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Okay, so I'm working on a Vampire Counts army, and basing my infantry on chariot bases (ten models) or custom bases I've made that are 50% of a chariot base (5 models per base). The large bases give me an opportunity to add tombstones, fences, open graves and generally give units like zombies more of a "shambolic horde" look than organised ranks. They're still roughly in ranks for ease of counting though, and my skellies are in perfect ranks but on large scenic bases. My plan is to use dice next to/behind each regiment to keep track of wounds. Now, my question to Dakka is, would you play against an army based this way? It's a bit more round about, but it really looks great!

I would go ahead and make some big bases to give yourself cool modeling opportunities, but use a mix of big scenic bases and normal models so that you always have the correct number of models represented in your unit. For example, if you get down to the command rank and a scenic rank, but then take some wounds to the scenic rank, remove the scenic rank and put in some normal zombies.

If they look nice. Just make sure to remember the causalities in a unit.

Right. Basically, the front two ranks of each regiment are on single chariot sized bases, ranks back from there are either on the custom 5 man bases or on extra chariot bases. HOWEVER, all models for summoning will be on standard individual bases. With what you're saying, my example would be: when there's 8 zombies (say) left in the unit, you'd still see ten of them on the one base (with a dice showing the number 2 next to it), but if it got down to (say) five models, I'd replace it with five of the individual "summoning" models.

???

The problem with putting the two front ranks on big bases is, what if you get down to less than a chariot base worth of models?

If it's more that five, I'd just leave the piece on the table, with a dice or scrap of paper next to it indicating the number of wounds inflicted. When (in the case of zombies) it got down to five models, I'd replace it with my individually based "summoned" zombie models, to the correct number of models remaining. This is one of the reasons (the other is the sillyness/uglyness of the concept) my zombies don't have command models.

Skeletons, people might have to be a little more forgiving of the dice/paper idea, because the command models have seven other figures on the same large base.

I'm also planning a crypt ghoul diorama using a much bigger base than will be required for the unit, but with clearly defined markers to measure from where the "real" unit is situated.

One thing to keep in mind is that I've never played in a tournament, and probably never will. I hate over-competitive play and rules-lawyering more than I can describe. It really is in the playing of the game, rather than the winning or losing for me. Reflecting this, most of my games end with a single KP or chunk of VPs scored in the last turn being the decider of the victor. I like dramatic, visually attractive games with my buddies or regulars at FLGS, more than absolutely pwning a stranger with my dual lash oblit spammery.

Perhaps incorporate some kind of peg/tally system into the base sor ease of counting actual models left in the unit????
ie crows/skulls on a withered tree, a skull pile, gravestones, skulls, skulls etc