Sunday 27th August 2017 - Gt Houghton
I think that I had previously played 2 games of DBA v3.0 at WDW but remember very little about them. As a consequence I started as a 'virtual' novice on Sunday.
In preparation I had read the rules but they are written in Barkerese with the 'Battlefield Terrain' page being a masterpiece in gobbledegook. I later did manage to find a visual aid on the net. [Don Harting's DBA 3.0 Setup Guides - look in Files section of Yahoo DBA group (also in the Files section on Facebook).]
Ian had been watching videos put up by some Americans and from that he obtained insights into game play.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPbrwPKb2QU
This helped a lot.
Game One: Latins v Polybian Roman (4-3 loss)
Wonderful movement dice but awful when fighting.
Note: Putting down a road restricts starting point to 2 sides of the board (long sides).
Game Two: Picts v Mid Imperial Roman (2-4 win)
I should have lost this one as Ian had a number of chances to kill off two of my fast pikes (but the dice gods said No). I finally managed to chew through his frontage to take a fourth elelment.
It was a fun afternoon.
In the evening I re-read the rules (pp 4-7) and it brought up a number of points:
p5, para 6 (Bows) - "....longbows (Lb) or crossbows (Cb), are differentiated by effect."
p5, para 8 (Hordes) - a new troop type but not the same as that in HotT (no replacements).
p6, para 5 (Double elements) - "A double element is 1 element of the army's 12, but may count as 2 elements when lost."
p7, para 4 (Placing Features) - "There must be a gap of at least 1 BW between area features and between an area feature OTHER THAN A BUA and any battlefield edge."
p7, para 7 (Area Terrain Feature) - "...BAD GOING, which slows the movement of, and is an adverse close combat tactical factor for...and may hinder shooting..."
"...ROUGH GOING, which reduces move distances but is not a tactical factor and does not affect shooting."
"All hills slope up to a centre line crest and give a close combat advantage IF PART OF AN ELEMENT'S FRONT EDGE IS UPSLOPE OF ALL OF ITS OPPONENT." - in DBM I am used to requiring ALL of the front edge of an element to be upslope.
p7, para 10 (Roads) - "Movement by an element or group in column entirely along a road is in GOOD GOING and counts as straight ahead even when the road curves. Combat on it is in the going it is passing through."
My impressions:
(a) This is not a simple set of rules. Version 1 was simple - you could take it to a convention, put on a game and get kids and adults alike playing within minutes. Versions 2.0, 2.1 and 2.2 added further complication but this could either be ignored (BUA rules for example) or simplified. Version 3.0 is a complex set of small-scale rules.
(b) There are masses of changes from previous versions. Having v2 in your head is not much of an advantage - yes you have the 'framework' in your head but the devil is in the detail.
Monday 28th August 2017 - WDW
Another busy session at the homestead:
Lion Rampant - 'Hammer & Anvil' scenario (25mm) - I had a pacifist group of crossbowmen and some fierce foot who were very reluctant to wild charge.
Baroque - Spanish v Dutch (6mm) - Tim threw some awful dice
Sci-Fi - ground battle
DBM - Philistines v Makkan (guess who won) - Jim was the fourth player
Samurai - Test of Honour (card driven skirmish game)
Thursday, 31 August 2017
Friday, 25 August 2017
One Day Older and.....
Saturday 19th August 2017 - WDW
I was too bound up in my own game to do anything but take a few pictures.
Chris offered to play with my South American stuff so I took along my Aztecs & colonial Spanish. Decided to use small units (as my troop numbers are limited) with 6 hits per stand (reducing according to casualties) Neither of us had much idea about the "Lion Rampant" rules but we struggled on. Nigel turned up after the first game and became my opponent.
What we found out - it was impossible to kill certain Spanish units (horse and caballeros) and the artillery was deadly. Both fights went to the Spanish.
Using solid blocks (40mm x 40mm) was fine if a dice holder is on each base. However...according to the rules...only skirmishers should have been in 'small' units AND dice should never have been reduced below 6. That wpuld have made a big difference! Thanks to Deany for his help and advice.
Chris was not happy with the activation sequence so probably would not want to play theses rules again. Well there is another set to try out...'DBA in the New World'. Maybe next year!
