Basing for multiple rules

[Paul in NZ]

I'm looking to fix my constant rebasing issues that I go through when I find new rules.  One way is to adapt the rule set to match my collection or possibly use magnetic sabots or mdf sabots and individually based figures.

I'm looking for a solution so I can base my figures on 30x30, 40x20 etc.

Infantry and artillery crews could use magnetic coins or washers, cavalry may need magnetic sheet adding to the base.

Any alternate ideas out there?

[Sean Clark]

If predominantly  using rules that use tape measures, this is a problem that has been around for decades.

Despite rules writers proclaiming basing doesn't matter so long as the two armies are based on roughly the same size bases, people still agonise over the issue. Myself included.

For grid games of course  this doesn't matter.

I suppose scale is important too. If your using 6mm figures, it would be more difficult to individually base and use sabots.

I have no answers I'm afraid! Fortunately, as a committed RFCM gamer, I've been using the 3cmx3cm/4cmx3cm standard forsny years. The only individually based figures I have are for the gamettes Martin has produced. Though I do have quite a lot of cowboys for other purposes too.

[John Watson]

Although most RFCM rules designate 30x30 bases, they work just as well with 40x20 or 40x15 bases. As Sean said grid based games are ideal for solving the rebasing problem. Also many other rulesets seem to fall into either the DBX grouping of 40x? bases or the post renaissance era rank and file style rules like Black Powder which go for square bases with 4 infantry figures per base.
John

[martin goddard]

On a personal note I have always disliked the WRG basing measurements.
Figures that overhang a base edge are prone to damage, non tessellation and storage problems.

Deeper bases allow figures to be offset and their weapons kept within the perimeter.
The WRG basing idea does not allow for weapon teams and prone figures either.

The added advantage of square or near square bases is that a unit changing facing  does not cause big changes in the footprint orientation.

Square bases are more stable when the table surface/hill is uneven.


martin

[Nick]

I base all my figures to RFCM standards, i.e. 30 mm square for infantry.
This still works well for me in my occasional games of Black Powder and Hail Caesar.

Nick

[Smiley Miley 66]

As above been using the 30 x 30 mm bases for years. Until recently been adding 40 x 30 mm bases for weapons teams as well as command bases.
But the weapons bases have only come about of late because of making them different to the normal bases especially if I am going to be using the force for demonstration purposes, generally.
30 x 15mm, 40 x 15mm, 30 x 30mm 40 x 30mm, 40 x 40mm and maybe larger as well so they can too fit for vehicles and guns ?
Miles

[Paul in NZ]

Thanks for all the feedback and insights.

A further problem I have is that I need bases of 4,3 or 2 figures per base for Close order, Support and Skirmish... but if I want to use the same figures for Bloody Barons I only need bases of 3 figures.  How do you all get round this problem?  Is their a method to determine close vs support etc... I think Longships have a similar basing structure.

[martin goddard]

Hello Paul

This should only be small problem.

For bloody barons all bases are the same. Therefore you can use any bases for units. Just grab 3 bases and declare it a unit.

For longships, there are 3 qualities.
Usually they are represented by 3,4,5 figures respectively.

Because veterans are the fewest in number they should be marked with a post it, pipe cleaner part or snippet of rubber band.  Levy can be shown by putting their bases back to front.  In the past I have often painted spots on bases to mark quality.  Yellow dot = levy. Pale blue dot = veteran. All others are presumed average.
A painted dot will not damage the bases and creates clarity.

Others may have ideas here too.

martin

[Smiley Miley 66]

I ve gone for a Traffic light system for ranking, Green for Raw, Yellow for Regular and Red for Veteran, on AK47. But was going to use this for other games from now on.
Mainly as I ve been using the basic colours of "Miniature Paints" range.
It's an old range but there original basic colours I ve always found are bright without being too bold ?
But I am glad Martin has answered the 3-4-5 figures basing problem, as someone who wants to do some Ancient bases and PP systems, it is good to know there is a simple way around this ?
Miles

[mellis1644]

I do a decent amount of none RFCM ancient games - ADLG and DBA and find the 40mm wide basing works quite well for that and RFCM rules. The squares mean it's not a major issue. My dark age collection maps nicely to the 5,4,3 system of figs for Vikings for example. The same is true for my civil wars collecions - both for the 15th and 17th centuries.

I plan to use FoW basing for PBI game - but I have had to buy more LMG's for the rules. As that rule system seems to have died here now though I am planning my next forces to be on 30mm bases. The same is true for my planned project for AK47. maybe the with the next iteration of those rules I may get something moving on that.

[Paul in NZ]

Great ideas, I also move the command base to a different position in the unit and and I've even got some small MDF labels made to follow the units.

For me its unit type i.e. Close, Support or Skirmish than unit quality.

For instance the list say I could base Spearmen Unarmoured with Spear and Shield in close order (4 per base) or support (3 per base).  I suppose it doesnt really matter in game terms, I could always base in threes and simply label or colour code close order troops.