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So I've decided to jump back into 40k after being away since 4th edition. In the intervening ten years since I stopped playing I've followed the fluff off and on, reading novels here and there, picking up a new codex to read the background stuff, but I haven't really kept up with developments on the gaming and hobby side. I just learned today about the switch to 32mm bases and spent most of the morning reading up on it.

It's my understanding that GW is cool with me still using my old 25mm bases, but that moving forward all marines will be 32. Similar to what happened with terminators shortly before I stopped playing, though this affects way more of my army. I play Ultramarines, and I've got about 100 marines in power armour. Most of it though is not completed (I've never been particularly diligent when it comes to the hobby part, one of the reasons I left the game) and most of what is completed is 3rd edition stuff that I'm either "retiring" or stripping down to repaint. So rebasing everything would not be a huge chore. The cost wouldn't make any difference either, cause either way I'm gonna be buying a bag of 100 bases, 32mm ones to rebase everything or 25mm to "future proof" all my purchases going forward so I can keep a uniform base size.

So what it comes down to for me is the pros and cons of base size in terms of gaming and storage. I actually think the marines look better on the new bases, no foot overhang, but how well will they fit in my old GW carry case? Will the larger bases hinder their movement in game? Make them easier to hit or attack? I really want to buckle down on my painting and get this army table ready so I can start playing again but I need to know what I'm going to do about these bases.

Sorry for such a long post, I've been lurking dakka for a while and I've found you folks to have the best 40k forum around so I'm really hoping you can help steer me to a decision.

Game-wise there are both pros and cons to the larger bases (for example, more likely to be hit by a blast but less likely that more than one model in a unit will be hit by that blast).

I'm re-basing my space marines, because a) they look better, b) any new kits will come with 32's, c) they're less likely to fall over (looking at you, assault marines).

They will fit in the standard figure foams (particularly if you invert every other one), but I'll probably get slightly up-sized ones at a later date so they aren't as squeezed.

To answer your main question quickly, yes they will be easier to hit in game, as their base marks the boundary by which they can be hit by something. However, because they are bigger, blast markers have a lessened effect against them if they are spread out, and by that, I mean they hit less models. They still move 6" regardless and in the long run will not affect how you play Marines.

An old GW case is designed to carry 25's. So yes, you'll probably have a little problem there regarding transport.

However, nothing I've read says it's mandatory to switch to them, but as you have mentioned they do look nice. If you're worried about all the work getting your current marines off the 25's and onto the 32's, there are a few base extension kits out there that can help with that - they're simply rings that snap together around bases to extend them to the size you want. Try them if you feel transferring 100 marines may be a little bit of a drag

Hope this answered your questions

G.A

Thanks guys, I was already kinda leaning 32mm and after reading your comments I'm convinced that the pros outweigh the cons, though I'm not all that keen on the awkward fit in my old GW case lol. Just like the 40mm bases were a much better choice for Terminators the 32s look like a much better fit for power armour, and I hope this is the last base change for atleast another decade lol. I might start up a progress thread once I get more into it, I'm just kinda gathering resources at the moment. Thanks again guys.

They just about fit into the old foam, but I usually cut out the divider so they have a perfect amount of space.

But yeah, switch to 32mm. As you say, it looks better, but it also means less MEQs under blast templates

 ChazSexington wrote:
They just about fit into the old foam, but I usually cut out the divider so they have a perfect amount of space.

But yeah, switch to 32mm. As you say, it looks better, but it also means less MEQs under blast templates

Also less chance of completely whiffing the blast though. So it evens out.

To be honest, small blast is too small these days.

I'm not switching. They make 6'x4' board even more cluttered(and I play 2nd ed so smaller armies). I want room to move. Bigger the footprint of models, less room to manouver.

Ain't worth the time to reduce manouver space.

Forgot to mention bigger footprint. It's fun to force drop pods to deploy in front of you.

 Purifier wrote:

 ChazSexington wrote:
They just about fit into the old foam, but I usually cut out the divider so they have a perfect amount of space.

But yeah, switch to 32mm. As you say, it looks better, but it also means less MEQs under blast templates

Also less chance of completely whiffing the blast though. So it evens out.

To be honest, small blast is too small these days.

Scatter is on average less than 2" if you include direct hits and a BS of 3 or 4, so you're not likely to completely miss unless there's only 2-3 32mm bases left in a squad.