Basing Space Wolves

[Prototype]

Probably a painting forum question, but again I think its better to post it here because I'm asking for some specific basing ideas for Space Wolves given the higher concentration of SW players that drop by this forum.

 

Things that I'm looking for are:

1) Ideas for snow bases - the usual "baking powder snow" one looks very realistic, but might look a little too simple when you see nothing but white on the bases of an entire army......

 

2) Ideas for non-snow bases - just in case I decide to skip the snow altogether; after all Fenris does have an awesomely hot summer...

 

3) Colors for the sides of the bases. While its important that the color of the sides of the bases compliment the color of the terrain, I think its also important that they somewhat compliment the color of the Space Wolves chapter; I've seen some people do Space Wolf Grey base sides for their Space Wolves, makes the whole thing look kinda bland ><

 

Thanks!

[HERO]

Baking powder snow?

[Grey Mage]

Heh... I lightly and thinly paint the top of the bases white- it makes it look like dirty snow. On some of them I do a base of dark dark blue first, and then it looks more like thin ice- thick white highlights complete the picture.

 

Occaisionally I use bits of flash or the tops of other bases all chopped up to form rocks on part of the base, or if I find a pebble about the right size and shape. In the end it works pretty well.

[Wispy]

I used to do snow, using cork and baking powder but then got bored of it. This tutorial was helpful: http://archive.brushthralls.com/Mambo/inde...05&Itemid=9

 

Now I use resin bases. Costs a little, but less fuss, and looks great.

[Valerian]

I've never really understood why so many Space Wolves players like to base their models with a snow/ice theme; I figure most of the fighting is done somewhere other than on Fenris.

I've gone with the simple green/browns that match well with a typical temperate woodlands style game-board.

Valerian

EDIT: Added a picture of a dude and his base. Used an earthy brown for the edge, which blends in better than leaving it black. Modelling sand painted with a few drybrush highlights for the first layer then some patches of modelling grass on top.

[nurglespuss]

My thoughts exactly, I cant see the space wolves being 'home' much.

 

I'm going for desert, with cork bark rocks and dry yellow grass with either a dark brown or black rim (I usually go for black base rims as this elevates your model, and makes it look fine when put onto a board with a different theme to your base).

[Vanger]

I go for an "ice waste" basing.

 

First I paint the base Space Wolves Grey, then glue unfiltered GW Modeling Sand on it (so there are larger grains in it, which look like rocks). I paint it again Space Wolves Grey and then drybrush it with Skull White.

 

This gives a nice frozen feeling to the base and makes a lighter contrast to my wolves Shadow Grey armor.

 

Edit: I opted for this basing, because I already have an army with grass bases <_<

[greese_m0nkey]

I start off with a brown to make the base look muddy, then do patches of green grass and snow. It looks like when the snow first starts to melt in the spring. If I can get a good picture I will post it.

[Grey Mage]

I dont paint them white for the shores of fenris- I paint them white for the ease of creation.

 

And because of the all the blasted moons, northern wastes, and of course.... for stormcaller.

 

Because psychic blizzard or real blizzard, theres going to be snow.

[WolfLordLars]

I am going for a snow theme as well, if only for the 'look'. Sure, they probably dont fight in the cold very often... but thats the theme of the army.

 

I was planning to go with some sand/gravel glued to the base, painted with the Woodland Senics earth tone, maybe a brown wash, then snow in patches. When I look at 'open terrain' here in Colorado, unless it JUST snowed, and snowed heavily, its usually patchy. Now, send a unit of troops across that open terrain. Its going to be more mud than snow.

[wiplash]

i have slate bases with sand and static grass

[WG Vrox]

If you are wanting to make your troops stand out and pop, you will go with the bright snow base, ya ya every SW player does it. bla bla bla, but the simple fact is our blue/grey prime color looks best with a white base. We are one of the few chapters that can base in snow and say "what other color would I base it in!". Sure Grey Mage has a point with regards to fluff and ease, but again the fact that a bright base is the best color for our chapter color overrides all other issues.

 

Photo to help convince you.

 

http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq71/WG_Vrox/ArticStorm-8.jpg

 

 

Vrox

[Valerian]

If you are wanting to make your troops stand out and pop, you will go with the bright snow base, ya ya every SW player does it. bla bla bla, but the simple fact is our blue/grey prime color looks best with a white base. We are one of the few chapters that can base in snow and say "what other color would I base it in!". Sure Grey Mage has a point with regards to fluff and ease, but again the fact that a bright base is the best color for our chapter color overrides all other issues.

