Buying guide
The Basing Box
Updated How we research
Turn plain bases into tiny dioramas. The page is split into five sections (Core basing materials; Texture paints for instant ground; Static grass that stands up; Tufts and flock for variety; Glue it all down), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 20 picks. Our scores range from 6.8 to 8.1 out of 10.
- Best overall:War World Scenics 6mm Pasture Static Grass 100g. Highest overall score in this guide at 8.1/10.
- Also great value:Gorilla Super Glue Gel, Clear Glue, 20 Gram (Pack of 2) - All Purpose and Fast Setting. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.0/10.
- Solid build:Loctite Super Glue Ultra Gel Control, Clear Superglue, Cyanoacrylate Adhesive Instant Glue, 0.14 fl oz Bottle. Build and materials score of 8/10, overall 8.1/10.
- Feature-rich:The Army Painter Battlefield Tufts: Scorched Tuft, 77 Pcs, 3 Sizes. Features score of 8/10, overall 7.8/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Core basing materials
- War World Scenics Natural Slate Stone - 180ml Tub - Wargame Miniature Basing MaterialOur score7.8/10
- War World Gaming Rocky Alpine Miniature Basing KitOur score7.3/10
- War World Gaming Fantasy Battle Miniature Basing KitOur score7.3/10
- Warmtree Miniature Basing Material, Rock Terrain Kit for Diorama ModelsOur score6.8/10
Texture paints for instant ground
- Games Workshop Citadel Technical Texture Paint - Stirland Mud (24ml)Our score7.7/10
- Games Workshop Citadel Technical: Agrellan EarthOur score7.7/10
- Citadel Games Workshop Pot de Peinture - Technical Texture Astrogranite (24ml), GrayOur score7.6/10
- Citadel Paint: Technical - Armageddon DustOur score7.1/10
Static grass that stands up
- War World Scenics 6mm Pasture Static Grass 100gOur score8.1/10
- War World Scenics Four Seasons Static Grass KitOur score7.6/10
- WWS War World Scenics WWScenics Pro Grass Micro Static Grass Applicator - Railway Modelling Scenery Electrostatic Flock Flocking MachineOur score7.5/10
- War World Scenics Static Grass Starter Kit 1 - Model Railway & Wargame SceneryOur score7.3/10
Tufts and flock for variety
- The Army Painter Battlefield Tufts: Scorched Tuft, 77 Pcs, 3 SizesOur score7.8/10
- Gamers Grass: Dry Green Tuft (6mm)Our score7.7/10
- The Army Painter - Jungle Tuft | 3 Different Sizes | for a Realistic Result | Landscape ModelingOur score7.1/10
- The Army Painter Battlefields, XP - Meadow Flowers Tuft Terrain Model Kit for Miniature Bases and Dioramas - 77 Pcs, 3 SizesOur score7.1/10
Glue it all down
- Loctite Super Glue Ultra Gel Control, Clear Superglue, Cyanoacrylate Adhesive Instant Glue, 0.14 fl oz BottleOur score8.1/10
- Gorilla Super Glue Gel, Clear Glue, 20 Gram (Pack of 2) - All Purpose and Fast SettingOur score8.0/10
- Bob Smith Industries BSI-103 Insta-Cure Super Thin CA Glue, 2 ozOur score8.0/10
- The Army Painter Super Glue for Miniatures - Cyanoacrylate Hobby Glue with Precision TipOur score7.9/10
All 20 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1War World Scenics 6mm Pasture static grass in a 100g bag, a natural green grass fiber for bases and terrain.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 6mm fibers give a lush meadow look on typical heroic scale bases
- + 100g bag covers a large number of bases and terrain boards
- + Pasture color blends easily with most fantasy and historical armies
- - Needs a static applicator to stand the fibers upright
- - Longer 6mm length can look overgrown on small infantry bases
#2Loctite Super Glue Ultra Gel Control in a 0.14 fl oz bottle, a squeeze-control gel cyanoacrylate for precise gluing.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Side-squeeze bottle gives excellent drop-by-drop control
- + Rubber-toughened gel resists knocks during gaming
- + No-drip gel stays put on awkward joints like arms and banners
- - Small 0.14 fl oz bottle empties quickly on large projects
- - Gel can take a little longer to grab than thin CA
#3Gorilla Super Glue Gel in clear, 20 gram pack of 2, an all purpose fast setting gel for gluing minis and repairs.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Gel formula does not run, making it easier on vertical joins
- + Pack of 2 gives a spare before the first bottle dries out
- + Fast setting bond works across metal, resin and plastic
- - Gel is thicker, so it can leave visible glue on tiny parts
- - General purpose nozzle is less precise than hobby tips
#4Bob Smith Industries BSI-103 Insta-Cure super thin CA glue in 2 oz, a watery cyanoacrylate that wicks into joints.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Super thin CA wicks into pre-fitted seams for invisible joins
