"Irregular Wars Basing" Topic

I have just bought the existing version, and am creating armies to play. (English, Portugese and Tupi).

I have seen several posts about basing, and I confess using 40mm bases (instead of 30mm) has a great appeal because it will allow the figures to be used for HoTT as well as IW.

At least one post suggested units were less manuverable on 40mm bases, so could I ask for some more comments please ?

Also, if I go with 40mm bases, should I increase the board width to 3ft ?

If you increase base width by 1/3 I would increase everything else in the same proportion (movement, fire range, table size, command radius, whatever).

I got that rules set also and it looks like it will be a lot of fun. Currently working on making some factions for it.
One thing I don't get though is why it is so necessary to have square bases? I don't own any square ones currently but I have a good stock of rectangular ones I plan on using.
I know it says you could use sabots to make them square but again not really sure why that is so vital. Nothing I can see in the rules seems to not work if I use rectangular basing.
Anyone else out there playing the game with nonsquare bases?

Maybe I am missing something?

Otherwise a really cool set of rules!

I found a neat solution.

Tony at East Riding Miniatures has agreed to make special 2mm mdf double bases for me to use with IW.

Each pack will contain a 40x40 base, a 30x30 base and a 40x40 frame with a 30x30 window. I will mount the window on top of the 40x40 base, then the figures on the 30x30 base

Both bases will then get the same scenic treatment, so I can drop the 30x30 into the middle of the 40x40 and have matching bases.

This will allow the figures to be used for IW, Peter Pig or DBx –type games.

A decent solution yes, but I still do not understand why bases must be square? To me the game should work fine if both armies are on rectangles. Guess I will find out.

Guthroth – that sounds like a very impressive solution.

The 2nd edition uses base widths as the unit of measurement, so it will not matter what size bases are used, so long as both armies are based the same.

mghFond – The movement and melee mechanics are calculated for square bases. If, as I imagine, you have or would prefer to use bases measuring 40x20 (or similar), I would suggest using two together to create a 40x40 square. Otherwise you could treat a single base as though it was deeper than it really is (i.e. imagine it fills the space immediately behind it to a total depth of 40mm).

Yes, but having these multi use bases allows me to play the Peter Pig Pirates games as well as IW and DBX.

Also, I should correct my post in one respect. These bases are available to anyone through the ERM on-line shop. Tony is a top-line bloke and is always prepared to take suggestions if you need something special.

I love 30mm square bases for the broad pike & shot era. And I happily based my IW companies that way. If I want/need to sabot them to 40mm square at some later date, I always have that option.