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I know it used to be recommended in older editions and I think that it was required in 8th but I haven't found anything on the subject in 9th. So, if I have some old space marines on 25mm bases what is the current rule on their bases? Can they remain on their original base or do I have to place them on a 32mm base?

I haven't seen anything like the AoS Base Sizes doc for 9th yet - but there might be something in the upcoming Codex.

For tournaments - check with the TO.

There is currently no requirement to rebase, no.

Leo_the_Rat wrote:
I know it used to be recommended in older editions...

It was not.

Leo_the_Rat wrote:
... and I think that it was required in 8th...

Again, it was not. GW's stance has always been to use the base that the model came with. Any base size requirements would have been specific to a tournament rules pack and not in the Warhammer 40,000 rules.

You don't have to for the base game, but a lot of tournaments will presumably use the same basing chart they used in 8th.

Where can I find these charts? Maybe those are what I was thinking about. I was pretty sure that GW had taken the stance that models had to be on the "correct size base" with that "correct size" being whatever the current models use.

Leo_the_Rat wrote:
Where can I find these charts? Maybe those are what I was thinking about. I was pretty sure that GW had taken the stance that models had to be on the "correct size base" with that "correct size" being whatever the current models use.

I know the LVO has a basing chart, found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A31mVI4s1cSlXNQuxmZXQZt4dkxPIcVe/view
But this is by no means any sort of official guide. It's something that was created by the people running one tournament. I'm sure there are other tournaments that have their own charts.
GW has never released any kind of official basing chart for 40k.

Rebasing models is not required and updating 25mm models to 32mm is super easy though, just add some rings.

Basically only bikes really need to be rebased IF the tournament require the current base.

However some old models have been replaced by newer and bigger ones. Your old Calgar could not be allowed as the UM leader, just like the old Ghaz.

For what it's worth...

- The last time GW said something about bases in print, I'm pretty sure it was "use the base your model came with". I think that was in the 7th or 8th edition rulebook.

- As base sizes (and model sizes) have increased over the years, it's generally been assumed that it's more fair to change to the most recent base size for a model, rather than deal with the same model on different base sizes. But that was usually just a few models at a time changing, compared to something like the entire Space Marine line going from 25mm to 30 (or 32 ) mm bases.

I don't think you would ever get in trouble for rebasing old miniatures on the bases supplied with the most recent model. Note that it can sometimes be incredibly difficult to find out what the "current" base size for a model is, and that there are occasionally multiple different base sizes used for the same (or comparable versions of similar) models.

I'm more worried about older models that have been reissued than the actual basing. I have about 50 of the older 25mm terminators and some characters that I'm not sure would be usable any more at events. I know that the final call is with the TO but I'm trying to get an idea as to the general acceptance of the use of my older models. The first thing I wanted to check was if they were even allowed to be used anymore.

People rarely have any problems with older models unless there have been massive changes - for example very old avatar or daemon prince miniatures are tiny compared to modern models.

No one should have any issues facing your terminators, quite the opposite.

I think a lot of people have a problem with the old terminators. We had an armageddon league in my area and the TO said that I couldn't use the older model since it was too small a target as opposed to a modern terminator. Also, since it was an assault terminator the small base (25m) allowed too many others into combat. I also noticed on Battle Scribe that the old Mephistion model is now a legacy model and, I suppose, no longer allowed to be used in non-legacy events. I guess I might be able to use him as a generic Librarian but I'm not even sure about that.

Legacy Mephiston has a Legends entry, doesn't he...? Mind you, he's a rare example, since most units that have been rebased over the years keep their "current" datasheet.
Also of course, many TOs disallow Legends too, but at least then their ruling is going to be clear.

 solkan wrote:
For what it's worth...

- The last time GW said something about bases in print, I'm pretty sure it was "use the base your model came with". I think that was in the 7th or 8th edition rulebook.

- As base sizes (and model sizes) have increased over the years, it's generally been assumed that it's more fair to change to the most recent base size for a model, rather than deal with the same model on different base sizes. But that was usually just a few models at a time changing, compared to something like the entire Space Marine line going from 25mm to 30 (or 32 ) mm bases.

I don't think you would ever get in trouble for rebasing old miniatures on the bases supplied with the most recent model. Note that it can sometimes be incredibly difficult to find out what the "current" base size for a model is, and that there are occasionally multiple different base sizes used for the same (or comparable versions of similar) models.

