Had a super game of Charge yesterday. Here are my figures , before the game,unpacked-
Oh the dissonance, white bases on green cloth, nooooo! It was too much. Not to mention the far too big ( to my eye anyway) bases I had used!An excellent game later l returned home to ponder this. So rummaged in the base box and found these-
Acrylic 40mm square bases, which are clear.The unit rebased beside the old bases for comparison.
Finally the same unit in Winter and Summer-
The clear acrylic works for both, causes no dissonance and offence. Ahhh better. Now just the rest of the army to rebase in a similar way…
I have seen people using clear bases for individual figures for quite some time now, but I think this is the first time I've seen someone use them for multi-figure stands for battles. Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI hadn’t seen it either. Thanks!
DeleteAlan Tradgardland
Yes - I too have seen the transparent bases - I am in two minds about them, to be honest - but if you are happier, that's all that matters!
ReplyDeleteI am/ was too. Yet to fight on snow and grass l felt it was the way to go.
DeleteAlan Tradgardland
Clear plastic seems to be the vouge in some sci-fi/fantasy games - but it seems to work with your multi base historicals as well .
ReplyDeleteIt is and l feel it was right for me and mine.
DeleteAlan Tradgardland
I like the tighter formations but like rross I'm not sure about the clear bases. However if you are going to use the same figures on different terrain colours it may be a good option. Most figures are probably for only one terrain type - though there is always the matter of grassed bases on roadways, town centres and battlements. I think my issue with clear bases is the shine which is odd as all my troops are gloss finished. Also what do you do with the cast on bases - perhaps the firm that sells tartan paint sells transparent paint too.
ReplyDeleteStephen
The tight formations are a big improvement. In order to fight on snow and grass l feel this is the way forward, for this collection but l am not going this way with all of my troops, certainly not.
DeleteAlan Tradgardland
An Interesting shiny solution. I have the same basing issue with my Snow figures and my Space figures - the Space ones I have gone for a neutral mid gray (could be space decking, concrete, tarmac, buildings ...)
ReplyDeleteSnow or Scout ones are more of a one trick pony but like specie figures are based individually anyway. Maybe white bases ... maybe should be grey ... but green is so much more glossy toy soldier ... or shiny white? ....
Decisions, decisions indeed. Grey sounds a plan indeed. Gloss green speaks of toy soldiers in most folk’s mind. I have gone with this for a specific set of circumstances- to allow my Ducal winter games but also to play against others like Ronnie’s collection. I like the crisp acrylic look but perfectly understand it is not to everyone’s taste.
DeleteAlan Tradgardland
The problem is of course snow bases on temperate terrain; conversely, brown / green bases on snow cloth. The latter is less jarring as it's likely lots of men marching around in snow would churn up the underlying mud etc.
ReplyDeleteIt's always a case of basing for maximum utility; where are they likely to fight? Most winter type troops inevitably will be in snowy terrain and / or mud. The problem comes when, as here, they do double duty.
I note the figure bases are still white.
Before wholesale rebasing, perhaps an overall brown colour with sparse tufts of grass is the way to go?
To enhance the aesthetics, you could use suitable scatter for battles, white for snow and green for temperate; both come as flock which could be scattered over bases and hoovered up with a hand held vacuum cleaner?
Neil
Interesting and thoughtful comment Neil. I may paint the bases on the figures brown as it would maybe be the optimum colour for both grass and snow. Scatter and hand held vacuum is indeed a way forward but l think it is too much of a guddle for me.
DeleteAlan Tradgardland
Simple and effective solution.
ReplyDeleteMy feelings summed up exactly.
DeleteAlan Tradgardland
Great idea Alan.
ReplyDeleteChris/Nundanket
Thanks. A cunning plan imho.
DeleteAlan Tradgardland
Love it! I started rereading Charge! the other day after your previous post and am probably going to run something with the "basic" rules this weekend. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, hope you enjoy your Charge experience.
ReplyDeleteAlan Tradgardland
I've sworn off rebasing......many times......
ReplyDelete