"Round or square, why one or the other?" Topic

I saw the post about round or square for skirmishes and was still wondering why round or square and how to decide?

What are the pros and cons of round and square?

I like round because they don't form up. It makes it feel like they are more prepared to go in any direction.

I use square for light infantry types that can form up or be in skirmish order and round for staright up skirmishers for same reason as Tichmonster

Rectangular bases (squares are equilateral rectangles) clearly define front, flank, and rear, by the sides of the bases. In mass battle rules, facing is critical. Rectangular bases are superb for forming up close formation Units of troops.

Round bases work better for skirmish figures, which typically do not form up in base-to-base large Units.

Personally, I only use rectangular bases. I need to have the sides of every figure, even in my RPG sessions, clearly defined (front, flank, and rear), because it makes a difference in resolving combat against that Unit.

Some folks prefer round bases, some prefer rectangular. It is really a matter of preference, as everyone seems to make their preferred style work for them, within their chosen rules sets. Cheers!

I base all my 28s on 3/4X3/4 inch thin steel (corners cropped). Cut bases for the rules out of 60 mil magnet material. Cut 1 inch rounds for individual basing.

I also use squares and rectangles for all the reasons Sgt laid out

Would note – I also like storing figures base to base – not as easy with round bases

I prefer squares for the same reasons mentioned above.

I use them as indicators. Rectangular bases for troops capable of forming column, line or square. Circular bases for troops which must, by training and inclination, remain skirmishers.

Same as the others.

Usually round for the convenience. I can put them on sabot bases when needed (regular or irregular as required) and (British) pennies add heft to plastic figures. I never came across a square equivalent.

25mm foot (and 2mm) on round, because that's the shape pennies come in. 25mm mounted on plastic rectangular base. Large monsters on round fender washers.

My 20mm ACW on square plastic bases with 4 figures infantry. Artillery and cavalry also plastic on a larger rounded base.

20mm WWII on round fender washers in several size's depending on unit type (infantry – weapons teams).

I generally prefer round for skirmish games — irregular look and same diameter in all directions for fitting between terrain bits.

Exception is modern urban where I tend to like square with slightly rounded corners to look better with pavement.

Although I do my 20mm/1:72 zombies on pennies — because hey, a penny a base is pretty cheap and easy and weights the light plastic figures nicely.

I use laser-cut MDF rectangles for bases. They are inexpensive, precision cut, and they can be ordered in whatever size I need them in: 20mm/25mm/50mm squares (individual figure bases for various size figures); 25mm x 50mm/75mm rectangles (stands of 2 and 3 figures, 25mm-28mm sized).

I have made larger rectangles of MDF for larger monsters, in my fantasy games, as well. MDF rectangles are a fantastic product to work with. They are the only type of basing I use anymore.

Rounded corners are better, if possible, as they do not snag your ground cloth as easily. Square corners catch my ground cloth, a great deal…

Even if you go with round bases, you can still get laser-cut MDF discs for little money. MDF bases should be 2mm-3mm thick. Laser-cut plywood will work, as well, but it might warp, in larger sizes. MDF is wood pulp mixed with epoxy resin -- it usually will not warp, in smaller sizes, but in larger sizes, it may warp: larger than 4 inches on a side. Cheers!

For my skirmish type games I use round bases for irregular/tribal types and square bases for regulars – for my preferred type of gamine (grand tactical) I use square bases for the troops and round bases for command stands (big brass types)

I prefer square because easier to store the figures.

I prefer round based for any single based figures. A 20mm diameter round fits in the same space (but less area) as a 20mm square. The advantage to the round base is it can be rotated slightly on a movement tray to allow figures to rank up. Square bases do not rotate. I have too many figures with bits that stick out past the base edge to go back to square basing individual figures. I use movement trays for large formations any way.

For 15mm I use US Pennie's, haven't found cheaper yet.

Thanks all. Most of the rules I am looking at using work with units, so sound like rectangular, which I've come to like when using other people's minis.

The idea of corner clipping is interesting.

I generally use round for skirmish and square/rectangular for unit battle gains, although you can get round base holders to fit your 25mm/30mm/32mm round into small rectangluar units