"DBA 2.2: Gauls versus Ancient British" Topic

Hi guys,

I just had a solo game last night after a first failed try a few days ago. Now with better rules knowledge i pitted Gauls versus Ancient British. If you spot any mistakes i'd be very much obliged if you could enlighten me as i am a beginner. :)

Link here: link

And a picture of the battle:

Cheers!

Great way to learn DBA.

Further suggestions, the link below is to the DBA Resource section of Fanaticus. Here you will find the "Tactical Manual" with essays covering the use of troop types.

link

You have the basics covered, nonetheless, the essays offer some useful insights.

Cheers,
Robert

And if you haven't come across it yet, the Unofficial Guide is quite helpful:
link

Interesting, thanks!

DBA 3.0 seems to be better game than 2.2

When it finally gets published…

One error: "The warband line moves further on the hill (1 PIP) and then double up their move (1 PIP) to engage the LH units on the right flank. This was possible because Warbands can make a second move in the same turn if that second move takes them into combat with an enemy."

True, except 'into combat or an overlap position' means the unengaged part of the line could not make a second move. The Gallic left could have lunged forward but would have moved ahead of the rest of the line.

DBA 3.0 seems to be better game than 2.2

That's a matter of personal taste. The many draft versions that have been shown are a much different game than 2.2. It's also been in a perpetual state of very ready for publication since its announced availability at Historicon 2011. And until and if its ever published, no one outside of the playtest group has access to the new army lists that go with it.

Because 3.0 will be such a different game, 2.2 and the 2.2+ amendments will both continue to be in use by the many folks who prefer those versions.

The 2.2+ amendments can be found here:
wadbag.com/V2.2+

The most recent public draft of 3.0 can be found at the DBA Yahoo Group, but note: that is always slightly obsolete and does not contain whatever most recent changes are being used by the playtest group.

Two more things: units that are contacted in flank but no where else turn to face their enemy and are no longer flanked. They may not have room to recoil after turning to face if at right angles to their friends. This is a tactic I use in DBA. If nothing else, it breaks up the enemy line.

When the fourth unit is killed, the game does not stop. Finish the turn. Once in a blue moon both sides will lose the 4th element on the same turn and the game goes on to see who can end a turn having slain more of the enemy. Aside from those minor things you got it right.

I have not played 3.0 but one major difference is that most infantry are required to pursue enemy recoils and such. This means lines will tend to come apart even more in combat.

And until and if it's ever published, no one outside of the playtest group has access to the new army lists that go with it.

I am reliably informed that PB has stated that DBA 3.0 is perfctly playable with the existing lists from the previous version.

PB said recently:
"My intention is to finalise the wording as soon as possible so that we can print as soon as the diagrams are finalised. "

Thanks for the feedback!

Vtsaogames, that's exactly what i needed. :) I also think i did a mistake by doubling up the Ancient british line into the Gallic line. They are all warbands…except the general which should not have moved with them together i think.

Not a technical mistake, but tactics wise the initial deployment would have been stronger with each army in a single line. That gives several advantages.

If you only roll 1 pip, everyone can move forward as a single group.

If you roll higher, then you have more options. The psiloi can move forward with the main battle line on the first pip. Then, they can spend additional pips to move forward from there. By starting as a separate group, they loose essentially a free move with the battle line.

If the mounted elements want to break off and wheel to the flank, they can do that if and when there are extra pips available. An ideal starting position would have them as part of the main battle line, and still have room to maneuver around terrain if they do move as part of the whole group if only 1 pip is rolled on the first turn.

What miniMo said.

When 3.0 is ready to go I will give DBA another chance. Very nice battle report.