Rebasing BFG ships

[mangozac]

Torpedoes have been explained: they are able to lock on and guide themselves towards the ship once they come within the base range.

I think the warping of scale by using an elliptical base is far worse than any of the other practical mechanics relating to the bases (such as asteroids, blast markers, etc.). I wouldn't use elliptical bases, nor would I want to play against someone with them.

[Gothmog Lord of Balrogs]

Asteroids arent 1500km apart in an asteroid feild. Think of it more like star wars

[Islacrusez]

Asteroids arent 1500km apart in an asteroid feild. Think of it more like star wars

No, but you're 1500km away from them when you come into base contact. That's what I'm getting at. Speaking of which, just how do you bring your point-defence turrets to bear against a target that's 3000km away? That's roughly the radius of Mars.

[Gothmog Lord of Balrogs]

Asteroid feilds aren't constrained by exact boundaries. As well for fighters/bombers you dont necessarily only open fire at that range. Remember that tis is all static/stop motion simulation of what would be in constant motion.  So those bombers are engaged as they approach.

[jaggedtoothgrin]

how do people feel about hexagonal (or octagonal) bases? I have a bunch of Hex bases made up for aircraft, and they seem well suited for showing facing, and for placing torpedo markers (while i am considering getting octagonals made up, because they'd also be good for 45 and 90 degree turns)

[Islacrusez]

Asteroid feilds aren't constrained by exact boundaries. As well for fighters/bombers you dont necessarily only open fire at that range. Remember that tis is all static/stop motion simulation of what would be in constant motion.  So those bombers are engaged as they approach.

Referring to massing turrets. Where you are literally 3000km from the ship you're defending, assuming you personally are in base to base contact with it, and more than likely just as far if not further (you're 4500km if they attack from the opposite side, and while admittedly they'll close to 3000km, they're going to be behind the friendly ship for most of that time).

[mangozac]

how do people feel about hexagonal (or octagonal) bases? I have a bunch of Hex bases made up for aircraft, and they seem well suited for showing facing, and for placing torpedo markers (while i am considering getting octagonals made up, because they'd also be good for 45 and 90 degree turns)

While I don't think that hexs/octagons look as cool as circles, mechanically they're close enough that IMO they'd be fine. It's just ellipses that I'd have a problem with

[mangozac]

Back on topic, I'm just organising the stems for the boutique bases. The bases themselves will be black styrene. The stems however will be either acrylic or ABS rod 2mm diameter. Getting black rods in this kind of size and material is proving a pain - would clear rods suffice? Being acrylic they will be much stronger than the GW clear styrene stems.

[Armiger84]

I can only speak for myself, but anything that doesn't snap when minor pressure (such as touching it, or even looking at it the wrong way) is applied like the stock GW stands would work for me.

[horizon]

Clear is fine, they will be painted regardless of colour.

[mangozac]

You wouldn't believe how difficult it is to source non-white 2mm rod in any material other than carbon fibre! Of course unless you want to purchase by the tonne from China!

I think I'm just going to have to run with white 0.080 (2mm) styrene from Plastruct (bought in bulk and cut to size to supply with the bases). I feel that extruded styrene is going to give the best results for the most economical price - it's strong, rigid and has a lot more flex before it snaps, unlike the moulded clear styrene used in the GW bases and stems. Of course, brass is the ultimate material, but it's prohibitively expensive.

So a black base with white styrene stem. Will everyone be painting it anyway?

There has been a slight hold up on the bases (an issue with the mould had got the bearing marks off-centred) too. I'll keep you posted!

[timdp]

Those magnets are VERY expensive.

Just got some of these: 500 1/8" x 1/16" magnets for $11.02 SHIPPED
http://www.ebay.com/itm/500-x-Neodymium-Disc-1-8-X-1-16-Super-Strong-Rare-Earth-Magnet-N35-D3x1-5mm-/170806449706?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c4db962a

I've been using magnets for basing for a while now.  I generally use neodymium N42 magnets from K&J magnetics.

http://www.kjmagnetics.com/products.asp?cat=10

On the smaller escorts I place one 1/8th by 1/32nd magnet on the bottom of the ship and one 1/8th by 1/16th magnet on the stand (I usually cut the stand back by a quarter inch to match the diameters).  On larger escorts/ cruisers I'll use 1/16 thickness magnets on both sides of the join.  For battleships I use these (http://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddetail.asp?prod=D2X8) as the stand part of the magnet pair.  They are quite strong and if you inset the magnet hole slightly into the ship they don't seem to have much trouble with tipping. 

You should paint a forward mark on the ship base since the ships tend to swing back and forth when bumped.  Ninja magic makes base adaptors that are toothed to avoid this problem, but I find them a little pricey for what you get.

[Islacrusez]

Just bought a pack of those; guess I'll see if they're any good soon enough!

[mangozac]

Guys I'm sorry to have to report that my injection moulded bases have fallen through

The supplier has had a lot of issues creating the tooling and the resulting casts are just unacceptable. While the custom bases are still something we want to pursue, unfortunately it's probably not going to happen for a while longer. I'm really sorry to those of you who have been hanging out for them! 

[timdp]

Very sorry to hear that Zac...