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I'm looking over my marine army, mostly purchased across 3rd and 4th ed, and debating who to rebase and what size. My understanding is 32mm is the new standard for even basic marines, right?

But I'm mostly wondering about nonterminator characters. I'm looking at my primaris and terminator characters on 40mm bases and then at my old 25mm marines. Especially now that auras are 6" from the base, I kinda want to go a full 40mm base for all my characters, I like consistency and it's not like a Captain leads worse in smaller armor. But I'll be honest, these guys were modeled to pose on a 25mm base, a 40mm will look a bit empty and not really fit the rule of cool fudge factor. What do you think, 32mm bases for normal marine characters or 40mm?

Side fluff question, are primaris marines supposed to be taller than regular marines, or were they just modeled larger to stand out (and ensure people bought new figures instead of using basics as primaris)? If they're all the same body size in fluff, standardizing 32mm trooper bases and 40mm character bases for basic marines makes more sense regardless of model pose.

bort wrote:
I'm looking over my marine army, mostly purchased across 3rd and 4th ed, and debating who to rebase and what size. My understanding is 32mm is the new standard for even basic marines, right?

But I'm mostly wondering about nonterminator characters. I'm looking at my primaris and terminator characters on 40mm bases and then at my old 25mm marines. Especially now that auras are 6" from the base, I kinda want to go a full 40mm base for all my characters, I like consistency and it's not like a Captain leads worse in smaller armor. But I'll be honest, these guys were modeled to pose on a 25mm base, a 40mm will look a bit empty and not really fit the rule of cool fudge factor. What do you think, 32mm bases for normal marine characters or 40mm?

Side fluff question, are primaris marines supposed to be taller than regular marines, or were they just modeled larger to stand out (and ensure people bought new figures instead of using basics as primaris)? If they're all the same body size in fluff, standardizing 32mm trooper bases and 40mm character bases for basic marines makes more sense regardless of model pose.

Fit whatever size you feel looks best. If you're ultra unsure and want to be 110% Kosher you can always cut out a slot in the larger base to slide the smaller base into to change it if need be.

And Chadmarines are indeed harder, better, faster, stronger and taller than ManletMarines.

bort wrote:
I'm looking over my marine army, mostly purchased across 3rd and 4th ed, and debating who to rebase and what size. My understanding is 32mm is the new standard for even basic marines, right?

Marines are now coming with the 32mm bases, but there is no requirement to rebase anything that came with a different base.

Side fluff question, are primaris marines supposed to be taller than regular marines, or were they just modeled larger to stand out (and ensure people bought new figures instead of using basics as primaris)? .

The answer is really 'yes' to both options... They're bigger in the fluff, and that was most likely a deliberate marketing decision.

I have this same issue, I really don't want to rebase ALL my Marines, there are over 100 of these guys between all my SM and Chaos Marine models. I doubt anyone would complain if you showed up to play and all your guys were on 25mm bases as long as they were the old models. The only way I can see someone getting pissed is if you were showing up with the new marine models that you had put on 25mm bases.

Yeah, I'm not gonna bother rebasing the tacticals. Assault marines probably since they overhang and tip. Devastators really are too big for the 25mm bases, but then if I rebase the heavy weapons any bolter marines in the squad also need to match...

Really, it's the characters now that a larger base has a game advantage as well. Okay, I realize it's not huge, but still, it helps for staying within 6". Which is why I'm debating on 25 vs 32 vs 40mm for them.
And, as I noted, desire for standardization. If both primaris and regular marines use a 32, and primaris characters use a 40, shouldn't regulars use a 40 too? It seems they should. But then I also worry I'm gonna be That Guy running a 25mm model on a 40mm base when everyone else is using 25 or 32s.

That's why you make 32's with a 25mm hole cut out the top so you can slot them in :3

Power armored guys should stay on 32mm (or 25mm), the 40mm base is for terminators or bigger/bulkier models.

 Blackie wrote:
Power armored guys should stay on 32mm (or 25mm), the 40mm base is for terminators or bigger/bulkier models.

Exactly. For units I wouldn't care much, but characters have auras that are increased by base size. 32mm or 25mm, that's what you should use. Using 40mm or even larger is modelling for advantage. If you're unhappy with the look and size of the base, go with the slot-in idea.

25mm bases for marines would be modelling for advantage. Because it would allow you get four ranks into CC. With 32mm bases you can only get two ranks into CC.

