Basicks Boneyard battle bases set - review

I See Dead People… everywhere

As I already stated a couple of times, The Basicks company is selling lots of accessories for wargames’ fans, and my favorite are their battle bases. Today I wanted to present some of the fairly recent ones, a Boneyard set.

I've seen many morbid designs for miniatures and miniature bases, but none had so many… bones. The set’s name – Boneyard - is very adequate. Their designs are equally fascinating and dreadful, which make them really interesting. If you are painting an army of Undead, Tomb Kings, Vampire Counts or Chaos, those battle bases are ideal for you. It’s like you are watching your own Army of Darkness movie.

  The Basicks company has provided me with an almost whole set from Boneyard series, so I had a good look. There are six different designs with a diameter of 20x20 mm, 25x25 mm (for basic units), 50x50 mm, 40x40 mm (best suited for larger models - heroes and monsters), 25x50 mm (for cavalry) and finally 50x100 millimeters (for example - for chariots or catapults). All those bases are great, but the larger ones can be easily changed into dioramas.

All the bases are quite similar. Still, that’s not a flaw, that’s just the main theme. Almost every millimeter of each base is covered with bones, skulls, and ribcages, all together mashed into the earth so hard and in such quantities, that the bones have become the new ground. Models that use such terrain as a base can be quite intimidating.

All those accessories are made with high quality grey resin. Details as always are sharp and clean, even with such massive number of details: every bone and every skull is made with great attention, and every bone is perfectly visible among others. It is not a surprise, because the high level of detail, as I have found out, is characteristic to all Basicks products. It rarely happens that small errors are visible, such as small air holes in resin, or a skull eye socket not wholly empty (slight miscasts). You must also remember that it is not flat surface, so you must sometimes use greenstuff to properly adjust your miniature.

All of these drawbacks, however, are relatively small and can be easily repaired or wholly ignored. All you have to remember is that the Boneyard set bases are nice designs and can be used successfully, either for whole regiments or for a stand-alone hero (or even for a whole army if you have enough money).

Those items were provided by Basicks company for the purpose of reviewed on Sthenno web site!

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Basicks - BioTech Battle Bases review

The Basicks company is selling lots of accessories for wargames’ fans, including a large number of battle bases. Today I wanted to make some comments on one of my favorites, BioTech.

I've seen many examples of different designs for miniature bases, and those I discuss today are certainly in my personal top ten. Their designs are complex and interesting, not boring, and they do not use the same themes too often. Furthermore, each of them can be a real challenge for your painting skills.

The Basicks company has provided me with some Battle Bases from the BioTech series. There are four different designs with a diameter of 40 mm, and one of 50 millimeters. Those bases are larger than a standard miniature base (25mm) and are best suited for larger models. However, they are also great for smaller, major models (generals, heroes, champions), because you can change them into little dioramas, adding different elements, such as another miniature or a dead enemy's body.

Those bases perfectly fit the mood of the Ridley Scot films, and are perfect for Warhammer 40,000 Necrons army or Space Hulk miniatures. The common themes include skulls, wires, strange liquids, and a variety of mechanical and electronic elements combined with the human body (like servitors).

The first 40 mm base resembles a hole or a tube filled with skulls almost to the brim. Between the bones the cables are “writhing” under and above them, part of the skulls (roughly half the base) are encased with metal bars on top.

The Second base is more abstract. In the recess there is a tangle of cables, which are connected to the more protruding, technical elements. The whole base resembles some strange unknown device serving some surely disturbing function, and it looks quite intimidating.

Another base is an interesting piece, because its central element is a human body. The Main outer part of the base resembles a lens, a bit those like in an old camera, or some cyberpunk bionic eye. The figure is shown in movement, the mechanism is closing or opening and we can see the scene at the bottom. Here we can see a figure of a naked, defenseless woman connected to dozens of cables.

The last of the 40 mm bases also includes "human" motives. Among the tangle of tubes and cables there is a mechanism that looks a bit like sewage pit covered with bars. In between these metal bars there are human hands protruding above the liquid in which they their bodies are immersed, desperately trying to get a grip on metal bars and to pull themselves out.

The 50 mm battle base is similar to its smaller counterparts. There are lots of skulls and split cables. Some of the skulls are covered with a sliding metal shielding. Cables of different thickness also appear on the outside, surrounding the entire base.

