Mixing bases sizes in general

[nidzy]

Hi All. I have been doing quite a bit of assembly of my back log of models. That means: devastator kits that never quite manifested all the way into all grav in 6th/7th(now getting new life as heavy bolters), carnifex, biovores from editions past, a blend of vanguard vets and assault marines, my wonderfully crafted malanthrope, genestealers that split off their slotted base but may see new life on a 32mm base...the options are unlimited-ish!

You might see a theme here: all of these kits have been on a different size bases in the last few editions. I feel like in this ed (and to some extent in 7th and in editions past) the idea is to just play them on the base they came on. I feel weird putting my newest carnifex on the odd man out oval base when the rest are all on the "dreadnought(60 mm) sized base from previous editions. Similarly, I am trying to fill out devastator squads that I built in previous editions with models from the more recent kits that are on 32mm bases rather than 25. I also feel weird if I am putting out 4 heavy bolter devastators with a sergeant that is on a 25mm.

I know this issue has come up before, but I also need an update: how comfortable are you all with mixing bases within units? Does it matter anymore? Can you point me to rules in 8th where it says that it doesn't matter so much what the base is? I know a lot of models are now "measure from the model," but I am also trying to be as accurate as possible. If I put vanguard vets on 32mm are people going to cause a fit? I can get all the bases cheap to upgrade to 32mm but is it an issue? Also: should my 3 existing fex get switched to the other non oval model, or vice versa?

TL;DR: there are all sorts of releases with all sorts of base sizes: does it really matter?

[gigasnail]

put them on whatever middle ground you find between rule of cool and tabletop functionality.

anyone that cries about the difference between models on a 25mm and 32mm is not someone you're going to have a fun game with.

i'm not rebasing my fexes; but i will probably rebase my stealers. they are so much easier to move on the table on 32's.

[nidzy]

Oct 12, 2017 5:51:50 GMT gigasnail said:

put them on whatever middle ground you find between rule of cool and tabletop functionality.

anyone that cries about the difference between models on a 25mm and 32mm is not someone you're going to have a fun game with.

i'm not rebasing my fexes; but i will probably rebase my stealers. they are so much easier to move on the table on 32's.

That is at the core of my point! 32mm seems to be a better base size just in terms of how we move models around. They look more epic and they move easier. What I am most concerned about is when I show up at LVO (I bought my tickets, (please do not swear), it is happening) am I going to get sideways glances if one of my squads of *stealers* (I am making assumptions about the new tyranid book here, as I will play them if we get literally any improvement in this book, but If the book is garbage, apply this question to marine variants) going to get looked at askance if the bases are different size (so 15 25mm and 5 32mm for example) or should I go all out for same size everything? It seems like different size bases within units is cool now (see neophyte hybrids) but I want to hear what else you all have to say about it.

Also: my marine look is currently rocking a lot of 32m sergeants with 25 mm heavy weapons or vice versa.

Also: fexes seem like the obvious one to not change since there is no readily available base that oval size. I was shocked when I got this most recent one right after 8th dropped and found out it had been the norm since like 2015?!?! Where have I been in my fex life? Answer: 2009 before they became the distr-ah-fuckit-fex.

[Jabberwocky]

Unless your unit has some kind of aura, or a special mechanic that allows units to disembark from it, or the like, I doubt anyone will be that bothered either way.

If you can't realistically gain an advantage and the model looks appropriately based, everything should be fine. Just make sure the bases look scenic.

[nidzy]

Hah! My nid bases so far are the scenery nids want: dead grey rock from a consumed world. I am thinking of working on a jungle or swamp theme but there is something about lifeless rock mass that speaks to my nid soul.

Speaking of auras and disembark mechanics: (mostly auras) any ideas on base sizes for marine characters such as apothecary, champion, lieutenant and ancient?

[gigasnail]

there is no rule that dictates what bases you have on your units. put them on what you want, just don't be asinine about it (i.e. don't put a single infantry model on a 100mm base).

most marines in power armor, even primaris, are on 32's. if they're in gravis or terminator armor they'll be n 40's or bigger.

[N.I.B.]

