We played out the Baltic Campaign on Saturday. We tried to do it by closely following the suggested campaign rules in the DBA rule book, but made a few modifications to try to keep as many battles going as possible.
Here is the loosely Historical Map (really just the Spider web map from the DBA rulebook).
The forces involved after final player selection are:
Teutonic Order IV/30 – David
Germany IV/13a … No pike option – Jim
Poland III/62b – Brian
Denmark III/40d – Aaron
Russia III/78 – Rod
Hungary III/67b – Glen
Interestingly, nobody selected any of the "Pagans" so the campaign appears to be a post crusade battle over which form of Christianity is more correct for the northern barbarians :)
Here is a picture of the initial campaign map board with Magnetic colored markers to represent Army movements and conquests:
In the opening round of the Spring campaign Russia invaded Poland, The Teutonic order invaded Russia, Hungry invaded Poland, and Germany and Denmark both initiated an invasion of each other…
So much for holding back to see what happens.
The way we did this is everyone submitted written movement orders, however we then selected cards to see who would be the "first player" for the round. Then we would initiate their orders first, and if those orders involved an invasion, the invaded player could choose to react by moving their army to defend (if they were close enough). They could also choose to ignore this and take a siege.. thus continuing with their initial written orders.
So turn one Russia was the first player, they invaded Poland and the Poles choose to defend their city. Hungary invaded and Poland would stand a siege on that invasion..
The Teutonic order was unopposed and laid siege to Smolensk.
Germany invaded Hedeby, Denmark (which was on the way South to invade Hamburg) met them in battle at Hedeby.
We rolled dice to resolve the sieges first. Grodziec held against Hungary and Smolensk fell to the Teutonic order. Since Theses two armies had nothing to do during the upcoming battles Hungary and the Teutonic order played a grudge match battle were losses did not count as part of the campaign, but the winner of the mock battle could get one prestige point towards the campaign victory.
In the battle between Russia and Poland, Poland smacked the Russian army in a stunning 5-0 victory! Sending the Russians back to Kiev with their tales between their legs.
Denmark was victorious over Germany in a 4-1 victory repulsing the Germans army back to Hamburg.
Summer round 1
During the summer season we once again found Germany and Denmark going head to head…
While Hungary and Poland decided it might be best to call a truce.
Russia (still reeling from it's devastating defeat by Poland) and the Teutonic order formed a loose alliance in reaction to the now growing threat from Poland and Hungary. Hungary invaded the Teutonic Order capital of Marienburg, while the Teutonic order was so far away they could not react and had to stand a siege.
The Teutonic order went head to head with Poland fighting over the Russian city of Vladimir, while Russia stood by in Kiev, but offering an allied contingent to the Teutonic Order to help against the Poles.
The siege of Marienburg failed and Hungary took another element loss due to attrition.
The unstoppable Poles handed out another whooping and the Teutonic order was pushed back to Smolensk.
Germany defeated Denmark taking Hedeby..
Autumn round 1
As we head into Autumn the German move on the Danish capital The Danes actually choose to stand siege since they are very weakened after the last two battles, the strategic thinking that the Germans only had one attempt before they would be forced to withdraw to winter quarters. The strategy works, Jelling holds and the Germans must retire for the winter.
The Teutonic Order and Poland go head to head again in Vladimir with the Teutonic Order dangerously out numbered. This time the Teutonic Order pulls off a costly victory even though they lost their General in the battle. So they claim Vladimir for themselves and send the Poles back to Poland. A Russian allied force did show up to help, but was too late to impact the battle.
Now all forces were badly depleted as they retired to winter quarters for resupply.
Spring round 2
Germany makes another run at the Danish capital as Hungary invades Germany from the South…
This time the Russians come and once more goes after Poland (after replenishment up to 9 elements – including a religious fanatic horde – more on that later). The Teutonic order offers and allied contingent to Russia.
Final Score…
Poland was victorious from its repeated success on the battlefield. Teutonic order did well in second due to expanding their territory into Russia. Germany had expanded into Denmark slightly and came in third.
First prize was donated by David a Buffalo Wild Wings gift certificate (which many speculated that it was the promise of barbecued wings which inspired the Poles to victory).
Notes on additional rules…..
We selected turn sequence by the draw of cards… This really only decided the initial player, then the sequence passed clockwise around the map. In the card Deck there was a red joker and black joker – the red joker indicated a revolt (i.e. if you were a vassal, you could overthrow your lord), the black joker granted the player a "free" additional horde element for the season (i.e. religious fanatics join your cause rule).
Also, we let people replenish their reserve elements from available army options. So if an element was destroyed in battle during the resupply phase you could take that element or optional elements available to that army (still meeting the army restrictions).
We only got through the 5 rounds (including the winter resupply), but in general a fun tournament. I think most players agreed it made the reason for giving battle and the consequences of a costly victory more interesting.
Thanks to all the participants, and special thanks to Dave for the donated prize! Brian, I hope the wings are good!
Some more pictures:
Campaign prep.
Germany and Denmark fighting yet another battle on the patio battlefield.
Teutonic Order Allies join the Russians in the fight against Poland (sadly, too little too late):
Army Staging area:
