"In Defense of... Statistic tags on stands." Topic

You know the boiler plate.

Are labels with statistics right on the stand OK, or an aesthetic abomination?

I really don't like them. It disrupts the look of the game, kind of like markers. I can certainly see the utility but I wouldn't use them in my game in most cases.

For naval games, for some reason, there is a difference and having the name on the side of the base of the ship is acceptable. I guess I'm fickle and inconsistent.

They can work, especially if you use labels with a similar color to the base color. You can make them blend. For an attribute heavy game this is ideal. For games where you need to mark casualties and unit status, these can be desirable if you can mark on them.

I game with counters, no problem for me.

Only reason I don't normally label miniatures is that I use my miniatures for multiple game systems and can't figure out how to label them so they would be useful for all.

I generally prefer to have unit cards with the stats printed on them off-table, with any associated tokens (for hits or whatnot) placed on the unit card. This could be problematic, of course, for games with oodles of units.

Doug

Not a fan of them.

Having played Clix, they have some tremendous benefits.

-Much easier for new players.

-Quicker than consulting stats cards.

-Less shuffling around of stats cards.

-For games with many, many types of units (WH40K, I'm looking at you), you don't have to be able to recognize the exact unit to figure out the stats. Which leads into:

-Other side can check unit stats without having to ask, "Hey, what's that unit? What are its stats? Can I seen the codex/roster/stat card?"

A small discrete label to identify the unit is fine.

I write the stats on the underside of the base.

Stat cards off table.

Yes, fine. But keep them reasonably discreet.

If I need to have unit info, I keep it off board and just have a number or letter to reference. I do think it takes away from the visual impact that a miniature game offers.

Matthew

The tags on my unit are 1/2" by 4" The left most half inch is a 1/2" section with the flag of the country they unit hales from. The next two inches is the name of the unit. The next 1 1/2" is six sections, with an upper and lower section. The upper section has the letter code for the value (M=Move, C=Charge or Melee, S= Stand or "to stand" value, "R" is for Rally, "F" is fire value, and "D" is distance. Under each is the value for that troop. That seems a large label, but the stand for an infantry regiment is 3.5 or 4" by 8" and for a cavalry 5 by 6 inches, so it's not so obtrusive. No one seems to notice the label unless they are looking for it when they need it. We typically have 50 to 64 units on a table top.

Works

with a letter above

They work fine in the Look, Sarge, No Charts rules.

Underside of stand? Yes. Sticking up or off the back of the stand? Might as well play a boardgame 'cuz you're missing the point of miniatures.

Personally I don't use them, but it doesn't really matter to me if anyone else does. I have thought about putting stickers on the bottom of the stand rather than the paper on the back of it. Most I've seen are rather small and don't really detract from the models so why not?

Since the point of using miniatures is to use miniatures, how are labels missing the point? Or is your point that you do not like labels on miniatures therefore, everyone who doesn't game like you do should be playing board games?

I don't have any objection to having stats and/or unit labels on bases, although I do prefer them to be discrete and not too large.

As almost all my wargames are fought on a hexed tabletop (I use Hexon II) with multi-figure bases, they probably resemble board games with figures rather than the 'miniatures' wargames some of the respondents like to fight.

It depends on the game, but we are forgetting that minis are really just very pretty counters. If it helps the game flow, why not? When the label gets intrusive, move it to a stat card off map. Otherwise, take a slug of beer and roll the dice.

Unit ID only for me.

20mm ACW – regiment and state.

Colonial (TSATF) – only officers have ID – platoon/regiment and senior officers have names (from Zulu war mostly).

Vietnam thru future – each figure has a 3 number code – squad/fireteam/man.

Stats may change.

some times its the only way to keep track of what unit is what and in a big small scale game no one can ID all the units just by looking at the minis paint jobs when they are mostly all the same.

and small scale ship ID is a joke most of the time without a ID tag of some kind.

Don't like them.

I don't do them personally but it doesn't bother me at all.

Telling a 3mm T55 from a T64 isn't always the easiest thing.

No tags, dice, gems, rulers, measuring sticks on the terrain Please! A pet hate of mine, but as I mostly play solo or with one friend I can have it how I want it. I try to avoid rules which require such things, but have toyed with various kinds of shields etc in the past. I just want to imagine the little chaps are in real world which does not contain over-sized bits of anachronistic hardware.

Overall I have no problems with them. Saves having player OOB sheets/etc laying on top of the battlefield during a game.

How they look depends on the ruleset. Keeping them simple helps.

Generally don't like them, but I don't think people/games that use them should be taken out and shot.

I have been putting name tags on my Super Heroes because it's part of the fun of the genre, but not on my ships, or other items.

Mike Bunkermeister Creek
Bunker Talk blog

What spoils the aesthetics of game more: large A4 or letter sized chart cards in pastel colors or some labels on the backs of bases that obviate the need for those chart cards?

@79th PA:

My point is that miniatures = aesthetics. If you want stats on the table, then why not just play boardgames? :)

And yes, it is my opinion. I just don't like 'walking regimental billboards' on my table. Your view may vary.