DBA

[M. Hazelton]

Could someone explain this to me? It looks like it might be a good fit for me!

[Maurice]

It's a fairly simple game.

There are 2 players, and each player has 12 units. Each unit represents say a battalion of infantry or a battery of artillery, a squadron of cavalry (remember, DBA deals with everything before 1500AD, so no 7YW, GNW, Napoleonics and such).

You have a gameboard, which is not too large. For 1/72 it would be 36x36 inch, 15mm would be 24x24inch. Each player has a stronghold, called a camp, this is whatever you want it to be, could be a fortress, could be a tent, as long as it is no bigger as permitted by the rules. And you play with dice.

This site has a lot of info:
http://www.fanaticus.org/DBA/index.html

Here you can download a PDF guideline:
http://www.wadbag.com/DBAGuide/default.asp

And here are some army lists (DBA armies have to comply with this list):
http://www.fanaticus.org/DBA/armies/index.html

[Fred]

Could someone explain this to me? It looks like it might be a good fit for me!

What is the period you would want to play ?
Do you want to play tournois or do you want to simulate real battles ?

Maurice has very well explained to you the official rules.
They are for ancients and Middle age periods... and mainly for tournois.

The DBA unnoficial guide is really a very good read (a "must" one) : it explains the rules even better than the official booklet :
http://www.wadbag.com/DBAGuide/default.asp


BUT, you can find a lot of free rules, DBA versions for all periods, following this link :
http://www.freewargamesrules.co.uk/

I know you can even play DBA style games, using grids tabletops, if you want. DBA is a very "geometrical" rule.


For 18th century, I like this rule (DBA version) :
"Make ready !" rules :
http://www.box.net/shared/nq7iqvmpvt
They are very easy to learn.
One base = 1 batallion or 2 squadrons or 1 battery.
You have to keep your lines if you want win...

It exists also an other very good DBA version fro 18th century : "Stand to your colours" rules. I have downloaded the rules but don't find back the link. Tell me if you want I send them to you.

For napoleonic period, two very good versions : DBN (not free) and/or Strategiké (in french and not only for napoleonic).

For 19th century (french and german war, ACW or mexican war) : please look at the very simple and funny rules from the very good french magazine "Vae Victis" (available in english).


I'm thinking to my own rules, using DBA system, to simulate big SYW battles on a 200x100 cm table, with a minimum of 1/72 figures.
I can tell you more if you are interested...

[M. Hazelton]

Thanks Maurice and Fred!
Maurice: How do the dice work?
And Fred: Bring it on

[Fred]

Thanks Maurice and Fred!
Maurice: How do the dice work?
And Fred: Bring it on

Only one die roll per player for PIPs (orders)
Then, for firing on targets or for fighting : only one die roll per unit.
Perfect if, like me, you don't like the multiple die(s) rolls...

Give me your email adress and I will send to you the rules I have downloaded (it it your birthday ?)

[luchs]

dba is a fun and fast game but quite simple ..
i plaied it long time and for me is more funny that armati or things so..

[M. Hazelton]

Fred, could you just send me the link where you got the download?

[ColeF]

Hey Matt, I'm in the process of making some fairly simple napoleonic rules. I'll let you all know when (if) I finish.
@Fred: I'd like that download too.

[M. Hazelton]

Okay, can somebody please explain how combat works? What effect do the different elements have on combat? Are there special powers or anything?

[Fred]

Okay, can somebody please explain how combat works? What effect do the different elements have on combat? Are there special powers or anything?

Matt :
Please download and read the "unofficial DBA guide" : it explains very well all you want !
It will really answer your questions much more better than I can do
Very easy to read and very well done, with shemas and pictures !
http://www.wadbag.com/DBAGuide/default.asp

Matt and Cole :
About the download links : what are the links you exactly want ?
Could you help me a little ? Please
I will try to find them back, for sure.

Do you want "Vae victis" rules in english ?
Do you want "Strategike" in french ?
Do you want "Stand to your colours" ?

If you want DBN, these rules are not for free...
I can send them to you if you want, anyway (if you give me your email) or I can give you the link to purchase it. Asyou like or want.

[ColeF]

Hey Fred, I actually don't want them. I may take you up on them later.

[M. Hazelton]

That okay Fred, I'll actually just pass on the rules!

[Fred]

That okay Fred, I'll actually just pass on the rules!

Matt and Cole,
Send me a message on my email adress and, if you need, I'll send you the rules I have : fr.aubert@free.fr
Don't hesitate to ask for them...

Here are the links I have found back :

Strategiké french rules with 18th and 19th centuries lists :
http://theilsb.club.fr/VAEVICTIS/STRATE ... cipale.htm

"VaeVictis french magazine" DBA rules in english for napoleonic wars, mexican war, ACW and french and german war (very easy and funny !) :
http://www.fanaticus.org/DBA/periodadap ... srules.pdf