I loved  all of these BioTech patterns. They evoke feelings of anxiety by combining biological and mechanical components, which are also skillfully balanced. I also like that each of the bases has two levels of carvings and components, which are placed both deep inside the base as wells as on the top. It gives a great feeling of depth. Thus we have the impression that what we see is only part of a larger machine reaching deep into the ground.

High level of detail  which is characteristic to all BioTech bases can sometimes be disadvantage. In connection with such a large number of small parts and details, there can be some miscasts. Sometimes we can see some imperfections in the casting. There can be resin bubbles in the sockets of skulls or small holes in the cables. All of these drawbacks, however, are so small that they can be successfully repaired quickly with little greenstuff. On the other hand, you can leave them be and while painting you can present it as damaged mechanisms.

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Basicks news - review ENG/PL

For the second time we have an opportunity to take a closer look at the products from the Basicks company. In the previousreview we have presented accessories such as trenches, windows, and treasure chests, This time I’d like to focus on something else. Basicks prepared a continuation of some of previously presented lines of accessories and some completely new things.

In previous reviews we have really enjoyed writing about the set of ornate chests, now we can also see what was inside those chests. The new versions of those are open treasure boxes (the full set consists of five pieces) made in such a way that the open lid reveals its valuable contents. Like in the legends or fairy tales, valuable coins, jewels, and a variety of golden vessels are revealed to our eyes.

This kit consists of several elements. The bases of the ornate boxes are identical to those presented in previous review, but this time their content is exposed. Now we get the lid separately, and we can fix it in any way we want to, so it can be only slightly up or it can by fully open. An additional feature is the treasure strewn on the ground, which can be placed next to the trunks. The whole thing really makes a positive impression and will fit beautifully into many dioramas.

Those who prefer military war games and miniatures may be interested in new ammunition boxes. Their design is fairly simple and boxes are not very different, they all look like classic wooden ammunition crates. A set of six such accessories costs eight euros and certainly can add more diversity to more than one bunker or trench. It's a nice addition, but we think it could be a bit cheaper, or the whole set could be bigger (eight or ten boxes).

New Atomic Fuel Barrels fit in a slightly more futuristic world. Round and oval at the bottom and top, the barrels seem futuristic, as each one is equipped with an electronic  panel. What is more, each of the five barrels is closed at the top with a round, iron, riveted lid. Both ammunition boxes and fuel barrels are relatively simple designs; however, they are still very useful accessories for both collectors and war game players.

The most interesting items are the new rectangular 40mm x 40mm Mystic type battle bases. A full set consists of nine bases (you can buy two random bases for 4,92 € or all nine for 18.45 €), which are arranged together to form a beautiful and complex pattern. They create a part of a old, runic road surrounded by plants and ruins. There are also partially buried treasure boxes, lanterns, different utensils and pieces of ancient architecture.

Each of these bases separately is a small work of art. Two of them represent gear-shaped ruins covered with earth and overgrown with vegetation. Some of the ruins resemble destroyed stairs (on which there sits a small lizard). Two different bases are filled mostly with runic roads and a few plants. Other three bases contain buried chests of similar patterns as Treasure Boxes. Those coffers are surrounded by leaves and flowers, there’s an old vase and two goblets in front of one, and behind the other chest there lies a partially buried lamp. The last two bases are filled with ruins of window frames, similar to Fantasy Terrain Window B, partially covered with ivy and other vegetation, and a piece of rock or some ruined column.

These accessories will certainly fit into more than one army created in fantasy convention. You can use those bases separately or you try to make a set into one large base and put on it one big miniature or a whole group of models. We must also remember that those are not totally flat bases, so not every model will fit them perfectly, minor alterations and conversions in miniature stance (or in the base itself) may be necessary. A single base from this set (especially one of those with the ruins and the runic road) can be certainly integrated into a larger diorama.

As for the quality of all the elements described, were done very well. I did not notice any major defects or deformities, which you would have to remove or repair yourself. Everything was, as always, made of dark gray resin, of good quality, hard but not too fragile. The individual components may vary slightly in tone colors, but this is rare and  in our opinion it is not a real problem.

Już po raz drugi mamy okazję przyjrzeć się produktom firmy Basick. W poprzedniej recenzji przybliżyliśmy takie akcesoria jak okopy, okna, kufry na skarby oraz podstawki, co nowego czeka na nas tym razem? Basick przygotowało kontynuację niektórych z zaprezentowanych wcześniej produktów oraz kilka zupełnie nowych rzeczy.

