Plinths at GD

[Herb the bitter]

Do plinths(i.e. round/square varnished wood bases) convey any advantage to winning at GD\'s?

I am thinking of trying to attend a GD this year and am wondering if I should put in the effort. In a perfect world they would be irrelevant as judging is supposed to only concern the painting right? But as we know nothing is perfect(except for maybe goatman\'s painting). Seems to me that they are so prevalent at the shows now that it wouldn\'t necessarily help any piece stand out(ironically nowadays you might stand out more without one...).

So what do you think, is it worth the time/cost/effort?

HtB

 

[Dragonsreach]

The base can make or break the finished effect on a mini. I\'ve seen one or two extremly highclass minis on what seem to be glossed tops of primer spray cans. But it worked for them
I\'d aim to keep it simple and clean and if using wood, well finished and a complementary colour to the mini.

 

[Trevor]

I have to say that yes, it does make a difference. At least in the first cut, if done properly it helps the mini stand out.

However in later stages, many judges will remove a mini from a display base to compare with others not on a base.

 

[Shroud]

It\'s a nice touch, but I\'ve seen many winners (for example all three of the 40k single-mini winners at last year\'s LA GD) that had no wooden base at all.

I DO think that the base itself (rock, flock, grass, stone etc) is important and should fit the theme of the mini.


Jarrett

 

[Cerridwyn1st]

Listen to those guys - Dragonsreach and Shroud

If you didn\'t know, Dragonsreach has earned a Finalist Certificate in GD compitition in England, while Shroud is a GD medalist. Listen to them.

 

[Herb the bitter]

Thanks for the input everyone. I\'m hoping to go to Chicago, so I should have time(although my 16 month old twins may say different).

I am looking forward to seeing what other peoples stuff looks like in person.

HtB

 

[darthfoley]

They are a dominant feature of the competition, for good or evil.

 

[Cerridwyn1st]

Originally posted by darthfoley
They are a dominant feature of the competition, for good or evil.

Yeah, and some of the bases in Atlanta were pretty evil. They would have been better off putting the time and energy into their figs.

 

[Confessor Townsend]

Top tip for the day

Scour charity shops for knick-knacks and wall plaques with wooden bases. A hell of a lot cheaper than ones that you can buy through gaming stores as a rule.

 

[Taer]

It is only necessary for the diorama categories. In those, if you don\'t have one you are screwed.:flip::bouncy:

 

[Cerridwyn1st]

Originally posted by Taer
It is only necessary for the diorama categories. In those, if you don\'t have one you are screwed.:flip::bouncy:

Don\'t forget battle scene, Taer.

For further reference, why not check out the winners from Atlanta?
http://gamesday.us.games-workshop.com/GamesDay2004/Atlanta/Coverage/Golden_Demon/winners.htm

A lot of first place winners are on nicely decorated gaming bases, not pliths. The Sword winner is on a plith, but it is still a fairly simple base.

There were pieces with very elaborate bases that aren\'t in these pictures at all, because they didn\'t even make the first cut.