Dear Terry,

I don't usually comment on other people's rules, even when, like Arty Conliffe, author has knocked mine in the past, but I will make an exception with Armati, as British publicity says it combines all the good things in of 7th, DBA and DBM.

Possibly a little churlish of me, since imitation is said to be the sincerest form of Arty has flattered us by adopting the DBM PIP and combat systems, though in a rather laboured and retrogressive form. It is a pity he did not go further and adopt paces, as we have done for the last 25 years, instead of the comical expedient of different sizes of an inch!

I presume this is to avoid the necessity of having proper ground and troop scales. At least he has gotten rid of all those irrelevant colour photographs he used to use to bump up the price, even if they do seem to have been replaced with paid advertising. And I take it as right neighbourly that he has relieved 7th of the distinction of being the most turgid current rules.

After four years development, DBR is now in its final test phase and we hope to have it the printers about April, together with a single army list book covering 1494-1700. The mechanisms are generally similar to DBM, but with a number of simplifications and innovations to tailor it to the era. There are two ground scales and troop scales, so that an element of close order infantry represents either 100 men in 4 ranks or 400 men in 8 ranks. The larger scale is used for both very small DBA or DBM 100 size games and games representing extremely large battles with 20,000 or more men per side.

DBA has been revised after 5 years. An amendment sheet for the battle rules is now available, but if you prefer a new rule book, the new version 1.1 reprint also updates the campaign rules and brings the army list section into line with the DBM lists. The intention is to cater for competition games against nonhistorical opponents (by chopping elephants off at the knees) and partly to harmonise with DBM.

Have you noticed that, according to a recent "Spearpoint" article, the Kn (I) that one of your correspondents thought I had arrogantly downgraded as the new 'killer' troop type?

Terry,

Well it's a new year and time to try to remember what subscriptions are due to lapse and which are not. I must admit that I have lost track of which month my SAGA subscription is due (Jan, Feb, or March). but I want to ENSURE that I don't miss a single issue. As such. I have enclosed my check for $20.00 to renew my subscription.

Being on assignment in Korea increases the importance of maintaining my ties and currency with the hobby and general field of interest.

On a side note. The museums and historic sites over here offer an interesting prospective on Ancient Armies from the Korean peninsula. I have been compiling some interesting data on weapon type usage, unit formations/tactics, and general army composition. I will probably shoot you off a brief article on this for your review later this year.

Wishing you a Happy 1995 from Korea.