I’m waffling about what specific style of resin bases to use for my Tau 2.0 army.  I think I’ve made my mind up, but I’m at that stage where I’d like some external input/opinions before placing an order.

Context:

My previous Tau army had been based thusly:

The army will be painted with the same palette , more or less. Bright turquoise.

What I envision is is something that would pair well with the basing scheme I use with my Orks. Obviously not the same (since I’d just base with ballast and cork), but similar. 

I need the ability to build up terrain to hide flyer flight stands.

So: I’m looking for badlands-y terrain that’ll look good in brownish/orangish/reddish tones. Ground/terrain is a must, ruins are secondary.

Also; looking at what I’m looking at might help paint the picture in my head.

What I’m looking at:

• DragonForge Broken Wasteland – Good visual variety, and mostly terrain. I’d like some artificial stuff on there, but it’s not the end of the world.  Not exactly in love with the pattern/distribution of the cracked earth, though.
• DragonForge Lost Empires – I love the hexes. It’s one of Jeff’s most complete ranges. However: I’m pretty sure this range was made for Tau, and I’d like to be a little unique. It’s also way too heavy on the tiles. I need something 80% terrain 20% man- (Tau-?) made; not the other way around.
• Secret Weapon Ancient Sands – Basically the same as the DF Broken Wasteland, but I like the cracked earth patterns more, and I think the dirt/cracked earth relationship is more realistic. I hate the stones, though.
• Secret Weapon Desert Basin – Isn’t bad, and is definitely on the right track… but I can’t help but feel like I’d get close-enough results from saving the money and just doing myself. Ditto their Desert Mesa and Desert Wasteland line.  And, if that’s the case, what’s the point?
• I could just do them myself. Base them basically the same way I’m doing the Orks. That’s an option, but I’d like to drop these models onto some sharp looking bases.

Well, what do folks think?  Are there any lines that sort of fit what I’m looking for that I should know about?

Knocked out the Rats for the Cure mini over the weekend, of course, but everything else has been… stalled. I just need to focus and wrap up that Librarian. Then, 15 minutes with the airbrush and I’ll be done with Sammael (who will only have taken me two months).