Please help this Napoleonic Noob

[RiflemanDodd]

In short, I have been playing historical miniatures games for fifteen years or so (has it been that long!?), mostly WW2 skirmish games, 15mm ACW, and the like. Recently I have been bitten by the Napoleonic bug, in large part due to the gorgeous nature of the Perry Miniatures and Victrix lines of 28mm Napoleonics. I'm playing the French and my friend is playing British. We agreed to do the Waterloo period. With that said, my first purchase was the Victrix Guard Chasseures. Line infantry is going to be my next purchase.Now I've been looking at rules and I quite like March of Eagles for its ease of play, as well as Sharp Practice skirmish rules. Ideally I want to be able to use both. Given the time and money invested in the miniatures, to be able to use the figures for both games is highly appealing.With that in mind, and taking note of how others have based their troops, I have decided to go with 2"x2" wood square bases, mounting 4 models per base. Each model is glued on to a round metal washer. A Rare Earth magnet is glued to the underside of the round base, in the whole where a bolt would normally pass through the washer. I have also glued 2"x2" square metal bases to the top of each 2"x2" wood base. So…when I stand each model on the base they hold firm due to the magnets--you can even hold the base upside down and the models hold! Plus, if I want, I can take the models off and use them individually for the skirmish rules. Here is a picture:(Does this Yank have a question or what?) So my question is … does this sound like a good idea? The reason I ask is because I have seen photos of others' troops mounted 6 per square base and while I like the look of more troops per unit, I also like having the option of using the same models for a second set of rules, namely Sharp Practice. Thanks in advance!Paul

[Stratoq]

I have my Napoleonic Armies (British and French) on 40mm x 40mm bases as well. This allows you to have battalions of 24 models and get the most out of the Victrix and Perry Ranges. Personnally I think its a great Idea.

[ady2650]

The gaming group that I play in do the same and we lose nothing, the games look great , so crack on

[Big Al]

Most people mount them 4 figures on 40x40mm bases. The only reason mine are 6 figures to a base is because we used to play In the Grand Manner and used that basing system. It doesn't really matter which system you use, my army matches up ok against one based on 40mm bases. Go to it.

[grant]

I too mount mine on 40mm bases. Most of mine are 6 to a 40mm base, my Westphalians are 4 to a base. On each battalion command stand, I have been using a mounted officer, drummer, and ensign with banner. Works for me!

[Darkwing Duck]

40 mm square bases works for most rules except for WRG which uses 60x20. Sharp Practice is a great set of rules to get into Napoleonics you don't need a lot of figures and they don't take themselves too seriously. They also have some you tube videos to explain the basics. Other rules you could try are Lasalle and Blackpowder.

[Lord Horatio]

That sounds and looks like a great idea.