As I await my order, I’ve started my preparation for the figures arriving.  Having checked I have the primers, paint etc. I need and ordering where I haven’t, I started to look at basing and whilst I’ll hold off until the figures arrive to reach a final decision (n.b. solo gamer so I go with what works/looks good).  I wonder if anyone has any views or experience of the 1-2-3 basing method especially in terms of Colonial.  I’ve read in various forums positive views but some of those are in larger scale to 6mm and often its based on a skirmish I’m hoping to do a mixture of Skirmish to sizable battles etc. 

Sorry never heard of 1-2-3 basing. What is it? Which Colonial period are you referring to? Which rules are you looking at and which basing do they suggest? Thanks!

I'm starting with the Zulu period, with other areas future projects.  In terms of rules I have Men who would be Kings and I was looking to adapt Pony Wars (nb Sands of Sudan rules is on my list to get too for Colonial).

I've taken this from the web as a basic example 

6-figure unit comprised of a horse, dragoons, forlorn hope, and commanded shot uses three bases: a 3-piece base, a 2-piece base, and a 1-piece base (3,2,1).

Similarly, a 12-figure unit comprised of pikemen, shot, and clansmen uses six bases: two 3-piece bases, two 2-piece bases, and two 1-piece bases (3,3,2,2,1,1)

The 1- piece base would as a norm be a command figure but a large unit with the varying 3,2,1 bases would be able to form various formations but there would be more bases to move.   The  base size for 1,2,3 I'm thinking of using is 9mm (for leaders),12mm (for singles), 15mm and 20mm bases for infantry and 15mm,  and 20mm for cavalry which I got from Roll a One - Wargaming blog https://rollaone.com/2017/02/26/a-prayers-as-good-as-a-bayonet-on-a-day-like-this-colonial-6mm-welsh-wizardry-car-wrecks-and-focus-in-combat/ .

I might give it a trial with some blank bases with a number to represent the figures now thinking World WarII might go that way (after testing)