Your wargaming mini has a lovely new coat (or several) of paint. You're almost ready to take it to the tabletop and pray the dice fall in your favour, but wait - is that a naked base I spy? That, my friend, simply will not do. You can't go out in public like that. Luckily getting yourself base ready has never been easier, thanks in no small part to the impressive array of products from Geek Gaming and Gamers Grass.
Good basing can really bring your miniature to life, giving the model context and grounding within a setting. Spending just a little bit of time on basing can increase the quality of immersion substantially. Not only that, but they go a really long way towards helping an army of wargaming miniatures look like a cohesive force.
Together with our affiliate Old Vargr Miniatures we've compiled this guide sure to transform the plainest of bases into impressively thematic terrain in under five minutes.
1: Apply Tufts/Basing Bits
Tufts are a great way to add an extra dimension to your bases quickly. You don't have to go overboard - a little goes a long way! They're available in a variety of styles to suit your theme and most of Gamers Grass' product line is self adhesive, so all you need to do is peel the tuft from the sprue and press it down on the base. It's best to use tweezers like the ones included in the Gamers Grass starter boxes for precision.
If you're planning on adding any other basing bits to the base now is the time to do so - a few skulls, some crystals, tree stumps etc.
2: Apply basing glue
Cover the area surrounding the tufts/basing bits with a layer of basing glue between 1-2mm thick. You can do this by applying a small blob and spreading it thin with an old brush. 
3: Dip base in Geek Gaming Base Ready Mix
Once your base is sufficiently coated it's time to unleash the magic of Geek Gaming's legendary base ready bags. These are available in a variety of mixes for every theme, whether you're basing futuristic 40K soldiers or Age of Sigmar pesky ratmen. Grimdark City Rubble is a particularly solid choice for Space Marines, but take a browse through the collection and see which one suits your theme best.
It's best to empty the bag into a small container (as shown above) and submerge your mini for natural-looking results. You can just apply by sprinkling, but it's cleaner and more efficient to let nature take its course here. You'll get the best results by simply dipping the base into the mix.
Lift your miniature out of the mix and give it a couple of taps to dislodge the excess. As long as you applied the recommended amount of glue, you'll have an instant, natural looking base.
4: Paint the rim
Painting the rim is an optional final touch that can serve a handful of purposes. It can give a cleaner finish to your base, cover up any paint splatter, and unify the model's colour scheme with a complimentary tone. I personally recommend the use of a good primer to get quick, quality results.
Great bases done quick - our recommended products.
That's it - literally all you need to know to get your bases looking great in practically no time at all. This quick process will result in a brilliant base every time. It's foolproof.
Of course, you'll need some supplies to get going. Check out our basing shopping list below for ideas:
- Gamers Grass Starter Box: Currently available in Green, Dry and Alien colours, these boxes include four varieties of tuft, a handy bottle of PVA glue (which you can also use to apply the Base Ready mix) and some tweezers for precise tuft placement.
- Geek Gaming Base Ready Scenic Mix: These are available in so many different mixes that you're sure to find the perfect one for any army.
- Basing Bits: Entirely optional but depending on theme these can add some serious extra dimension to a base. Just use them sparingly to avoid overcrowding and lessening visual impact!
Big thanks to Old Vargr for contributing the steps and pictures to this tutorial - check him out on Instagram for some brilliantly gritty Warhammer minis.
