Multibases ?

Sebastian,

It depends on what rules you are using.  Most game instructions will state the ideal size for bases.  Some rules are flexible.  For example, I play Command Decision, which covers 20th-century and modern eras.   My base sizes are different from those suggested in the rules. They are larger, and the WW 2 stands contain more figures than what the rules recommend. I have even seen Flames of War bases (which are fairly large) used to play Command Decision.

In Johnny Reb 2, on the other hand, the number of figures on the stand is very important to the game mechanics. One solution I found to this requirement was to mount each figure on a small piece of flexible magnet.  This material usually comes in a roll and is about 2 mm thick.  It can be cut with heavy scissors or a craft knife.  I glued each figure to a piece of this material and painted the top and sides of the magnet piece the same color as the base of the figure.  It's even possible to put a little flocking on the base, though if this gets loose and goes under the magnet it can affect the stability of the figure.

Then I cut stands from sheets of tin. (This does require special tin shears.)   Being thrifty, I cut up the olive oil tins that we were getting anyway, as it is the main oil I use in cooking.  I painted the top of the stand the same color as the bases of the figures.  To make the stands easier to pick up, I also glued each stand to a piece of 2 mm or 3 mm plastic sheet, painting the sides of the sheet the same color as the stand and the bases.

In this way, I could make stands of any size.   Instead of having to paint tens of thousands of figures and make permanent stands of multiple sizes, I only had to paint thousands of figures.      Of course, once HäT releases their new ACW figures, I'll have to paint some more.

And, by the way, after playing Johnny Reb 2 for some time, I discovered that a lot of units had four figures per stand as a norm.  So I did make some permanent stands of four figures.  

An added benefit of the metal stands is that I can attach small magnetic labels to the stands to indicate the units (3rd Georgia, 7th Ohio) or the name of the Brigade or Division commander, etc.   I save those very thin refrigerator magnets that come in the mail or are given away by businesses, and I cover them with white contact paper, write the name and then cut them out.

For artillery I mounted each gun permanently on a stand and only had the crew figures on magnets.  This way, they could be removed if the gun crew ran away or took casualties.  Again, it saved me painting huge numbers of artillery crew, since all field guns can be served by the same crews.  I just pick out the guns needed for a particular scenario and add the crew to the stands.  The type of gun is also written on a small magnetic label, to help those gamers who are not familiar by sight with all the kinds of ACW artillery!

Johnny Reb 2 uses limbers to indicate artillery that is being towed.   I made long stands with enough room for two horses and the limber plus space at the back for the gun.  Then I put another piece of magnet under the gun stand so that it can be attached to the limber and moved easily.  This magnet is from a thinner (and weaker) sheet, but it is good enough to hold the gun in place while moving the stand. Horse artillery gets four horses, with the two extra attached by magnets to a separate stand.

Good luck with your new venture in gaming!

Daniel