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| Round (left) versus Rectangle (right) bases. |
I am working on a regiment of 30 American riflemen to represent Morgan's Rifles at the battles of Saratoga in 1777. The regiment did not fight in close order formation like other Continental regulars, so I am considering using a round base for the unformed riflemen and a rectangular base for formed troops. Thus Indians and Jagers would also be placed on round bases.
Note that I plan on placing five figures on six stands for a total of 30 riflemen in the regiment.
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| Five riflemen placed on an 80mm diameter round base. |
I have found some rounds that are 80mm in diameter, which is similar to the 80mm frontage that I am using for the formed troops.
I have not yet decided which form of basing to use for the riflemen, so I thought that my regular blog followers could help me decide by offering up comments and suggestions in the Comments section at the end of this blog post. This is sort of like a poll, except that I don't have the ability to use a poll in Blogger, so your votes will have to be made in the comment section.
Simply type in Round or Rectangle in the Comments to record your vote. Of course, feel free to add any other comments or state your reason for liking one shape of base over the other.
Of the two choices, Round. Saying that Warbases do some useful oval shaped in several width sizes and these to my eye look better alongside the more regular rectangular bases. My FRW Skirmishers are based on these.
ReplyDeleteBeat me to it - I was just going to suggest oval as well. Long and thin oval would be my suggestion. Simon
ReplyDeleteI've always loved the rectangular scenic basing used for your SYW Croats. You could do something similar and visually very interesting here.
ReplyDeleteBest Regards,
Stokes
I like round bases tbh.
ReplyDeleteBasing depends. If these were skirmishers only with one or two figures per base, I would choose rounds. Open order troops, I would put on a rectangular base with placement in a non-linear manner.
ReplyDeleteI use round bases for everyone not expected to form in close order, but my figures are individually based. My gut feeling for multiple figures would be the same base as the close order troops, but fewer figures and not formed.
ReplyDeleteHow about individual bases for each figure.
ReplyDeleteI also have the same figures painted and based on single 25mm rounds for skirmish games. So I got you covered. 😀
DeleteYep, round for the open order troops. Or, if you want to think about it another way, only close order troops can be on rectangular or square bases so that they can physically be in close contact.
DeleteRound bases look great for skirmish type troops, they are not expected to "stand" under close assault so the frontage is more of an aesthetic thing. I have seen them based in pairs of two, thus representing a "fire element" within the rules, so this would depend on the rules you use, if a base of 5 works for firing, and casualty removal for morale and such, then a little diorama of each 5 would be great.
ReplyDeleteRectangular with irregularly spaced minis.. 1) Lets you maintain the frontage you need for your rules. 2) They look more like a unit. 3) You can tell a better 'story' about how the unit might have fought. - Greg
ReplyDeleteI'd say rectangular too [though the oval sounds interesting] and for reasons suggested above. The round bases highlight the difference in the gaps between the bases and what's beneath them. The rectangular bases when joined as in your photo cut out that part of the difference and so blend better.
ReplyDeleteI also use mdf bases where the individually based miniatures slot into the cut out positions and these are available with regular and irregular slots. That way you can use your individually mounted figures for both kinds of games.
Stephen
Oval, the best of both worlds.
ReplyDeleteRectangle for me. All the way!
ReplyDeleteRectangular or oval
ReplyDeleteRectangular or oval
ReplyDeleteIndividual round 25mm bases for each figure. They would probably not be formed at any time while in combat, acting individually. Put them in a tray (oval? Doesn't matter) to move to combat and then disperse them in combat.
ReplyDeleteMy 2 cents...
I'm with HarryBH - best solution.
ReplyDeleteI like the three-two-one round basing used for the Lion Rampant series of rules as it allows the troops to be in dispersed or almost close order.
ReplyDeleteOval.
ReplyDeleteWhy not 3-2-1 basing on round bases? Looks great for open order troops https://dalauppror.blogspot.com/2015/11/123-basing.html
ReplyDeleteBy the way I love your site, and appreciate the discussions on topics such as basing, as I am just in the process of starting a collection of War of the Austrian Succession 28mm miniatures. My thoughts on the round vs rectangle are to reserve the round bases for non-combat stands (generals, civilians, etc) and use the rectangles for combat stands, including skirmishers. Also this enables the unit to march in column along roads if necessary, and enter buildings if on standard sized bases. Just my two cents.
ReplyDeleteI tend to agree with you on this. Thanks.😀
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