[Michigan Joe]

Great responses and I would add one thing- total weight (figure + base) can matter IF you play with certain boards. The board type MAY affect which weight you would want to make your players, let me explain....

I have come to find that the boards we use are the biggest variable in the game, and any variation in board vibration, frequency, and amplitude can lead to different performance by figures of different weights. For example. take the differences of a Tudor 620 and a wood 308. The wood 308 is very lively and I GENERALLY find that slightly heavier total weight (figure + base =3.5-4.0g) run smoother and more repeatable than lower weighted players in the 2.2-2.8g range. With the smaller Tudor boards utilizing linear vibrators and thin metal they achieve a higher vibration frequency and I have GENERALLY found the lighter figures to perform nicely and to run very smooth. I've found the Watts boards run somewhat similarly to the Tudor 620s (not surprising since it uses the same motor type) but at very high speeds I still see some advantages of higher total weight for improved balance. On this board I've found that the higher the speed you use the less likely you are to have any slow spots on the board. I also love my homemade metal field (2'x4' board) with a rotary motor (with counter weight on the motor). It runs SUPER quiet (with no slow spots) and board sound is very improtant for me when I want to run the board at night after my 3 little kids go to bed. This is the only board I have that my wife doesn't notice when I turn it on. This board is generally very smooth but runs at a lower frequency and higher amplitude than the Tudor style boards (mainly because of the thicker metal and counter weight style motor). On this board, I've found that slightly heavier than standard figures (3.2-4.0) work extremely well because they are less likely to fall over during contact with other figures, although extremely well balance lighter figures (like the old tudor tackle) are fine too.

Forgive my if this all sounds too technical, that is just the mechanical engineer in me. My point is, there is no reason to say that any particular combination is best. My opinion is to get with your local crew and understand which boards everyone likes to play with. This will go a long way in setting a weight limit. Secondly, if there are people that you play with that like certain figures that are heavier than "standard" 2.0g then work that out so you can satisfy everyone.

I hope this adds insight into this sometimes "divisive" topic.
Joe