W poprzedniej recenzji bardzo podobały nam się niewielkie kufry, teraz możemy zobaczyć również co zawierały w środku. Nowa wersja skrzyń ze skarbami open treasure boxes(w zestawie otrzymujemy pięć sztuk) wykonana jest w taki sposób, że uniesione wieko odsłania nam kosztowną zawartość skrzyni. Niczym w baśniach naszym oczom ukazują się drogocenne monety, klejnoty i rozmaite złote naczynia.

Zestaw ten składa się z kilku elementów, podstawę stanowią kufry o wzorach identycznych do tych z poprzedniej recenzji, jednak ich zawartość jest odsłonięta. Tym razem wieko dostajemy osobno i mamy możliwość umocować je, tak jak sami chcemy, może być jedynie uchylone lub otwarte całkowicie. Dodatkowym elementem są skarby wysypane na ziemię, które można ułożyć obok kufrów. Całość sprawia naprawdę pozytywne wrażenie i pięknie będzie pasować do wielu dioram.

Dla osób zainteresowanych bardziej grami i figurkami militarnymi ciekawe mogą być skrzynie na amunicję. Ich budowa jest dość prosta i właściwie nie różnią się od siebie, wszystkie wyglądają jak klasyczne drewniane skrzynie na amunicję. Zestaw sześciu takich akcesoriów kosztuje osiem euro i na pewno ubarwi niejeden bunkier czy okopy. To fajny dodatek, jednak naszym zdaniem mógłby być nieco tańszy, albo zestaw za taką cenę mógłby być nieco większy.

W nieco futurystyczne klimaty wpisują się za to nowe atomic fuel barrels. Zaokrąglone i owalne u spodu i góry baczki sprawiają wrażenie futurystycznych, do tego każda wyposażona jest też w jakiś elektroniczny panel. Wszystkie beczki w zestawie są identycznie zamknięte żelazną, nitowaną pokrywą.

Najciekawsze i ostatnie z udostępnionych nam nowości to kwadratowe podstawki do figurek 40mm x 40mm typu Mistic. Pełny zestaw to aż dziewięć podstawek (kupując w sklepie otrzymujemy dwie losowe podstawki w cenie 4,92€ lub wszystkie dziewięć za 18,45€), które ułożone razem tworzą piękny i skomplikowany wzór. Taka całość to fragment runicznej drogi otoczonej roślinnością i ruinami.  Spod ziemi wyłaniają się częściowo zasypane skrzynie, naczynia i fragmenty starożytnej architektury.

Każda z osobna z tych podstawek stanowi małe dzieło sztuki. Dwie przedstawiają ruiny w kształcie kół zębatych przysypane ziemią i obrośnięte roślinnością, jedne z nich przypominają stopnie (na nich też siedzi niewielka jaszczurka). Kolejne dwie to głównie elementy drogi, jednak na jednej z nich pojawiają się też rośliny. Trzy następne zawierają przysypane ziemią skrzynie o podobnych wzorach jak te z poprzedniej recenzji. Otoczone są liśćmi i kwiatami, przed jedną z nich leżą porzucone naczynia, waza i dwa kielichy przy innej leży za to częściowo zasypana lampa. Ostatnie dwa kwadraty, pierwsza to ruiny framugi okiennej, pokryta jest ona częściowo bluszczem i inną roślinnością, a za nią znajduje się przysypana ziemią lampa, druga to skała z fragmentem ruin.

Podstawki te na pewno będą pasować do niejednej armii utrzymanej w konwencji fantasy. Można używać ich osobno, lub spróbować złożyć całość i umieścić na niej jedną większą figurkę, grupę postaci. Trzeba też pamiętać, że nie są to płaskie podstawki, więc nie każdy model będzie do nich idealnie pasował, drobne przeróbki i konwersje mogą okazać się konieczne.  Pojedyncze podstawki z tego zestawu (zwłaszcza te z ruinami lub runiczną drogą) da się na pewno wkomponować w większą makietę lub dioramę.

Co do jakości wszystkie opisywane elementy były wykonane bardzo dobrze. Nie zauważyłem żadnych większych braków, czy deformacji, które trzeba by samemu usunąć. Wszystko zostało jak zawsze wykonane z ciemno szarej  żywicy dobrej jakości, twardej lecz nie łamliwej. Poszczególne elementy mogły minimalnie różnić się tonacją kolorów, ale nie jest to częste, zresztą nie stanowi to naszym zdaniem żadnego problemu.