 

Photo to help convince you.

 

http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq71/WG_Vrox/ArticStorm-8.jpg

 

 

Vrox

 

No offense Vrox, but that photo doesn't convince me at all. Instead of making of making those models "pop", those bases make the whole army more muted instead.

 

Valerian

[LoneSniperSG]

I've never really understood why so many Space Wolves players like to base their models with a snow/ice theme; I figure most of the fighting is done somewhere other than on Fenris.

 

My thoughts exactly, I cant see the space wolves being 'home' much.

 

Sorry but my Space Wolves and IG happen to be fighting against Chaos in the middle of a really bad ice storm season. I've got some urban terrain mixed in on the bases, though.

 

Really want to make Space Wolves "pop"? Model them on dark terrain. Streets and dark rocks/soil contrast with the Space Wolves' armor colors.

 

I've seen some people do Space Wolf Grey base sides for their Space Wolves, makes the whole thing look kinda bland ><

 

Ya but if you have snow base, you don't paint the side of the base red. Just like you don't paint the base of a desert warrior green or blue. The base is supposed to be the part of the model that (ideally) blends the model into the terrain of the gaming table.

[Wispy]

I would submit this to you: if you needed to request a space marine chapter for a mission on a snowy, cold world, then you would probably ask the space wolves first.

[Valerian]

I would submit this to you: if you needed to request a space marine chapter for a mission on a snowy, cold world, then you would probably ask the space wolves first.

 

Actually you would probably ask for the Chapter whose forces were closest and had the fastest response time.

[LoneSniperSG]

I would submit this to you: if you needed to request a space marine chapter for a mission on a snowy, cold world, then you would probably ask the space wolves first.

 

Actually you would probably ask for the Chapter whose forces were closest and had the fastest response time.

 

 

Which would probably also be the Space Wolves.

[Valerian]

I would submit this to you: if you needed to request a space marine chapter for a mission on a snowy, cold world, then you would probably ask the space wolves first.

 

Actually you would probably ask for the Chapter whose forces were closest and had the fastest response time.

 

 

Which would probably also be the Space Wolves.

 

 

Uh, so you are proposing that out of the approximately 1,000 Chapters in the Imperium, spead all across the known galaxy, that the the Space Wolves would typically have units closer than any other Space Marines to every possible battlefield involving a snowy cold world? That's taking the fanboyism a little to the extreme, don't you think?

[Oldenhaller]

I'm always a fan of mtching the bases to the board. Do you have a board you and your mates regularly play on and if so would your mini's look good based to suit it?

 

~O

[LoneSniperSG]

Uh, so you are proposing that out of the approximately 1,000 Chapters in the Imperium, spead all across the known galaxy, that the the Space Wolves would typically have units closer than any other Space Marines to every possible battlefield involving a snowy cold world? That's taking the fanboyism a little to the extreme, don't you think?

 

Actually all I gather from the other Marine codices is that they're stuck-up. Space Wolves care about the little guy.

 

Plus we have .. "rogue" .. Space Wolf companies all over.

 

 

So yeah. Fanboyism is your interpretation. My response was trying to convey the message that Space Wolves would probably be quicker to act and more dedicated in their efforts than 980 of those other Space Marine chapters.

[Wildfire]

A basing I've always liked was the floor grating one. I think Daeothar's Fiery Lions were the ones I saw using it. I'm sure he's got pics up somewhere on the B&C.

 

As far as the sides go, I do something a little unusual. My DIY uses the sides of the base to designate which squad is which, so they're all different colours.

[WG Vrox]

No offense Vrox, but that photo doesn't convince me at all. Instead of making of making those models "pop", those bases make the whole army more muted instead.

 

Valerian

 

Looking at it now, the models in front are a bit blurry, so does come off a little bland. Here is a picture of what white based models will look like on a green table.

 

http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq71/WG_Vrox/GT-8.jpg

[Bellygrub]

I'm doing a snowy trench base theme for my wolves. Of course we tend to play a lot of trench battles so it works for our terrain. Your mileage may vary.

 

The resin trench bases are from DragonForge.

[WolfLordLars]

Uh, so you are proposing that out of the approximately 1,000 Chapters in the Imperium, spead all across the known galaxy, that the the Space Wolves would typically have units closer than any other Space Marines to every possible battlefield involving a snowy cold world?

 

Yes. :)