Big Battles basing question.

[craigt13]

I am looking to start up with Nuts! Big Battles, and looking for advice on basing figures. The book recommends bases 1" x 1 1/2", but it seems to me that even with 15mm figures, that would be rather crowded putting 3 to 6 minis on a base that size.
How do others here base for Big Battles?

[Ed the Two Hour Wargames Guy]

Apr 22, 2020 18:56:00 GMT craigt13 said:

I am looking to start up with Nuts! Big Battles, and looking for advice on basing figures. The book recommends bases 1" x 1 1/2", but it seems to me that even with 15mm figures, that would be rather crowded putting 3 to 6 minis on a base that size.
How do others here base for Big Battles?

I use 3 figures per stand and they are roughly in a 1/2" frontage. I also stagger them either 2 in front and 1 in back or the other way around.

[jgregory]

I use standard Flames of War infantry bases with either four or five figures per base (they're based to play Battlegroup, mainly). I don't find them too crowded, but I'm using PSC figures which are more of a realistic slim sculpt than, say, Battlefront.

As each base represents a Squad, it doesn't matter how many figures you use - just go with what is pleasing to your eye.

[flashcove1]

Mine are also on FOW bases because I played that for a little while. I didn't like the tournament mentality with British fighting British, etc.

[stevenpage]

Apr 23, 2020 12:57:00 GMT flashcove1 said:

Mine are also on FOW bases because I played that for a little while. I didn't like the tournament mentality with British fighting British, etc.

FoW tourney players are what makes solo gaming the joy that it is. 

I showed up with my first 1000 point force British Glider troops, with NOTHING that could not be glider- or chute landed, and my opponent has SS Combat engineers, with three Tigers, and a Stug platoon.  I shook his hand, packed up and swore never to play him again.

[craigt13]

OK, so I guess thai I will need to do a bit of experimenting t o find something that I like, and that works well. Since my usual suppliers are currently doing little to no business at the moment, I will have time to look at more options for 15mm WW2 minis.
Also, I am hoping that I can find a way to base them so that they can be removed to use in skirmish games as well.

[Ed the Two Hour Wargames Guy]

You can actually base them as you like, just adjust the ranges based on the size of the recommended bases. So twice the size, double the range. You'll find out what works best for you. If your single figures are based on metal them maybe a magnetic base for the squad?

[craigt13]

Since I would like to be able to dismount the minis for skirmish play, then magnetic is going to be the way to go. That way I don't need to get - and badly paint - more figures.
Now to order some bits to experiment with till I get what I want.

[leigh]

Have played a few games of Dave Brown's panzer grenadier rules which you are required to base multiple figs on a single base to represent a section/squad,
I used my single based 20mm figs by putting three figs in a triangular formation and measured all ranges and distances from the central figure.

[craigt13]

Leigh,
That sounds like a good idea. I have ordered some samples for a basing experiment, and if that doesn't work out I will use your idea.

[flashcove1]

My Japanese are all Old Glory, and mounted per FOW specs. My Brits are FOW, Old Glory and Battlefront, also mounted per FOW specs, due to my unfortunate foray into that rule system and my reluctance to rebase.

[flashcove1]

Here is a picture of my Brits early war in the Far East.
A company:


A platoon:

[craigt13]

Nice looking minis, Flashcove.
I understand your reluctance to rebase. That is why I am looking for a way to use the same minis for skirmish games and larger battles with multi nased figures.