"Phil Harding goes to Waterloo and the Battle for Hougoumont:" Topic

In my opinion, basing for wargaming is completely different than basing for display.

For display pieces, I completely get it that they want a decorated base, lots of vegetation, rocks, maybe a small tree, skullz and a dead body.

But for wargaming, I think it looks silly. "Here comes Sir Fred and the rock he drags everywhere with him."

For wargaming, I prefer basing treatments that are simple and effectively blend into the tabletop. I don't want to "see" the bases on the wargaming table. I want to see figures, I want to see armies.

Your mileage may vary.

Some archaeology from Hougoumont

YouTube link

Great storytelling.

Good find – thanks for sharing

No idea what the title means, but you obviously want a scrap …
So, I only partly agree.
Most gamers lack imagination and even initiative for a long time of their gaming career.
Yes I had painted glossy bases, sawdust grass- even still have that I made in the 70's!

Those concrete plinths that many sub-scale figures are currently planted to- yes hate [the look of] them.

But some 'interest' is engendered by having significant 'signs of life' given special figures. My own are all unique, no two commanders identical… tho these only show rocks and bushes…

by DaveW, on Flickr

Whatever looks good to you! Takes all sorts

Response to the Editor:

I agree with have undecorated bases for wargaming. It may be the old 1948 54mm Britains thing, with the bright green bases, but when I paint a unit down to the shoes, I want to see the whole figure with no distraction.

I also mount my figure in 30mm to occupy 17mm of frontage, instead of the usual full inch, so decoration would be difficult.

One can easily use a long, soft- bristled paint brush to dust the whole figure and base with no "flocking" or other dust-catching matter on the base.

I mount my Old Glory 15 Prussians and Austrians to occupy about 9mm of frontage, REALLY to tight for decoration.

I am also turned off by French in greatcoats. I would have to complete the 48 battalions of 36 in 30mm, in accurate full dress (overalls accepted), before I would consider one unit in greatoats! At 83, I'll never complete the 48!

GdeP

In an appropriately timely update, here's a newly promoted Major Couin- Commandant of the Artillerie Legere in command of my 1er Escadron of the corps. (The model is waiting respray of matt varnish).

I based the scene on many depicted in paintings, observers viewing from beyond some man made features, in this case a rough rail fence, beside a recently shattered tree.
A side view is also on the flickr album.

Works for me anyway,
regards dave

My own preference is the same as yours, Bill. I like the simple, old school style of basing. Even if I had the skill to produce such mini dioramas, I wouldn't subject them to the rough and tumble of the wargame table!

But, if people enjoy producing such pieces and gaming with them, that's their choice.

I remember reading a piece years ago in which the writer proposed having casualties on his troop bases as they took up more space, enabling him to portray a unit with fewer figures and save money!