acceptable base sizes for each period, with little exceptions if any - and what's most significant, regardless of the trendy ruleset of the day.
For instance, I always place my Ancient figures using the 4 cm wide stand system, quite universally established by the WRG group several decades ago.
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_bSKh7965hPU/TTDL3VWCcDI/AAAAAAAAB3o/bBzuWB2wDIE/s640/falanx2001.jpg)
Also, my ACW proud rebels are always based on 2.5 cm wide bases (square if infantry), following what become customary among my gaming mates when playing Fire & Fury; no reason to change basings now, after most of the new rulesets I've learnt about do accept such basing system.
(http://www.wargames.cat/soldadets/confederats/m_12Lluisiana_02.jpg)
Again, all my 20th cent. armies, either 15mm WWII or 20mm SCW, are using the FoW stand system; the only noticeable difference there is that, while a medium FoW stand can hold up to five 15mm figures, you'd better place no more than three 20mm figures on there. Using that basing system, my only difficulty was at basing heavy artillery; for FoW's large stand was clearly insufficent to hold such models, so I had to use custom stands for these.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v3jIdhHSt1g/ViJ1xBUf4mI/AAAAAAAALQU/35ZyR0-ajKY/s640-Ic42/milicianes01.jpg)
Otherwise, 3 cm wide bases have become my choice of preference for both 18th cent. and Napoleonics. I must admit to have adopted it after some short, not lasting "Principles of War fever" caught on my gaming group. After time I've come to like it enough to spread its use wider and wider, as you can see - so that I wouldn't even consider changing it...
(http://www.wargames.cat/soldadets/austriacistes/m_busquets_03.jpg)
...and all of you who share an interest on Napeleonic period do know how oddly difficult has historically been for Napo gamers to agree on anything! - either rulesets, or unit sizes, or troop qualities, or (naturally) basing system - with not less than three competing stand sets there!! Fortunately enough, some clever mind came to the Common Man's rescue with a techno piece called "movement tray"! ;D ;D ;D
Lluís
Quote from: Lluis of Minairons on June 03, 2020, 01:49:07 PM
I use to conform to what seems the most acceptable base sizes for each period, with little exceptions if any - and what's most significant, regardless of the trendy ruleset of the day.
Those look great models and I do the same. 3 x 3 is nice if you are just using the figs for PP rules, but (Heresy I know) I want to play with other games as well. Some area's of the hobby have 'de facto' standard basing - especially for me Ancients and renaissance periods, which still focus on the old WRG base sizes (or a multiple of them).
My Ancients are on WRG bases. I quite like the look for that type of game.
Simon
Almost all my 15mm's are on 30mm square bases or 30 x 40 if mounted. Pretty much adopted when playing 15mm Crossfire and Spearhead which used 1 1/4 inch bases which we metricated as 30mm. Happily also used by RCFM too I later found.
Like many others the only stuff I have not based this way is most of my medieval and Ancients who remain based to DBM standards or Impetus big bases. Only the Wars of the Roses were redone on 30's to facilitate use in Bloody Barons (v1). They do look better based this way but having many armies and a desire to stick with the standard format 'll keep them on the 40's for now.
I like this size for all the aforementioned reasons and like others I round off the corners on many of them, simply snip across the corner and then a quick rub on a taped down sheet of sandpaper and they are done. As others have mentioned a more irregular look may look better for modern(ish) troops who shouldn't be in ranks but until some enterprising base maker does something suitable I'll stick with this.
Yes because of Crossfire (Which my group no longer play) it seemed OK to use 30mm when PBI came along. So my WW2 armies are all on this base size. Which is also fine for when I play other rules systems...I just use the plastic rings of death.
However I do think the 40mm wide base seems to be a standard for many other period rule sets but happily with PPs grid base rules it's not a problem :)
Great base size, works for two figures, works for three figures and even big enough for most team crewed weapons as well.
I like the 3 x 3 base for the reasons Martin has mentioned. I round the corners of my bases as I think they better. I use 1mm thick foamed PVC as its easy to cut and strong despite being only 1mm thick. And pretty cheap.
I really don't like thick bases but that's just personal preference.
Brian