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Painting is not an enjoyable part of the hobby for me. Modeling and the game itself I enjoy but unless I'm particularly fond of a model, it's the bare minimum pain job to not get nagged at for playing with unpainted models.

I don't base because even the best base jobs still look like just a base to me (not ripping on those jobs, I just can't get passed it). I can still see the circular edge of the base, even if it's painted and it just screams base to me.

And I can't get over based models on tables that don't match, e.g. a bunch of models with grassy bases on a snow map. It just looks silly to me.

So I leave them as they were and move on.

AllSeeingSkink wrote:

There is also something nice about a clean black base, though most GW models don't have clean bases so leaving them black doesn't look good (so many are slotta bases which need to be covered or more recent GW kits have injection dimples in the middle of them).

Yeah, this is SO annoying. I ran out of decent bases last week and had to use GS to clean them up just to give a regular looking flat black base!....hell that probably took as much time & effort as actually basing the models would have.

I think that for larger or one off models its worth it to invest in custom bases that have terrain already built into them. For troops etc, meh.

Either way, GW should ditch finecast, slottabases, and the dimpled middle bases.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 GrimDork wrote:
I used to do a lot of custom bases, but then I fell in love with clear acryilcs. I really love the "wherever you go, there you are" aspect of them... and the amount of time saved is not-insignificant.

When you're going to spend the money on fancy terrain like battlezones, battle systems, or spend a lot of effort making your own home terrain look great... I just hate to insult it with a base that doesn't match. And if I make custom bases for my city board, they look dumb (to me) in the woods.

Spoiler:

Yes, I like this look a LOT. IMO it makes the models more user friendly for multipurpose stuff...IE gaming on a variety of surfaces. As I strive to make my own models structurally sound enough to game with, the idea of having clashing bases rubs me the wrong way. I think my next bulk order for projects will include clear bases, esp after looking at images of how nice it looks w/a good gaming table.

If I were to build a model specifically for show, competition, etc I'd be inclined to build a "real" base for it...but thats not where my interest with the hobby lies. Its all about monster making!

I'm quite honestly torn myself. I really like making elaborate bases, but I just can't get along without the simplicity and multipurposeness of clear acrylics. I think I"ll have to make some dynamic fantasy multibases for Kings of War to scratch that particular itch. And maybe some display bases for my various skirmish game forces.

Im lazy when it comes to basing, but for my eldar, i find these are amazing and add alot to the model.
Cost wise they really are cheap too for what they do to a model.

Basing's really easy, and it really does improve the model with even a modicum of effort (blank base < grass base < sand + grass base).

I have lots of models that aren't based but that is because I can never decide what I want to do with it. I base something then I don't like it so rebase it and don't like it so leave it unbased until I figure out what I want.

For my skaven I have multiple different types of basing. For my Hellpit and my Doomwheel I took some drywall spackling and then painted it brown and drybrushed it lighter. Mad a nice mud type base. Did that with my eldar aswell but just left it white.....makes an easy snow base.

 GrimDork wrote:
I'm quite honestly torn myself. I really like making elaborate bases, but I just can't get along without the simplicity and multipurposeness of clear acrylics. I think I"ll have to make some dynamic fantasy multibases for Kings of War to scratch that particular itch. And maybe some display bases for my various skirmish game forces.

If one has a dedicated gaming table and they can preplan for terrain...I could see basing gamepeices. If I were building peices specifically for someone and I knew their taste, or were building something for a competition then I'd be far more inclined to base the models.

Either way, I damn sure think the clear bases look better than flat black.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 Jackal wrote:
Im lazy when it comes to basing, but for my eldar, i find these are amazing and add alot to the model.
Cost wise they really are cheap too for what they do to a model.

Those are awesome.

I do base my models, but I hate doing it. Its just so boring compared to actually painting the model itself. Especially when you realize you need to base some 40 models. Its easy to break up the repetition of doing models because you do an infantry squad, then a vehicle, then another infantry squad, then an MC or flyer.

But when it comes time to base, its just an assembly line of glue, sand, grass, and wash... over and over and over and over. Ugh... so boring.

 GrimDork wrote:
I used to do a lot of custom bases, but then I fell in love with clear acryilcs. I really love the "wherever you go, there you are" aspect of them... and the amount of time saved is not-insignificant.

When you're going to spend the money on fancy terrain like battlezones, battle systems, or spend a lot of effort making your own home terrain look great... I just hate to insult it with a base that doesn't match. And if I make custom bases for my city board, they look dumb (to me) in the woods.

Spoiler:

Yep, when you compare (my poor) basing on nice non-matching terrain to clear acrylic on nice terrain, I think the clear acrylic comes out way ahead. I do enjoy basing and want to get better at it though. I think Aza suggested reserving basing for diorama fantasy units which I thought a good idea, and clear acrylic for others.

I use scenic resin bases for my Sisters, simply because I liked the look. I'm tossing up doing some sand+plastic plants for my Retribution, and my other armies are... making do with black at the moment.

One thing I'm strict on myself though, is it's either fully painted scenic or completely black. I hate paint on bases, and static grass just rubs me up the wrong way. I hate the texture for some reason.

My experience with peole who don't base is they are lazy as hell. Most of them don't even paint their miniatures. But on the other hand a plain black base looks better than a poorly executed basing!

Personally i like basing a lot. It adds a narrative dimension to my miniatures and thus completes the final look of the miniatures.

I like basing mine, from urban bases to more natural bases, from single figure to multi-figure bases. I do it after the figures are painted and use a variety of materials.

I base all my models. A friend who has been painting far longer than I have told me it was an easy way to dramatically improve the looks of your model. I do base last, but I do not consider the model finished until the base is done. Plus it can add a whole new level of uniqueness to a model.