- + 2 oz bottle offers huge value for regular hobby builders
- + Very fast cure speeds up assembly of metal and resin parts
- - Too runny to fill gaps or hold loose-fitting parts
- - Easy to glue fingers together, so handle with care
#5The Army Painter super glue for miniatures, a cyanoacrylate hobby glue with a precision tip for metal and resin minis.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Precision tip applies small drops exactly where parts join
- + Cyanoacrylate bonds metal, resin and plastic in seconds
- + Hobby-focused glue sized for miniature painters' needs
- - Check the bottle volume before ordering multiples
- - Can frost clear parts or nearby paint if overused
#6War World Scenics Natural Slate Stone in a 180ml tub, real slate pieces for rocky wargame miniature bases.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Real slate gives natural rock texture that drybrushes well
- + 180ml tub supplies enough slate for many bases
- + Breaks into smaller pieces for infantry or larger for monsters
- - Slate edges can be sharp and need gentle handling
- - Heavier than cork, adding weight to large bases
#7The Army Painter Battlefield Tufts Scorched Tuft, 77 pcs in 3 sizes, burnt brown tufts for war-torn bases.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Scorched color adds a war-torn feel to grimdark bases
- + 3 sizes break up repetition across a whole army
- + Pairs well with mud and ash textured bases
- - Brown tufts can look lifeless on bright fantasy armies
- - Sticky backing may weaken on dusty base surfaces
#8Games Workshop Citadel Technical Texture Paint Stirland Mud in 24ml, a textured paint for quick muddy bases.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Textured mud paint applies straight from the pot with a spatula
- + Dries with a realistic crackle-free mud texture ready to drybrush
- + Official Citadel basing color matches army painting guides
- - 24ml pot covers fewer bases than bulk texture tubs
- - Can shrink or crack if applied too thickly
#9Citadel Technical Agrellan Earth in a 24ml pot, a water-based texture paint that the listing says creates realistic cracked-earth bases for miniatures.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Listing states it creates realistic cracked-earth bases straight from the pot
- + 24ml pot size is stated clearly, so you know how much paint you are ordering
- + Water-based formula, so brushes and tools clean up with water
- - Listing gives only three short bullets, with no color description or drying guidance
- - A single 24ml pot is small next to the 200ml and 250ml tubs elsewhere in this guide
#10Gamers Grass Dry Green Tuft in 6mm, a premium self-adhesive tuft sheet popular with tabletop hobbyists.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + 6mm height suits standard heroic scale miniatures well
- + Dry green tone works for temperate and late summer bases
- + Gamers Grass is known for dense, realistic tufts
- - Check the tuft count per sheet before ordering enough
- - Premium pricing compared with generic tuft packs
#11Citadel Technical Texture Astrogranite, a gray water-based acrylic texture paint with coarse and fine grit that leaves a rough, grainy base surface ready for drybrushing.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Mix of coarse and fine grit forms a rough, grainy surface in a single product
- + Gray color gives a neutral stone-like base that the listing calls ideal for drybrushing
- + Non-toxic, water-based acrylic made for the bases of plastic, metal and resin miniatures
- - Listing is inconsistent on size: the title says 24ml while one bullet says the pot holds 12ml
- - One small pot holds far less texture paint than the large Vallejo and AK tubs in this guide
#12War World Scenics Four Seasons Static Grass Kit, a mix of grass colors for spring through winter scenery.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Multiple seasonal colors let bases match any army theme
- + Blending colors gives more natural, varied grass patches
- + Kit format saves buying separate bags of each shade
- - Smaller quantity per color than single-color bags
- - Some seasonal tones may rarely be used on a single themed army
#13War World Scenics Pro Grass Micro Applicator is a compact electrostatic static grass applicator for grass 1mm to 6mm on small bases and dioramas.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 6/10
- + A compact applicator listed for 1mm to 6mm static grass, which suits miniature bases and small scenes.