Personally when they decided that GSC Neophytes were on 25 AND 32mm bases (for heavy weapons, even though they fit fine on 25), Acolytes were on 32s, but full genestealers were still on 25, I washed my hands of the whole thing.
At that point you can't really enforce base sizes anymore.
The characters on larger bases don't help any either. A lot of Primaris LTs are on 40mm- they're not any bigger than other primaris models, but they're on a different base size. The new Catachan event model is on a 32.
They've even introduced 28mm bases for some things, just to muddy the waters more.

Often the larger bases look better, or function better (particularly jump troops that are elevated), but at this point, go with whatever works best for you. There isn't a system anymore.

My suggestion is looking on ebay. There are folks selling 3d-printed rings to re-size bases for 40k. They fit around the outside of your current base, and you get like 100 rings for 10 bucks.

A little super glue, and a pair of plastic clippers, and you can take care of a whole army quite quickly

Voss wrote:
Personally when they decided that GSC Neophytes were on 25 AND 32mm bases (for heavy weapons, even though they fit fine on 25), Acolytes were on 32s, but full genestealers were still on 25, I washed my hands of the whole thing.

The Genestealers in the Overkill box were on 32s.

beast_gts wrote:

Voss wrote:
Personally when they decided that GSC Neophytes were on 25 AND 32mm bases (for heavy weapons, even though they fit fine on 25), Acolytes were on 32s, but full genestealers were still on 25, I washed my hands of the whole thing.

The Genestealers in the Overkill box were on 32s.

Yep, they were, which is just more inconsistency in base sizes.
But for current boxes, they're all on 25mm: the start collecting box, genestealer box, and 'the enemy below' 'deal' (on the website, but currently temporarily out of stock, just like the others)

Voss wrote:
The characters on larger bases don't help any either. A lot of Primaris LTs are on 40mm- they're not any bigger than other primaris models, but they're on a different base size.

But... but... those LT's gotta have their POWER STANCE!!
Seriously, it's like the only reason they need such a wide pose and wide base is because they're lugging around more nads than their brethren.

Arson Fire wrote:

Leo_the_Rat wrote:
Where can I find these charts? Maybe those are what I was thinking about. I was pretty sure that GW had taken the stance that models had to be on the "correct size base" with that "correct size" being whatever the current models use.

I know the LVO has a basing chart, found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A31mVI4s1cSlXNQuxmZXQZt4dkxPIcVe/view
But this is by no means any sort of official guide. It's something that was created by the people running one tournament. I'm sure there are other tournaments that have their own charts.
GW has never released any kind of official basing chart for 40k.

I mean it's about as official as a non GW rule can get has ever gotten...

most tournaments before 9th in NA used ITC missions and in any competitive scene you'd get called out pretty hard if you based stuff in a way, intentional or not, that could give you an advantage.

It's like using the old kairos fateweaver model. I don't think theres any rule in the BRB that says we have to use the current model but good luck bringing it to a competitively minded tournament.

 Aijec wrote:
I mean it's about as official as a non GW rule can get has ever gotten...

And it has it's own issues. Steel Legion Squads are sold with the HWT on 2x 25 bases rather than a 60, and one of the Catachan Snipers comes on a cavalry base, for example.

beast_gts wrote:

 Aijec wrote:
I mean it's about as official as a non GW rule can get has ever gotten...

And it has it's own issues. Steel Legion Squads are sold with the HWT on 2x 25 bases rather than a 60, and one of the Catachan Snipers comes on a cavalry base, for example.

Ya I totally agree, it's not a perfect system and it knows that. Rules are baked in to allow TO's to make those calls on the spot.

It's get's more black and white when 25mm vs 32mm allow orks to fight with the 4th rank instead of only 3 (or whatever was the case in 8th).

 Aijec wrote:
It's get's more black and white when 25mm vs 32mm allow orks to fight with the 4th rank instead of only 3 (or whatever was the case in 8th).

To be fair, that's fixed anyway with 9th's changes to checking who's eligible to fight in the Fight phase. Unless you've got models with bases less than 1" wide, you're only getting 2 ranks max now regardless.

 Super Ready wrote:

 Aijec wrote:
It's get's more black and white when 25mm vs 32mm allow orks to fight with the 4th rank instead of only 3 (or whatever was the case in 8th).

To be fair, that's fixed anyway with 9th's changes to checking who's eligible to fight in the Fight phase. Unless you've got models with bases less than 1" wide, you're only getting 2 ranks max now regardless.

it's just an example but ya.

