Magnet Sizes for StarCraft TMG, Trench Crusade and Other Wargame Bases

Quick answer: StarCraft: Tabletop Miniatures Game (StarCraft TMG) bases have a moulded slot underneath, and owners who have fitted them report that a 5 × 2 mm disc magnet is the size it takes: one per base, whatever the base size. For other games, pick the magnet by base diameter: 3 × 2 mm for 25–27 mm bases, 3 × 2 mm or 5 × 2 mm for 30–32 mm, 5 × 2 mm for 40 mm, 6 × 2 mm or two 5 × 2 mm for 50 mm, and several 5 × 2 mm or one 8–10 mm magnet for 60 mm and larger. Always check the depth of the hollow or slot first, because a magnet that sits proud makes the model rock.

Most magnet charts online are written around one big game's bases. Newer games use their own sizes, including 27 mm, 30 mm, notched bases and long ovals, and StarCraft TMG adds a ready-made magnet slot. This guide covers four popular games, with sizes taken from each publisher's rules or product listings, then gives the fitting method that works for all of them.

Magnet size by game and base

Game Base sizes used Magnet to use Notes
StarCraft: Tabletop Miniatures Game 25, 32, 40, 50 and 80 mm round; 40 × 100 mm oval 5 × 2 mm in the moulded slot One slot per base. Glue it and press it fully home.
Trench Crusade Set per model: mostly 25 mm and 32 mm, 40 mm for heavier troops, 50–60 mm for big models, some ovals such as 30 × 60 mm 3 × 2 mm (25 mm), 3–5 × 2 mm (32 mm), 5 × 2 mm (40 mm), two 5 × 2 mm (50–60 mm and ovals) The base size is printed in each model's profile.
Star Wars: Legion 27 mm troopers; notched 50, 70 and 100 mm; 120 mm, 150 mm and 100 × 175 mm for the biggest vehicles 3 × 2 mm (27 mm), 6 × 2 mm or two 5 × 2 mm (50 mm), three 5 × 2 mm or one 8–10 mm (70–100 mm) Keep magnets clear of the notches used by the movement tool.
Warmachine (MK4) 30, 40, 50, 80 and 120 mm round 3 × 2 or 5 × 2 mm (30 mm), 5 × 2 mm (40 mm), 6 × 2 mm (50 mm), three or four 5 × 2 mm (80–120 mm) Each model's stat bar shows its base size.

The sizes in the third column are a starting point for magnet-to-steel storage, which is how most people use base magnets. If you want a stronger hold, go wider before you go thicker: a 5 mm disc grips far better than a 3 mm one of the same thickness. Our magnet size chart for 25 mm to 100 mm bases explains why, and best magnets for miniature bases covers sizes and grades in short.

What size magnets for StarCraft TMG bases?

Archon Studio's StarCraft TMG bases come with a round slot moulded underneath for a magnet. Archon has not published the slot size on its product pages. Players who have the bases in hand, including one who had them measured by a magnet supplier at a convention, settled on 5 × 2 mm, with one slot per base on every size, heroes included. Earlier pre-release guesses of 5 × 3 mm did not match the finished bases.

Two practical points from owners who have done whole armies:

  • Glue them in. A 5 × 2 mm magnet is a snug friction fit, so some people skip glue. Several later found magnets that looked fully seated but weren't, leaving a slight wobble that is hard to fix once set. A small drop of superglue, or plastic glue that softens around the magnet, then pressing the base face-down on a flat surface, keeps it flush.
  • Check the depth. One owner measured the slot at about 1.5 mm deep with calipers. If your 2 mm magnets sit proud, press them in before the glue grabs, or use 5 × 1.5 mm or 5 × 1 mm magnets instead.

Base sizes are fixed by each unit card. In the starter set, Archon lists 43 × 32 mm bases, 5 × 50 mm bases and 2 × 80 mm bases. Single kits show the same pattern: the Goliath comes on an 80 mm base and Hydralisks on 40 × 100 mm ovals. Because every base has the same slot, a pack of 100 or 200 5 × 2 mm magnets covers the whole army.

One player's warning is worth repeating: very light models with strong magnets can tug towards each other in play. If that happens, put a magnet in the case and a thin steel washer or self-adhesive steel disc under the base instead. Washers also add weight, which helps tall models stand up.

What size magnets for Trench Crusade bases?

Trench Crusade sets a base for every model in its profile. The official warband rules explain the format: a single number is a round base of that diameter, and two numbers are an oval, smaller figure first. Players summarise the free rules as mostly 25 mm for cheaper troops, 32 mm for leaders and elites, 40 mm for heavy infantry and 50–60 mm for the largest models. The rules commentary also mentions 30 × 60 mm ovals.

  • 25 mm: one 3 × 2 mm magnet in the centre.
  • 32 mm: 3 × 2 mm for light plastic models; 5 × 2 mm for metal, resin or top-heavy ones.
  • 40 mm: one 5 × 2 mm, or two 3 × 2 mm spaced apart for tall models.
  • 50–60 mm and ovals: two 5 × 2 mm along the long axis, so the model can't pivot.

Many Trench Crusade warbands mix in 3D-printed or third-party miniatures. Printed bases are often solid rather than hollow, so you may need to drill a recess with a pin vice: match the bit to the magnet diameter and drill slightly deeper than the magnet is thick.

