That is the question.
Like a lot of you, I'm planning on painting my Imperial Assault Miniatures. My question is though, are those of you that are going to paint them planning on rebasing them onto new bases?
Perhaps a scenic resin base? Or a more standard wargames base?
If you are, how are you going to model/paint your bases?
If you are not going to rebase them, how are you planning on painting your bases? Standard black, or something different?
I'm interested to hear your opinions!
I have a lot of Wizards of the Coast miniatures including the Star Wars minis. I re-base all my miniatures on to WoTC bases; Mostly just for uniformity. I simply cut them from their original bases with a sharp exacto and glue them on to the new base, which I have removed some other character from at an earlier time.
I have so many duplicates of unwanted miniatures that I almost always have a good source of extra bases. If i need more, I buy a big set of Pathfinder Miniatures and wala... more bases!!!
I keep the bases black, again just for the uniformity and because I feel that putting a terrain on the base makes the miniature look out of place on every terrain except what was put on the miniature... A grassy base while romping around on the decks of a Star Destroyer!?! A metal deck plating base in the forest of Endor!?!
Not on my miniatures!!!!
But that's just me ;-)
I like the standard black. Visually it looks good on the game board. But the scenic bases that people can do is top notch. The only problem I have with scenic bases is what if the figure is in a building or something where the base of the fig just wouldn't look right. If I choose to rebase I'd look into clear acrylic bases. That way you can see the game board below the figure. If I don't rebase I'm hoping with the standard black.
A bit off topic. I'm not sure what it would have costed us to get prepainted miniatures but I would have payed double the cost of everything. They could of still sold a unpainted version as well.
Iøm probably going to do something like this. Making sure it easy to see which groups units belong to is top priority for me
I like the idea of re-basing mine, especially with the clear bases like patox posted (since it would let the map scenery show through), but my only concern is what the implications will be for tournaments. If X-Wing is the best example, I imagine that they will not allow you to modify the model outside of paint, since they do not allow it there. I am planning on painting the existing bases the standard way for now (I am thinking a flat "in the Death Star" bases for my imperials and a more outdoors-y base for the Rebels. When the tourney rules come out, maybe I will re-evaluate if they are more forgiving.
I honestly expect they will be a bit more lenient here, since the model is just a placeholder really, it has no other function game-wise. But I don't want to get locked in and have to buy another Core because I was wrong.
Fenris Games do some pretty sexy deck plating style bases here:
http://fenrisgames.com/shop#!/FGCBSUL25-25mm-round-Sulaco/p/12651161/category=6759449
Think I may have to pick some of these up.
if you are looking for cheap clear bases check out this eBay listing
100 1x1/8 inch bases for about 13 dollars
I don't rebase them but I'll make different scenery base to differentiate the deployment groups. For example one stormy group will have grass bases, one desert bases, one industrial bases.
Those clear bases are amazing. Has anyone done this to other models? Do they require pinning? What kind of glue is used best?
You want a glue that doesn't "fog" the clear acrylic if you are wanting to go the clear base route.
This one called Craftics #33 Thick Acrylic Cement from Litko works well with their bases.
Keeps them looking "clean" without that hazy look.
Clear is the way to go.
T his! I saw a guy do a painting tutorial for his Zombicide minis and I fell in love with clear bases. I really like the idea of seeing the terrain through the base.
You want a glue that doesn't "fog" the clear acrylic if you are wanting to go the clear base route.
This one called Craftics #33 Thick Acrylic Cement from Litko works well with their bases.
Keeps them looking "clean" without that hazy look.
Thanks for the tip on the glue. I hadn't heard of that before. I ordered a tube along with 100 bases yesterday.
Those clear bases are amazing. Has anyone done this to other models? Do they require pinning? What kind of glue is used best?
You will definitely want to pin them on the base or they will be popping off constantly.
In going to second Hida77 here. If you think you might play official game in tourneys or league if wait till tourney rules come out.
Paint them black now and if the rules are ok with rebase do it later.
Going clear as well. We've got a laser cutter at school so I've just pumped out enough for my copy and my friends.
I though about re-basing mine but ultimately decided to paint them. I purchased some Vallejo Grey Pumice and Sandy Paste which I mix with different colors of paint. Think Games Workshop Texture paints but you mix in what ever colors you have. Quick and easy basing. I'm also painting the rim of each base to represent the class; Grey from the commons, Red for the Elite, Black is for unique. I'm also painting little squares of the dominant base color next to the name on the Skirmish card for multi-groups/squads of the same characters. This makes identification easy and extremely easy to teach new players. For instance I did a sandy, grassy and rocky type bases from my Probe Droids and on the corresponding Skirmish/Deployment card I painted a yellow and green square. "Grassy" Probe Droid is the pumice mixed with brown the painted green. The "Sand" Probe Droid is the Sandy Paste mixed with a yellow-brown then painted with a Khaki color.
I painted the bases light grey and do not intend to make any scenery. The reasoning behind this is that the models will be traversing on desert, starship interior, jungle, garbage compactors, other interiors etc etc. Grass base would be so out of place indoors. I am considering to paint the base edges red for elite squads/individuals. I did try a black base but Vader looked just bad with it.
The clear base looks ok, but I think it is unnecessary work for not that good an effect.
i tried plastic bases once, didnt like the way the miniature appeared to "float"
Have had this issue with miniatures for years. Discussed with a friend who pointed out that a good base can bring out the best in a miniature, regardless of terrain, and thats what you should think of.
At the end of the day its up to you. Like others i am sticking with black for these, as they go well with the WOTC miniatures. For D&D i used a dark grey rocky terrain, which could signify a cavern or outside on a desolate slope. My warhammer fantasy & 40k also get the grey rock treatment.
Just do what you think looks good!
I'd consider coloured acrylic bases with faction symbols on them, but I can't imagine that anyone could produce those for more than five seconds without getting crushed, so I'll probably stick with black and coloured trims.
Those clear bases are amazing. Has anyone done this to other models? Do they require pinning? What kind of glue is used best?
Clear bases are my fav. I just use super glue. My advice would be to use just a tiny drop, as too much will just get smeared over the clear base.
I just recently based my Mansions of Madness characters with clear bases. was maybe a bit too ham fisted with the superglue but it looks ok and they haven't fallen off yet. the only issue i can see with this for imperial assault is denoting the squads. maybe just painting the rim would be ok?
