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I can understand the reason that stores sometimes insist that models be painted before being used in-store. It helps new people see that armies aren't always grey plastic or silver pewter.

That being said, I don't like places that insist that bases be decorated. I actually like having the black base. It more easily lets me see if a template is over the model.

So, if anyone ever insists that my bases be flocked, I might just have to use black flock as a protest. Am I being too silly in all this?

Yes.

I've never heard of anyone insisting on decorated bases...
I do mine anyhow but that's because I use spectacualr basing to make up for my lackluster model painting skilz.

I don't know that I'd make it a requirement to play in a store, but when I'm judging painting scores unfinished bases are definintely a negative. Models look MUCH better with the bases finished. Even models which themselves are painted to a Golden Daemon standard look substandard with an unfinished base.

Black bases don't make it easier to tell if a template is over the model. They really don't. You just need a color which provides a good contrast to the model, which coincidentally looks better anyway. If your models are light colored, go with a nice dark brown, green, or grey base instead of the black. Add a little texture, a coat of a dark color, and a drybrush of a slightly lighter shade. Voila- big improvement in appearance, same ease of using templates.

I don't think I'd insist on flocked bases, but even a simple basing makes a model look so much better and IMO improves the whole "game experience"
I'm an okay painter, and a thoroughly flocked base makes my models look much better. I'd rather fight an army with flocked bases too, just as I'd rather fight a painted army.

I don't flock bases, but I do paint them gob. green...this bad or ok?

Black flock would be cool. Do it!

I used to be of the opinion that bases that were flocked, painted, etc detracted from the model.

Nowadays, I cant have a model that the basing isnt up to snuff with the rest of the model. Although, I wouldnt begrudge somebody not basing their models. Thats a part of someones aesthetics for their army. Whether thats born from actual aesthetics or pure unadultered laziness is hard to judge. Either way, its a non issue to me.

I do find it a shame when I see a damn fine model that isnt based though.

Where can I sign up for the manditory flocking?

It does seem kind of silly that they would make you base your minis. I never used to paint my bases, but I now have most of my armies fully based with sand and static grass and the rim left black.

I'm with Mannahnin on this, for regular/friendly in store game play, I've never heard of nor insisted that the figures be based (just 3 colors of paint), though over a period of time using the same unbased figures the regulars will give you a gentle ribbing since even basic flocking makes them look so much better. However, in a tournament situation it is something that would definitely be marked down over (for the same reason: flocked/finished bases look better).

Within our small gaming group we don't insist on basing figs to play but it is prefered.

If you kept bringing the same models for a period of time unbased then eyebrows would be raised.

I personally look upon basing models like I would putting alloy wheels on a car.

A nice car without wheels is nice.

A nice car with alloys is so much sweeter.

It enhances the gaming experience IMHO.

I remember years back the GW stores required all models to be painted and bases flocked to play. They've since relaxed that policy in the stores that I have visited.

I dont base half my models because I dont have the time at the moment. And I use gravel and stones for city fight basing instead of flock if i decide to do the basing

my original moels were never based as I was to lazy to do it, now they are all based and look better for it, A crap paint job looks better when based with sand and flock. However it should not be a pre-requesit to being allowed to play in store, well not on vets nights anyway, then even unpainted models should be alowe das its outside the shop hours,

So if my entire base is goblin green, do I just paint some watered down glue on the top and run through some flock? (I've plenty of flock that I use for making hills)

Posted By Infantryman on 11/24/2006 12:48 PM
So if my entire base is goblin green, do I just paint some watered down glue on the top and run through some flock? (I've plenty of flock that I use for making hills)

Basically, yes.

Posted By beef on 11/24/2006 7:15 AM
my original models were never based as I was to lazy to do it.

 

 

Thats the exact reason people have a problem with unbased models.  The league I run at my work basing is required its just the same as painting your models.  Hell the guys just got all huffity since I just recently said that our 2 Eldar players could proxy harlies until the official models and they went all ballistic and called my boss, a few even said they would stop shopping at the store.

I liked the Dakka League rules that gave you points for certain aspects of painting/playing.

I don't know if I like the idea of mandatory anything.

Wow, I miss so much at tournaments. Does the person at the other end at least wear heals?

I'd heard of mandatory basing (either flocking or something else) for RTTs, but that was 5+ years ago.

If you want to emphasize the gaming piece as opposed to the mini-diorama aspect, go right ahead.

Hmm. All of the miniatures I paint are based. Mainly because I base my miniatures with sand before I prime them.

Having a completely painted miniature is a different story...

Hear hear on sanding before you prime. That made painting the stupid
base so much easier since there's a coat of primer on the stuff.

How well does sand work for anything other than like a desert/city climent? I.E. usefullness on a "grass" base?

The reason I never based mine was cos I was lazy, I did my whole army in a month of non stop painting( had a month of uni) and did not want to waste time on the basxes as I could have started another squad

@ Infantryman, it works ok as most people sand then put little bits of static grass/flock on it so it looks like sand and grass.

Once the base has been primered (black I assume) you can paint it any color. Drybrush some greys and a little white and it can be urban, moon like etc... Drybrush various dark reds and it can be Mars-like.

The idea (I believe) is not to leave the bases undone. Heck, if you want basic black bases, just touch them up with some black paint when your done. There are all kinds of different ways to finish the base. The base can even enhance the overall look you want for your army. It goes hand in hand with requiring painting minis.

We have several events at my shops each year that require painted miniatures, and that includes flocked bases. On the flip side, it's not much of a big deal since we offer 3hour painting classes each week, with free paints, glue, and material to do the bases.

I want to visit your store. I need painting help.
I'm not bad but I'm self-taught so I'm sure I could learn a few tihngs.

sometimes plain black base with a ring of colour on the outside look cool

Whats the different between static grass and flock?

i think flock is tiny wood chip in green and yellows, it looks crap, static grass ismore wiry and feels more like felt/velvet

I have not posted in a long while but felt I needed to add my 0.02 Canadian in. The local GW around here requires you to have texture to the base, not just a painted base. If the see you playing even a friendly game without it the come and pull your models off the table. It's ridiculous.

I once saw an eldar player have a whole squad of scorpions pulled because the eldar player hadn't based the models. He said he did not want to put "grass" on the bases because the scorpions were green and was in the process of figuring out what he wanted. The told him to pull them or stop playing all together.

I do think that basing greatly enhances the quality of the model, but I think my local GW takes it to far.