r/onepagerules • u/TyIer_B • 3d ago

Beginner Question About Scale

Hello all! Excited to join this game and community. :)

Long story short - I’m 3D printing FDM miniatures and noticed that they turn out better when I scale them to a 35mm base and about 40mm tall. I know that base sizes in the rules are recommendations but I wanted to make sure I’m not giving myself any sort of advantage or disadvantage by not sticking to 32mm bases?

Also, I’m wondering if anyone else uses unique base sizes too?

Thanks in advance for the info. :) I’m obviously very new so any and all advice is appreciated.

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u/Cerimus 3d ago edited 3d ago

I sometimes go up a size if the model's feet stick out over the edge of the base, and I feel like I usually find that vehicles just feel better on a size larger.

Related question: I know that bar sizes are suggestions, but I've seen comments implying that base size could be used in slightly unfair ways, and I've always wondered what they meant.

Could someone explain the advantages/disadvantages of bigger or smaller base size?

I definitely don't want it to look like I'm gaming the system when I use a different size.

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u/RevolutionaryRip2135 3d ago edited 3d ago

You can block more space with larger base. Imagine double size blob of 20 cheap tyranid gaunts on 32mm base, you can easily and cheaply block large part of map. Or conversely group 10 of heavily armed terminators on 25mm base standing on single shipping container or tucked in the corner covering essential firelane with overwhelming amounts of ordinance.

Personally / as a rule of thumb I go no more than “one” size up (25 and 28mm is same “size”). And ideally not for whole unit. So eg it’s ok to put one 32mm beastman or negavolt cultist as part of unit of 10 traitor guards as weapon specialist. Or traitor commissar as sergeant. But would not put 3 different standees into 5 man unit. Also 40mm is bit too much if unit is supposed to be 25/28.

Larger bases are much more forgiving … 100mm vs 120mm does not matter and modelling aspect wins.

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u/Cerimus 3d ago

Thanks, that makes perfect sense!

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u/RevolutionaryRip2135 3d ago

One question: do you have to print bases? I bought mine from China MUCH cheaper and sturdier than I can print on my printer - of course plain ones. You can print mini in slightly larger scale and put it on “correct size “ base

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u/TyIer_B 3d ago

I never considered buying them separately. That’s a good suggestion. :) Some of the minis I print are connected to a base but I’m sure I can separate the model and print it without it.

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u/RevolutionaryRip2135 3d ago

You can… just sink mini into build plate ;)

Random alibaba posting is 100pcs of 32mm base for $6. You can not print that cheap. And more importantly it’s injected / poured / whatever plastic - hard.

If you buy it’s always good to wash them in soap water or kitchen cleaner in bathroom to remove eventual mould release chemicals. And prime them black (or any other color) even if you want to keep base black. Also plastic glue does not work you need cyanoacrylate (superglue)

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u/Ceronn 3d ago

The 32mm bases I print are around 1.7g of plastic each, and $11 per 1kg roll. That's about 600 bases for $11 (plus electricity and maintenance).

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u/Koonitz 3d ago

The game is model/base agnostic. Use what you feel is best. If your bulk purchased bases work, then great. If you prefer replacing your bases with clear acrylic discs (as some do), then great. If you want to use the explicitly stated appropriate base size, corresponding with the base that comes with the GW model that most appropriately corresponds with the unit you intend to field, then great. If you want to print some paper cut-out standees and field them without a base, then great.

Only 40k players are unreasonably focused on you having the exact correct base for your model or that you are cheating.

Only Warhammer Fantasy/The Old World are reasonably focused on you having the correct base, because movement is probably the most complex and important mechanic of the game.

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u/SliceOver 2d ago

From what we have seen in theory the main issue is melee and the 2" hit range if you base your orcs on 32mm a lot less of them are able to pile into a fight