GW’s old unit filler for Warhammer the Old World costs over $85 a base; here’s an easier and cheaper way to do it!
The idea of filling out your units is a really cool way to play Fantasy because it lets you get more models, should cost less, and lets you make a cool diorama. For those who don’t know, a unit filler is something you put in the middle of your big units, which count as models for the regiments. Usually, players use this to replace the second and third-rank models. Then, when you take enough casualties, you remove the piece. However, GW’s idea seems to be more expensive than buying more models for products that are super hard to find
GW’s Old World Unit Filler Costs Over $85 a Base!
GW recently posted an article about how to make your own unit fillers, but as we said, it’s pretty expensive. However, this is nothing against Pete the Wargamer, as we’re sure he did what GW was asking as their influencer. Obviously, you can go this route, as it looks great, but these bits are both hard to find and pricey as they come from the $65 Bone Tithe Nexus, $33.50 Spirt Hosts, and the $75 Skaven Plague Furnace.
These look great and have a lot of work put into them (which isn’t bad if you are looking for a full-on hobby project). However, if you were to source the kits for just these bits alone, the average cost of these two bases is over $85! So, if you just want bigger units for cheaper, this doesn’t seem like the way to go.
Plus, the Plague Furnace has been hard to get for a long time (like most things on GW’s site.) Instead, let’s look at how you can do this with some existing bits you may already have and make them more engaging for gameplay and hobbying like we used to do ‘back in the day.’
How To Make Your Own Base Fillers Cheaper & Easier
These bases are from eBay but are a great representation of what you can use to make your fillers. This is how we did it back in the day, and you make filler with your existing bits and some ‘regimental’ bases. Take two long rectangle bases (25×50 and a single square 25×25 or 30×60 and 30×30), depending on your army and base sizes. This gives you two full ranks, with a couple of single bases you can use to ‘make change’ when you only take a few casualties. You can also do two rectangle bases so you still have single miniatures on both sides (it would look like the picture above but with a single square base on both sides and not pushed to one side).
Just Add Bits
Then, you chop up some dudes or raid your bits box for something that matches the unit. Like a giant pile of shields and weapons, a bunch of arrows as your archers search for new ammo, or even just a couple of models standing on taller rocks. If you bought any of the big boxes, you should have plenty of bits lying around to make the fillers, or you can always add a couple of models in some kind of cool terrain and put them on the big bases.
This will let you add a bunch of extra models without spending much cash and have units that stand out. By doing them on single rows like this, it’s also easier to keep your ranks organized and remove a full rank when you take enough wounds.
Games Workshop used to have these long regimental bases (one long rectangle base like 25×100, etc.) you could use for a whole rank, but they are currently not offered. Regardless, it seems like a much easier idea to chop up some dudes for casualties or raid bits box for terrain, not a HUMONGOUS base in the middle of your regiment that costs you $70ish.
In summary, unit fillers are a great way to add more models to your Warhammer The Old World army at a lower cost. If you’re looking to expand your army, try making some unit fillers and share your experience with the community!
Warhammer The Old World Base Converters From Elrik’s Hobbies:
Elrik’s has you covered for the new changes coming with the switchover from Warhammer Fantasy to The Old World. They have options for both your pre-existing models and those that have yet to be based. Y
ou can put them on base converters (so you don’t have to cut the feet off or change the base color) or use totally new sizes. Plus, they also have movement trays and themed resin bases. Best of all, you can get 10% off your order using the promo code Long War Rules.
With Games Workshop’s decision to move for a slightly larger base size on average with the switch from Fantasy to Old World, Elrik’s Hobbies has come up with an easy solution for those units that you have already seated on a base. You will still have to paint the edges of these, but if you ask us, it is a far easier option than rebasing! They have a few sizes already but are adding on more.
Warhammer The Old World Bases:
Get 10% off your order using promo code: Long War Rules.
They also have updated square and rectangle base sizes, plus movement trays for customizing your new Warhammer, the Old World army, if you don’t want to use the converters! Plus these are perfect bases to use for unit filler as well!
Warhammer The Old World Movement Trays:
Get 10% off your order using promo code: Long War Rules.
Movement trays for Warhammer: The Old World 25mm Square bases ranging from 5-10 bases wide by 1-6 bases deep. Tray image is shown as an example. All trays will be sized appropriately based on required columns and ranks.
Whether you are rebasing or ready to play, this makes moving across the board so much easier.
Resin Base Designs Perfect for Warhammer The Old World & Fantasy:
Update and rebase your Warhammer Fantasy models to The Old World with four exciting new styles of resin bases from Elrik’s Hobbies.
Click Here To Get Your Warhammer The Old World Bases!
Get 10% off your order using promo code: Long War Rules.
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About the Author: Rob Baer
Rob Baer
Job Title: Managing Editor
Founded Spikey Bits in 2009
Socials: Rob Baer on Facebook and @catdaddymbg on X
About Rob Baer: Founder, Publisher, & Managing Editor of Spikey Bits, the leading tabletop gaming news website focused on the hobby side of wargaming and miniatures.
Rob also co-founded and currently hosts the Long War Podcast, which has over 350 episodes and focuses on tabletop miniatures gaming, specializing in Warhammer 40k. and spent six years writing for Bell of Lost Souls.
Every year, along with his co-hosts, he helps host the Long War 40k Doubles Tournament at Adepticon and the Long War 40k Doubles at Las Vegas Open, which attracts over 350 players from around the world.
Rob has won many Warhammer 40k Tournaments over the years, including multiple first-place finishes in Warhammer 40k Grand Tournaments over the years and even winning 1st place at the Adepticon 40k Team Tournament.
With over 30 years of experience in retail and distribution, Rob knows all the products and exactly which ones are the best. As a member of GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association), he advocates for gaming stores and manufacturers in these difficult times, always looking for the next big thing to feature for the miniatures hobby, helping everyone to provide the value consumers want.
While he’s played every edition of Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy (since 5th Edition) and has been hobbying on miniatures since the 1980s, Titans of all sizes will always be his favorite! It’s even rumored that his hobby vault rivals the Solemnance Galleries, containing rulebooks filled with lore from editions long past, ancient packs of black-bordered Magic Cards, and models made of both pewter and resin.