What size magnets for Star Wars: Legion bases?

Star Wars: Legion uses plain 27 mm round bases for troopers and characters on foot, and notched bases for larger units. LITKO's base guide lists 50 mm for speeder bikes and cavalry, 70 mm for light walkers and emplacements, 100 mm for heavy walkers and airspeeders, and 120 mm, 150 mm and 100 × 175 mm for the largest vehicles.

  • 27 mm: one 3 × 2 mm magnet. Some players use 4 × 2 mm for a little more grip.
  • 50 mm notched: one 6 × 2 mm or two 5 × 2 mm, placed away from the front and rear notches.
  • 70–100 mm: three 5 × 2 mm in a triangle, or one 8–10 mm magnet in the centre.
  • 120 mm and up: four or more 5 × 2 mm around the base. Most of these models travel better in foam or on their own in a box.

What size magnets for Warmachine bases?

Warmachine MK4 uses five round base sizes: small 30 mm, medium 40 mm, large 50 mm, extra-large 80 mm and huge 120 mm. Light warjacks sit on 40 mm, heavy warjacks on 50 mm, super-heavies on 80 mm and colossals on 120 mm, and each model's stat bar carries an icon showing its size.

  • 30 mm: 3 × 2 mm for plastic troopers; 5 × 2 mm for metal or resin.
  • 40 mm: 5 × 2 mm.
  • 50 mm: 6 × 2 mm, or two 5 × 2 mm for tall warjacks.
  • 80 mm and 120 mm: three or four 5 × 2 mm around the edge. Heavy metal and resin models need the spread, not just a bigger single magnet.

How to fit base magnets in five steps

  1. Measure the base and the recess. Note the diameter and how deep the hollow or slot is. Depth is usually the limit, not width.
  2. Mark a master magnet. Put a pen dot on one face and test every new magnet against it, so all your models face the same way. For magnet-to-steel storage, polarity doesn't matter, but it does if two magnetised bases will ever meet.
  3. Glue it in. Superglue for snug slots; two-part epoxy for loose recesses or large magnets. Scuff the magnet lightly first.
  4. Press it flush. Turn the base over and press it onto a flat surface while the glue grabs, so the magnet sits level with or below the rim.
  5. Test on your real tray. Try one model on the steel sheet you'll actually use before you do the whole army.

If magnets keep coming loose, see why magnets fall out of bases. For N35 versus N52, read which magnet grade you need; for most bases, a modest grade with enough diameter is the safer choice for the glue joint.

Storing and displaying magnetised bases

Base magnets pay off when the models travel. Pair them with a steel-lined case or tray and the army stays put in a bag. Our guides to a DIY magnetic carry case and steel sheet vs magnetic sheet cover the options.

At home, a display stand doesn't need magnets at all, but magnetised bases add security on a shelf that gets knocked. WarSplay stands are magnet-ready: add a self-adhesive steel plate and you can use the magnets you've already fitted. Magnets and miniatures are not included. Matching by base size from the live product pages:

  • 25–32 mm bases (StarCraft TMG Marines and Zerglings, Trench Crusade troops, Legion troopers, Warmachine small bases): the WarSplay Classic holds 17 miniatures on 25–32 mm round bases; the Classic Mini holds 8.
  • Heroes on 40–50 mm bases: the Hero Mini has four slots for bases up to 32 mm and one for up to 50 mm.
  • 80 mm centrepieces: the WarSplay Hero has one 80 mm slot, one 75 × 42 mm oval slot and slots for 40 mm and 50 mm bases.

Long ovals such as StarCraft TMG's 40 × 100 mm Hydralisk bases are longer than any slot listed on these stands, so they're better on a shelf or in a case. See all modular miniature display stands.

Frequently asked questions

What size magnets fit StarCraft TMG bases?

5 × 2 mm disc magnets, one per base. Players who have measured the moulded slots report this size for every base, from 25 mm up to 80 mm. If a magnet sits proud, use a 5 × 1.5 mm or 5 × 1 mm magnet instead.

Do I need to glue magnets into StarCraft TMG bases?

It's safer to. They stay in by friction, but several owners found magnets that weren't fully seated and left a wobble. A drop of glue and pressing the base onto a flat surface fixes that.

What size magnet for a 27 mm base?

A 3 × 2 mm magnet suits most 27 mm bases, such as Star Wars: Legion troopers. Some players use 4 × 2 mm for a little more grip.

What size magnets for 30 mm Warmachine bases?

3 × 2 mm for plastic models and 5 × 2 mm for metal or resin ones. Check the recess depth under the lipped base first.

How many magnets for a 50 mm or 60 mm base?

One 6 × 2 mm magnet, or two 5 × 2 mm magnets spaced apart. Two magnets stop tall or heavy models twisting off a steel tray.

Should I use magnets or steel washers on bases?

Either works with magnet-to-steel storage. Magnets in the base and steel in the case is the usual set-up; steel washers in the base and magnets in the case suit very light models, add weight and stop magnetised models pulling at each other during play.

Sources

Checked against the sources above on 28 October 2026. StarCraft is a trade mark of Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.; Trench Crusade, Star Wars: Legion and Warmachine are trade marks of their respective owners. Blubbercove Ltd is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by any of these companies.