Basing Conundrum

[Primarch]

I have a question I'd like some help answering. I have a bunch of minis from different sources that I want to use for the same game. However, the minis all have different bases and basing requirements.
For example,
Mini A - Slottabase style tab on the feet.
Mini B - Feet aren't attached to anything.
Mini C - Built in decorative base, but not a full sized base.
Mini D - Full base is part of the model.

So should I try to base them all the same way, just leave them as they are or something inbetween?

[me_in_japan]

Purely my opinion, but basing is one of the most critical elements when defining an army's look and coherency. You can have all kinds of weird crap in an army in terms of figures, but as long as they're based consistently your army will look like a coherent group of dudesmen. Conversely, having different basing styles on an army makes em look like a random collection of stuff you dug out of your drawers, even if the minis themselves are relatively homogenous. So, option 1 for me, fo sho.

*edit* I should probably clarify that I don't mean they need to have identical bases. As long as the theme is consistent, yer good. e.g. all on the same coloured desert bases, or on the same kind of eldritch ruin, or scrubland, or whatever. Likewise, it doesnt matter too much what shape/size the bases are. Again, content/location is what matters.

*edit again* re-reading your post, I think you and I have a different interpretation of the word "style" vis a vis how it applies to basing If you mean "actual physical shape of base" then I choose option 2. If you mean "stuff wot I stick to a base to make it look pretty, like" then option 1.

[Primarch]

Actual physical shape of the base.
For example, should I cut all pre-existing bits of base decoration from the minis and then glue them all to the same type of base, e.g. GW style bevelled round bases.

[The Other Dave]

Agreeing with mij - having all the same style of base is nice, but as long as the theme of the decoration is the same I think it would come together all right.

[me_in_japan]

ah, righty. In that case, a bit of variation in base size/shape is fine. As long as the basing method (sand, flock, whatevs) is the same, you'll be fine. If there are any minis that have totally wierd humungous/tiny bases, maybe it'd be worth the effort to rebase them, but as long as they all fall somewhere vaguely in between regular 25mm and termi-ish size bases, you should be golden. Certainly, hacking them off their reaper-style bases is probably not worth the effort.

[Auxryn]

I try more to be consistent across a squad rather than my whole army since my painting techniques and basing strategy will change with each new project I endeavor. That being said, I agree that consistent basing really makes a unit (or army) look cohesive.

This is a current issue for me as well because the 'space marine heroes' series of terminators has full scenic bases (which look pretty cool) built into each model. My other terminators are currently just sitting on blank bases. My plan is to use some random rocks and bits of Imperial terrain (thank for those again, Prim) to try and give the blank bases some similar pizzazz. I've also got a jar of Tamiya soil effect technical paint. We'll see how well it all goes for me.

My bottom line is that the scenic bases are pretty, and it would be a waste to rebase those models. I just need to make all the other bases equally pretty.

[YellowStreak]

I think I misunderstood your questions too - I thought you were referring to stuff stuck on the base/ colour etc. rather than shape/size.

Shape-wise I tend to try and have similar shapes - if rounded than all rounded etc. I do agree that similar basing styles can link disparate minis together.

[The Other Dave]

I mean, it wasn't *that* long ago, relatively speaking*, when GW had us mixing round and square bases in a given army, and it wasn't a big deal.

*Or it seems like it to me. I'm probably betraying my age here.