From: Bingham, Ronald C. SFC-4ID G6

Question. That time we played ancients, did we play DBA or DBM?

Do you play both? Zach wants to get the rules and an army to paint for X-mas.

Any suggestion on what rules and a good ready pkg army to start him with?

Response

Yep we played standard DBA, 12 stands on a 2x2 foot spot.

DBM has the same combat system, (only more rules and exceptions etc. and is used for Large battles with large Armies. Each troop stand is worth a prescribed amount of points, and the tournaments are played between Armies for points. Lots of very BIG tournaments with DBM.

I play both, but enjoy DBA tournaments for the simplicity. I like DBM for 25mm Tournaments myself.

Start Zach on 15mm DBA/DBM. One of these Armies:

1. Imperial Romans: They are the FRENCH Old Guard of ancient warfare. Pretty, good combined arms mix, and very powerful.

2. Later Period Mongols: They are a great MOBILE MOUNTED Army, and tough to out-maneuver. 15mm Mongols is the best because the board-space-to-figure ratio is bigger, providing much more maneuver space.

3. 100 Years War English: They are the "WELLINGTON" troops of medieval warfare. Lots of 1st class bows! Great for beginners because all you have to do keep you flanks protected and fire your bows.

4. 100 Years War French: They are the "French Guard CAV" of medieval warfare. Lots of 1st class knights! Great for beginners because all you have to do is close and avoid bows, the odds do the rest.

The Medieval knight troops are the easiest to paint, just sprayed black and dry brush silver over the armor. Then paint or put decals on shields, banners etc.

From: Bingham, Ronald C. SFC-4ID G6

Thanks Pete,

Good info. Zach's Mid ages Spanish knights tore up my Vikings in a DBM game. I agree with you I like DBA, smaller and faster

From Pete

Spanish Knights vs. Vikings eh? Knights are actually pretty good when part of a combined arms team in good terrain. Just gotta know where to send them, and (especially) where to NOT use them. (All war is just an elaborate game of Paper-Scissors-Rocks I think. Wargames are..)

Wayne and I played "BIG BATTLE DBA" to refight Alexander/Macedonians vs. Darius/Persian in a Scenario of Gaugemela. BIG BATTLE DBA uses the simpler DBA rules, and also moves faster due to the lack of technicalities to agonize over. We completed the whole scenario, about 60-80 stands in maybe 90 minutes -2 hours. (Set up and pick up took longer!) BIG BATTLE DBA is maybe better for fun HISTORICAL SCENARIOS but I think not for tricky tournament stuff.

Meanwhile, order that lad a copy of the rules mate!