Saturday, January 4, 2014

Basing the Vikings ?


So the ever lasting quest, how to base the minis...


Of course single based viking would be quite propper due to SAGA and other rules, BUT I don´t get the true shield wall feel that I want (alt least at moment...)...

So some sort of multi baseing have been tested as you can see in the following pictures. My plan at the moment are to use the Dux Britanniarum rules as I realy think they can give me the kind of game I want with clashing shield walls.

The clashing shieldwall games risk to be quite boring bur due to the fate cards used in Dux Britanniarum and all nice games we have had using these rule I think we will have realy nice games. As it turned out the use of multibased minis with the Dux brittaniarum rules have worked realy well in my spinoff Dux Suecia 15th centery games.

Enought about that and to the Viking pictures. I used Gripping Beast Plastic and plan to do so for all ordinary troops, using metall for the Singel based leaders, so now I just need about 250 more of them to get the 11 units and 2 skirmish units needed...

The bases used in this pictured are 40x30mm, 6 bases in each unit. I have tried 40x40 to but feelt that it gave a to lose feel to the unit...

what do you think???









Sorry for some blury pictures, but I was using the telephone...

27 comments:

  1. It looks like a real shieldwall ! But I think you could put less minis on the rear flank.

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  2. They look good positioned like that! But what if you mount them on 40x40mm bases but leave some room in front of your first rank. Like you did with your mercenary landsknechts. Then you can use a "standard" 40x40 but still get them close together.
    Another option is your movement trays with seven 20(?)mm bases. I like them a lot. But then they don't get close enough to each other for your liking?
    I'm sure you'll find a way! :-)

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  3. A great mass of Vikings! It works as a shieldwall.

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  4. Now that looks like a shield wall Michael! I like that!

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  5. That is a shieldwall! I'll be following your adaptation of these for DB VERY closely.

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  6. Now that looks like a shield wall Michael! I like that!

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  7. Each man on his own round base and the bases fitted into sabot bases/movement trays from Warbases is my suggestion and indeed how I plan to do it.

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  8. Looks spot on! You get a sense of the warriors pushing and shoving to maintain the shieldwall line...makes my unit bases for Impetus look almost sparse and boring lol. Great job. Cheers

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  9. That looks really good. I mostly play WAB, so most everything I do is 20mm based and what I will use in SAGA. I did use a bunch of multi-based rank and filers to tighten up my shieldwall.

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  10. Great idea. I have been struggling with the same problem with my Saxon Shield wall. Single bases just left too big of a gap. Your solution will work for impetus also. Looking forward to see you finished Viking Shield wall.

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  11. I like my figures single based and on movement trays but visually what you have there looks more realistic as a shieldwall.
    Likewise, I am looking forward to seeing these painted.
    Cheers,
    Pat.

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  12. I'm with Mattias on this one – 40x40 mm bases and some room in front of the first rank.

    However, they do look very nice and impressive just as they are, and will be perfect for the project we've been talking about.

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  13. You paint fast enough to have a multi based and a skirmish army. So do both ;-)

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  14. Now that is a shieldwall there and it looks very impressive.

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  15. Looks very much like a shield wall. I´m waiting for the painted result that surely will look very good as always. :)

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  16. Thank you very much for all responce aboit my basing issues...

    Haven´t decided yet, will start to paint the firts 20-30 minis and then decide.

    After a long look at "Engele" blog : http://kampgruppe-engel.blogspot.se/search/label/Viking i at the moment leaning to 40x40 and try to leave some space in the front on the front bases and in the back for the 2:nd row...

    I also hade some thoughts bout basing 5-6 minis on a 45x40mm base... just need about 120 more minis...

    Best regards Michael

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    1. Now that was a neat idea...

      I say go for first option with space in front. That space could be littered with wild flowers, fallen christians..., a bärsärk here and there to brake out the lines

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  17. Are you still moderating your post Michael? Left a comment yesterday? Anyway, I don't know these rules but I think the rules should adjust to the basing of the figures and not the other way around. Especially when you're trying to create a certain look to your army. I like them as they are, alternatively using 45x40 and put more figs on. I'm sure you make the right decision and look forward seeing them finished, esp the shield colours and designs... Cheers, Michael

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    1. Sorry Mike, no trace of your post, but this one got through:)

      Thanks for your supporting thoughts ! Now its just to start the painting...and not be lose focus...

      Best regards Michael

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  18. Looks like lots of painting laying ahead in 2014. It definitely looks like a shieldwall but as others already indicated I'd go for a lesser cramped look in the backrows. Maybe even putting less armoured men there as it's commonly said only the front ranks wore heavy armour due to their imposure to the initial thrust.

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    1. Thanks for feedback !

      I plan to have some bases with mostly armoured men (the Elit/Hird) and the big mass will have no armour at all or maybe a helmet or so, i.e the warriors/bondi

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  19. I think they look good. Should make for very dynamic and vivid bases! I just hope you have not glued them on yet... that would create havoc painting them!

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    1. ...ooops...shouldent I glue them to the base before I painted the...

      ...now worries, just Blu-Tack so far;)

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  20. just found my way here. That's how a shieldwall should look. I'm not sure about reducing the numbers to the rear. ok the less enthusiastic warriors might be there but wouldn't their action more resemble the lock forwards in a rugby scrum. ie lean in and push? I work in 10mm but its pics like these that make me wish i had more space for my games.

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    1. Welcome Robert !

      You just pointed out the feel I look for "rugby scrum"

      The 10mm of yours look realy greate with 15-16 minis on each base they realy looks like a unit of their own.

      Best regards Michael

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  21. really impressive, Where did you get those great minis?

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  22. very impressive....where did you find those great mini's? I was going to attach shields to some mini's to make a shield wall but those are amazing!

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