Pancakeonions Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 Hey all! New to CAV (don't yet have the rulebook), but am wondering what the rules are for basing your CAVs and other units. I see the CAVs are frequently shown on somewhat dinky hexagonal bases - is there a hard and fast rule there, or would slightly larger circular bases be OK? This is purely from an aesthetic point of view, the little tiny hexes that sometimes don't even accommodate both feet of the CAV look weird. I was thinking of basing them on clear, thin acrylic disks, so they'd look good on any play surface. What sort of basing do you do? Thanks! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miniaddict Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 (edited) I believe for the most part the Hex base is merely for designating a true "front" position to ease the "turning" position. For tournament play it states the following: All models used in a First Strike tournament must be Talon Games (plastic or metal) miniatures and must use the same base type (size and shape) for every model and are limited to a maximum size of 40mm (flat to flat for hex and square bases, diameter for circle bases) with the following exceptions: ▴ Quad CAV models may use a larger base with a maximum size of 50mm. ▴ Aircraft models may use the 72254 50mm Slotted Round Base, regardless of other basing sizes or shapes. ▴ All miniatures must be assembled and mounted in such a way that the model’s front facing is clearly understood. Players are encouraged to have a fully painted force group on the table, providing for a more interesting and exciting game experience for all. Unpainted miniatures are allowed but will receive an automatic score of zero for the tournament painting competition. Edited October 11, 2018 by CAVBOSS 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Coyote Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 honestly I just use the bases that come with the CAVs! :) I will add some sand/gravel and static grass after painting... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeneki Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 40mm basing is the sweet spot I found. All of my bones CAVs are on 40mm circular metal fender washers, for magnetic storage and extra weight on the battlefield. As for hexes: In first edition CAV there were (optional) rules for playing on hex maps and they were sold this way. This packaging carried on over the years. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reaper User CAVBOSS Posted October 11, 2018 Reaper User Share Posted October 11, 2018 Here is CAVBOSS BASING PHILOSOPHY 101 (and a primer in CAV posing): OK, and just for the record this is worth what your paying for it! ;) I hate bases for miniatures game. They are a necessary evil for various reasons but I keep them small so they don't get in the way. With plastic figures you can cut off what we put on there and base them however your little heart desires. I went with hex bases because other mech games use them...simple as that. If that helps sell these figures to players that use them for whatever game they play then its a win/win! Posing: Why don't you use more dynamic posing? Well one reason goes back to base size, sometimes we cant get to crazy to keep the darn thing from falling over. The main reason though, is for every person that asks me for a dynamic pose, I get two that say don't. They want to pose it their way or don't like what we come up with. Case in point is the Wight from KS 1. I love how that thing is running but you can't believe the number of people who have told me how they hate it for this reason or that. Since most models have various pieces and the plastic is easy to work with, sometimes its just easier to leave it standing and go with it. 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pancakeonions Posted October 11, 2018 Author Share Posted October 11, 2018 Groovy responses, man! I will probably base my CAVs using thin clear acrylic bases - Litko has thin bases that look really nice, 1.5mm, but I've asked them if they can do thinner - they think they might be able to dig up 0.8mm thick acrylic bases, and that would be the bomb. Perhaps similar to CAVBoss' philosophy, I want the bases to be as unobtrusive as possible, and suited for any sort of battlefield. Thin, clear disks should fit the bill Thanks all 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guildenstern Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 the clear acrylics slide a lot, just so you know - not probably much of a problem here. We use them more for RP minis (so the 'dungeon' shows under the figure) and it makes for interesting times sometimes lol I actually like the hexes tbh. Probably because it harkens back to that other Mech game. But I also enjoy basing opportunities and love bases (sorry @CAVBOSS lol) Now that you've mentioned facing tho, I better go check and double check I put them all on their bases the same way round! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CitizenCane Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 21 hours ago, Jeneki said: All of my bones CAVs are on 40mm circular metal fender washers, for magnetic storage and extra weight on the battlefield. I like this Idea! I may take the lazy route and glue some under my bases... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reaper User CAVBOSS Posted October 12, 2018 Reaper User Share Posted October 12, 2018 7 hours ago, Guildenstern said: (sorry @CAVBOSS lol) No sorry needed for display, etc I love nice bases, but I just don't like them getting in the way during play. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weird-O Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 These days, I like to fill any hollow spaces in the bottom of a base with sand, and then saturate that with glue. The result is rock hard, adds weight and stability to the bottom of the mini, and the slightly gritty surface means the mini has a bit of 'grip' on the table, and much less likely to slide around after a table bump. Only real downside is that I can never use them on bare glass or similar, but I don't foresee that being a problem. (I also do the same on the top, to give me a nice textured surface to work with when painting.) 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doublesix66 Posted October 14, 2018 Share Posted October 14, 2018 (edited) I personally base mine on some mdf hexes that I ordered that are slightly better than the plastic ones that were provided, (well to me I prefer them a little less pronounced) basic base finished for my themed army I just prefer the flatter bases to the steep sided plastic ones Edited October 14, 2018 by Doublesix66 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteWulfe Posted October 14, 2018 Share Posted October 14, 2018 o_O How'd you get the slightly cracked earth look out of sheer curiosity? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doublesix66 Posted October 17, 2018 Share Posted October 17, 2018 On 10/14/2018 at 9:07 PM, WhiteWulfe said: o_O How'd you get the slightly cracked earth look out of sheer curiosity? I used some wood filler which is a bit like polyfilla with a sculpting tool to fill it in great to fill the different levels so it doesn't show that theres a plastic base there as well then press against the surface to make it stickup here and there effect looks good at the end but actually quite easily achieved 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsair Posted December 16, 2018 Share Posted December 16, 2018 Well, I am using the hex bases under the CAVs, but some of the really top heavy ones [Rhino, Cataphract, etc] are also going to get a 1 1/2 inch washer or 2" base as well. The hex base for BTB contact and facing rules, while the extra size/weight to keep the nose heavy beasties upright. Yeah it will make it a pain on small areas like passes or paths on hillsides, close city terrain etc. But at least they wno't be falling over like a drunken frat boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.