Sunday 20th August 2017 - The 'Other' Partizan @ Newark
It took me 1hr 40 mins to get to Newark - roadworks, roadworks and more b*£%^* roadworks. This time I knew how to negotiate the horrendous Newark roundabouts so getting to the showground was not so bad.
Fought an interesting little game 'Battle of Northampton' (7 turns only) - quite fun and educational.
On the way back I had to get off the A1 at Thaxted (interesting windmill), but was able to rejoined above the accident. Luckily I took the Wakefield turnoff as there was standing traffic beyond that point.
My purchases were:
2 packs of 7mm dice squares (10 per pack)
1 x Aztec Warriors - Caesar H028
1 x Aztec Warriors - Mars 72018
1 x Conquistadors - Mars 72019 (the one with the war dogs)
1 x Chinese Han Dynasty Troopers - Caesar H043
(All of these are on PSR)
With so many reinforcements I can now sort out my SA figures and paint up some as dedicated Tlaxcaltecs.
The 4 war dogs mean that I can make an additional Wb base.
Not sure about the Han Chinese figures - another case of 'too many chiefs' I fear. They might be of use as Imperial troops of the Taiping & Boxer rebellion period.
Tuesday 22nd August 2017
My Naismith order turned up today. A few more conquistadores:
1 x CQ12 Mounted Conquistador with lance & shield (3 figs)
1 x CQ13 Mounted Conquistador - lance & shield at rest (3 figs)
1 x CQ14 Sword & Buckler man - standing (6 figs)
1 x CQ15 Sword & buckler man - attacking (6 figs)
1 x CQ16 Conquistador gun & crew (1 gun & 3 crew)
These are destined for "Irregular Wars" usage. Still need to source some other figures - seems that Grumpy & Eureka figures are no longer available in the UK!
Bolt Action (big game)
I was too bound up in my own game to do anything but take a few pictures.
Quetcoatl Rampant (small game)
Chris offered to play with my South American stuff so I took along my Aztecs & colonial Spanish. Decided to use small units (as my troop numbers are limited) with 6 hits per stand (reducing according to casualties) Neither of us had much idea about the "Lion Rampant" rules but we struggled on. Nigel turned up after the first game and became my opponent.
What we found out - it was impossible to kill certain Spanish units (horse and caballeros) and the artillery was deadly. Both fights went to the Spanish.
Using solid blocks (40mm x 40mm) was fine if a dice holder is on each base. However...according to the rules...only skirmishers should have been in 'small' units AND dice should never have been reduced below 6. That wpuld have made a big difference! Thanks to Deany for his help and advice.
Chris was not happy with the activation sequence so probably would not want to play theses rules again. Well there is another set to try out...'DBA in the New World'. Maybe next year!
Sunday 20th August 2017 - The 'Other' Partizan @ Newark
It took me 1hr 40 mins to get to Newark - roadworks, roadworks and more b*£%^* roadworks. This time I knew how to negotiate the horrendous Newark roundabouts so getting to the showground was not so bad.
Fought an interesting little game 'Battle of Northampton' (7 turns only) - quite fun and educational.
On the way back I had to get off the A1 at Thaxted (interesting windmill), but was able to rejoined above the accident. Luckily I took the Wakefield turnoff as there was standing traffic beyond that point.
My purchases were:
2 packs of 7mm dice squares (10 per pack)
1 x Aztec Warriors - Caesar H028
1 x Aztec Warriors - Mars 72018
1 x Conquistadors - Mars 72019 (the one with the war dogs)
1 x Chinese Han Dynasty Troopers - Caesar H043
(All of these are on PSR)
With so many reinforcements I can now sort out my SA figures and paint up some as dedicated Tlaxcaltecs.
The 4 war dogs mean that I can make an additional Wb base.
Not sure about the Han Chinese figures - another case of 'too many chiefs' I fear. They might be of use as Imperial troops of the Taiping & Boxer rebellion period.
Tuesday 22nd August 2017
My Naismith order turned up today. A few more conquistadores:
1 x CQ12 Mounted Conquistador with lance & shield (3 figs)
1 x CQ13 Mounted Conquistador - lance & shield at rest (3 figs)
1 x CQ14 Sword & Buckler man - standing (6 figs)
1 x CQ15 Sword & buckler man - attacking (6 figs)
1 x CQ16 Conquistador gun & crew (1 gun & 3 crew)
These are destined for "Irregular Wars" usage. Still need to source some other figures - seems that Grumpy & Eureka figures are no longer available in the UK!
