Friday, June 1, 2018

Confessions of a Re-Baser (Unrepentent)

As it happens, no sooner our annual big convention, Enfilade! is over, I'm already starting to think of next year's games. Looking into my cabinet, I noticed my remaining Napoleonic figures - mainly Victrix and Perry plastics - hadn't been on the gaming table since 2012. I'm still deciding what rules to use, but whatever is decided upon will be quick play for convention players. It may be either a version of Lion Rampant or a modified/simplified version of Black Powder. In any case, I wanted the cavalry to be on 50mm squares; they were previously singly-based. The French skirmishers were based 4-figures per 40mm squares, but have been re-based 3-figures per 40mm, like the British Rifles already had been. I ran out of 50mm squares so am awaiting the arrival of more from Litko to complete the KGL Hussars.
As normal for me, the figures are plopped onto the bases using acrylic caulking. I also need another Voltiguer figure to complete the last stand. They'll be used in units of 6-figures each . Thanks for stopping by and best wishes to all.

31 comments:

  1. I have sold whole painted armies rather than rebase them.

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    1. Lol! I've done both :) Kind regards, Dean

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    1. I'm so experienced, I rarely gouge my fingers anymore when trying to pry off figures :) Warm regards, Dean

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  3. I have to confess that I quite enjoy rebasing, breathing new life onto forgotten troops.

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    1. Michael - Admitting to it is the first step :) Warmest regards, Dean

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  4. Re-basing.......the bain of every gamers life!

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    1. Lol! Experience should be at least partly based upon how many times an army has been re-based :) Best Regards, Dean

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  5. I'm not too afraid of rebasing, but I do not like it. Good luck with those!

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    1. Thanks! Yes, re-basing ain't so bad. Using acrylic caulking really speeds up the process - including removing the figs. Best, Dean

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  6. I try and avoid it but sometimes you just have to do it.

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    1. Thanks, Mike. In all honesty, I had wanted to re-base all of these the way they are now, but hesitated as I didn't think I'd be playing them. Planning to use them in a game provided the impetus. Kind regards, Dean

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  7. I was just mentioning re-basing a collection of my own to a friend. He said it sounded like a lot of work - I laughed and told him I've done it so many times I can practically do it in my sleep. I've re-based entire collections multiple times...

    If you're looking for some horse and musket rules along the lines of Lion Rampant, Rebels and Patriots will be out in January.

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    1. Tim: Thanks for the tip on R&P! I hadn't heard of it - then again, I rarely keep up with gaming news. Ok - I just googled it and found the info on Dalauppror's blog. Hmmm, I'm thinking a little larger units - but I'll likely pick it up and see. Thanks again, Dean

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  8. It's a bit of a pain, but the results can be quite satisfying!

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    1. Aaron: After this project is done, about 80% of my figures will be multi-based on Litko squares or rectangles. This will come in handy transporting and storing them a lot. Warm regards, Dean

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  9. I'm not afraid too! Good Luck my friend!

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    1. Thanks, Michael. The hardest part is already done - removing the figures from old bases. Using acrylic caulking is fast and easy attaching them to new bases. Kind regards, Dean

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    1. Thank you very much! I just ordered some Victrix and Perry infantry. Warm regards, Dean

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  11. Since I use Insta-cure it’s pretty difficult for me to rebase. Depending on the base though, I have found that it was easier to use cutters and cut the litko bases, then it was usually pretty easy to pop the figures off, but.... I try really hard not to do so. Having pretty much gone to skirmish level in my old age I don’t have to worry about it as much.

    Cheers
    Kevin

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    1. Thanks, Kevin. Basing is definitely a personal choice. Some of my buddies base 3's, 2's and singles for Lion Rampant and the Pikeman's Lament. Too complicated for me :) Kind regards, Dean

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  12. LOL - nice job. I'm facing the prospect of re-basing my AWI collection (the largest that I own) from 25mm square bases to 25mm round bases. I know, it seems silly, but I think moving to the round ones will look better, and that's also what I use for all of my other minis. We shall see if I can psyche myself up to move forward with it!

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    1. Thanks, Greg! Oh my, from squares to rounds, but still singles. You are hardcore! :) But I agree - if you'll be playing them as singles, rounds may be nicer. Regards, Dean

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  13. Great job Dean, I enjoy rebasing a lot...but I must admitt that it needs a long time!

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    1. Thanks, Phil. I try to use a production-line process, so doesn't take too long. In fact, I should be done with them soon. Warm regards, Dean

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  14. Your a better man then I am,I probably spend more time avoiding rebassing than painting, I'm sure I'll have to do it at some point but I don't want too!
    Best Iain

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    1. ....? I am curious, how does that work? Spending "time avoiding rebasing"...?

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    2. Procrastination, putting stuff off because I get overly concerned or not basing anything for like two years in case I do it wrong and need to rebase it, I'm much better now, I'm basing loads on single pennies and sabot basing,but I do look at my ECW army based for pike and shot and think"they would be better based differently" and then I paint something else!
      Best Iain

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