Simple Gaming Bases

[oistene]

Hi all,

I've been looking to do something special with my Zombicide survivors, to make them stand out on the table among the simple, single color zombies. I see most people do simple concrete, but I'm looking to add a few simple details like cans, puddles, newspapers and the like. Massive Voodoo had some great stuff, but I am looking for more.

My requirements:

1) It needs to be durable. These will be used for gaming, and I can't stand doing repairs between every game. I know myself, it will never be done.
2) It can't take too much time. I'm willing to let it dry overnight or whatever, but in general I don't want to spend more than half an hour to an hour per base. If I can mass produce, I'm willing to put down more time.
3) I simply refuse to debase the minis. It adds a point of frailty I simply cannot accept (see point 1). It would be okay to glue stuff on or under the mini or whatever, if it helps it look better.
4) I want them to stay somewhat uniform.

Other than this, I'm up for all kinds of stuff! If you don't know Zombicide, it is a modern day urban game.

Anyone able to give some pointers?

 

[shponglefan]

If you're looking for something fairly simple, then I would look at buying precast modeling accents either from scale model railway or military companies. The tricky thing is getting stuff in the same scale, but for model railway accessories, I'd look for items in either HO or O scale. And for military stuff, stuff in either 1/35 or 1/76 might work.

Second option is to try to model such details yourself using plastic, putty, metal, etc.

Third option is to buy pre-cast bases from companies like Secret Weapon, ID Works, Micro Art Studios, etc. This option will be the most time consuming as it involves painting and pinning the miniatures to the new base. FWIW, I've started using Secret Weapon bases and really like them. They have a lot of different styles and themes, and they are nicely detailed.

 

[oistene]

I've been looking at some precasts - they look really nice, but I don't want to risk pinning the frail Zombicide survivors. Maybe if I was working with metal or a harder plastic. Not pinning is not an option, these are for gaming and needs to take some (ab)use. So that is out of the question, but I like what I see and will consider it if I pick up other systems.

Trying to look at model parts is a great idea - there are a few stores in town, so I might be able to get some locally. I was planning to make some on my own, and hoped someone had some neat tricks there.

 

[Pouvla]

Im using Vallejo's texture "paints", I use the Dark Lava Earth for the zombicide figures.
I only just put on my first layer to see how it looks, it needs abit more but so far the result already looks very promising.

I have used the Rough Grey Pumice for basing my Descent figures, with a thick layer and some paint its looking very very good.

The stuff is sturdy like hell, its not gonna get messed up unless you use tools to ruin it.

Heres a link to Vallejo own site:
http://www.acrylicosvallejo.com/en_US/water-_-stone/family/21

 

[oistene]

I already have these, and I like them a lot. I used Black Lava on all the Zombies. For the Survivors, however, I want something more. As of now, the plan is newspapers, and I ordered some gas cans and the like.

I've seen in some pictures that people have made road markings that are incredibly crisp and straight - how is this done? Are they simply a lot better at freehand than me? (quite likely, really...) It is not like I can fit a ruler down on the base ...

 

[shponglefan]

^ Could by they used masking tape to mask off the areas they painted. You can get different sizes of masking tape from various companies. Tamiya makes some.