Thursday, 17 August 2017
Leftovers
Monday 14th August 2017 - WDW
A quiet night at the club:
(a) DBMM - Later Muslim Indian v Seljuk Turks
(b) Black Powder - AWI - Brits v Americans
(c) HotT - Skeletons v Rats
I scratched together an army based on the club's rats (plus a few samurai) - 4 x hordes, 3 x beasts, 1 x hero general, 1 x magician, 1 x blades plus 1 x behemoth.
Jim had a skeleton army of 1 x behemoth, 2 x lurkers, 1 x seekers, 3 x shooters, 5 x horde and 1 x magician.
For once the dice favoured me and starved Jim of movement points. A 12 - 2 victory for the rats after nearly 90 minutes of play. What a a marathon!
Wednesday 16th August 2017
Finished the Terry Pratchett book - "A Hatful of Sky". I love the logic of his arguements - "It's not what a witch is, it's what she appears to be." Thinking back to the "Hustle" series - they could walk into anywhere if they had enough hutzpah.
Thursday 17th August 2017
Read all that I wanted to from "Slingshot" 313. In the 42 pages of text were only 3 articles that interested me:
"Wagaming with Vandals" - shows that the one DBM(M) list is inadequate
"The Battle of the 5 Lamas" - outside the Ancient period but worth a read
"Mythological Wargaming" - a twist on classical warfare
Still unimpressed by Slingshot and unlikely to re-subscribe.
Footnote: preparing for a game of "Quetcoatl Rampant" against Chris on Saturday. Previously I have only played solo (and put the result on this blog). I now have the chance to find out what I did wrong.
A quiet night at the club:
(a) DBMM - Later Muslim Indian v Seljuk Turks
(b) Black Powder - AWI - Brits v Americans
(Note: this is the picture that I couldn't add last week - dwarves v lizardmen)
(c) HotT - Skeletons v Rats
I scratched together an army based on the club's rats (plus a few samurai) - 4 x hordes, 3 x beasts, 1 x hero general, 1 x magician, 1 x blades plus 1 x behemoth.
Jim had a skeleton army of 1 x behemoth, 2 x lurkers, 1 x seekers, 3 x shooters, 5 x horde and 1 x magician.
For once the dice favoured me and starved Jim of movement points. A 12 - 2 victory for the rats after nearly 90 minutes of play. What a a marathon!
Wednesday 16th August 2017
Finished the Terry Pratchett book - "A Hatful of Sky". I love the logic of his arguements - "It's not what a witch is, it's what she appears to be." Thinking back to the "Hustle" series - they could walk into anywhere if they had enough hutzpah.
Thursday 17th August 2017
Read all that I wanted to from "Slingshot" 313. In the 42 pages of text were only 3 articles that interested me:
"Wagaming with Vandals" - shows that the one DBM(M) list is inadequate
"The Battle of the 5 Lamas" - outside the Ancient period but worth a read
"Mythological Wargaming" - a twist on classical warfare
Still unimpressed by Slingshot and unlikely to re-subscribe.
Footnote: preparing for a game of "Quetcoatl Rampant" against Chris on Saturday. Previously I have only played solo (and put the result on this blog). I now have the chance to find out what I did wrong.
Thursday, 10 August 2017
Summer At Last
Monday 7th August 2017 - WDW
WW2 - Bolt Action - Americans v Germans
DBM - Tuaregs v Welsh (Tuaregs deploying)
I was partnering Al taking the left flank (Viking allies) and left centre (Wb & Cv). We started off with 2 - 2 - 4 - 5. So I couldn't close the left edge gap and the Cv only got one move towards the Vikings. On the next roll Andy threw a six so his mounted forces could soot forward. The allies did manage one five for movement but normally it was 3 or under with the opposition doing much better. My Vikings fell in droves. Al also lost a command to the dreaded Cm(S). Not a good night.
Note: HotT Lizardmen v Dwarves also took place with Andrew winning (yet again). Couldn't add the extra picture in Edit mode - very strange! Try to remember for next week.
Tuesday 8th August 2017
Finished the Dr Who book. The villains are the Slitheen (almost). A good yarn and well worth the time. Just started on the Terry Pratchett book.
