mwindsorfw | 01 May 2015 1:26 p.m. PST |
I decided to get the DB 3 rulebook, and I'm not sure what to do about bases. To make it worse, everything is expressed in "mm" (which I suppose means laying M&M's side by side), rather than inches (which any normal-thinking person would use). All kidding aside, any wooden base that I can find in the US is going to be any combination of 2-4 inches square or rectangle, with some sizes in fractions such as 1/16ths, 1/8ths, 1/4, or 3/8ths. I've decided that I devote enough of my life to painting 28mm figures in all sorts of wars, and I would like to do 6mm (or maybe 10mm) ancients. This will make the painting easier (I painted Risk men for my SYW armies and thought they looked good). Also, I like the look of more figures on a base -- it makes it look more like a battle instead of a skirmish. Having said all that, my first problem is what size bases to use. I have a big table, so I don't mind putting 6mm figures on an 80mm or 40mm base, and I'd be tempted to go with the larger bases. So my first question is what size bases do US players tend to use? I can get wooden squares in 2" or 1.5", and I can get rectangles 3.25 x 1.25 in. or 3 x 2 in. Does anyone have suggestions for bases sizes in the US? Also, can anyone suggest some sources in the US for 6mm or 10mm armies? Thanks. |
MajorB | 01 May 2015 2:01 p.m. PST |
Just make your bases to the correct sizes using mount board. Cheap, easy and you can make them whatever sixe you want. |
ColCampbell | 01 May 2015 2:11 p.m. PST |
Litko, among others, make wooden bases in three different thicknesses in both millimeters and in inches (or fractions thereof). I use them for almost all my bases nowadays. litko.net (a US company, by the way) You can also get metal bases in millimeters. They've been making them since WRG started using standard base sizes way back in the "dark ages." Since you live in the DFW area, I'm sure there is a local game store there that can help you get bases. Jim |
warwell | 01 May 2015 2:41 p.m. PST |
Scale Creep carries Baccus 6mm link 20mm x 40mm is approximately the same as 0.75 in x 1.5 in. I found some wood shapes in those dimensions at Hobby Lobby. |
elsyrsyn | 01 May 2015 5:08 p.m. PST |
I like sheet metal bases, because I dislike thick plinth-style bases, and because they stick to magnetic tape in my storage/carry boxes. I get mine (Wargames Accessories brand) from Brookhurst Hobbies, For 6mm figs (my personal favorite) you can easily go with either the 15mm standard 40mm frontage, or the 25mm standard 60mm. 60mm looks better, of course, but also uses (of course, again) more minis. 40mm has some advantages, though. It might be more versatile if you also play other games with multi-stand units (another way sheet metal bases shine – you can easily use flexible magnet material to make multi-stand bases). It will also let you play against others with 15mm armies (the most popular scale for DBA), if you don't mind the visual dissonance. Doug |
Extra Crispy | 01 May 2015 6:39 p.m. PST |
I'd advise putting 6mm figures on the standard 25mm base sizes and just put on lots of figures. I sell teh Baccus figurea as well as Litko bases in 40x20, 40x15, 60x30. I also sell teh sheet metal bases, and magnet sheeting. In short, stop by the shop I'll hook you up. ScaleCreep.com |
Who asked this joker | 01 May 2015 8:28 p.m. PST |
I'm with Doug. Sheet metal all the way. Baccus is a great way to go for DBA. Even in 15mm basing, the armies look better. Going with bigger bases and 6mm is great if you have the time and money. It also allows you to play other big base games like Impetus. |
mwindsorfw | 02 May 2015 3:02 p.m. PST |
I've never used a sheet metal base, I've always used wood or plastic. What is the advantage? |
goragrad | 02 May 2015 11:32 p.m. PST |
With a sheet magnet on the bottom of the storage case the elements are held in place during transport. You can also as noted above use a magnetized base to hold elements for games with larger base dimensions. Or as a movement tray. |
williamb | 04 May 2015 7:17 p.m. PST |
I have used 40mm for most of my bases along with some 20mm wide by 40mm deep for warmaster ancients and some pike blocks on 80mm by 40mm for ease of movement. We have a lot of ancient players in the area with 15mm and 6mm armies, all on 40mm bases. I usually use artist mat board for bases. Fairly inexpensive and available in a variety of colors. Also use some Litko bases and highly recommend them. |
hindsTMP | 05 May 2015 6:30 a.m. PST |
An alternative using Heroics and Ross "true" 6mm: TMP link You can order H&R from various reputable UK dealers, or from Last Square in the US. link Mark H. |