 TankerNick86 wrote:
I base all my models. A friend who has been painting far longer than I have told me it was an easy way to dramatically improve the looks of your model. I do base last, but I do not consider the model finished until the base is done. Plus it can add a whole new level of uniqueness to a model.

This is very true. Even an average basing job can really make your models look alot better. It's not going to save really poor painting, but an average tabletop-painted model (most of my work) looks much better on a nice base. Very much a case of the whole being better than the sum of it's parts.

]Yep, when you compare (my poor) basing on nice non-matching terrain to clear acrylic on nice terrain, I think the clear acrylic comes out way ahead. I do enjoy basing and want to get better at it though. I think Aza suggested reserving basing for diorama fantasy units which I thought a good idea, and clear acrylic for others.

I just got some smaller magnets that I'm actually going to do an experiment since I enjoy making bases. I'm going to put a magnet on the bottom of the base, then try to put magnets in the feet so then I can swap bases out to match terrain. I know a lot of work.... I do like the clear acrylic bases but I just can't get over the feeling that my miniature isn't complete with them.

I really don't like basing. Thus, the GW Texture Paints are the perfect solution!

Looks good, but could use a bit of a light drybrush on top. I've got a number of figs based similarly and a tan drybrush makes them really pop.

I got a bit of a chuckle when GW came out with it's texture paints. I've been doing the same thing for years mixing ground pummice (sold as paint texture at the hardware store) into paint.

I kind of like this effect.

http://wargamesbuildings.co.uk/epages/950003459.mobile/?ObjectPath=/Shops/950003459/Categories/Hobby_Pages/Pulp_Alley_28mm_Pulp_Adventure_Gaming/Rebasing_figures_onto_clear_bases&Locale=en_GB

 Yonan wrote:
The base not matching the terrain you play on can be jarring for some people. Clear acrylic bases are getting more traction for this reason, especially if you know you'll be playing on nice terrain.

I usually base my models to fit terrain that I've built. They don't usually look too weird until I take them to differing terrain. I love the idea of clear bases and thought about doing this for Malifaux, but my habit to put an initial texture down before priming got the best of me.

How I base my space wolves: stirland mud, wash with devlan mud, small sprinkle of gale force 9 flock. Quick, simple, and effective.

I base my "special" models (HQ choices, some elite units perhaps) but leave my standard troops on a plain black base. Why? Because this makes the special units stand out more and because having a base that doesn't even remotely match the terrain being used in large blobs of troops just looks wrong.

I can look past a model or two not matching with the terrain, but otherwise, it's plain black as it's much easier to ignore for large groups of models on varying terrain.

I put a lot of effort into basing my HQs and important models like sergeants, but that's a lot of work for bloodletters and chaos cultists who I only put into my list for the sake of allowing a more expensive model to live an extra turn.

For the longest time I thought the idea of basing was silly, as I was focused on the game and having terrain at the base moving with the model broke the immersion. But I came around to being equally focused on painting, and found a compromise in making my bases.

Now Ive done more detailed bases for my 'tournament' army and everyone else has decent and matching basework, and Im cool with that.

The cracked earth is a easy way to get started on basing. Its just too easy to layer in hills or even use a lil greed stuff to build hills and valleys give it a good coat thick in some spots thin in others. Fallow that with a wash with typhus corrosion making sure to fill gaps with a light dry brushing of the cracked earth until desired effect. From there anything you like fir nurgle guys i make pools of ooze with nurgle rot Or for khorne blood and ill make half worm half plants coming out of the nurgle ooze but you could really do alot with that cracked earth if you glob it right you can control the kind of cracks you want and if you go few large and deep cracks you can paint it into ice and glue a lil snow around it and easy a really nice ice base. Or build a higher platform and cracked earth the top do lava on the base shade into black on the top and you got a great lava world base. Just really a great tool.

I find the clear bases interesting. I might use that when I start a new sci-fi army. Infinity, perhaps?

As for my medieval/fantasy models, more often than not a base with grass and rocks would match the table so there's no visual clash.

Like this

 rakswann wrote:
I kind of like this effect.

Has anyone tried doing that with matte varnish or dull coat to see how frosted it turns out?

Hitting a clear acrylic base with 400 or 600 grit might knock down the shine a little as well, but I've never tried doing it.


Once upon a time I used clear flight bases painted either a very light grey, such as camouflage grey, or else a pale green for some Centurion grav-tanks that also could be used to swap out the all black Aerotech stands on non-space maps.
Not the greatest but it was quick and I think about all you can do really with flight stands save going the whole tree/hill/big rock route.

_
_

 Yonan wrote:
The base not matching the terrain you play on can be jarring for some people. Clear acrylic bases are getting more traction for this reason, especially if you know you'll be playing on nice terrain.

I always go back and paint black over any splotches that got on the bases, and it is easier to ignore the base when it's black. And having bases that don't match the terrain looks bad to me. A piece of street terrain on a grassy field or a sandy base on a space station.

I tried painting my bases green and gluing flock and it was a disaster. The green paint looked awful and the flock scraped off within two games. I bought some models off ebay that came with small pebbles and sand glued to the base, they all came off in transit.

Clear bases aren't great either, my reaver jetbike bases get scratched and get glue or other smudges on them and you can't just paint over it like the black bases.

For me it's messy, the first thing to come off in transport, and doesn't do much to make the models look nicer. In the Dakka gallery and Golden Daemon there are lots of great based models with high grasses or cracked roadways that blend in nicely with the background, but on most gaming tables that deathworld grass is going to look ridiculous.

I love well done bases, I feel it can really bring an army together . but lately I have been tempted to give the acrylic bases a try on my next army since we usually play on beautiful terrain.