The early editions of DBA did not include armies for North America, though the DBM Army Lists did include such armies. The recent edition 2.0 February does have lists based on the DBM lists. Honestly because of troop types and other reasons such armies are not survivable in a DBM tournament or non-historical local play. These Native American armies should be used to conduct an enjoyable and even realistic campaign for control of hunting grounds and other resources. I used a combination of information from my research on Native American Nation armies which is presented in the 'Our Place Under the Sun' series, the DBM lists and the recent DBA lists as the basis for classifying most troops.

With some army lists, I have included some suggestions for the available 15mm castings with which to base armies. Of course castings armed with firearms should not be used. Actually except for the latest time frame even hatchet weapons are unsuitable.

Generic classification guidelines have been added below. These are for Historical Campaigns in North America and would not apply for non-historical events.

Blade classification vs Warband. Blades comments from the rules: "close fighting infantry...had better armor or shields than other foot...close quickly to avoid missles". While Native American stealth is legendary, it was not a common tactic until they had to face firearms in large numbers. Early tactics among the Iroquois was one of a mass wedge with the chief and other heavily armored (wood) warriors in front. The intial engagement with the French explorer Champlain clearly describes this tactic and the fact that the Frenchmen could not miss even with their inaccurate matchlocks (also illustrated in a 1613 woodcarving). In addition the warclubs used came in various sizes and the larger ones especially would have been used with devastating effect. Therefore I have decided to rate a certain portion of troops from certain, not all, tribes as Blades.

Bow classifications "formed body" comments limits its use among most tribes. Only in the American Southwest were units of massed bow recorded as being used. Though historically, the use of throwing sticks would be considered a distance weapon. The fact that the warriors were double armed indicates that such troops may be better classified as Ax rather than bow or Psiloi. In regards to the impact of arrows, some were flimsy, others were poisoned and still others as reported by the DeSoto expedition "could penetrate the horse after passing through the rider's leg , wooden saddle and saddle blanket".

Auxila/Ax represents bow or other distance armed weapons + melee weapon warriors.

Spear classifications "formed body" comments limits its use among most tribes. Only in the American Southwest were units of massed long spears recorded as being used. Any Spear rated troops should NOT get the bonus of a second fighting rank to its rear.

Psiloi classification may represent the stealth mode of fighting associated with Native American but I believe that is an inaccurate representation. Yes, ambushes and hunting party encounters would reflect Ps, but most battles represented by DBA contests are significant engagements between massive war parties. In these cases other classes such as Wb, Ax would dominate.

DBA basecamps and DBM baggage elements. The use of the Built Up Area in the

DBA 2.0 edition actually does a good job of relecting the importance of a fortified tribal village and should not be dismissed because of the lack of urban areas in North America. The Northwest Pacific Indians and the Polynesian tribes in particular but all tribes could place fortified villages adjacent to water features. Southwest tribes may want to use adobe houses as Built Up Areas or camps.

For those gamers who like debate, the wood carvings of Spanish operations against Timuca tribes in Florida provide some good material. The Timuca Indians are shown marching in formation in a large hollow square with leaders directing movements from the center. Upon encountering the enemy tribe, the front block spreads out and locks the enemy in place with bow fire and threatened charges. At the same time a wing block marches rapidly to outflank the frozen end of the enemy formation. The rear block moves up as a reserve. Quite a feat for an ill-trained group of Ps and Wb warriors.

Eastern Forest (Bk4-9) Variants. Atlantic Coast.

A. Iroquois. Late comers to the area and considered invaders from the SW into that region. 3 x 4Bld (Chief), 2 x 2Ps, 4 x 3/4Wb, 3 x 2Ps OR 3/4Wb OR 3Ax

B. Algonquin. 1 x 4Bld (chief and retainers), 3 x 2Ps, 6 x 3/4Wb, 2 x 2Ps OR 3/4Wb OR 3Ax

C. Eastern Siouan. 6 x 3Wb (Chief), 4 x 2Ps, 2 x 3Wb OR 2Ps OR 3Ax

Moundbuilder (Bk4-10).

The DBM narative describes the use of tribal arsenals. John Swanton (Indians of the Southeastern United States) describes this and the weapons which were common in the area. Knives were carried by every warrior. Other weapons included the warclub, bow, lance/pike, javlin, blowgun and dart throwers/atlatls. Chief would be a Blade element.

D. Mississippi Valley and northern Gulf coast. Natchez, Chickasaw and Choctaw, etc. 2 x 3Bld, 2 x 3Bw, 1 x 2Ps (blowgun or sling), 3 x 2Ps (mix), 4 x 3Wb OR 2Ps OR 3Bw

E. Early Muskogee (Al-Ga) and Cherokee (AL-NC-TN-GA) 1 x 3Bld, 3 x 2Ps (blowgun, sling, atlatls ), 2 x 2Ps (mix), 3 x 3Wb, 3 x 3Wb OR 2Ps OR 3Bw

G. Late Muskogee (Al-Ga) and Cherokee (AL-NC-TN-GA) 3 x 3Bld, 3 x 2Ps (mix), 3 x 3Wb, 3 x 3Wb OR 2Ps OR 3Bw

H. Early Florida and the Caribbean Islands (Timuca, Carib and others) The Falcon UK Tupi series and even any Nubians with stylized hair can be used for these tribes. 4 x 3Wb (Chief), 4 x 2Ps, 1 x 3Bw, 3 x 3Wb OR 2Ps OR 3Ax Timuca based on woodcarvings : 1 x Bld (chief), 3 x Bw or Ps, 2 x Ps, 6 x 3 Ax

Northwestern Pacific coast (Bk4-11)

The coastal tribes were very warlike and most participated in an active slave trade. The DBM list indicates that bows were the main weapon but my research shows that hand to hand combat with specially designed daggers and short spears was preferred. Another characteristic reflecting melee warfare was some tribes practice of removing the entire head and not just the scalp as a trophy to be displayed in front of his house or the village. Phillip Drucker "Indians of the Northwest Coast" states that weapons included , bows, warclubs, daggers, thrust not thrown long spears and north of Vancover Island slings and dart throwers were used rather than bows..