Put your character on a Knight oval for all I care. The supposed advantage from modelling is countered by disadvantages such as being in range more easily or being chargeable by half your army.

In reality a 7mm base difference is no appreciable difference at all.


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p5freak wrote:
25mm bases for marines would be modelling for advantage. Because it would allow you get four ranks into CC. With 32mm bases you can only get two ranks into CC.

As discussed in another thread, a "25mm" base is actually about 28mm on the bottom. So you can still only get two ranks in combat.

Even then, you can get four "ranks" since Circle Packing Problem something something mathematics

 JohnnyHell wrote:


As discussed in another thread, a "25mm" base is actually about 28mm on the bottom. So you can still only get two ranks in combat.

I don't know what was discussed elsewhere, but this is incorrect. 25mm bases are 25mm across the bottom.

p5freak wrote:
25mm bases for marines would be modelling for advantage. Because it would allow you get four ranks into CC. With 32mm bases you can only get two ranks into CC.

This is not modelling for advantage since SM were on 25mm for decades. 32mm are out since when? A couple of years? Many people started collecting SM before the rebasing. That 25mm base format was the official standard which means models with older bases are 100% legal. Modelling for advantage is when you're basing something with a base that never had the original size.

 Blackie wrote:

p5freak wrote:
25mm bases for marines would be modelling for advantage. Because it would allow you get four ranks into CC. With 32mm bases you can only get two ranks into CC.

This is not modelling for advantage since SM were on 25mm for decades. 32mm are out since when? A couple of years? Many people started collecting SM before the rebasing. That 25mm base format was the official standard which means models with older bases are 100% legal. Modelling for advantage is when you're basing something with a base that never had the original size.

To me its modelling for advantage if you change current marines from 32 to 25mm bases. The rules for CC have changed, marines with a 25mm base would have a huge advantage over those with 32mm in CC, up to twice as many could attack.

 insaniak wrote:

 JohnnyHell wrote:


As discussed in another thread, a "25mm" base is actually about 28mm on the bottom. So you can still only get two ranks in combat.

I don't know what was discussed elsewhere, but this is incorrect. 25mm bases are 25mm across the bottom.

Well silly me for believing persuasive posters! A ruler check says you're right. Thanks for the head-check.

p5freak wrote:

 Blackie wrote:

p5freak wrote:
25mm bases for marines would be modelling for advantage. Because it would allow you get four ranks into CC. With 32mm bases you can only get two ranks into CC.

This is not modelling for advantage since SM were on 25mm for decades. 32mm are out since when? A couple of years? Many people started collecting SM before the rebasing. That 25mm base format was the official standard which means models with older bases are 100% legal. Modelling for advantage is when you're basing something with a base that never had the original size.

To me its modelling for advantage if you change current marines from 32 to 25mm bases. The rules for CC have changed, marines with a 25mm base would have a huge advantage over those with 32mm in CC, up to twice as many could attack.

Fortunately, the topic had been whether to rebase the marines that originally came on 25 mm bases. Leaving them on their bases is perfectly fine. In fact, some old metal terminators that had 25 mm bases could still use those since those are the bases they came with (though a 40 mm base might keep them from falling over as much )

 doctortom wrote:

Fortunately, the topic had been whether to rebase the marines that originally came on 25 mm bases. Leaving them on their bases is perfectly fine. In fact, some old metal terminators that had 25 mm bases could still use those since those are the bases they came with (though a 40 mm base might keep them from falling over as much )

We found out that 25mm actually make them so much better in melee, getting up to twice as many models into CC, while increasing the aura radius by 6mm is negliable. Why should older models with 25mm bases have a huge advantage over newer models with 32mm bases ?

p5freak wrote:

 doctortom wrote:

Fortunately, the topic had been whether to rebase the marines that originally came on 25 mm bases. Leaving them on their bases is perfectly fine. In fact, some old metal terminators that had 25 mm bases could still use those since those are the bases they came with (though a 40 mm base might keep them from falling over as much )

We found out that 25mm actually make them so much better in melee, getting up to twice as many models into CC, while increasing the aura radius by 6mm is negliable. Why should older models with 25mm bases have a huge advantage over newer models with 32mm bases ?

Because there is no rule about base size, and GW have consistently for decades been amicable to allowing older models to use the bases they are on and not forcing players to rebase them.

