"basing 2mm still vexing me" Topic

I am creating still armies with 2mm irregular and possibly also the Forward March studios, but i just cannot settle on what the best basing scheme would be that would be the most flexible to say allow me to use them with different rulesets.

I was thinking maybe two infantry blocks abreast to represent that column of division concept, and then the cavalry could be 2--4 pieces one behind the other to represent

it would make sense i think to have more then one piece per a base. Ideally i am just looking to represent nothing smaller than a battalion up to maybe a regiment, but also to suit a 3x4 to 4x5 foot playing area …. or does one even need to base irregular miniatures?

You definitely need to base them, they are fiddly to pick up otherwise.

I do two infantry blocks side by side, or a pair of guns side by side, or two cavalry blocks one behind the other. All on 30mm wide bases.

I deliberately use small bases so I can use them with as many different sets of rules as possible. Some people prefer to stick them on much bigger bases.

I agree they need to be based, and Martin's program isn't bad. I use a 30mmx30mm base. Formation--and presence or absence of a mounted officer--lets me distinguish types within infantry and elite status. (I use his 30mm wide two units for SYW).

But any basing removes some rules possibilities. You're going to have to face that and make a decision.

thanks – Martin your basing approach is exactly what i was thinking doing
i have bags of various wooden and mdf bases but they all seem either too big or too small and all seem too thick – having 2mm figures on bases that are are higher then the miniatures themselves is not a pleasing site

my goal would be to at least be able to accommodate Napoleons Battles and/or Empire, Glory is Fleeting, Napoleonische Kriegsfuehrung, Absolute Emperor, and ESR

Base everything on steel, then make sheet magnet movement trays like mini dioramas. I tried 20x20 bases as that is my basing standard for horse & musket – though I admit I gave up on 2mm…

I base my guys on artists mount board with magnetic sheet underneath. Any bases are going to pretty thick, relatively, with 2mm. I sort of see past the bases.

"Base everything on steel, then make sheet magnet movement trays like mini dioramas."

You could make your sheet magnet trays in different sizes (depending on which rules you are using), and then place your stands of troops on them as needed (i.e. make it interchangable…)

Either steel or mat board for basing, probably. But I've been known to use cardboard of varying thicknesses, and Litko sells 1.5mm plywood. That you're always looking down on the castings helps.

But you're going to have to make choices with your rules. I'd recommend making bases you're comfortable with, then writing or modifying rules to match. I don't see how you can make Empire compatible with 2mm, for instance, regardless of basing.