Sculpted bases - do figures need them?

[Lovejoy]

Hello everyone -
A quick intro, as this is my first post. I've been sculpting for a few years, dinosaurs and horses mostly for the garage kit market. I've also done Micro-armour and 6 and 10mm historical figures for wargaming. But I've always been interested in 1/32 (54mm) figures and have decided to have a go at sculpting some.

Which leads me to my question - many figures, 54mm and above, come with a sculpted base in metal or resin. Is there a reason for that?
Or would you prefer the figures to come without the base and be a couple of pounds cheaper?

I know I tend to make my own base for a model, even when one's already provided.

So, opinions please: Should a new figure come with a sculpted base, or just a round plastic base and a cheaper price?

Regards,
Michael Lovejoy

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Seldom I use the base as it comes with the kit. I do however often use it as a start. Perhaps adding or cutting it dowm. Sometimes I mix them if I see fit.

Many figures comes without a base at all. And I dont see much difference in price between them except for the ones with bigger bases.

Also have in mind that the average figurepainter doesnt place his work on a wooden piedestal but rather the base that comes with the kit.

Premade bases as the ones offered by Pegaso and Romeo for example tend to become a little pricey for my taste although I have bought and used some.

Cheers

 

[Bad91Fellow]

I don't like the bases from the kit. I prefer self made bases because than you can do a figure that has nobody else in a setting that is unique.
My opinion

Lennart

 

[vergilius]

Well, it's a yes and a no. It rather depends on the base and how original you want it to be. Also not everybody has the skills to make a base by himself. I guess a lot of people just want to paint the figure.

 

[Dan Morton]

Michael - A suggestion - Why not add a poll? I'd like to know the consensus answer to your question also. Basically I'm not in favor of including bases, but I can see why the market does it.

All the best,
Dan

 

[Roc]

Very good question. Personally I never did care for the bases that come with the kits, I'd rather make my own.

If the prices of figures continues to escalate, I might even consider sculpting my own figures.
I think a poll as suggested by Dan would be a very good idea.

Cheers
Roc

 

[Frank-Holger]

I sculpt and build my own Bases, so there is no need for me to have Bases included. But think of, lets say, the more or less new Bases, p. e. offered from Pegaso. Are they usable, are they neat, to small, to big? What I want to say is, why not making own Bases, detailed the way the owner of the figure like?

Frank

 

[Einion]

Hi Michael, I voted option #2 in your poll.

I think if figures were generally sold without bases, and this did correspond to a reduction in price, that it would generally be welcomed by most modellers. Beginners are likely to appreciate bases more than those who have been doing figures for a few years.

The exception is something that Janne Nilsson (Uruk-Hai) brought up, which didn't even occur to me when you first posted this thread figures where there's a complex interaction between figure/horse and ground, with those I think a base is practically mandatory.

Einion

 

[Major_Goose]

I always make my own bases , so a possible reduction of price would be definately welcome. But in case of specific parts of accesorize like walls, animals, cannons, and the rest i would pay a bit more togetthe whole stuff and decide what to add in my own creation . But for a small piece of metal with 2 holes i dont think is useful to anyone