I was thinking about painting them a matte black

As long as you don't change the shape or size of the base, you're ok with painting it.

My recommendation, for the sanity of both you any opponents, is to paint the bases in a way that makes them more visible, not less visible when playing on a dark surface.

Just don't paint regular TIEs and TIE/FOs black and field them in the same squadron... that's a headache waiting to happen.

Painting is fine, and even painting black to make them disappear is fine. That's the whole purpose, right? I've seen some paint them flat black, flat black with white sprinkles to represent stars, flat black with blue/purple nova effects, etc. Do what you want and what you like, just always remember that the Tournament Organizer has the final say so. Therefore, just keep a few regular clear bases in case the TO is strict.

Just don't paint regular TIEs and TIE/FOs black and field them in the same squadron... that's a headache waiting to happen.

I've been trying to think of a way to give the TIE/FO's the standard bluish gray with black panels paint scheme, while still finding a way to mark them as FO TIEs.

I hear the best way to paint them is by just painting the underside so it shows through while staying smooth on top and not looking thick.

Has anyone tried flicking the underside with white "stars" before painting it black?

I hear the best way to paint them is by just painting the underside so it shows through while staying smooth on top and not looking thick.

Has anyone tried flicking the underside with white "stars" before painting it black?

Now that is an interesting idea. I have so many bases it wouldn't hurt to give it a go.

You can pretty much paint what you want as long as you don't mess with the inside surfaces of the dial and nothing offensive.

If you are going to go with black for your bases at least get some practice painting stars/nebula etc

You won't want it blending in too much on a black table mat. I went with purple for my imperial bases so they pop nicely.

I would also recommend using a spray paint for that nice smooth finish

Army Painter and GW have great paints and range and both are competitively priced.

(who would also have though, GW competitively priced on anything :-P)

Just don't paint regular TIEs and TIE/FOs black and field them in the same squadron... that's a headache waiting to happen.

I've been trying to think of a way to give the TIE/FO's the standard bluish gray with black panels paint scheme, while still finding a way to mark them as FO TIEs.

When I finally get the money to pick up the new starter set, I know I will be painting the FOs the same colour scheme, but with ace markings. Seeing as how my TIES are black hull / red paneling, the ace markings will probably be blue for the contrast.

Just don't paint regular TIEs and TIE/FOs black and field them in the same squadron... that's a headache waiting to happen.

I've been trying to think of a way to give the TIE/FO's the standard bluish gray with black panels paint scheme, while still finding a way to mark them as FO TIEs.

When I finally get the money to pick up the new starter set, I know I will be painting the FOs the same colour scheme, but with ace markings. Seeing as how my TIES are black hull / red paneling, the ace markings will probably be blue for the contrast.

Well by default all of my TIEs are hot or matte pink, so what I ended up doing was just painting the panels (which with that new "weave" texture is a chore) and the windows pink. It pops and works in a weird way. Then again, pink and black have always gone well together.