Re-evaluating Miniature Poses: Down with Excessive Elevation!

The Rise of Elevated Bases: A Slippery Slope in Miniature Design

It began subtly and logically. A miniature of an orc, with a foot resting on a helmet, achieving a more dynamic stance, or a dragon affixed to a rocky outcrop to simulate flight. Yet, somewhere along the way, this design philosophy took an extreme turn. We pushed the boundaries too far, escalating to figures like a dwarf—a species known for their compact stature—absurdly depicted mid-leap from a shattered statue's head, all to create an illusion of height and dramatic presence on the tabletop.

Critiquing the Exaggerated Stances of Modern Miniatures

This dwarf is hardly an isolated case. Consider Maugan Ra, the Phoenix Lord of the Dark Reapers, awkwardly straddling multiple elevated rock formations to strike a heroic pose, as if appointed to a grand, theatrical role. His appearance suggests less of a formidable soul harvester and more of a performer poised for an overly elaborate guitar solo.

The Pervasive Influence of "Tactical Rocks" in Wargaming

While other miniature companies also utilize elevated bases—Corvus Belli even markets them separately with playful names referencing pop culture icons—it is in Warhammer that these "tactical rocks" have become an inescapable fixture. Games Workshop itself once ran an April Fool's joke about a life-sized version, highlighting their own awareness of the trend's ubiquity.

Questioning the Necessity of Over-the-Top Bases

When a design element becomes so prevalent that its own creators satirize it, shouldn't there be a reconsideration? Despite this, figures continue to be mounted on so much debris they appear to be surfing. This excess makes miniatures more prone to breakage and difficult to transport to gaming sessions.

The Original Intent vs. Current Excess: A Look at Readability and Stature

The initial concept behind these elevated bases was clear: to make army generals and command units easily identifiable and imposing on the battlefield. Often, these key characters were mounted or inherently large enough. When they weren't, a modest rock served to elevate them, as seen with Orikan the Diviner's 2012 model or the 2013 Chaos Terminator Lord, though some argue the latter already possessed sufficient gravitas without it.

From Subtle Elevation to Unnecessary Props: The Evolution of Miniature Bases

Over the past decade, Games Workshop has progressively increased the scale of its elevated bases, incorporating tactical branches, ruins, pipes, statues, and even corpses for figures to stand upon. This escalation begins to betray a sense of insecurity in the design. Even a deity like Kragnos, the End of Empires, inherently massive, is depicted propped up on random stone protrusions, akin to someone exaggerating their height.

The Illusion of Flight and the Need for Practical Solutions

The elevated bases intended to simulate flight have also become increasingly absurd. Inquisitor Coteaz's pet eagle appears to be colliding with a metal support, while a Chaos Lord with a jump pack is shown attached to a helmet by an exhaust plume, looking more like an unfortunate mishap than dynamic movement. It's time to bring back transparent flight stands, even if they require more care to maintain.

A Personal Grievance: Practicality and Aesthetics Over Unnecessary Gimmicks

Acknowledged as a minor grievance, this issue nonetheless highlights a shift from practical design to mere embellishment. While these additions are meant to offer more exciting poses, they often lead to fragility and storage issues. Personalizing a command unit through distinct color schemes or banners offers a more meaningful distinction than relying on cumbersome, unstable bases that detract from the figure's inherent design and make transportation cumbersome. Ultimately, these exaggerated bases often appear clumsy and serve little functional or aesthetic purpose.