"A question of bases shapes & sizes" Topic

So, I'm working on my new game, MechaDrome. it's a 15mm skirmish game with giant robots, so the minis are actually about 30mm tall and go up from there. I was going to use round bases, 30mm, 40mm and 50mm across. But, I could also do 30mm hex bases. I kind of like the look of hexes, and I'm wondering if it would be better to use those? However that would mean I would need to have 40mm and 50mm hex bases made as well. The manufacturer can do this, but… would that be odd? It kind of feels like for bases that have any kind of flat edge, they all need to be able to "rank up", even though there's no rules in my game about ranking, it just feels like for looks alone the bases should all match, and those larger sizes just wouldn't match.

So I had another idea where I make custom larger bases that are actually the shape of 3 hexes together in a triangle. and just make a couple different versions of multi-hex bases grouped together like that. Would that be too uncommon or just weird? or cool & unique? Or too much work and I should just stick to circles since that's what everyone else uses?

Will any of the rules take the hexes into account? Firing arcs, max number of melee attackers etc?
In that case, go for it. Otherwise I don't see the point.

I agree with Lupulus. Go with hexes only if the rules require facing decisions for movement, fire, melee, etc. Otherwise rounds would be OK.

Jim

Agreed.

Facing does matter, but the rule is basically "draw an imaginary line across the center of your base, and that makes your 180 degree firing arc" .. so having hexes you might be able to see where the center is a little easier, but that's about it. It's not like games where you would need a hex map to play on, it's a straight up wargame with good old fashioned tape measures.

Do the models even need bases moulded onto them?

No, sorry, they're not molded onto the models, they're separate plastic bases. I'm going to be using the flat bases from Proxie models. There's round bases of all different sizes already, but if I switched to hexes I would need to do something custom for the larger sizes since they only have 30mm hexes right now.

So I guess the questions are.. should I stick to round, or go with hexes? And if hexes, should I get custom hexes made for 40 & 50mm, or custom bases with clumps of multiple 30mm hexes next to each other? :)

ooooh.
Round then.

Round bases. It's easy to mark the front 180deg arc on a round base.

Round bases for the win!

Will the bases and their sizes be significant, rules-wise?
(Something like "all measuring is from base to base" or "models can only move where their base will fit" or "a model is considered visible up to a height equal to its base size")

If not, the buyer will simply use whatever base they think looks the best. Personally, I prefer round bases so specially made hexes would only mean an added cost.

If you go with hexes, go with different sizes instead of "clumps". No need to fit on a hex grid that isn't there :)