# Best Basing Materials for Miniatures Source: https://minipaintlab.com/best/best-basing-materials Updated: 2026-10-20 Publisher: Mini Paint Lab. Our score is an editorial rating out of 10 (fit 35%, features 25%, build 20%, value 20%), not a customer rating. Method: https://minipaintlab.com/how-we-research#our-score A great paint job on a plain black base is an unfinished model. Basing grounds your miniature in a place: a cracked desert, a mossy forest floor, shattered urban rubble, or the deck of a spaceship. The materials that get you there range from simple sand and ballast to texture pastes, cork chunks for rock formations, static grass, tufts, leaf litter, and water effects. Some painters buy complete themed kits, others build a library of individual scatter materials that lasts for years. This guide compares the basing supplies that offer the best coverage, realism, and value, and suggests simple combinations that turn a flat plastic disc into a diorama-quality base in one evening. ## Picks ### 1. The Army Painter Battlefields Basing Set with PVA Glue, Tufts and Grass Our score: 8.2/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10) The Army Painter Battlefields Basing Set with PVA glue, tufts and grass, an all-in-one kit for finishing bases. Pros: - PVA glue included, so you can start basing immediately - Tufts and grass give quick natural greenery on bases - Designed to match Army Painter's other Battlefields products Cons: - Limited material variety compared with larger basing kits - Grass colors may need blending with your army theme Details: https://minipaintlab.com/product/B07NKZT1BM ### 2. War World Scenics Natural Slate Stone - 180ml Tub - Wargame Miniature Basing Material Our score: 7.8/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) War World Scenics Natural Slate Stone in a 180ml tub, real slate pieces for rocky wargame miniature bases. Pros: - 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 Cons: - Slate edges can be sharp and need gentle handling - Heavier than cork, adding weight to large bases Details: https://minipaintlab.com/product/B07NGN7Y3G ### 3. WWScenics Modelling Cork Rubble, 50g Bag - Wargame Scenery & Basing Material Our score: 7.6/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10) WWScenics modelling cork rubble in a 50g bag, lightweight cork pieces for wargame scenery and basing. Pros: - Cork is light and easy to break into rocks and rubble - Great for ruined city bases and rocky outcrops - 50g of cork covers plenty of bases due to its low weight Cons: - Porous cork needs sealing or priming before painting - Soft texture lacks the crisp edges of real stone Details: https://minipaintlab.com/product/B07NGYBW44 ### 4. Woodland Scenics Fine Natural Talus (Rock Debris) Our score: 7.5/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) Woodland Scenics Fine Natural Talus rock debris, a small real rock scatter for miniature bases and terrain. Pros: - Fine rock debris adds scale-appropriate rubble to bases - Natural stone color looks realistic even before painting - Well-known model railroad brand with consistent products Cons: - Check the pack size before comparing value to other packs - Fine talus needs glue flooding to hold securely Details: https://minipaintlab.com/product/B003WYOXUY ### 5. War World Gaming Rocky Alpine Miniature Basing Kit Our score: 7.3/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10) War World Gaming Rocky Alpine miniature basing kit, a themed set for mountain and rocky terrain bases. Pros: - Alpine theme gives cohesive rocky, highland style bases - Suits mountain dwarves, highland troops and cold climates - Themed kit makes a whole army match quickly Cons: - Specific theme will not suit desert or urban armies - Bases themselves may not be included in this kit Details: https://minipaintlab.com/product/B071F8QT46 ### 6. War World Gaming Fantasy Battle Miniature Basing Kit Our score: 7.3/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10) War World Gaming Fantasy Battle miniature basing kit, a mix of materials for classic fantasy wargame bases. Pros: - Fantasy battlefield theme suits most medieval style armies - Mixed materials build varied, natural looking bases - One kit covers units, characters and monsters Cons: - Contents are not itemized, so check what you receive - PVA glue is sold separately for attaching basing materials Details: https://minipaintlab.com/product/B01J1B5H3I ### 7. Kromlech Slate Basing Kit Our score: 7.1/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 5/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10) Kromlech Slate Basing Kit, slate pieces from a wargaming brand for rocky and ruined miniature bases. Pros: - Hobby-graded slate pieces sized for miniature bases - Gives rugged cliffs and ledges for dynamic poses - Kromlech is a known name in wargaming accessories Cons: - Check the amount of slate included before ordering - Natural slate needs sealing to prevent flaking Details: https://minipaintlab.com/product/B012IT7CEM ### 8. Warmtree Miniature Basing Material, Rock Terrain Kit for Diorama Models Our score: 6.8/10 (Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 8/10) Warmtree Miniature Basing Material is a rock and sand gravel terrain kit for diorama models, with large, medium and small pieces to mix. Pros: - 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. Cons: - 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. Details: https://minipaintlab.com/product/B0BQMQGJHC As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.