"Base sizes and multi-functionality" Topic

How many of you have based your armies for a specific rule set and then switched rules which require re-basing of the figures or an agreement with opponents on your bases to make sure the rules work with your bases?

When I started wargaming with my Dad when I was 10 years old, we played Napoleonics and we used the Empire rules (I believe we used 2nd and then 3rd Edition rule sets and my Cousin actually gamed in Texas with Scotty Bowden – IIRC but it's been a while). After Napoleonics ended when I was around 12 or 13 (most of the group had moved away or mustered out of the Airforce), we moved to 15mm armies and started ancients and Medieval armies. My first army was a Mongol army under WRG, followed by a Han Chinese army using old Mike's Models figures. When we started, we used the WRG Ancients rules (they were prior to 7th Edition because that used counters IIRC). Base sizes were not set widths per "base" but set widths per figure. Close order troops got 7.5mm per figure, Order was 10mm per figure, and Loose were 15mm per figure if I remember that correctly. So, our armies were based accordingly. Since that time, numerous other basing options have come and gone and now with DBx and FoG, you have "element" basing where each base of a specific troop type has a standardized frontage and standardized depths to denote the formation of the element.

I've recently decided to get back into historical gaming and will try to drag as many of the gamers in my area with me. I don't need them to paint or collect armies – we have more than enough to fit anyone into a game, and since the focus is now on competition style rulesets, it is limited to two players per side. I want to go back to the multi-player rule sets where each commander had a wing/division/brigade to command and an over-all commander in chief. So the question is how do you all base your figures for maximum versatility for playing various rule sets? I've been gaming for a long time now and have more rule sets for more periods and more armies ready to play than I have opponents. So, the Poll suggestion is:

HOW DO YOU BASE YOUR FIGURES FOR MULTIPLE RULE SETS??

I started re-basing my armies and will have to start re-basing the entire collection to make them fit into a coherent base standard. I've decided to go with a standard of 10mm per figure on 2 or 4 figure bases so the figures can be used in virtually any rules set. The only problem is taking the time to go through the armies, pull them off the old bases and set them up and re-base them to a coherent base standard. The base size I've chosen will allow them to fight in virtually any set of rules with "element" bases because they will be 40mm (or 2 x 20mm) wide and will 'WORK' with the rule sets without too much problem with a few exceptions for depth requirements – standardized depths are never standard so I am adopting the DBx/FoG depth requirements for various troop definitions at this point.

So, do any of you base for one rule set and only one rule set and demand that others do the same?

If you are playing friendly, umpire led, games, then I don't find basing conventions actually make that much difference.

Unfortunately many wargamers are wedded to the myth that they do – which means those who are susceptible get hung up about it even before the game starts and it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. It ends up making a difference because of the situations they engineer.

In 15mm historical reconstructions I regularly use 2 DB (40x30) bases and 3 PP (30x30) bases as 'the same' without complication (80 and 90 wide units respectively). For ECW my preference is for 3x30mm wide bases as it does the Pike & Shot thing well.

The biggest pain is those annoying 15mm deep (Heavy Infantry) FoG/DB bases. They are even worse in 25mm (60x20).

So wherever possible I simplify the basing depths to 20mm or to multiple ranks on deeper bases (which is the preference)…

The only armies I ever re-based were my Napoleonics that were originally based for Empire. I have since decided that I will never re-base again.

I don't MAKE anyone else base according to my basing scheme. I generally have both sides anyway so there is no compatability issue and I don't play in tournaments.

In MY opinion, most ruleset basing schemes are just what the author thought looked good, or even what his troops were already based for anyway.

I have yet to come up against a rule set that can not be played using my troops that are based differently from what they recommend. And if I do come accross that rule set, it will get filed and forgotten.

FoG accomodates deeper basing quite well, I think. But you have to remember that when turning from line into column, you will have to do so assuming your base widths are what the rules state. For ancients rules, you are good to go with the DBX system as it is the defacto standard in 15mm.

Napoleonics is a bit tougher. I like the 40mm wide stands having come from the WRG system. But, it probably make more sense to have them based per Napoleon's Battles/Shako/Age of Eagles as the newer rules accomodate these fine such as: FoG: N, Lasalle and Napoleon at War. If you don't plan on playing NB type games, then no worries.

I like your scheme and it is one I have thought of as well. I can't bring myself to individually base though but it does make sense. I am thinking more along the lines of 2 figures on a 20 X 20mm base….

I use 1 X 3/4" individual bases for all my 28mm. My experience is that you can play ANY system if your figures are based individually. I use movement trays to ease the movement of troops.

Being a mostly modern and WWII gamer I don't give it much thought. I would not rebase unless it is essential, close enough is close enough.

Depends on the game. I hate rebasing, so I try to standardize my armies to sort of maximize their use. For modern and sci-fi multi-man unit bases, I like to use FOW bases whenever possible. For ancients, I like to base things according to DBA/DBM, which actually fits a variety of rules. And recently, I started basing all my 28mm 19th century stuff on 40mm bases.

I base all my figures on 1/2" square magnets for foot, 1/2" x 1" for horse. I only play TSATF, Bundok and Bayonette, or Jagdpanzer rules these days. Add the fact that I have no opponents and arguments about my basing are few.

I usually collect both sides so they have the same size bases.

With that, pretty much any ruleset can be jiggery-pokeried to work.

Personally, I have settled on 60mm wide frontages for all my 25s and 6mm troops, and 40 mm wide for 15s. I got this from WRG DBX but am not restricted to their rules.