- + Supplied with a medium sieve head, so it is ready to use once a battery is fitted.
- + From the same War World Scenics Pro Grass line as the layering system it replaces, and the listing mentions matching basing glue and layering spray.
- - Requires a PP3 9V battery that is not supplied, so add one to the order.
- - At about $97 it is a large spend for painters who only base a few models, and the sieve head is the only one included.
#14War World Gaming Rocky Alpine miniature basing kit, a themed set for mountain and rocky terrain bases.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Alpine theme gives cohesive rocky, highland style bases
- + Suits mountain dwarves, highland troops and cold climates
- + Themed kit makes a whole army match quickly
- - Specific theme will not suit desert or urban armies
- - Bases themselves may not be included in this kit
#15War World Gaming Fantasy Battle miniature basing kit, a mix of materials for classic fantasy wargame bases.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Fantasy battlefield theme suits most medieval style armies
- + Mixed materials build varied, natural looking bases
- + One kit covers units, characters and monsters
- - Contents are not itemized, so check what you receive
- - PVA glue is sold separately for attaching basing materials
#16War World Scenics Static Grass Starter Kit 1, a beginner static grass bundle for wargame scenery and model railways.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Starter kit bundles grass and tools to begin static grass work
- + Designed for both wargame bases and railway scenery
- + Great introduction before investing in larger grass supplies
- - Check exactly what is included before buying this starter kit
- - Starter kits often lack a powered applicator
#17Citadel Technical Armageddon Dust, a textured basing paint that dries to a sandy, dusty desert ground.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 5/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Sandy texture is ideal for desert and wasteland themed bases
- + One-step application replaces glue and sand basing
- + Drybrushes easily to bring out grain texture
- - Check the pot size against the newer Citadel packaging
- - Pale color may not match darker earth themes
#18The Army Painter Jungle Tuft is a pack of self-adhesive style grass tufts in three sizes for adding lush plant growth to miniature bases.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + Three tuft sizes let you match small and large bases and build a layered look on one model.
- + A jungle theme gives a different look from the other tufts in this guide, useful for tropical or swamp bases.
- + From The Army Painter, an established hobby brand, and priced in the middle of its tuft range.
- - The listing does not give the piece count, so check the pack contents before comparing value.
- - It is a single theme, and the listing suggests attaching tufts with super glue and tweezers sold separately.
#19The Army Painter Battlefields XP Meadow Flowers Tuft is a 77 piece kit in 3 sizes for adding flowering meadow growth to miniature bases and dioramas.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 7/10
- + 77 pieces in 3 sizes give enough tufts to finish a unit of bases, per the product title.
- + A flowering meadow style adds color to a base, which plain green tufts do not provide.
- + Made by The Army Painter and part of its Battlefields XP line of terrain kits for miniature bases.
- - The listing has no feature bullets, so the details of the tufts and how to attach them are not stated.
- - A single themed pack, so it works as an accent beside plain grass and not as the only ground cover.
#20Warmtree Miniature Basing Material is a rock and sand gravel terrain kit for diorama models, with large, medium and small pieces to mix.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10
- + Large, medium and small sand gravel sizes can be mixed, which helps give bases a more varied ground texture.
- + Realistic styled rock is listed for scales including 1:35, 1:48 and 1:87, covering many wargaming figure sizes.
- + Priced low for a multi-grade kit, and the listing says it uses environmentally friendly materials.
- - Rock and gravel only, so grass, tufts and basing glue need to be bought separately.
- - The listing does not state the weight or volume of the kit, and Warmtree is a lesser known brand.
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Mini Paint Lab curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.