Base sizes and gameplay

[drdan]

This was a point that came up in a conversion thread. I'm making models for a genestealer cult and using Tyranid rules, but at the moment my base sizes do not always correlate with the tyranid model it represents. This is usually a case of a model that should be on 40mm being on a 25mm, which is easily fixed, but I also have models that should be on 40mm that are actually a bit too wide and will spill over the base. Being quite inexperienced with the game, I'd like to get some insight into how base sizes affect gameplay.

At the moment I am only playing friendly games with a friend, who has no issue with me using non-standard models; we both proxy all the time to playtest unit options. At the moment I have little interest in tournaments and the like, but if I get an unfair advantage by having bases that are bigger or smaller than the standard model I'd like to understand what those advantages (or disadvantages) may be, so that I can come to a suitable agreement in cases where I'm playing someone who is unhappy with the situation.

Also, do biovores normally have 40mm bases or 60mm bases?

Thanks.

[yoritomo]

As a rule of thumb you can go up base sizes as it usually doesn't give you any advantages.

If you go down a base size people start to think you are modeling your army in a way that gives you an advantage. So you probably want to avoid that.

[drdan]

Ok, so it's mainly factors linked to target size for scattering blast weapons and moving through narrow gaps then?

[Space is pretty big]

40mm for Biovores.

The rule book quite specifically warns against putting models on bases smaller than the one you given as, as Yori mentioned, it gives you an advantage 9 times out of 10.

For Tyranids that don't actually have models yet here are the commonly accepted base sizes:

Tervigon is the largest base size; the oval Trygon/Valkyrie base. This is because it has 6 wounds like the Trygon, which has an ovular base. This is not a rule though, and some see the Tervigon as a bloated Carifex, so will put him on a 60mm base.
The Tervigon is also one of that ten percent that some argue get an advantage by being on a bigger base. This is because the Gaunts it launches need to be a maximum 6 inches away. So bigger base means wider radius in which the Gaunts can expand and grant cover.

Swarmlord is usually on a 60mm base because the normal Tyrant fits nicely on the 60mm base, and most people usually just convert Swarmlords from Tyrants or Carnifexes (which also have 60mm bases).

Doom of Malantal is a very hot issue, and like the Tervigon fits into the 10 percent that gains from a larger base. If you're cheezy like me, you'll put him on a 60mm base. Some people though argue that he is best suited for a 40mm base has he is only an advanced Zoanthrope.

Harpys are not really used that much because they're hard to convert, but nearly all conversions for them have used the oval flying base as Harpys are giant flying monsters that the fluff likens to flying Trygons (which again use the oval bases).

Parasite is usually mounted on a 40mm base has he's considered to be about the size of a Ravener; mostly because so many conversions of him have used Raveners or Warriors, which are both mounted on 40mm bases.

Hope this helps ^^


EDIT:

Ok, so it's mainly factors linked to target size for scattering blast weapons and moving through narrow gaps then?

That and combat and the ability to avoid getting shot at. The small the unit or model profile, the less that can usually reach it.

Also small based units can get a heck of a lot of cover more easily.

[maugrim]

One thing that gains advantage with a larger base is any unit that has a Lash Whip - more opponents in B2B contact therefore more units at Initiative 1.

[AMMacBride]

Biovores come on a 40mm base.

As a general rule, try to stick with the official model's base size. If there isn't one, you can be more inventive, within reason.

A lot of other things can gain an advantage from a larger base, like anything with a range. I've seen someone with Zoans (the official model, too) mounted on larger bases for a slightly larger synapse bubble.

[drdan]

Thanks for the comments guys, very helpful.

This is really something I should've considered a bit more carefully before the conversions began!

The models I have on undersized bases can easily be re-mounted on 40mm bases. The oversized are a bit trickier... My tervigon is a large vehicle (bigger than a rhino), and my zoan/HG models are about 50x45mm so they will not fit within a 40mm base. That may cause problems - especially considering synapse range.

I guess that for the zoan/HG models I can easily just mount on 60mm and modify the range of weapons/synapse. If I say the zoan's synapse range is 12"-10mm that has the same effect. GW should really make the whole game metric! I guess I could also use a temporary base, perhaps magnetised, on the hull of my "tervigon" for the purpose of measuring distances (and determining whether or not it has been hit with a blast.

Actually, I did discuss the size of my "tervigon" with my friend the first time I fielded it. He had no issue with it, and viewed any potential advantages for me as counterbalanced by the greater chance of hitting it with blast weapons and the increased difficulty of getting it into cover.

I think at this stage I can still make acceptable compromises with the pickiest of opponents for the few of my models models this affects. I will bear this in mind for future work though.

Oh, are Lictors, Raveners, Venomthropes and Warrors all 40mm?

Cheers

[Space is pretty big]

Actually, I did discuss the size of my "tervigon" with my friend the first time I fielded it. He had no issue with it, and viewed any potential advantages for me as counterbalanced by the greater chance of hitting it with blast weapons and the increased difficulty of getting it into cover.

A common give and take for large bases: So long as their size is justified it's ok to have a model on a larger base than the one it came with. For example I have a 3rd ed Hive Tyrant (which came with a 40mm base) with really big dragon wings mounted onto the 60mm base. It's more stable and for me more legitimate considering the bulk of the model.

The oversized are a bit trickier...

Again, you don't have to shrink them. Really so long as the model is big enough to justify the large base, you'll be kosher. The reason for this is Tyranids in particular depend on cover; so larger models are going to get less cover, thus you trade defense for range.

That being said, don't push your luck. No one is going to want to play with you if your DoM is attached to a Frisbee.

Oh, are Lictors, Raveners, Venomthropes and Warrors all 40mm?

Yep

[coredump]

DrDan, there is another rule... The Rule of Cool. Which means that the cooler the conversion, the more likely no one is going to care about any differences. Your army is way cool, and creative, I really don't think you will have any issues with anyone, even at a tourney.