Hmm, I guess I so rarely have enough marines in CC to have thought about the ability to try to pack an extra rank in due to base size. But for assault marines, isn't it rather moot since the old jump packs and arms tended to overhang? I don't think I could squish them in that close without a lot of fiddling. Or are you counting that as Wobbly Model and they're in CC, just not physically rubbing?

I dont know how those old models looks like. There might be a way to rotate them, that they all fit in base contact. Or maybe not. Anyway, its very unfair to newer players which have 32mm bases. What if someone exploits that rule gap, and builds an assault army ? Would you be ok with that ? I wouldnt.

Make your own 32mm Slot bases that have a 25mm hole drilled in them. If you're upset about 25mm bases, offer them to your opponent free of charge to use to convert them temporarily to 32mm. If they refuse, you can choose to not play them.

Its easier to just talk about it. If he agrees treating his 25mm bases like my 32mm bases, then we're good. I would leave a small gap between bases, and treat that as base contact.

I don't think it's as big of an impact as you make it out to be. We're talking Space Marines here, not Gaunts or Conscripts. I'd say it's pretty rare that I can't get the whole squad within melee range due to base size, and I use 32mm.

Using a larger base because characters have auras is modeling for advantage. Putting your characters onto a base that not only do they not fill out, but they never had in any version of the game would amount to cheating.

Going from 25mm to 32mm is great. Go for it. But power armor on a 40mm on models with auras is gunna be really frowned upon.

nekooni wrote:
I don't think it's as big of an impact as you make it out to be. We're talking Space Marines here, not Gaunts or Conscripts. I'd say it's pretty rare that I can't get the whole squad within melee range due to base size, and I use 32mm.

Its not a big deal if i can get 10 models into CC with 25mm bases, and you only 5 with your 32mm bases ?? Not a big deal if i have 50 attacks, and you only 25 ?

p5freak wrote:

nekooni wrote:
I don't think it's as big of an impact as you make it out to be. We're talking Space Marines here, not Gaunts or Conscripts. I'd say it's pretty rare that I can't get the whole squad within melee range due to base size, and I use 32mm.

Its not a big deal if i can get 10 models into CC with 25mm bases, and you only 5 with your 32mm bases ?? Not a big deal if i have 50 attacks, and you only 25 ?

If you can show me a scenario that isn't contrived and artificial where this makes a difference (especially since combat is within 1" and within 1" of those within 1"), please enlighten us.

Ok, one possible scenario where 25mm bases are a clear advantage. I want to attack the rhino with my assault squad. Ignore their plasma guns, lets pretend they have CC weapons. I declare a charge on the rhino, meaning i have to stay 1" away from the two marines. I roll a 9, charge successful. And because my bases are only 25mm, i fit between the marines and the rhino. With 32mm bases i wouldnt fit, the charge would fail.

And as such I am illuminated. Thanks

p5freak wrote:

nekooni wrote:
I don't think it's as big of an impact as you make it out to be. We're talking Space Marines here, not Gaunts or Conscripts. I'd say it's pretty rare that I can't get the whole squad within melee range due to base size, and I use 32mm.

Its not a big deal if i can get 10 models into CC with 25mm bases, and you only 5 with your 32mm bases ?? Not a big deal if i have 50 attacks, and you only 25 ?

That's not what I wrote. I was refering to what's happening on an actual table in an actual game.

Sure, you can place 2 Space Marines 1 inch + 31mm away from a Rhino, then pick a unit with Fly to stand exactly 9 inches away from said Rhino and have it charge with a 9 so that it actually makes a difference whether or not the charging unit is on a 32 or 25mm base. But outside of those contrived scenarios, it's usually not going to have any impact. Sure, in a few cases it's better to have a 25mm base, but those two Marines in front could block your Assault Marines better when they're on 32mm bases instead of 25mm bases, so both base sizes have their advantages and disadvantages. Both are legal according to GW, as far as I am aware.

p5freak wrote:
Ok, one possible scenario where 25mm bases are a clear advantage. I want to attack the rhino with my assault squad. Ignore their plasma guns, lets pretend they have CC weapons. I declare a charge on the rhino, meaning i have to stay 1" away from the two marines. I roll a 9, charge successful. And because my bases are only 25mm, i fit between the marines and the rhino. With 32mm bases i wouldnt fit, the charge would fail.

Yeah, but you could declare a charge against both. It's not like over watch does much very often.