Malifaux Bases and Base Plugs: Choosing the Right Size for Your Models

Quick answer

Most Malifaux miniatures use 30mm bases, while larger models step up to 40mm, 50mm, or bigger. If you want a sculpted, ready-to-paint look, choose a base plug that matches the model's base size; if you already own plain bases, a base plug pack lets you upgrade without rebasing. For The Other Side, check the unit box because those 32mm-scale squads use their own base sizes.

Basing is the part of the hobby where a finished model stops looking like a game piece and starts looking like it belongs somewhere. The catch is that Malifaux and The Other Side use several base sizes, and a plug that fits one model will look wrong under another. This guide gives you practical rules for matching bases and base plugs to your collection, so you buy once and spend your time painting instead of filing plastic.

Why base size matters more than most hobbyists think

Base size affects three things at once: how the model sits on the table, how much room you have for basing texture, and how the model reads next to its crew. A 30mm base keeps a standard Malifaux miniature compact and easy to position. A 50mm base gives a centerpiece room to breathe and creates a clear focal point, which is exactly what a leader or a large monster needs.

It also affects storage. Bigger bases need wider foam cuts or magnet trays, and a mixed-size collection can be awkward to transport if you standardize on one tray depth. Decide early whether you are optimizing for display, transport, or tournament-ready consistency.

• Measure the footprint of the model, not just the base it shipped with, before sizing up.
• If a model overhangs its base, the next size up often looks better and protects the ankles.

The common Malifaux base sizes and what they are for

Most Malifaux miniatures are supplied on 30mm bases. That is the default for standard-sized characters, and it is the size most base plugs and basing accessories are made for. When you move up to larger models, you will see 40mm and 50mm bases, and some huge models use even larger footprints. The exact size is usually listed with the model or on the box, so check before you buy.

A practical rule: keep a small stock of 30mm bases for rank-and-file models, a handful of 40mm for mid-sized pieces, and one or two 50mm bases for centerpieces. That covers most crews without leaving you with a drawer full of sizes you never use.

• If you are unsure, buy the base size the model was designed for and add texture rather than upsizing.
• Write the base size on the underside of the base with a paint pen so you can identify it later.

Base plugs vs plain bases: which should you buy?

A base plug is a sculpted insert that drops into a compatible base, giving you a themed surface without building it from scratch. Plain bases are cheaper and more flexible, but they demand more work: sand, cork, texture paste, and paint. If you enjoy basing, plain bases plus a bag of texture materials will take you further. If you want consistency across a crew and limited hobby time, base plugs are the faster route.

The trade-off is variety. A base plug pack gives you several copies of a theme, which is great for a cohesive unit but less useful if you want every model to look unique. Many hobbyists mix both: plugs for core troops, custom basing for characters.

• Buy one base plug pack first and test the fit on a single model before committing to a whole crew.
• Keep a few plain bases on hand for conversions and test models.

Matching base plugs to 30mm and 50mm footprints

30mm base plugs are the workhorse size. They fit the majority of Malifaux miniatures and are the easiest to find in themed sets. If you are building a new crew, start here. 50mm base plugs are for centerpieces: masters, big beasts, and models that deserve a scene under their feet. A 50mm plug gives you room for a ruined gateway, broken stone, or a display-worthy vignette.

When you buy, confirm the plug is designed for the base size you own. A 50mm plug will not fit a 30mm base, and trimming a plug usually ruins the sculpted edges. If a product listing does not state the size, treat that as a missing specification and ask before ordering rather than guessing.

• Check the product title for the millimeter size before adding to cart.
• If you plan to magnetize, test that the plug does not block the magnet recess.

The Other Side bases: a different scale, a different checklist

The Other Side uses 32mm-scale miniatures, and its units are sold in boxes with their own base requirements. That means The Other Side bases are not interchangeable with standard Malifaux 30mm bases, even though the numbers sound close. Before you buy basing accessories for a Cult of the Burning Man or other allegiance crew, check the unit box contents and confirm the base sizes included.

Because The Other Side units often have multiple models with similar footprints, a consistent basing scheme pays off. Pick one theme for the whole squad, then use the same texture and rim color across every base so the unit reads as a single force on the table.

• Do not assume a 30mm plug fits a 32mm-scale model; verify the actual base size.
• Buy enough plugs for the whole unit at once to avoid a color or texture mismatch later.

Decision rules for buying Malifaux and The Other Side bases

• Start with the model, not the base: Identify the model's intended base size from its box or product listing. If the size is not stated, treat it as unknown and ask before ordering. Never buy a base plug pack until you know the exact millimeter size you need.
• Buy 30mm first, 50mm second: Most Malifaux miniatures use 30mm bases, so a 30mm base plug pack covers the widest range of models. Add 50mm plugs only for centerpieces and large models. A small stock of 30mm and 50mm covers most crews; skip the odd sizes until a specific model demands them.
• Match the plug to the base, not the other way around: If you already own bases, buy plugs sized for those bases. If you are starting fresh, choose a base-and-plug combination in the size your model needs. Trimming a plug to fit usually damages the sculpt; buy the correct size instead.
• Check scale before mixing game lines: The Other Side uses 32mm-scale miniatures, which are not the same as Malifaux 30mm bases. Verify the base size in the unit box before buying The Other Side bases. Keep Malifaux and The Other Side basing supplies separate to avoid fit problems.
• Plan for the whole unit: For multi-model squads, buy enough plugs or texture materials for every model at once so the unit looks consistent. A unit with mismatched bases looks unfinished even if each individual base is well painted.

Products that show these sizing decisions in practice

• Wyrdscapes: Asian Ruins 50mm Gate Base: The Asian Ruins Gate base gives a larger miniature a striking 50mm setting built around weathered stone and ruined gateway details. This is the clearest example of when a 50mm base plug earns its place: a centerpiece model gets a focal point and a sense of place that a plain 50mm base cannot match.
• The Other Side: Twisted Horrors: Twisted Horrors are a Cult of the Burning Man squad with armor, resilience, supernatural attacks, exceptional movement, and a second Activation in Glory. Because this is a multi-model unit, you will need matching bases for the whole squad. Confirm the base size in the unit box before buying The Other Side bases or plugs.
• The Other Side: ECB Black Ops: ECB Black Ops contains nine 32mm-scale miniatures supplied unpainted. Nine models means nine bases. If you want a consistent look, plan a base plug or texture scheme that scales across the whole unit rather than treating each model individually.
• Malifaux Third Edition: Scrapyard: Scrapyard includes Mei Feng, Foreman Mah Tucket, Mecha Mee-Maw, and Rock Hopper, all 32mm heroic scale and supplied unpainted in high-quality plastic. A mixed-character box like this can include different base sizes. Check each model's footprint so you buy the right 30mm, 40mm, or 50mm base and plug combination.

Who should buy base plugs and who should stick with plain bases

Best for

• Hobbyists who want a consistent, themed look across a crew without building each base from scratch.
• Players who want centerpiece models like 50mm leaders to stand out with a sculpted scene.
• Anyone building a multi-model unit who needs matching bases quickly.

Not for

• Hobbyists who enjoy custom basing with cork, sand, and texture paste and want maximum control.
• Collectors who only display models and prefer plain bases for a clean, minimal look.
• Anyone who has not confirmed the exact base size their model uses.

Base size is a small decision that shapes how your whole crew looks and stores. Check the model's footprint, buy 30mm first for standard troops and 50mm for centerpieces, and keep The Other Side's 32mm-scale bases separate from your Malifaux supplies. Get that right, and every base you add will look intentional rather than improvised.