"Using 6mm without basing" Topic

I was wondering if anyone has considered using 6 mm figures without basing. Specifically games in which 6 mm figures are used for unit actions, I'm not skirmish games. I am considering using Baccus 6 mm figures for horse and musket gaming and as they are based four to a strip, 20 mm x 5 mm, they could be used as is.

The thing that is kept me from doing this in the past has been the fear that the figures would be quickly bend and break off of the base. However I've noticed that the way the figures get damaged with basing, by people pinching the ends and the figures on the right and left bending inwards, that it might not really matter in the end.

Secondly, I have concerns about wear and tear on the paint job. However the more I think about it the more I could simply use heavy matte varnishes to protect them.

One upside I can see is that I would save a lot of time on basing. Although that may sound rather flippant, it really isn't. Basing can easily consume as much time as painting the figures, if not more.

Another point is that I can see formations would look much more realistic than with bases.

The one concession I may make is to magnetize the bottom of the strips. This would allow me to transport the figures much more easily and, if using a metal gameboard, would give the figures more stability during play.

So, has anyone given this a try?

The figures I usually don't base are vehicles, primarily because the storage containers I use have small slots for them. Individuals, I usually base, even if it's a single miniature, but usually 2-4+ figures/base.

Ted

Your suggestion may work for line infantry but you will need a very smooth surface and some of the figures are top heavy as well.

I will not work for skirmishers, missile troops or cavalry as they are cast on a base head to tail . Artillery also will be i a straight line of four so your guns will ave a single line of gunners behind.

If you really want to go baseless then Irregulars may be an option as hey come in blocks

Irregular

Baccus

Both Irregular and Mainforce figurs are 'pre-based' as their cast on bases are pretty thick. For some periods I just use the basic Irregular strips, but they usually have mag sheet on the bottom so they don't move around in the storage boxes.

If you don't use bases, you need to make sure your strips and/or individual figures occupy the right ground footprint.

Back in the day (mid 70s) I had a dreadful 6mm Napoleonic set which required these of individually based 6mm figures. Even for our youthful eyes and nimble fingers they were complete PITA.

WRG 16xx-18xx was a joy in comparison, evne if the 'bases' were only 4 figure strips.

Obviously you do end up handling the figures a lot, so a decent coat of varnish is required. Ronseal floor varnish seems to work quite well:)

I think your main concern will be to stop them falling over. It will look like a whole load of rat-arsed soldiers!

For Baccus cavalry and artillery I was considering creating my own Irregular-style bases, so to speak. By creating a mold and setting the figures in it, it would essentially glue together these individual figures into one single casting, so to speak.

I am still thinking about it but that's why wanted to hear other people's experiences. Thanks.

When I started playing with 6mm I used unbased Irregular strips, because the rules we used (Irregular Ancient Rule Box) were designed for that. 6 or 4 strips made up one unit, and you removed the strips for casualties. It worked just fine, the only problem was transport, as you noticed.

One alternative to magnetize the strips, could be using bubble wrap. Lean one sheet inside the box, lay down some strips, than lean another sheet, lay down other strips, etc.

A problem with Baccus 6mm miniatures is that they are lovely detailed, but fragile. Especially the horses. If you really would like to use unbased strips, I advice you to choose the Irregular ranges -less spectacular but also less fragile, and the cavalry and artillery figures are already based.

"I am still thinking about it but that's why wanted to hear other people's experiences. "

That is essentially what I do with the Irregular strips – they go on a card template which is a standard size (30x10 for infantry strips) with mag sheet under that.

Being on regular sized bases as opposed to the slightly random cast bases mean they store much better and go together in sensible formations on the tabletop.

I have some individually based figures, usually leaders or other special types, which go on a 5mm x 5mm or sometimes a 10x10. It depends.