"Base Shape" Topic

Does base shape really matter? (I understand in line battles why its needed, but in skirmish?)

When it does not which do you prefer? square, hex or round?

I am repainting and rebasing some Space Hulk minis and thinking square would be better because of facing and fitting in the sqaures on the board, but I can see that round would make it better to just turn in place.

Square (or rectangular) – easier to cut from sheet materials and can be used to fix arcs of fire etc.

Squares are good for multi figure bases or games that need formations. Rounds are better for skirmish style games. It allows you to get more figures in a tighter space like when several figures charge a single fig. Squares have too much dead space for that.

Hex is generally only needed when you need it for hex based games.

Round for skirmish and square for multi-figure. I also have three sizes holding 4, 6, or 10 figures in line for movement trays.

Vince

Does base shape really matter?

Depends on the rules. For example, M&T is better with square bases rather than round.

In some rule systems it matters.

For compatibility with those systems I usually base on squares although I'm not above using a round base if the figure fits it better and I expect to mostly use it for skirmishing.

Note I use mostly 20mm square and 25mm round, so the issue CorSecEng suggests rarely comes into play; the smaller square bases fit into roughly the same footprint as the round bases. I do use 25mm square bases sometimes and even with them it rarely matters. It's pretty unusual in a game to cluster more than oh 5 figures around a single target of the same size base (row of 3 across the front with one wrapped onto each flank). Some games even have rules about how many figures can mob one target.

I find square always better than round, for two reasons:
(I round off the corners by clipping them with nail clippers as I think it looks nicer).

1. Because you've got a diagonal to work with, you can make square bases a bit smaller than round ones and still fit figures on. You can easily get 28mm figures on 20mm square bases, but you'll struggle to get them on 20mm round ones.
Small bases are good for skirmish games, because they allow your figures to fit on ships decks, castle walkways, and so on.

2. Square bases rank up better, and can be used to determine arcs of vision and fire easily.

I like round bases whenever possible. They don't stand out as much to me as square or hex bases do.

Where the choice is free, I try to use round bases for troops that have no facing to take into consideration … square for ones that do …

Phil

Round for Skirmish and command stands (all games); square for multi-base stands. I use hexes for one game (miniature adaptation of Samurai Blades).