First a statement of interest: I have no financial stake but I was one of the playtest group for this version of the rules. I was an early adopter of the original DBA.
For those who have not played DBA:
It's a beautifully simple set of rules although doggedly historical. Games are played with small armies of no more than fifty figures and a game is usually completed within an hour. It involves no record keeping all the play is visual on table. Various troop types are given combat factors which vary according to the situation of the combat and the outcomes depend on the opposing troop type. A simple D6 is added to make combat unpredictable. A uniquely simple command and control system allows a player a range of options from predictable caution through exciting innovation and on to sheer recklessness. The original version was released way back in 1990 and the style of presentation reflects this. The rules are written in a very terse style full of detailed accuracy. This demands careful reading but on the plus side the core game-play rules take up a mere four pages and the essential rules can be memorized half way through your first game.
New in version 3.0:
The first thing old hands will note is the hardback purple cover. Inside the Diagrams are much expanded with worked examples and explanatory text. The glory of this edition is the expanded army lists with full text explanation of each along with references for all the armies running from 300BC continuing to the extended end date of 1520 incorporating the Early Italian Wars. These lists necessitate the hardback format and they alone are likely to be of interest to any ancients wargamer. On the down side it lacks the glossy eye candy of beautifully photographed figures that has led many of us buy copies of less playable rules that are currently in vogue.
You will find that the slow grind that had become commonplace in 2.2 games is gone. Due to movement in "Base Widths" rather than arbitrary distances the infantry move is greatly increased compared to mounted. This and the alteration of "Threat Zones" means combat will happen rather quicker than you may be used to. Flanks need careful protection.
The number of figures per base for close order infantry which was previously just a hang-over from other WRG rulesets is now put to effect, with grading as "Solid" or "Fast". It sounds complex for DBA but is easily assimilated and greatly adds to historical feel. Added complexity is compensated by a reduction of Rear Support factors.
The relationship between Cavalry and Light Horse is now more subtle as basic movement is the same but Light Horse can move up to three times per bound and can receive rear support.
Other innovations include: "Flank Support" factors to reflect Shieldwall and Herce tactics. Expanded "Is equal to" combat outcomes which allow more subtle results for Knights and the new "Solid" infantry.
Terrain placement is now much less predictable and deployment areas are only just beyond artillery range. Restrictions are placed on the deployment of heavy troops outside the centre.
I find the games are much more dynamic than in version 2.2 and reward flair over caution. It has brought back the thrill I found in playing the original DBA.I have played many basic games and several Big Battle games with larger armies over a range of periods. I find it the best version of DBx produced so far.
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Customer reviews
Twenty five years and still inspiring!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 August 2015
All those years ago, this rules set changed wargaming. Gone were the charts and tables. What you were left with was a streamlined set of rules, that gave you a fun game, but also allowed the gamer to claim some historical realism. The 'armies' are small. Usually around fifty miniatures and so the game is very affordable ( not that any wargamer worth their salt, would stop at one army). The new set clarifies a number of key points, and the movement is increased for an even more decisive gaming experience. Don't be put off by some of the few grammatical challenges that fans of the system have come to love enterpreting like so many Biblical scholar, what lies inside is a real gem of a game, now with literally hundreds of army lists and backgrounds.Redcaer1690despertaferres.wordpress.com
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 August 2015
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