Basing

[Sandinista]

After reading some recent discussions on basing on this forum and others, I have realised that all of my own basing conventions relate back to (I think this is the earliest) George Gush/WRG renaissance rules for close order, order and open order. Anyone else have similar?

Cheers
Ian

[Leman]

Yes, I have come across this phenomenon of regarding the basing conventions of the 70s/80s as the 'right way' to base miniatures. However most modern rules don't call for a precise number of figures on the base and I now tend to base with what looks right for the period/tactics of the troops concerned, so, as many pike on a base as is comfortable, but far fewer randomly scattered skirmishers. More SYW close order line troops to a base compared with FPW line, and again with WWI infantry. Thus I have serried ranks of SYW, but more scattered FPW. A picture paints a thousand words.

[Sandinista]

I do like the irregular bunch in that photo

Cheers
Ian

[Subedai]

I agree with Leman about the figure to base convention, although I deviate slightly in that all my 10mm and some of my 6mm are on 60 x 40mm. Other 6mm are on 40 x 20 and my Irregular chaps are mostly on bases that fit the group.

MickS

[Ithoriel]

From the time I moved from using individual figures and home grown rules to bases of figures and commercial rules I've based figures to suit myself, usually adding more figures than the rules suggested. So long as my opponents could identify them I never felt it mattered, in game terms.

[Westmarcher]

I agree with the others, too. Personally, I prefer the "footprint of the unit" approach and find frontages for individual figures depending on troop type, etc., set out on these "old style" rules, far too proscriptive.  I like to use four square bases for my standard size Horse & Musket era units. This enables me to arrange the bases to represent the unit in 4 formations; Line, Attack Column, Square and March Column. My bases are either 1 inch or 25mm square. Like Leman, what goes on each base, figure wise, tries to reflect the tactical doctrines and formations used in the era concerned.

In what way do your basing conventions relate back to these rules, Ian? Presumably, you're not actually basing your 10mm figures individually or on bases of up to 4 figures (as per the 2nd Edition rules) and instead, using the frontages for different troop types and order in the rules to guide you when placing multiple figures on larger bases.

[jimduncanuk]

After reading some recent discussions on basing on this forum and others, I have realised that all of my own basing conventions relate back to (I think this is the earliest) George Gush/WRG renaissance rules for close order, order and open order. Anyone else have similar?

In the early 70's (1972 to be precise) I wargamed with a ruleset written by Slim Mumford called Slims Ancients. They had close order, order and open order in them, something like 3/4", 1" and 1" apart. I can look this up as I know I still have an original copy somewhere in my collection.

The successor to these rules are still available on the Society of Ancients website.

I still game with these rules, every now and again although I have metrified the base sizes.

[Leman]

That does look like a god old 70s game.

[jimduncanuk]

That does look like a god old 70s game.

Proper 25mm ancients, mostly Minifigs and Garrison with the occasional Hinchcliffe.

I'm still adding to them when I can.

[Glorfindel]

Leman,

Really like your Prussians - very effective, particularly with the
battalion gun.


Phil

[Leman]

Thanks Glorfindel. Those particular ones are Old Glory Grand Scale 10mm, which work very well with Pendraken (the gun is a Pendraken 3pdr). The OG line infantry come in strips of 5, which exactly fit a 25mm/1" frontage. I find I can get four Pendraken figures on the same frontage. Incidentally OG have just released some individually based Freikorps, Jagers and Croats (not in cloak). They do only make Prussians and Austrians, and I have never used any of their Austrian figures.

[Ithoriel]

Slim's rules and Peter Laing's figures ... a la recherche du temps perdu

[jimduncanuk]

Slim's rules and Peter Laing's figures ... a la recherche du temps perdu

These times are not lost, I have and still play the rules and I have many Peter Laing figures too.

[petercooman]

Looks great Jim!!!

[Sandinista]

In what way do your basing conventions relate back to these rules, Ian?

Basically having 4, 3 or 2 figures on the same frontage

Cheers
Ian