Zarówno skrzynie, jak i pudła na amunicję oraz beczki dotarły już obrobione i przygotowane do malowania. Są to stosunkowo proste wzory, będące jednak całkiem przydatnymi akcesoriami, zarówno dla kolekcjonerów jak i dla graczy. Polecam i zapraszam do czytania kolejnych recenzji. 

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Basicks Accessories - review

The Accessories I’m about to review are mostly the basic and terrain elements. All was made by Basicks and it was a first time I had seen their product up close. Let’s start with a little history. Basicks is a Polish company/producer specializing in creating resins accessories for tabletop wargames. Its history starts in 2003 with Mr. Grzegorz Tomaszewski and a little furniture studio. In 2012, lots of changes and new ideas Basicks as we know today was created.  

First thing I noticed after looking at Basicks resins is that they use a different resin type than Scibor, Max Mini or Titan Forge (it’s not F38). Since they create mostly battlefield terrain elements and battle bases it’s not a problem, it may even be seen as an advantage (F38 is harder, but more fragile). When you create big terrain elements it does not mater, as the finished product is still nice and hard to damage or break.

When we buy items from Basicks shop we get products that are practically ready to paint and play. You don’t have to clean or cut anything - that was already done. None of the cast I discussing here were damaged or distorted and I think that the designs can be really interesting for potential buyers, gamers and collectors alike.

Let’s start with the biggest elements, which are trenches. We all know that trenches are essential in warfare, so they are essential in tabletop wargames. That element is usually easy to make for most gamers, but if you want a professional trench, go for Basicks. I’ve bought/ordered four pieces, each different in size and shape. It was the Infantry Trench set and the biggest one - the Machine Gun Trench.

Infantry Trenches are all nicely done. There are two smaller ones, about eleven centimeters long and three centimeters high. The bigger one is thirteen centimeters long, four cm high and nine across. All are made with sandbags, barrels, some wood and soil. In one or two places the steel pipers or beams are visible, which makes the trenches look realistic, as though they were made from what was available on the battlefield.  The Machine Gun Trench is similar in shape, but it looks more sturdy and has a complete look to it. There is more soil (or gravel) and wooden boards on the ground; there is even a shovel and a water canister.

Two other kinds of terrain accessories I had received to write about are Fantasy Terrain Window B and a set of five Treasure Boxes.  The Window set is an especially cool addition, it looks like stained church windows and will fit ideally for Warhammer Fantasy Battle or Warhammer 40.000 wargames. The windows are eight centimeters high and four and a half in width. Moreover, you can easily make stain glass with it, just glue some transparent plastic to the back of window frame and paint it accordingly.

The Treasure boxes (or if you prefer treasure chests) are all similar in size ( about 3x1/1,5 centimeters) and design, but different when it comes to details. One of them is a typical, simple wooden chest with a classic lock, anotherone is more Greek-like in design and Celtic in ornamentations, and the last three are most fantasy/medieval-like with crest emblems and higher rounded top.

Last but not least, there are battle bases. I received six bases, two round ones (60mm) and four square ones(two 48mmx48mm and two  40x40mm). Their designs are called the Ancient Base and the Jungle Base. All items look nice and would make for a great addition to any collection. Unfortunately, since the price is quite high, not everyone can afford to buy a unique sculptured base for every model in the army.  Still, I think that for heroes and more unique miniatures you can pay and don’t had regrets.

 

The Ancient bases ale mainly decorated with stone road tiles, broken column fragments, and pieces of statues. On top of that there is nature, leaves, grass and roots are slowly covering those ancient ruins. The overall impression is really positive, and you can feel certain sadness and stillness looking at those bases. I don’t know how I will feel having an army in a battle with those bases, but to a collector’s eye I’m sure they are more than satisfactory. 

Two last bases are jungle-themed. The Round and square bases are almost identical, similar in design and details, the only difference being their shape. Plants are everywhere: leaves, grass, roots, stump, flowers and even some animal life (little frogs). Under  plants there are stone ‘Mayan’-like ruins and reliefs visible. 

To sum up, I’m quite happy with those accessories and I can’t wait to paint them and use them for my miniatures and dioramas. 

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