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Page 98 of the WHFB rulebook talks about character footprints and how said character fits into a unit. My question for discussion is as follows: Can I choose to mount a character on a non-standard base that is bigger than his default base in order to get him to fit neatly into a unit he ordinarily would not fit in? (Ex - putting a cavalry model on a custom base [measuring 40X60 mm, thus taking up the space of 6 man sized models] in order to put him into a unit of 20mm base troops) Would this be considered cheating, or would be be a legitimate way to fit a character?

No I don't think that's allowed.
I not sure if it is cheating but would most definitely consider it to be "shifty" lol I wouldn't allow that in one of my games and I am pretty lenient on stuff but I think it should be based on the same sized base as what it is supplied with

Every single day that passes, I lament that GW no longer has the legal base chart that they produced in 6th and 7th.

I know what you mean Platuan, that would make it so much easier.

Chief, if you don't mind me asking, why would you not allow it? By that I mean, what specifically would the unfair advantage be?

I agree that it passes all the time but I just feel like if a model is supplied with a certain base size it should be modeled on that base size.

It just kind of seems shifty to have a model on a larger base....makes his frontage larger so he can possibly hit more heroes or champions in the opposing side. Then again it works the same way the other way...the unit will have more chance of hitting him so I geuss it could go either way. I just don't really think you should do that.

I thought there was a rule somewhere that said you have to have models on the bases (or same base size) as they are supplied with?


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also a quick note here:
A mounted character can still join a unit of infantry even if it is a 25mm cavalry base in a unit of 20mm infantry bases. He just has to be placed on the SIDE of the unit
He does NOT get a Lookout Sir!
So there is an advantage to you if you base it on a different base.

Just a clarification, base size has NOTHING to do with whether you get a Look Out, Sir! or not. Only unit/model type matters.

I wouldn't have an issue with the bigger base in casual games as long as he was placed on the side of the unit, which defeats the whole reason for you to put him on the bigger base. The bottom line is, models need to be put on the bases on which they are supplied. If they do not come with one, find the closest analog and go with that.

I really think that GW just needs to incorporate rules governing base size into the main rules and/or the army books.

Partly why I bring this up is because I play Ogres and would really like to use my custom Skragg the Slaugtherer model. However he is on a chariot base, so he is either doomed to roam alone, or be stuck awkwardly on the side of any unit he wants to support. I think this is pretty stupid on GW's part.

In fact Ogres have 4 special characters, 2 of which are on chariot bases, making them much harder to use.

wancourb070386@yahoo.com wrote:
I really think that GW just needs to incorporate rules governing base size into the main rules and/or the army books.

Partly why I bring this up is because I play Ogres and would really like to use my custom Skragg the Slaugtherer model. However he is on a chariot base, so he is either doomed to roam alone, or be stuck awkwardly on the side of any unit he wants to support. I think this is pretty stupid on GW's part.

In fact Ogres have 4 special characters, 2 of which are on chariot bases, making them much harder to use.

Oh I agree they should be including that as an official rule. I think their unofficial line is "on base it is supplied with" but I don't think that's in the rulebook.

As for that its not like your trying to put a cavalry mount inside a 20mm infantry unit so I would let that one slide I think because they are both the same monstrous infantry if you are trying to put him in ogres or something.

I am just hesitant to put Skragg on a different base because I don't want to come up against that one stickler who will make a big fuss and make me change my tournament list on the fly right before it starts.

IIRC there IS a rule in the rulebook clarifying how to rank up models on different base sizes.

it says you must place them on the edge of the unit.

If they are the same unit type, he will still get a look out sir.

wancourb070386@yahoo.com wrote:
By that I mean, what specifically would the unfair advantage be?

The only real issue I can think of is allowing you to hide characters in back ranks behind command + non-standard bases.


As an example (that is legitimate), I use a Warlord on a Bonebreaker quite frequently. He is on a 40x40 base, while skaven infantry is on 20x20. I like to keep my BSB safe by hiding him in the second rank, behind my command and Warlord.

Using a nonstandard base might allow you to do this where you wouldn't normally be able to. I suppose an example for Lizards would be trying to upsize an Old One to a 40mm base to allow a Skink Priest or something to hide in rank 2, whereas normally he'd be in rank 1 (and thus subject to CC) and the Old One would be off to the side.

Or, being able to use a Doombull on a 50mm base (instead of a 40mm base) with command in the first rank of Bestigors or Gors (who are on 25mm bases), thus allowing my BSB (who has no ward save) to hide in the second rank.

It's not generally a game breaking issue, but it is an example of where that would be an advantage.

Actually, I guess another issue is prolonging rank bonus, but that would only matter for a certain number of models.