WSS Basing

[vcina]

Hi,

So I am getting ready to start building up forces in 10mm to do The WSS. I have several rule sets that I want to try out based on other threads from TMP. I currently own Field of Battle and Cartouche by Piquet, Beneath the Lily Banner 2, Age of Honor and Marlburian Commander.
What I'm trying to decide on is what size bases to use that will work with these rule sets?
I would love your suggestions.

Thanks,

Victor

[warrenpeace]

Victor, using 10mm, are you thinking of having a single base represent a battalion? I wouldn't want multiple bases for battalions with 10mm figures. For cavalry I'd have a base represent 2 or 3 squadrons, and an artillery base represent a couple of batteries, perhaps 8 to 16 guns.

I'm not familiar with basing for the rules you mentioned, but I'd note that the new Honours of War (Osprey SYW) recommends a battalion width equal to maximum musket range. Also, battalion width in the old Koenigs Krieg rules (SYW again) for 15mm figures was 2.25 inches, while width for full strength cavalry squadron pairs was 3 inches, and artillery batteries varied a bit. By my calculations, KK probably had the most accurate ratios of frontages. Warfare in the Age of Reason (WSS & SYW) had battalion widths of 4.5 inches (double that of KK).

Another question for WSS is whether you want the alleged platoon firing battalions (British, Dutch, and some other units in their pay) to be a bit wider, based on the idea that they'd be in 3 ranks, while non-platoon firing units would probably be in 4 or 5 ranks. An illustration of how to make this look different is on the warflag.com web site, although those illustrations are for 28mm figures.

A big question is how you want your units to look. Some rules are flexible about basing.

[fred]

I think you will need to give some more info about the basing of all those rules, so that we can offer some help. Despite having 10mm WSS armies I don't know any of those rules.

For most flexibility small square bases are best, 20 to 30mm square. Then these can be arranged to give you the right sized unit frontage for the rules. Unit depth generally isn't so important rules wise, but does matter for the look of the game.

The downside to lots of small square bases is that they can be fiddly to move  - movement trays can help here. And you don't get much modelling opportunity.

The other option is to go with big bases. These look much better from a modelling perspective, and can speed up game play. But you will have to compromise between rules.

[vcina]

Okay here's the break down of the basing schemes for the rules I currently own for this period.

Beneath the Lily Banners 2nd ed
15mm scale
Infantry-6 figures per stand on 30mmx30mm- A Battalion is 18 figures so 3 bases
Cavarly- 2 to 3 models per stand 40mmx30mm- A Squadron is 6 figures so 2 to 3 bases
Artillery- 1 Gun per stand on 25mmx50mm (or as needed for depth)- 1 gun is equal to 3 guns

1685-1845 WRG
Infantry 30mmx10mm
Cavalry 30mmx20mm
Artillery 20mmx60mm

Marlburian Commander
Any basing scheme-They suggest for 25mm
Infantry is a Battalion/Regiment 4 figures firing by Ranks is 2 up and 2 back on 1"x1.5" base
or 4 figures firing by Platoon is 4 figures in a row on 1.5"x1" base----6 bases makes a Battalion
Cavalry is 3"x1.5" and 4 cavalry per base- 3 bases is a squadron
Artillery is 1.5"x1.5" One Medium Gun and 4 figures- 2 guns equal a battery

Field of Battle by Piquet
25mm scale
Infantry is 1.5"x1.5" 4 stands equals a battalion
Cavalry is 1.5" x 3" 4 stands equals a Regiment
Artillery is 2 stands

Cartouche by Piquet
This system has two game scales Battalion and Regimental-The basing is used for both.
15mm scale
Infantry is 1"x1" 4 stands equals a unit
Cavalry is 1"x1.5" 4 stands equals a unit
Artillery is 1"x2" 2 stands equals a unit

Ridiculous Vanity
15mm
Infantry is 3/4"x1" 4 figures per base- 3 bases is a unit
Cavalry is 1"x1" 2 figures per base- 2 bases is a unit
Artillery is 1"x 1.25" 1 gun/4 men which represents 4 guns

[fred]

Well most use square bases which is handy (ignoring WRG which seems very fiddly on its basing), and most seem to use 3 or 4 stands for a unit.

You have 19, 25, 30 and 37mm frontages with similar depths. I'd probably go for 30mm square as I like the look of this size of base, but 25mm/1 inch square would probably work just as well.

For the extra depth of artillery bases you can always have limber stands if you want.

For Malburian Commander, if the extra width of cavalry matters you can just use 2 bases per game stand.

[vcina]

Thank you for the suggestions.

I grabbed a 1" base I had and put two strips of figures on it which are 1" long.  The base looks really tight. Almost no room for flocking etc.. I will have to pick up some 30mm bases and see how that looks.

[fred]

I'd assumed you had single figures which are what most 10s are - but I assume by mentioning strips you have Old Glory figures. This really limits the basing options as the strips are generally hard work to cut up. You just need to find a size that looks OK.

[vcina]

I have a mix of Pendraken and Old Glory but the bulk is Old Glory.

[The Grim Mariner]

Does it matter how big the baes are as long as the convention used is consistent?

my approach would be to look at the rules of choice and the ratio of men per figure.  Then apply that to the army organisation and see how many figures are needed and work up from there.
For example a 600 man battalion at 1:20 would need 30 figures which fits neatly onto five bases of six figures.  whereas 800 would need 40 figures which would be 5 bases of 8. 

[vcina]

Thanks for that. I sometimes get caught up in thinking too linear when comes to creating the armies and having some sort of flexibility to them for other rule sets.