Names on bases...Bad idea?

[grubman]

So, I've started painting my Fistful of Lead gangs.  I've mounted them on GW round and horse bases and have been debating painting the ring around eye bases with color codings for the differ gangs (since some games I'll include up to 6 different gangs of 4-6 figs).  The top of the base will be sand color, but the ring will be, for example, yellow for the Bandito gang, or white for the lawman gang.  I was also debating writing the name of each character on the mini basses.

Normally I would think this would ruin the look, but I think it would help during game play...and add a little bit of stle if the players can rememb the names of all the characts.  So I've been tossing it back and forth.  Any opinions or experiences with doing this?

[YPU]

If your sure your not going to use the minies for any other game in the near future, go for it. Do however consider that actually writing the names with a brush might be harder then you think. Then again I have a horrible handwriting with any implement.

[Heldrak]

Personally, I've never liked putting characters names on their bases. Rather than differentiating gangs by colored rings around their bases, my instinct would be to give them a unique unified color scheme to help differentiate them (Outlaws all have red bandannas, Cowboys all have blue bandanas, etc.). If the issue is hired guns, it's easy enough to carry that over (Soiled Dove with the Outlaws has the red petticoat, etc.). Base accessories is another good way of differentiating gangs (Banditos all have cow skulls on their bases, etc.)

If you find that you must put names on their bases, I would consider using lettraset rub-on characters (if you can still find them), rather than hand-lettering the names.

[Bobble]

I painted my LOTOW figures with different coloured bases - Blue for lawmen,Red for bandits,Green for posse and Silver for random hired characters. I also added small coloured stickers on the back of the bases with a sticker of the same colour next to the characters stats (it helps the wife remember which ones she can move)

[grubman]

I painted my LOTOW figures with different coloured bases - Blue for lawmen,Red for bandits,Green for posse and Silver for random hired characters. I also added small coloured stickers on the back of the bases with a sticker of the same colour next to the characters stats (it helps the wife remember which ones she can move)

I don't suppose you have any pictures so I can see if I like the look?

[Clearco]

Maybe if you write the names with western-style letters on a sepia background (like a pergament) could be nice (but difficult, I guess). It could be look like the initial credits of a western film but accompaning the carachters the whole time  

[Cory]

Try rub on transfers or printing a label and transferring it to the base if you want an old west font - the difference between painted on and printing can really make a difference.

[Bobble]

If you search the forum for "Welcome to Angel Falls" there are some pictures there from one of my first posts. Not great piccies (my photpgraphy skills suck) but you should be able to see the coloured bases and stickers

[Brian Smaller]

I have about two hundred Western figures and after a few games it is pretty easy to remember names/figures.  Personally I wouldn't  do it.  It looks naff in my opinion.

[Cosmic Moose]

Personally I don't paint the names on the side of the bases.  Instead I have taken close up photos of all of my cowboy/indian figures.  I then put a small picture of the figure next to their name on the sheet so that you can see who the figure it is at a glance.  This way I can change the names of the characters and don’t have to repaint the bases.

[grubman]

Personally I don't paint the names on the side of the bases.  Instead I have taken close up photos of all of my cowboy/indian figures.  I then put a small picture of the figure next to their name on the sheet so that you can see who the figure it is at a glance.  This way I can change the names of the characters and don’t have to repaint the bases.

That's close to my alternate idea.  Since FoL doesn't use any paperwork, I was debating doing up a roster type card with pictures and bios of all the members of that faction.  This can also be used to mark off anyone who is a Gunslinger, and any traits when I use those optional rules from the yahoo group (which are pretty cool).

I only plan on having factions of 4 members, but if you have 5 or 6 Gus playing, you are still talking about a large number of figures running around on the board.

There are some features that make them distinct.  For example, the outlaws all have read bandanas on their face and black hats with red bands.  The lawmen all have white hats with blue bands.  It's probably enought...but I'm still contemplating.

[sneakgun]

All of my personality figures have names printed on the base. We play LOTOW, the gangs have a unifying color scheme but I like names....

[HerbyF]

In my experience the fastest way to get charaters killed is to paint their name on the base.

[goon3423]

I put them on the underside of bases, I like names but I like them out of sight.

[FifteensAway]

Western lettering font, adhesive paper - in a nice parchment tone if you can find it, print out the names and adhere to underside of base.  A whole lot easier than some of the suggestions but just as effective.