I. Tinglit, Coastal Salish, Haida, Tsimshian 1 x 3Bld (chief), 3 x 2Ps, 3 x 3Bw, 3 x 3Wb OR 3Bw, 2 x 3Bld OR 3Wb OR 4Sp (Nobles)

J. Aleut, Eskimo, Inuit, and other MacKenzie/Arctic region tribes. 3 x Wb (Chief0, 3 x 2Ps, 6 x 3Wb OR 2Ps OR any combination of Ps and Wb.

The following lists do not have a comparative list in the DBM Army Lists.

K. Yokuts, Modoc, Pomo and other California area tribes. 3 x 3Wb (Chief), 3 x 2Ps, 6 x 3Bw OR 3Wb OR 2Ps OR any combination of Ps , Bw and Wb.

L. Great Lakes Tribes of the pre-horse era including the Winnabegos, Dakota, Cree, Illini, Fox, Sauk and others. 3 x 3Wb (Chief), 3 x 2Ps, 3 x 3Bw, 3 x 3Wb OR 2Ps OR 3Bw OR a combo of Ps, Wb or Bw.

M. Great Plains Tribes of the Pre-horse era including the Arapaho, Cheyenne, Pawnee, Kiowa, Crow, Blackfoot. Ax represents bow + melee weapon warriors 3 x 3Wb(Chief), 4 x 2Ps, 2 x 3Ax, 1 x 4Sp, 2 x 3Bw OR 3Ax OR 2Ps OR 3Bw OR 4Sp (Sp was the main weapon used to kill the buffalo and used in defending villages.

N. Southwestern United States nations including the Navaho, Pueblo, Yuma, Apache and others.

I would not hestitate to use the Aztec Common warrior from any Aztec range for these troops 3 x 3Wb(Chief), 3 x 2Ps, 3 x Ax, 3 x 3Wb OR 2 Ps OR 3Ax OR a combination of Ps, Ax or Wb.

O. Zuni tribes are recorded as grouping and training warriors according to weapon type. The groupings were bow, spear, sling and melee weapons (wooden clubs/ swords). Chief Wb or Sp. 2 x 3/4Bw, 2 x 4Sp (receives second rank Sp bonus), 2 x 2Ps (sling), 2 x 3Wb, 2 x 2Ps OR 3Wb, 2 x 3Wb OR 3/4Bw or 4Sp

Q. Tribes of pre-horse era Texas including Commanches, Caddo, Tonkawa and others

Commanches can use the Texas list or the Great Plains list. 2 x 3Wb(Chief), 2 x 3Ax, 4 x 2Ps, 4 x 3Wb OR 2Ps OR 3Ax OR a combination of Ps, Wb or Ax.

Considering that Hawaii is a part of the United States and has an often overlooked martial heritage, I am including DBA Lists for based in part on the DBM List (Bk4-12). I have included other lists from the DBM list of that area for campaign purposes. Also Northwest Pacific tribes claimed to have reached Hawaii which also provides for interesting campaign opponents. R. Polynesian: Hawaii, Maori, Samoa. 1 x 3Bld (chief), 2 x 2Ps (sling), 9 x 3Wb

S. Melanesian: Fiji, Solomons, New Hebrides. 1 x 3Bld (chief), 2 x 2Ps (bow), 9 x 3Ax OR 3Wb

South and Central American DBA Lists

While I have a little room left here are some suggestions for South and Central American DBA lists. Mexican (Aztec, etc) area and Inca lists are given in the book.

T. Tarascan. Aztec enemies. 2 x 3 Bld, 2 x 2Ps, 7 x 3Bw, 1 x 3Wb (Otomi) OR 3Bw OR 2Ps

U1. Tlaxcalan, Later.(Non-Spanish) Based on WRG list. 2 x 4Bld, 4 x 4Bw, 4 x 4Sp, 2 x 2Ps

U2. Tlaxcalan w/ Spanish Ally (DBM). 1 x 3Bd, 2 x 2Ps, 3 x 3Bw; SPAIN 1 x 3Kn, 2 x Bd, 1 x 4Bw

V. Tupi. (Bk4-29) Brazil. 4 x 3Wb, 4 x 3Bw, 2 x 3Wb or 3Bw, 2 x 2Ps OR 3Wb OR 3Bw

W. Mixtec/Zapotec (Bk4-53) 9 x 3Ax, 3 x 2Ps

X. Chanca (Bk4-70) vs Inca. 6 x 4Ax, 2 x 2Ps, 2 x 3Wb, 2 x 2Ps OR 4Ax OR 3Wb

Y. Chimu (Bk4-71) vs Inca. 9 x3Wb, 3 x 2Ps OR 3Wb OR a combination of Ps and Wb

Z. Amazon Tribes (Bk4-72) 8 x 3Bw, 2 x 2Ps, 2 x 2Ps OR 3Bw

AA. Moecha pre-Inca/Chanca. 8 x 3/4Ax, 2 x 2Ps, 2 x 2Ps OR 3/4Ax OR 3Wb