I had in mind to rebase my stealers, then I realized they have these bases with a center mold line to go into a slot in the base. Would be a pain to get them sturdy on a new base if I cut them off, the alternative isn't appealing either, sand down the old base from underneath and glue it on top of the new.

[Jabberwocky]

Can't you just mount the old base onto a new one and texture/smooth over the edges to make it a mound rather than a 'step'?

[mattblowers]

Oct 12, 2017 11:35:35 GMT Jabberwocky said:

Can't you just mount the old base onto a new one and texture/smooth over the edges to make it a mound rather than a 'step'?

GW really punishes you right now with LOS. Don't mount things on epic bases or elevate them at all. OTOH, I just do what I want and not worry about it. I'm not usually competing for top table because I like to try out silly choices too much.

As to stealers on 32s, I have mixed feelings. Like gigasnail said they are so much easier to move and don't faceplant, but it also limits the number you can get into combat. The 32s are slightly bigger than 1" and the 25s are slightly less. That means only 2 rows of 32 can fight whilst 25s get up to 3 rows. It makes more sense to run more smaller broods if they are on 32s. If I take a unit of 20 I will only use 32s to maximize efficiency.

[Overread]

I really wish GW would issue a memo listing all official base sizes for models and leave it at that. A pain if you've got legacy models, but honestly it would at least leave things clear.

As it is its kind of a hit and miss affair depending on when you bought your models and when the person you buy them from got them (old or second hand stock might well come with the "wrong" base sizes).

Elongated bases have also always been a pain for GW not showing which way is mean to be the long axis

[angelwing]

Personally I follow the old rule of its based on what it came with, or the current base size eg old terminators on 25mm, new on 40mm. The one thing I wouldn't do is mix base sizes in the same unit as it looks a bit odd.
For me its a mix of aesthetics and practicality. I would be wary of someone trying to play an aura giving character on a massive 'scenic' base though.

[cypheon]

I'll mix the hell out of base sizes all day long. It is the side effect of having moved ~7 times since starting this hobby. I have 4 metal termie sgt's on 25mm bases.. but only 5 other termies on 25mm. the others all broke off at one point or another, and were easier to attach to 32mm for repairs. Now they bumped termies to 40mm, apparently, so my squads are... sgt on 25, heavy flamers on 25, every one else on 32.

If people don't like it they can put in the work redoing them all for me.

[infornography]

I have a ton of genestealers on 25s. I have a few on 32s. What I do is if I am running GSC stealers I use the 32s. If I am running the hive fleet stealers I use the 25s. Keeps it simple to distinguish which is which if I have both on the field.

[Hive Bahamut]

Oct 12, 2017 11:08:16 GMT N.I.B. said:

I had in mind to rebase my stealers, then I realized they have these bases with a center mold line to go into a slot in the base. Would be a pain to get them sturdy on a new base if I cut them off, the alternative isn't appealing either, sand down the old base from underneath and glue it on top of the new.

I'm currently in process of doing this. Not as hard as it seems. You take a razor and shave along the base and under the feet. One simple cut and done. Now the tricky part has been convincing them to stay standing while the glue dries on the one foot GW decided to connect the model with...

32's are what Stealers should be on. They don't flop over and hang on to EVERY unit, I'm happy with that vs. Rules lawyering to get an advantage.

[killercroc]

Personally I just do what looks best for the model rather than any other reason. So for example I've put my Magus and Primus on 32's because it looks much better than a 25, but I left the Patriarch on the 40 that it comes with because it's the perfect size for his little pipe thing he's sitting on. Heavy weapons cultists and acolytes on 32's and neophytes on 25's. Really I try to get what is best for the model shape. Now I'm sure you'll get some whining from some people just because they can, one guy at the club will occasionally go up to me and ask "Hey aren't those Biovores suppose to be on 60mm bases now" even though I've told him time again I'm keeping them on the 40mm base because the Biovore fits perfectly on that size base. I can see people complaining for you to upgrade the size of infantry bases but cry foul if you do it for characters. They want your models to be easier to hit but not get any buff benefits out of it. Really just do what you think looks best for the model is my advice.