What Bases to use for my Mordheim figures?

New players often wonder what bases they should be using for their models. This post is meant to answer all questions related to bases. Yet, some people might have some opinions they want to voice - for a discussion on bases, please go to this thread. If you have any questions, feel free to post them here, though.


General stuff
The first thing you should be aware of is that there are no official rules on what bases to use. There have never been guidelines or rules for this. Also since there are very few official tournaments for Mordheim currently, it is more important that you can find a solution that your gaming group is happy with. Mordheim is about having fun, so if you and your fellows like to use hexagonal bases (for whatever reason), there is nothing to stop you from that. When playing with people you haven't met before, however, it will be best to use the standard shape (square) and size (see below) to prevent potential conflicts. So the safest thing to do is use the bases that the model was supplied with in the blister/box. You can find a reference with pictures of the official Mordheim releases on this board so that might help you.


In good Shape: Round vs Square
Most people agree that round bases look best on miniatures in a skirmish game such as Mordheim. The standard shape for Mordheim is square though (same as their Warhammer equivalents). Aside from aesthetics round bases do have a few things going for them. It is easier to move them into contact since you don't need to worry how they should be aligned. But, again, square bases are the standard shape that Mordheim models are supplied with so round bases are pretty "unconventional". Also GW only produces 25mm round bases (and onwards). 20mm round bases do exist (check ebay). So if you use 25mm for a human mercenary, then you are not only using an unconventional shape but also an unconventional size.


Size does matter: 20mm, 25mm and beyond
In general Mordheim models are supplied with the same base that their race has in Warhammer. So a human mercenary would have a 20mm base just like the other humans in the Empire army. So whenever you wonder what size you should be using it is best to take a look at the model's Warhammer pendants. Here is a list with the standard base sizes. If you use these sizes you can be sure that your opponent will not (cannot!) say anything against your bases.

• 20mm Humans, Elves, Dwarfs, Halflings, Goblins, Skaven, Zombies, Skeletons, Wardogs, Skinks, …
  
• 25mm Orcs, Posessed, Beastmen, Marauders, Saurus, Werecreatures, Ogre Half-Growns/Youngbloods…
  
• 40mm Ogres, Rat Ogres, Dragon Ogres, Trolls, Minotaurs, Spawns of Chaos, Kroxigors…
  
• 50mm Dragons, Giants, Shaggoths… (these are not normally used in Mordheim)
  
• 25mm x 50mm (“Cavalry bases”) Horses, Boars, Wolves, Giant Spiders, Warhounds of Chaos, …
  
• 50mm x 100mm (“Chariot bases”) Wagons, Carts, …

There are pros and cons to using larger bases. Many players like to give their models a more heroic base. This may be done with the best hobbying intentions and since a larger base will allow your opponent to place more models in base contact with the model, it shouldn't be big deal. But it could be argued that you gain an unfair advantage because you can now block narrow alleys more easily with the model. Still, using larger bases should be the easiest thing to agree on with your gaming group if you feel it makes your models look better. Using smaller bases than normal, on the other hand, will be considered cheating most of the time, because less enemy models can be placed in base contact and the model can "navigate" more easily through the ruins of the damned city with the smaller base.


The End... basically
So this should be all you need to know to make your decision - basewise. If I forgot to include anything important, please let me know. Again, for any further discussion go over here. I hope this helps. Enjoy your games!

Just a bit more detail comparing circular and square bases:

A circular 25 mm base to me seems roughly equivalent to a standard 20mm square base. The square base will have a diagonal of 28 mm compared to the 25mm diameter of the circular base. So while smaller along an edge the square base is actually wider if placed diagonally.

In area a the 25mm circular base is about 20% larger than a 20mm square. However a 20mm circular base is just under 80% the size of the 20mm square.

That's some interesting and, I think, useful considerations. Thanks for sharing!

Exactly what I was looking for! Thanks!

Theo

I'm looking for a BTB Wyrm's model size. Is it like other Dragons 50mm or smaller 40mm?

I am currently making a warband of chaos warriors for Wyrdwars. (it's a warband there) I have among other models, some chaos warrios obviously and I use the figures from GW for those. Those units come on 25mm bases, so I have been wondering what difference it makes. Honestly I think that the units look more badass on a fitting base, and bigger bases allow for more resin and foam construction on the bases. Seeing this guide mention that there are more negatives than positives to having a bigger base is good for me. I want to have those bigger bases, and now I can persuade the people that I play with that it's at least not a benefit for me with the bigger bases. (I also like to play in a tight city, so not being able to move past things so easily is definitely a negative thing)

cianty wrote:

Also GW only produces 25mm round bases (and onwards). 20mm round bases do exist (check ebay). So if you use 25mm for a human mercenary, then you are not only using an unconventional shape but also an unconventional size.

Now GW produce 32 mm round base that could be interesting too
https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Citadel-32mm-Round-Bases