28mm Basing and Tournaments

[GHGAustin]

So, I have a bunch of late medieval Germans in 28mm. I want to use them for FoG, but it will be very difficult to fit 4 on a 60mm frontage. Likewise the Knights will be pretty tight for 3 on a 60mm frontage. I can't imagine what cataphracts will do.

If I decide to use fewer than called for numbers per base, how will this be received in Tournaments? I would guess DBM organizers have had to deal with this already. What has been the past experience? If I were to show up with pikemen three per base, would my army be rejected out of hand, or would I just be ridiculed as a lazy git?

Thanks,

Rob

[nikgaukroger]

May I refer you to pages 126 and 127 of the rules where the use of less figures per base than "normal" is specifically allowed

[ars_belli]

Tournament rules are up to the tournament organizer, of course. But there have been numerous threads on this issue here in the FoG forum, and so far I haven't seen anyone say anything other than that it shouldn't be a problem, as long as the troop types are declared before the battle begins. Folks have even mentioned fielding 6mm or 10mm figures on 40mm-frontage bases in 15mm tournaments, and there hasn't been any ridicule offered for that idea, either.

Cheers,
Scott

[korvus]

I ran into similar problems trying to lay HI (old glory Black Army guys) for my Wallachians. The best solution I found was to lay out all the bases in formation, then fit the guys on. I work out really well. Once you have them in place though I recommend marking the bases in some way so you know who goes where in the formation...

Cole

[Ironhand]

I base most of my 25MM infantry, except for skirmish types, in two ranks on double depth bases. It gives me a little more room to fit the figures, and to me it looks better - more like a massed line. The only issue is I have to use a marker to indicate when a single base has been removed asa casualty.

[pezhetairoi]

Cole knows what he's talking about.

I've done the same things with my Wargames Foundy Alexandirans.
If I stuck them on the base evenly, they'd never fit nicely with the rear rank, or the adjacent files.
Instead I used an alternating placement, so that the figures in the front rank are offset a little from the figures in the second rank. This way the bases can be pushed together, but you have to arrange it ahead of time. This was very useful for the cavalry, since the tails of the front horses often interfere with the noses of the second rank. The tails could also be bent to one side if needed. Select the pose of horse that best fits the space. Horses on the same base also need to alternate a little since the riders legs often interfere. I usually put the middle one a little forward (like a mini wedge formation).

I also double-based my pikemen. I used a cavalry sized base and mounted 8 figures in 2 rows. This way you don't need to keep trying to fit them. You just have to remember that you may never separate them, however since they are pike it never comes up.

I have never been able to fit 28mm cataphracts 4 to a base. I am sure it is impossible, fortunately the option for 3 figures exists.

[Quintus]

Double basing can be very effective and very useful. I consider it a must for pikes.

[Ironhand]

I quite agree. I'm going to double base my 15MM Seleucid pikes.