This article is based on the things which were unclear to many of the players in the DBA tournament at Origins 193 in Fort Worth, Texas on July 4, 1993. My understanding of the game is that the 'intent' of the rules is to encourage players to line up and slug it out, not engage in the dance of the elephants. Which works well for me.

REFERENCES

1. Phil Barker -- Response to Karl Gaarsoe's rules questions of April 18, 1992 (No Date - approximately September, 1992)
2. Alan Spencer -- "DBA Clarifications" Spearpoint Vol VI no. 6, (July 1991) page 16.
3. "More DBA Clarifications" Spearpoint Vol VII no. 2, (November, 1991) page 10.

CASES

So I used to play a lot of SPI Boardgames

1. GROUPS of elements move STRAIGHT forwards, to the beat of the drum or the sound of the flutes, as appropriate. Movement by "inclining" or the zig-zag movement frequently seen is strictly prohibited. See also Case 12 below.

2. In the rules, "turns" or "turning" mean wheeling. There is not, and never has been, a free change of face except as provided for under the combat rules (page 8) or case below.

3. in order for combat to take place, the attacker MUST conform to the defenders orientation, edge to edge, corner to corner.

4. Flank attacks are only allowed if the attacker starts behind a line drawn through the front of the defending element.

5. Groups and single elements are prohibited from backing up (References 1 and 3). A single element MAY at the beginning of its movement (only) make a 180 degree about face, (free), and measure it's movement from it's OLD front edge. Except as such an element has wheeled (turned), an element which has used this rule will end it's movement with a facing the opposite to that it started with.

Consider that an element is distorted in depth for ground scale and figure mounting purposes. For example, an element of 1000 close order foot (Blades, pikes or spears) allowing for eight ranks would be 125 x 8; allowing 6' per man, this formation would occupy a space 750' x 48'; A width/depth ratio of 7:1. The standard 15mm base (40mm x 15mm) is 2.33:1. A more realistic visual effect might be achieved by mounting smaller figures (6mm) on 25mm bases.

6. Only Knights (Kn), Scythed Chariots and Warbands follow up. They are required to do so unless they are providing an overlap or are in contact. (see page 9 of the rules)

7. Pikes, Blades and Spears beaten (but not doubled) by a Warband (Wb) are Destroyed; Auxilia, Psiloi, other Warbands and Bows are Recoiled.