What are flying bases, and why are they important in miniature wargames?

40k Flying bases are a type of miniature base specifically designed to support models that appear to hover or fly above the battlefield. These bases for miniatures with the ability to fly include a vertical rod—often acrylic or plastic—that lifts the miniature above the square or round base, creating a floating effect. This system is essential for miniatures that have flight-related rules, such as Tyranid Gargoyles or Tau Drones in Warhammer 40K, but also for many sci-fi or futuristic wargames that involve aerial movement, jump packs, planes, or drones.

The use of flying stems not only enhances the visual appeal of your army but also ensures fair gameplay. In games like Warhammer 40,000, the position and height of a model can affect line of sight and range measurements. Therefore, using a consistent flight stand system helps ensure compliance with tournament regulations and keeps interactions on the battlefield consistent. Many competitive players rely on transparent flight stands for visual clarity and accuracy during play.

Acrylic stems are a popular choice because they are lightweight, transparent, and can be cut to custom lengths. They allow players to personalize the height of each unit with the ability to fly while keeping the base footprint standard—typically 25mm, 28mm, 32 mm or 40 mm, depending on the model. Wooden or MDF bases with pre-drilled holes work exceptionally well with 5 mm acrylic rods and are ideal for creating stable and modular flying platforms.

The combination of transparent rods with magnetic base options adds even more flexibility. Whether you’re magnetizing for transport, modular terrain use, or simply want to swap miniatures on display stands, the right base and rod system makes all the difference. Investing in proper flying bases improves not just the look of your army, but also the quality and fairness of your games.

How do you use flying bases with acrylic rods and magnets for small miniatures?

Setting up flying bases with rods and magnets for small flying miniatures is easy and highly customizable. Start with a round MDF base that includes a pre-cut 5 mm hole at the center. Green Stuff World offers a lot of types of bases in 25mm, 28mm, 32 mm, or even 40mm size, perfect for most standard flying units. Next, select a 5 mm acrylic rod—transparent and lightweight—which fits snugly into the central hole. These rods can be cut with a hobby knife or scissors to your desired height.

Insert the acrylic rod into the base’s central hole and fix it in place using Cyanoacrylate Glue. The bond will hold the rod securely while remaining clean and almost invisible due to the transparent material. Once the rod is installed, you can attach your miniature to the top of it, usually to a recessed or flat area under the model designed for this purpose. Some players like to drill a small guide hole to ensure a perfect fit.

Most Green Stuff World bases also come with two additional pre-drilled holes, designed for inserting 3×2 mm neodymium magnets. These magnets are optional but highly recommended. With them, you can magnetize the base to a transport tray or use magnetic inserts in terrain features or movement trays. Adhesive magnetic discs are also a great alternative if you prefer a no-drill installation.

Once everything is assembled, you can paint the edge of the base, apply texture or flocking, and integrate it into the rest of your army. The result is a miniature that appears to hover above the battlefield, with a clean, professional presentation and practical benefits like easier storage, transport, and modular deployment.

Where can I buy the best flying base system for miniatures?

The best place to buy a complete, modular flying base system is Green Stuff World. We offer everything you need to create durable, customizable flight stands for any 28–32 mm miniature wargame. Our system includes round MDF bases with 5 mm pre-cut center holes, 5 mm transparent acrylic rods, and optional magnets or adhesive magnetic discs for those who prefer a magnetic setup.

What sets Green Stuff World apart is the level of compatibility and modularity. You’re not locked into a single height or setup. Our acrylic rods are sold in longer strips and can be cut to any height using simple tools like scissors or a modeling knife. This allows for dynamic units at varying altitudes—great for building dramatic scenes or dioramas, and even better for distinguishing between unit types or ranks on the table.

You can also choose from a wide variety of base sizes and magnet options to match your miniatures and their gaming environment best. The system is fully compatible with a wide range of wargames, including Warhammer 40K, Kill Team, Infinity, Deadzone, Stargrave, Zombicide: Invader, and other sci-fi or modern miniatures that require aerial representation.

Our flight stands are designed to offer stability, visual appeal, and flexibility. Whether you're a casual hobbyist or a tournament-level competitor, these bases deliver professional-level performance with minimal effort. 

Which types of miniatures work best with this system?

Flying bases with acrylic rods are ideal for any miniature that is intended to represent aerial movement, hovering, or jumping. In Warhammer 40,000, for example, Tyranid Gargoyles are classic flying units that benefit from this setup. So do Tau Drones, Eldar Swooping Hawks, Jump Pack Marines, or even Necron Wraiths that glide above the battlefield. These units often require consistent base sizes and vertical positioning to comply with rules and visual coherence.

In Kill Team, these types of bases are perfect for agents or operatives with jetpacks, grapnel lines, or drone support. Since games like Kill Team often involve dense terrain and vertical movement, a flying base with a transparent rod helps keep the model clear of terrain features and ensures consistent gameplay interaction.

For other wargames like Infinity or Stargrave, these bases are equally important. These games emphasize mobility, verticality, and modern/sci-fi aesthetics, making a clear acrylic rod system both functional and visually appropriate. Models with jump packs, drone platforms, or energy-hovering equipment gain a lot from being elevated above the standard tabletop level.

In addition, hobbyists often use Warhammer flying stands for display purposes, such as dioramas or scenic bases. The ability to adjust the height and integrate magnets makes them extremely flexible, not only for play but also for storage, transport, and thematic visual presentation. Whether you're painting a centerpiece model or fielding a fast-moving squad, this system adapts to your needs with ease.

Warhammer®, Warhammer 40,000®, 40K®, Kill Team®, Tyranids®, Gargoyles®, Tau®, Drones®, Eldar®, Swooping Hawks®, Necrons®, Wraiths®, and all related terms are trademarks or registered trademarks of Games Workshop Limited. Infinity® is a registered trademark of Corvus Belli S.L.L. Stargrave® is a trademark of Osprey Publishing. Zombicide® and Zombicide: Invader® are trademarks of CMON Global Limited. Deadzone® is a trademark of Mantic Games.

All trademarks, product names, company names, logos, and brands mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Green Stuff World is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any of the companies or games listed above. Any use of such names or references is solely for descriptive and compatibility purposes.

Products offered by Green Stuff World are third-party accessories designed to be compatible with various miniatures and gaming systems, but are not officially licensed or approved by those companies. All rights reserved to their respective owners.