Friday, November 20, 2015

1,2,3 basing



Sins I got the ideea and also more often used the 1,2,3 basing for my 28mm skirmish minis I have got a lot of question about way and also of course questions regarding base sizes.

It all started with me being lazy, thinking it was tiresome to move all single based minis around...what about movement trays you say... indeed they can be good to have but using rules with casualty removal then you soon end up with movement trays with missing minis and that dosen´t look good at all, and we do want our games to look good dosen´t we...

So I started to test aroud to base several minis on the the same base and still keep some singlebased for "change", after some testing with number of minis and base sizes I ended up with the 1,2,3 basing you now can see me using on my Pike and Shot minis and also started to use on my Medieval ones.


The 1,2,3, basing gives me good looking units while retaining the feel of skirmish gaming, as well as speeding things along with fewer bases to move and with the possibility to remove casualties, sounds like a winning concept ;)

As it seems it will also be the recomendend basing style in my and Dan Merseys up comming Pike and Shot rules, The Pikemans Lament, of course the rules are mainly writen for singlebased minis but as they, like Lion Rampant, are very forgiving regarding formation and basing you can use all kind of based minis even the 1,2,3 basing, luckey me...

So down to business...

Infantry
  • 1 model on a round 25mm base 
  • 2 models on round 30mm bases 
  • 3 models on round 40mm bases 


Cavalry
  • 1 model on a round 40mm base 
  • 2 models on a round 50mm base 
  • 3 models on a round 60mm base 


Artillery
  • 1 gun on a base large enough to hold it  and the gunner models based like other infantry units 


Using this basing standard means that you easily group the bases together in 6 or 12 models depending on troop type and still remove casualties with ease, if/when you need to...

If you have really bulky minis you might wan´t to add 5-10 mm on the communal bases to fit all minis in, but I rather have them close toghether (maybe cutting some off/adjusting the models base) than increase the base size.

I hope this answer all your questions regarding the 1,2,3, basing.




27 comments:

  1. Interesting Interesting and does not look bad at all... Will have to think seriously about it

    ReplyDelete
  2. Excellent idea. Nicely written and illustrated piece again.
    I take it from the first picture that you are basing and then painting? Does that create any extra problems when there are three figures?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you !

      Most often I base the minis first and then paint them, of course there can be some problem getting in between on ocation, but it dosent make any differende as if at least have base coat and if I cant reach it with my bruch then no one will ever se that spot on the mini anyway;)

      Delete
  3. Pity we can't patent that system Micke - seriously; it fits both small and large scale games really well, but especially the medium sized game we're running with the Osprey range of rules.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good that you are a supporter of the 1,2,3 basing matey! Your LOTR minis based in that way are stunning !
      http://blackpowdergames.blogspot.se/search/label/Lord%20of%20the%20Rings?m=0

      Delete
  4. Thanks for sharing, Michael, this is some real food for thought!

    ReplyDelete
  5. How the hell do you paint the three figures already based up?? I'm twitching just thinking about it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. It's really a great idea. I'm not a huge fan of movement trays because of the very reason you mention once the unit starts taking casualties. Your method has a nice appeal to it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've got to say that I think this is genius! That said, it can't be easy painting them like that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Feels good to be genius some time, thanks Michael!

      :)

      Delete
  8. Great post. I have used this system for 20mm WW2 skirmish figures, starting with 3 groups of 3 to a base figures for an entire section and then making change as casualties occur. Oddly however I had never thought of it for Dark Ages or fantasy skirmish games - a good idea.
    The only difference between us is that I paint the figures and then base them. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks!

      Now then you mentioned it i hav to some 15 years ago i based My IABSM minis in squar bases with som singel ones for casualty removal.

      Delete
  9. All makes good sense Michael and keeps them looking good.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Very clever system Michael. It works like a treat and looks good too!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Interesting idea, thanks for the write up. It does look really nice.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Why round bases and not straight sided? Wouldn't squares and rectangles make it easier to form line and column? Not a criticism just curious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good question. I don't like the look of squar bases for My skirmish minis and as there are no real formation as line or column I don't see any reason to Base on squars. Even if it would be i probably wold use round bases as i think it gives me a more combat look an not the paradeground look of squar based minis. So in Short mainly for the estetical look of them:)

      Delete
    2. Thanks, Dalauppor, for the reply. It's always fascinating to see how someone else goes about the hobby. I find your site inspirational because of the quality of your work, the uniqueness of some of your projects and some of the time periods you include are ones for which I'm painting too. You have also whetted my appetite for the Pikeman's Lament rules. Thanks.

      Delete
    3. :). Thank you very much, very appreciated comment, glad to be able to inspire and to tell some about Swedish history. I hope the Pikeman's Lament Will live up to the expectations... Just one year left until publication ;)

      Delete
  13. I like the idea a lot. The cavalry in particular looks very effective with the odd figure trailing behind and not in a block. A really nice idea! Has given me something to think about.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I was thinking of doing this and looked for examples on Google, yours came up!
    I have ordered 30mm, 35mm and 40mm bases from warbases to experiment with for 2 and 3 figure bases. I already have some single bases.

    I am using a teddy bear fur mat for my English civil war figures and single mounted figures on 20mm or smaller bases do not stand up well on it!

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.