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Greetings!

I would like some help with the rules for space marines basing. I have a lot of old space marines(firstborn) on 25mm bases and was told that now they have to be on 32mm. Is it true? if it is might be the nail in the coffin for me with games workshop, that would be an donkey-cave move... I just came back to the hobby

As always - check with your TO, but the general guidance is that they should be on the bases they're currently supplied with. Also 25>32 base extenders are a thing.

Thanks! Should be ok then!

 Silvavdp wrote:
Greetings!

I would like some help with the rules for space marines basing. I have a lot of old space marines(firstborn) on 25mm bases and was told that now they have to be on 32mm. Is it true? if it is might be the nail in the coffin for me with games workshop, that would be an donkey-cave move... I just came back to the hobby

There's a simple rule of thumb to use when talking about the rules: Tournament players and organizers have made up more rules for how people are supposed to base their models than GW has ever written. And whoever told you that you have to rebase your old models has made the magic jump from "that's how I play" to "that's how you have to play".

For more information, please see this recent discussion about the issues surrounding base sizes: https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/799123.page

As previously stated, there are no official rules that force you to rebase old models in normal use. However, I believe GWs official stance is that for their tournaments, it is expected that models use the base size they were most recently sold with. For most if not all plastic SM kits, that will be 32mm or 40mm, while older metal and resin kits are still often sold with 25mm slotta bases due to the built in slotta tabs on such old models. For models no longer sold, it is still the most recent base they were sold with, though arguably they should match any current production equivalents as the ancient Rune Priest in Terminator armor is now sold with a 40mm base despite many other resin models remaining with the original 25mm. (Eg: your old RT Terminator Librarian should probably move up to the 40mm used by all currently sold Terminator armor models, while your Games Day Rune Priest can stick with his original 25mm as the regular production Rune Priest is still sold with 25mm. The easy logic is to just find the closest equivalent and match them.)

In the end, if you are playing tournaments, it is always best to check with the TOs and clear your lists regardless. If you are playing casual, anyone that tries to force you to modify your models to fit their standards isn't worth your time to play. Casual should be fun, otherwise there's no point playing.

In the event that tournament rules require you to upsize your bases for play, there are a multitude of base size extensions available. Just make sure to check early enough to have time to order, receive, and apply them before the tournament list check date.

Base extenders can be found online, though not always cheaply. To up a 2000pt army of old FB SM to the 32mm standard can be a not insignificant investment, and it's highly likely any old hand has far more than just that. You may find it easier to look for someone offering 3d printed rings that you would glue on permanently or larger bases with magnetized insets to make them removeable, but would add 1-2mm of height.

The latter is what I'm personally planning on as I collect old models, I just need to figure out how to create the right size insets with the custom base builder software I backed.

Thanks for clearing that out! I really like the basing I did and personally I do not see the point of slapping rings on them. If someone does not want to play against 25mm, well, they will not be playing with me then!

 Silvavdp wrote:
Greetings!

I would like some help with the rules for space marines basing. I have a lot of old space marines(firstborn) on 25mm bases and was told that now they have to be on 32mm. Is it true? if it is might be the nail in the coffin for me with games workshop, that would be an donkey-cave move... I just came back to the hobby

Depends on what rules you are. Officially you are fine. Some tournaments are house ruling differently.

tneva82 wrote:

 Silvavdp wrote:
Greetings!

I would like some help with the rules for space marines basing. I have a lot of old space marines(firstborn) on 25mm bases and was told that now they have to be on 32mm. Is it true? if it is might be the nail in the coffin for me with games workshop, that would be an donkey-cave move... I just came back to the hobby

Depends on what rules you are. Officially you are fine. Some tournaments are house ruling differently.

This, there's no offical rule that says you have to play with the most recent base sizes. However tournaments do have multiple house rules that are enforced and demanding the current base sizes for the models is among the most common ones.

I wouldn't care either way, but I do have to say marines look a lot better on a 32mm base. The extra space really works for the models.

Basically - do you plan on tournaments? Y/N

If answer is N - carry on. You may need to measure appropriately against some opponents and pick up games might be a bit more awkward, but carry on.

If answer is Y - then you need to look at either extenders (which are incredibly easy to use - glue around base, extend your basing to the new area, repaint trim, done). If you don't want to do that or rebase on new bases...

Can I recommend 32mm MDF circles? They're ridiculously cheap. Just spray them black/green/whatever, bit of blue tack or double sided tape in the middle and you can basically put them on those temporarily for tournaments, have accurate base sizes to measure from and take them off for display etc afterwards.

Base sizes for any individual novel are usually based on aesthetics and history. A necron lord, overlord or cryptek and their special character equivalents can be found on anything from a 25mm to 50mm depending on the particular model. GW mostly go with what feels right when they release a model and don't often update base sizes. Sometimes the choices they make seen pretty random.

Another necron example. All the regular infantry squads have 32mm bases except the newly released flayed ones, who for some reason have 28mm bases despite having poses and claws that mean they overhang the edges of those smaller bases. Why did they put them on smaller bases? Who knows...

Iyf just go with what you have unless there's a particular restriction forcing you to do something else. Then I suppose you have to make your mind up as to whether it's worth the hassle and cost, to make any required change.

Edit: Darkstarsabre's suggestion above is excellent.

GW sold a Lord of Contagion with a 50mm base in one Set and with 40mm in a different Set, both were released basically at the same time. It should tell you much GW worries about "correct" base sizes.

While you certainly shouldn't feel obligated to rebase any of your miniatures, there are some upsides to the increased GW base sizes that most people don't talk about.

It's true that older metal and resin models look far too small on bases designed for their plastic upgrades if you just slam them on there and call it a day, but remember: The old line about the base being one third of the model is only so cliched because it's true! Giving a small model a huge base is a perfect opportunity to have some fun with the base itself. Maybe go all-out with the scenery. Maybe use some unconventional materials. Heck, make a little diorama! Why let the FW Primarchs have all the fun-if you pose your old Abbadon so he's standing on the edge of a cliff and perforating a couple of Guardsmen, I'm sure only the most obnoxious of TFGs will be mad.

Obviously, GW's current basing policy is pretty absurd, but there's no reason not to have a little fun with it if you're revamping some old monsters or characters rather than putting an entire marine army on 32mms.