This article intends to expand upon the idea of basic basing on minis by making use of a mixture of materials and bits box odments. As an example, lets say that a base is graded on a scale of A (highest) to E (lowest). If a neatly flocked base gets you a C, this article intents to help you get a C+. Maybe even a B .

First up, materials. Below is a picture of some of the most common things I use in bases. Top row is a selection iof items from my bits box; skulls, a tombstone, some tank tracks and a tank wheel. Next, some static grass, one of the most common materials used, and in my opinion the best, to represent grass. Next to that is some sand. This stuff I have in abundant supply, living within a stones throw of a beach! On the bottom row, we have sopme lichen, great in representing low lying shrubs and available in various shades and colours. And last but not least, we have the base itself.

On the subject of useful bits, there are sooooo many different tings you can use just to add that little extra something. Tombstones are one of my favourites, as are individual tank track sections, but you could use skeletal arms, legs, whole torsos, weapons, washers, electircal flex (preferably NOT attached to a live socket ), cork boulders, well you get the idea. Even a small chunk of sprue can be painted up as an interesting piece of scrap.

In my example i'll be using half of the tank wheel, and creating a dried earth and grass base. So.... onto the next page.