Unit ID markers

[chalkie]

Hi Lads, Do any of you use unit ID markers in your games ? I want to make some but not sure how to do it , any pics would be great.
Cheers.

[FierceKitty]

Flags!

[chalkie]

Haha,

[Wulf]

I game in Skirmish scale, each little toy soldier on his own washer base. The rim of each washer is painted a colour according to the squad/unit - red, blue, green, etc, brass for the HQ, grey for support units. As I play Chain of Commnad, and in that, leaders get 2 or 3 orders, I put 2 or 3 little dots of white on the back of each leader's washer rim. A single dot denotes 'this is not a rifleman' - be they Bren gunners, ammo carriers, etc - you have to look at the figure to tell. I fond it visible enough without being intrusive.

[Leman]

I have marked up my 1866 Austrians with codes on the back of the base. One half denotes brigade, other half denotes regiment, then dots denote 1st battn, 2nd battn etc. My SYW stuff is easier - flags and facings.

[chalkie]

Yeah flags and facings is the norm but just thought you lot would have other interesting ways. Cheers lads.

[d_Guy]

Hi Chalkie,
Yes with ECW I have so many dang flags they actually do work.
I have experimented with other ways all of which involve printing labels (in the smallest fonts of course), covering with laminating sheets, cutting out and glueing to the bases.

I put up a picture here if you want to see a couple of examples:
https://leadenshipsandtinmen.wordpress.com/2016/02/02/labeling-10mm-bases/

I would just post the pic but WordPress is being temperamental and I can't get a full URL for the image!

[chalkie]

D.guy , I see , more food for thought.
Cheers mate.

[Ithoriel]

Flags, facings, shield designs, crest colours, disc of card from a hole punch glued to the corner of a base and painted in coloured segments, strips of computer printed info stuck on the upper rear part of the base and varnished, bits of gravel glued in the corner of each base and painted with an ID number. Think that covers the options I've used.

[paulr]

I use three coloured boxes on a label at the back of the stand. Depending on the rule set these are for Corps/Division/Brigade, Wing/Brigade/Battalion, or Brigade/Battalion/Company. The background colour of the label indicates side, and I include key game info on the label

An AWI example here http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,8883.msg177732.html#msg177732

[mollinary]

For me it depends on the rule set your are using. What information do you need to know during the game to speed things up?   For BBB I have started using labels which contain the number of stands, the skirmish rating, the weapon it is armed with, and its designation.  Additionally, if using commanders, I tend to colour code the base and the commander so people can try and keep units together.  So a label might simply have  something like 5S Vet NG 5th Brigade.  This would be a five base unit, with the skirmish capability, rated Veteran, armed with the Needle Gun, the 5th Brigade (ie part of 3rd Division of 2nd Corps).  I print these on thin coloured card from my local stationers.

I would recommend experimenting with a variety of ways of doing things til you have found something which meets your main criteria. For me these are:

1) They are easy to read;
2) They contain all the information you need to play the game;
3) They are either unobtrusive, or do not detract. Form the aesthetics of the game.

They do not need to be permanent. Mine seldom last more than a single game, are ripped off, and replaced for the next one! 

Mollinary

[paulr]

I agree with Mollinary, great to have the key info on the stand, saves having to keep looking at roster sheets or similar

I tend to have a permanent label for each stand and blutack a temporary label over it if they are standing in for anyone else

[Ithoriel]

Mine are never real, historical formations which does make it easier tbh.

So, even if the setting is a historical battle the units never existed and the action takes place out of sight of the historical record.

SCENE VII. Another part of the field. Alarum: excursions. Enter a group of fictitious units, based on historical TOE's, pursued by a bear.

[John Cook]

I find that with many periods - ACW, some Napoleonic infantry, modern - the units all look the same so I use a colour code system on the rear of the base - unit, brigade, division.  Most of my gaming is computer moderated so each unit also has a unique number which is incorporated in the division colour code.  Full unit details are on the underside of the base.

[d_Guy]

SCENE VII. Another part of the field. Alarum: excursions. Enter a group of fictitious units, based on historical TOE's, pursued by a bear.

This!  Wargaming as storytelling at its best.