Match historical miniatures by both scale and basing system. Figure height describes appearance; base dimensions and the number of figures represented can determine how a unit functions in the rules.
Do not treat scale labels as exact measurements
Warlord’s Epic Battles American Civil War page describes troops with a 13.5 mm foot-to-mid-eye measurement while also using a broader scale label. Its Bolt Action starter uses 28 mm / 1:56. These examples show why nominal labels should be read with the manufacturer’s measurement convention rather than converted into a universal promise that two ranges match.
If a project mixes manufacturers, compare an actual sample or dimensional drawing before ordering a whole force. Height, body proportions and equipment size may affect the visual result even when labels resemble one another.
| Record | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Measurement convention | Foot-to-eye and overall height are not the same dimension. |
| Base width and depth | Unit frontage and contact depend on the rules footprint. |
| Figures per base | A base may represent one figure, a team or a larger formation. |
| Facing | Some rules and assembly guides specify orientation. |
| Unit organization | A visually plausible group may not match the chosen force list. |
Use the exact unit’s basing guide
Battlefront publishes unit-specific basing guidance. Its US infantry guide, for example, distinguishes command, mortar and weapon-team arrangements. That is more useful than assuming every infantry model goes on the same base. Confirm the game, edition and product code before applying an older generic diagram.
For an existing collection, record how it is currently based and ask the intended opponent or organizer what adjustments are acceptable. Do not automatically rebase everything from a secondary summary; the relevant rules may offer a workable route, or the new system may require a genuinely different arrangement.
Plan the collection as a system
Match figure scale, bases, terrain and transport together. A box of compatible-looking soldiers is only one part of a playable force. Keep one completed sample base beside the purchasing checklist so later additions can be compared with the actual project.
Sources and method
This is a researched decision guide. Product facts were checked against the primary sources below on November 2, 2026. Selection advice and worked examples are editorial reasoning. This guide does not include hands-on testing.
