It is decided (maybe a good name for a set of rules?), basing my 18 and 28mm ECW figures will be done two ways to suit two “families” of rules.
My 15-18mm Museum figs, enough to make about 30 units are already started (1 unit), as DBR style elements. This is also decent for Forlorn Hope, Principles of War, Fields of Glory, Impetus Baroque (don’t have, but might get), WAB ECW, but most importantly Victory Without Quarter, becasue it actually fixes a problem there.
VWQ has quite rigid needs as written and uses square bases. There are fixes for pike ratios etc, but not really as they, as the author even alludes to, break the games balance. DBR element mounting used with VWQ are fine for facing, but pike depth can be used to show 2:1 or 1:1 pike range, just do your pike deeper. It also makes forming a pike block more attractive as you can spread the shot around the block.
This is basically a 1:1 ratio battalia, 1 or 2 of these make a regiment, but they can also be made up of mixed elements from the same army.
DBR (re-written) with its flexible unit sizes and combined attrition and morale and VWQ modified with different unit sizes and pike to shot ratios represented, are favourites at this point.
My 28mm Redoubt figs will be based 2 or 3 on circular bases, enabling slightly modified** Pikemans Lament, Pike and Shotte, A Very Civille Action, Forlorn Hope, WAB ECW, etc, basically any singles or “unit only” system or my own take on the bits I like from above.
I can sabot base these as needed, but the circular bases still add facing and handling benefits.
TPL recommends 1-2-3 basing, but I intend to modify the rules as written, using elements for condition and attrition rather than full'/half unit conditions.
The point of divergence is the rigid facing of the long-thin DBR style bases as opposed to the flexible circular basing better for handling large figures, which can both use sabot bases if needed.
*3 Pike or Shot on 4mm bases, 2 of looser types (or 3 on larger 50mm bases), Dragoons and horse on larger base. The bases will vary in size for Artillery and other oddities. Some figs, like personalities and leaders may be either separate or included on the base and in play or ignored as the scenario and game require. Some big guns will get a second or even third Crew base. Still some stuff to iron out there.
**TPL will get the element base modification (attrition levels and combat dice counted by element, not full/half), VCA will get a few treaks, P&S, WAB, FH etc are do-able options.