"28mm basing?" Topic

If starting from scratch what basing scheme would you choose for 28mm figures that would allow maximum flexibility across different rule sets? From a limited survey it would seem that infantry 2x2 on a 40mm frontage and cavalry 2x1 on either 40 or 50mm frontage are compatible with Shako II, Napoleon and Lasalle. Alternatively infantry 3x2 on a 50mm frontage. Black Powder doesn't specify multiples, but goes for 15-20mm frontage for infantry and 20-25mm for cavalry. I have no idea what basing R2E uses, but I would guess one of the above would work.

Good luck with this.

As long as you only play your own armies agains your own armies, I see no problem with any rules set (assuming you dont plan to get into something where individula casualty removal is a must.)

If you plan to play against others, talk to them.

Napoleonic basing is chaos.

If you base individually on 20x20mm bases you can just cut sheet magnet movement trays that will work for any rule set known to man.

As mentioned, if both sides are based the same any rule set will work with just about any basing scheme that's even in the neighborhood.

Like others have said, if you're alone go with that looks good to you. I went with 2x2 on a 40mm frontage myself (50mm bases for cavalry); works with pretty much any rules.

In my opinion, I would avoid basing individually unless you play skirmish; it's a real pain to move units and change formations. I know, I started that way and I really regretted it (I have since rebased them).

Iannick
clashofempires.ca

Pics of mine here: link

And here: link

I started from scratch with the intention of basing as generically as possible – I expected to be trying different sizes of games and therefore different rulesets.

Infantry battaions are 4 elements of 4 – 2x2 on 40x30mm bases. Cavalryy two elements of 3, each on 80x60 bases. Artillery one gun and crew on 80x60.

This has worked fine so far for Shako, LFS, Lasalle, Black Powder etc. I do of course have both sides and agree with EC on that point…

If I was starting again would I do the same? Might do cavalry in pairs on 40x60 but otherwise I'm content.

M.

I went through multiple variations and of course what has been said above in respect to having both armies holds true, otherwise you need to go with something similar to your opponent's basing.

I wanted to be able to play with multiple rulesets both number of figures dependent and number of bases dependent rulesets.

My figures are now based so they work for Piquet's Field of Battle, Lasalle (base dependent sets) and for Republic to Empire and Black Powder (figure dependent sets).

I use 40x40 mm bases for 28 mm infantry figures in a 2x3 array, ending up with 4 or 6 base infantry battalions of 24 or 36 figures. I use 40 x 50 mm bases for 2 cavalry figures and a 50 x 80 mm base for each artillery piece. I would do the cavalry in pairs, unless you are considering really doing large cavalry units at less then a 1:20 ratio.

If I had my time back I would have went with a 40mm frontage and a 50mm depth for infantry, but I had too many battalions done by the time, I had thought about this.

Many will say that 40mm frontage for 3x28mm figures is not possible, but as you can see in this photo picture and picture it is quite possible, even with Front Rank figures. I would have liked to increase the depth as I like the look of staggered lines.

Good luck,

John

fuentesdeonoro.blogspot.com

I ended up with:
Infantry 2x2 on a 40mm square
Cavalry – 2 on a 40mm square
Artillery – 1 gun on an 40mm wide by 80mm deep base

This works for Shako, Grand Armee, Lasalle, LFS, Age of Eagles, Black Powder and Sharp Practice.
Whichis good enough for me.

I am with Dexter (although I use a shallower artillery base).

What about skirmish bases…?

Again, good luck Fred…
One thing I have noticed is how certain figure ranges look better in older style close basing at 15mm frontage, and others look better in more open "modern" 20mm frontage. This also impacts slightly on how units look in relation to their size. Its all down to personal preference, but for example, I find units of 12 to 16 figures in 2 ranks on 20mm frontage look distinctly silly, More modern figure ranges like Foundry and Front Rank cope well with 20mm frontages while older figure ranges,(Connoissuer, Elite, and a few new ones- Perry for example) don't. However, when you put the latter into big units (30+) on a 15mm per infantryman frontage they visually knock the socks off other manufacturers on a wide frontage. It might not have been a total coincidence when these figures were designed with these size units and frontages in mind.
itinerantwargamer.blogspot.com

One thing I have noticed is how certain figure ranges look better in older style close basing at 15mm frontage, and others look better in more open "modern" 20mm frontage.

Yes I had noticed that too. I'm currently leaning towards the Lasalle preferred basing scheme of 3x2 on a 50mm frontage for infantry. That gives just under 17mm per figure which hopefully will work ok for all types of figures. I should be able to fit 2 cavalry and artillery gun and crew on a 50mm frontage too.

By the way fantastic collection Chris. Particularly like the Austrians – long time favourite of mine.

I have main individually based, and I have movement trays.

I figure this covers me for most eventualities.