Thursday 10th August 2017 - Worsborough
Whilst looking at the DBA forum I saw a notice for a model shop in Worsborough (going south out of Barnsley towards the M1). As it's August I was free and so made the journey post haste. I chatted with the friendly owner for a while. He had only been there for 10 years - I must go around with my eyes closed!
Specialises in 25/28 mm figures and fantasy so not ideal for me. Still...there are gaming nights on Thursday, Saturdasy & Sunday,
Small room at the back but might join in with the upcoming DBA competition.
Footnotes: actually had some sunshine today - amazing!
thanks to Andrew for the photos.
I was partnering Al taking the left flank (Viking allies) and left centre (Wb & Cv). We started off with 2 - 2 - 4 - 5. So I couldn't close the left edge gap and the Cv only got one move towards the Vikings. On the next roll Andy threw a six so his mounted forces could soot forward. The allies did manage one five for movement but normally it was 3 or under with the opposition doing much better. My Vikings fell in droves. Al also lost a command to the dreaded Cm(S). Not a good night.
Note: HotT Lizardmen v Dwarves also took place with Andrew winning (yet again). Couldn't add the extra picture in Edit mode - very strange! Try to remember for next week.
Tuesday 8th August 2017
Finished the Dr Who book. The villains are the Slitheen (almost). A good yarn and well worth the time. Just started on the Terry Pratchett book.
Thursday 10th August 2017 - Worsborough
Whilst looking at the DBA forum I saw a notice for a model shop in Worsborough (going south out of Barnsley towards the M1). As it's August I was free and so made the journey post haste. I chatted with the friendly owner for a while. He had only been there for 10 years - I must go around with my eyes closed!
Specialises in 25/28 mm figures and fantasy so not ideal for me. Still...there are gaming nights on Thursday, Saturdasy & Sunday,
Small room at the back but might join in with the upcoming DBA competition.
Footnotes: actually had some sunshine today - amazing!
thanks to Andrew for the photos.
Thursday, 3 August 2017
Another Week in Paradise!
Building work still going on. Periods of intense activity followed by long waiting times - remind you of anything? Weather very changeable with lower than average temperatures.
Monday 31st July 2017 - WDW
"Sink One & Sea" - WW1 Naval
"Rebellion" (Black Powder) - Cowpens (AWI) in 15mm
"Baroque" - Grolle 1627 - Dutch v Spanish in 6mm
"Oregan" boardgame
DBM - Early Samurai v Yuan Chinese - a three-hander as Andy was away.
In the centre I was facing off against loads of Bw(S) & Bd(F) with only Bw(X), Bw(I) & Bd(I). I could hear Frasier (Dad's Army).
My cavalry superiority on the left flank counted for nothing as my crummy infantry collapsed. Another loss in a long series of failures - maybe I need a break!
Wednesday 2nd August 2017
I have workmen in yet again - the plasterer this time. So I high-tailed it to the lauderette (my life is toooooo exciting). Whilst wandering around Mapplewell library a tome caught my attention:
This is the first in the Tiffany Aching series (the only one that I have not read) so it has forced itself into my reading pile. I'm close to finishing the Dr Who book so, maybe, it won't sit idle for too long!
Monday 31st July 2017 - WDW
"Sink One & Sea" - WW1 Naval
"Rebellion" (Black Powder) - Cowpens (AWI) in 15mm
"Baroque" - Grolle 1627 - Dutch v Spanish in 6mm
"Oregan" boardgame
DBM - Early Samurai v Yuan Chinese - a three-hander as Andy was away.
In the centre I was facing off against loads of Bw(S) & Bd(F) with only Bw(X), Bw(I) & Bd(I). I could hear Frasier (Dad's Army).
My cavalry superiority on the left flank counted for nothing as my crummy infantry collapsed. Another loss in a long series of failures - maybe I need a break!
Wednesday 2nd August 2017 I have workmen in yet again - the plasterer this time. So I high-tailed it to the lauderette (my life is toooooo exciting). Whilst wandering around Mapplewell library a tome caught my attention:
This is the first in the Tiffany Aching series (the only one that I have not read) so it has forced itself into my reading pile. I'm close to finishing the Dr Who book so, maybe, it won't sit idle for too long!
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