Displaying Larger Models: A Guide to 40mm, 50mm, 60mm and 80mm Base Sizes

Walk into a wargaming display thread on any forum and you'll find the same recurring problem: gorgeous tiered display of rank-and-file infantry, with the character models, monsters, or large vehicles sat awkwardly in front because the standard stand doesn't fit their base. Larger bases — 40mm, 50mm, 60mm, and 80mm — change the display maths. This is the guide to integrating them properly.

Base size reference (rough guide)

Different games use bases slightly differently, but the broad pattern across the tabletop hobby:

• 25mm and 28mm: Older standard infantry bases. Common on classic ranges and historical games.
• 32mm: Modern standard infantry. The most common base size in contemporary tabletop systems compatible with Warhammer®.
• 40mm: Larger infantry, sergeants, lighter character models, some elite units.
• 50mm: Heroes, characters, bigger creatures, light cavalry.
• 60mm: Larger characters, monstrous creatures, bikes, larger cavalry.
• 80mm and 100mm: Large monsters, dreadnoughts, heroes on mounts, vehicles.
• Oval bases: 60×35mm, 75×42mm, 90×52mm, 105×70mm. Common on monsters, cavalry, and characters.

Why larger models need their own tier

Three reasons larger bases need dedicated display infrastructure:

• Footprint mismatch. A 50mm base on a 32mm-sized tier overhangs visibly. It looks precarious even if it isn't.
• Visual hierarchy. Characters and monsters are usually the focal point of a collection. They deserve elevated, prominent placement — not the same level as anonymous troopers. Elevation is measurable: our own measurements show that raising a model onto a 49mm tier more than triples its visible display height (a 245% increase), which is how a centrepiece reads as the focal point rather than blending into the ranks.
• Weight and stability. A heavily-armoured 50mm model can outweigh a 32mm infantryman by 3-4x. The supporting tier needs to handle that without tipping or sagging.

The Hero tier solution

The WarSplay Hero stand is built specifically for the 40mm-80mm range. The tier surface is larger, the supporting structure is reinforced, and the visual proportions work for character and monster models rather than dwarfing them on an infantry-sized stand.

Most multi-base collections end up with a mix: Classic tiers handling the bulk of infantry, Hero tiers spotlighting the characters and larger models. A typical army display might use four to six Classic tiers and one to two Hero tiers, with the Hero positioned slightly higher or centrally to draw the eye.

Composition: where to place the big models

• Centrepiece position: Highest tier, centred. The model is the visual anchor of the display.
• Flanking position: Two larger models either side of a tighter infantry block. Creates visual symmetry.
• Foreground position: A single oversized model in front of a tiered infantry block. The infantry becomes backdrop; the character is the protagonist.
• Standalone position: Larger models on their own shelf or cabinet section, treated as standalone display pieces rather than part of the army.

Oval bases need special consideration

Most modern monster, cavalry, and elite models sit on oval bases. The dimensions vary — 60×35mm, 75×42mm, 90×52mm, 105×70mm. Two implications:

• Stand surface must accommodate the longest axis. A tier sized for a 60mm round won't fit a 90mm oval comfortably.
• Orientation matters in display. Ovals can be presented end-on (the model facing the viewer) or broadside (the model presenting its longest profile). Choose deliberately.

Hero stands handle most oval base sizes; for the largest ovals (105×70mm and beyond), the XL platform is the right format.

Vehicles and giant models

For genuinely large models — knights, dreadnoughts, large vehicles, giant monsters — the display logic shifts further. These pieces are best treated as standalone display items rather than as part of a tiered formation. Place them on a wider, flatter platform (a single XL tier or a custom plinth) with sufficient surrounding space to be appreciated from multiple angles.

These models often don't sit in a glass cabinet at all — they're floor or shelf-mounted as standalone showpieces. Treat them like sculpture.

Mixed-scale displays

The trick to displaying a mixed-scale collection is hierarchy. Build the display so the eye lands on the biggest models first, then travels down through the supporting cast.

• Largest models at the top or centre.
• Mid-size models on the middle tier.
• Standard infantry on the lower tiers, in formation.

That reads visually like a properly composed photograph — focal point, supporting context, background detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put a 40mm base on a Classic stand designed for 32mm?

It fits, but with visible overhang. For occasional use it's fine — for permanent display, the Hero tier looks much better.

What about really big models — 100mm bases or bigger?

Use a WarSplay XL tier or treat them as standalone display pieces. They're large enough not to need tiering with smaller models.

Do oval bases need a different stand than round bases?

Same stand type, but check the dimensions. A Hero tier accommodates most 60mm and 75mm ovals comfortably. For 90mm and 105mm ovals, consider XL.

How heavy can a Hero stand support?

The Hero tier is engineered for hobby-realistic weight loads — including heavy metal models, multi-part character pieces, and dense resin sculpts. The structural limit is well above anything you'd actually display.

Where do I put the leader if I only have one Hero stand?

Centre of the display, highest position. The leader is the focal point; everything else flanks or supports.