There are many potentional advantages to being on bigger or smaller bases on any unit at any given time

The day GW 'demands" i rebase old minis (And I have some original obliterators and chaos terminators) I will send them a letter with my name, address and a demand they send me the new bases plus 5$ per model for the time and effort I'd spend rebasing them.

GW doesn’t need to demand anything. They can just publish a rule and leave it to you to hash out with your opponents.

 Blackie wrote:
Rebasing models is not required and updating 25mm models to 32mm is super easy though, just add some rings.

Or even simpler, glue your old base on top of new one. Also helps making smaller old models roughly the same size as new ones. Really, being polite to your opponent by keeping your army 'current' is such little-effort non-issue I sometimes wonder if it's 40K equivalent of face masks...

Voss wrote:
The characters on larger bases don't help any either. A lot of Primaris LTs are on 40mm- they're not any bigger than other primaris models, but they're on a different base size. The new Catachan event model is on a 32.

I kind of like that change, helps characters stand out. Especially with armies that for whatever reason don't make their leaders stand out - and helps the converters, too, now even people who use kitbashed models don't need to explain before every game who exactly is the IC.

 Irbis wrote:

Or even simpler, glue your old base on top of new one. Also helps making smaller old models roughly the same size as new ones. Really, being polite to your opponent by keeping your army 'current' is such little-effort non-issue I sometimes wonder if it's 40K equivalent of face masks...

I'll agree that it's low effort, but there are a couple of perfectly understandable obstacles.
One being that the bases will cost you extra if you don't have spares (less and less likely these days), and while they're not that much in the grand scheme of things, I can understand someone not wanting to buy them on principle that they shouldn't really have to.
Two, if I were to do this I'd want to do it properly by painting the extra base and maybe greenstuffing a little curve so it's not such a blatantly obvious step - which takes time. Time I'd rather spend painting up some of my pile of shame, than going over models that I consider done already. Literally just gluing the extra base on and having it stick out like a sore thumb on a painted model isn't an option for someone like me.

It's also... let's face it... NOT really that big a deal if someone doesn't do it, outside of tourneys. Without letting this drift into getting political - I don't think face masks was the right analogy to make.

 Irbis wrote:

Or even simpler, glue your old base on top of new one. Also helps making smaller old models roughly the same size as new ones. Really, being polite to your opponent by keeping your army 'current' is such little-effort non-issue I sometimes wonder if it's 40K equivalent of face masks...

I am just returning to 40K from 5th edition. I am now looking at over 200 CSM models, 150 daemon models, 200 space marines, 300+ orks (I ran green tide in the day), and another 100 IG models to rebase. This will not be cheap or quick. So, I would not describe this as "such little-effort non-issue."

With that said, I am repainting the army I plan to use and making plans to rebase as I go. I will get it done, but at least recognize that there is time, effort, and money involved.

I would prefer my army and my opponents army be fully painted before worrying about base sizes being accurate. But, that is just me and my humble opinion.

 Super Ready wrote:

 Irbis wrote:

Or even simpler, glue your old base on top of new one. Also helps making smaller old models roughly the same size as new ones. Really, being polite to your opponent by keeping your army 'current' is such little-effort non-issue I sometimes wonder if it's 40K equivalent of face masks...

I'll agree that it's low effort, but there are a couple of perfectly understandable obstacles.
One being that the bases will cost you extra if you don't have spares (less and less likely these days), and while they're not that much in the grand scheme of things, I can understand someone not wanting to buy them on principle that they shouldn't really have to.
Two, if I were to do this I'd want to do it properly by painting the extra base and maybe greenstuffing a little curve so it's not such a blatantly obvious step - which takes time. Time I'd rather spend painting up some of my pile of shame, than going over models that I consider done already. Literally just gluing the extra base on and having it stick out like a sore thumb on a painted model isn't an option for someone like me.

It's also... let's face it... NOT really that big a deal if someone doesn't do it, outside of tourneys. Without letting this drift into getting political - I don't think face masks was the right analogy to make.

Also, the models because of the extra bases underneath now gain some extra height, possibly giving them better LoS to things (and vice versa). There might be someone at a tourney who gets worked up about it, though I'd let it slide (honestly, I'd let them just use the base it was on without making them rebase)

Have you seen the sizes of some of the new models vs the old ones? I have some original obliterators, they're smaller than current marines. Likewise original metal chaos terminators.I could glue their bass to new bases and still be short.

But I bought 'em, paid for 'em and if people have a problem wiht me using them, tough.,