Base (tabletop)
With a base (Engl.) Is referred to in the tabletop a mostly made of plastic or tin -made base on which one or more models are:
Some bases are modeled or rebuilt specifically for one figure, but the base sizes are usually determined by the game system for the models, as in some systems they correspond to the grid of the playing cards or determine the number of opponents the model can attack.
Typical include square bases with edge lengths of 20 mm, 25 mm, 40 mm or 50 mm, rectangular bases with 25 × 50 mm² or 50 × 100 mm² and round bases with diameters of 25 mm, 40 mm or 50 mm. More rarely there are also hexagonal or even octagonal bases.
Round bases are mostly used for games with a smaller number of figures or more flexible movement sequences (often called skirmisher games), i.e. especially for sci-fi systems or fantasy games with an emphasis on small combat units. Fantasy tabletops, which depict battles between entire armies, mostly use (square) angular bases to group larger units of troops, usually referred to as regiments.
Bases are designed, among other things, from simple to complex in order to achieve a rounded army image. Bases are usually sold without structure and in one color (black). Since the models of a tabletop game are usually painted in great detail, the players also attach great importance to embellishing the bases. One often works with grass litter or sand, which is glued to the base and then possibly painted or with stones or small model objects such as B. weapons, shields, purses, skulls or the like is added to represent the model located on it in a scenic context. So the whole army appears more plastic and dynamic. A uniform base design also gives a tabletop army a more uniform overall picture.
For tabletops that use regiments or other types of compact units as troop units, there are also so-called regimental bases . These are bases made of plastic or made of balsa wood, cardboard, etc. Their base plate offers enough space to place the models of the regiment in a certain arrangement and cardboard edges on three or four sides which prevent the figures from sliding away. This increases the playing comfort, as the regiments can be moved without having to set each individual model again. In some cases, magnetic foils are also being used more and more frequently today, which connect the "bases" of the individual models of a regiment to the regiment base in order to guarantee better adhesion during play or the transport of the miniatures.
Some players who regularly compete in tabletop tournaments even have a so-called army base or army display, which is often very elaborate and detailed. These are used to present the army and to make it easier to change the table frequently during the tournament.