"DBA Czar" Topic

As many of you may already know I'm taking over from David Schlanger as NASAMW's DBA Czar.

First let me extend a tremendous thanks to David S. for organizing and hosting DBA events at the major Eastern cons for many years. DBA owes much to David for his years of work promoting the system and catering to both veterans and newbies. But they say that all good things must end and so he's asked me to take over.

For those who don't know me: I'm a several time national champ in DBM, a developer of DBA 3.0, one of the authors of Great Battles for DBA and sit on the FAQ commitee for DBA 3.0. I did the fantasy update for DBA 3.0 (D3H2) and am the designer of A Game of Ice and Fire (a DBX derivative). I served as the editor of Spearpoint and my wife Catherine Thomas is a former NASAMW president. (Many probably know me better as the designer of Combat Command – a 20mm WWII game – but that's another story). My daughter Margaret claims to be the youngest person to have ever won a HOTT tournament.

So here's how we start:

First I need a volunteer from each of the HMGS regions to agree to host a DBA event at that region's lead con. (NashCon for instance for HMGS mid-south). Eventually I would like to have at least 1 of each of these types of DBA events at each region's con:

1 tournament
1 15mm event
1 25mm event
1 Big Battle event
1 Historical event.

You can combine events – for instance a 25mm replay of Agincourt could count as a 25mm event, a Big Battle event and an Historical event. You can of course add more events. But for now I would settle for just one event per region.

In addition I would like to add one newbie friendly event at each con – maybe a team Big Battle or a Walk up and Play event.

Its also about time to be considering events at Fall In. So if you like to run a DBA game at that event let me know.

If you would like to volunteer you may do so here or just email me at TomAndKate@aol.com. (You may always email me with any questions or concerns you have about DBA events, rules etc. at any time.)

Thomas J. Thomas

Which version did you play of DBM?

How about 6mm events or would they fall under the 15mm events with the same frontage?

TriOpticon, I plan to run a matched pair Tournament at Fall in November 4–6. In this event each player brings 2 historically matched pairs of enemies. In alternate games the player provides his armies, with opponent picking which he will use; and in other games the opponent offers a choice. So you play two games with your troops, and two games with opponents'.

Because the two armies are both provided by a player, they can be any scale. A player could have 2 6 mm armies, 2 15 mm armies or 2 25/28mm armies. All games are historical match ups. I think this is the purest way to play DBA .

I played DBM 1.0 through 3.1 in 25mm. Singles and Doubles (with my wife). Second is the best we ever did in doubles.

6mm is fine – all scales are fine I'm just stating minimums not maximums re events. I'd love to see all scales accomodated. Just picked 15 & 25 as most popular. (I have armies in 20mm – my favorite scale).

Thanks Bobgnar. Let me know winners etc. I'm going to try and keep track of tournment results.

TomT

So you must of known Derek Hannon and Kevin Donavan the only multiple nationals winner?

Kevin Donavan. Now that is a name I've not heard in a few years. Would love to know how he is getting on.

JohnG

Was talking to some of the guys at the club and they mentioned him, seems no one has heard from him for a while, he was THE guy with DBM apparently, was the only person to win multiple times at the nationals with DBM.
My club luckily has some of the top players in the country from DBM, Derek Hannon ( moved to FL last year ), we still have Dan Hazelwood and Ethan ( Zorick I think it is ), all three have played at the nationals , NICTs, worlds and most team internationals. They had all moved onto FOG then more recently ADLG except Derek not sure what he's doing in FL at the moment.
So I had a fairly steep learning curve when I started shall we say.

Thanks for the info, Bobgnar and Thomas. Unfortunately I won't make fall in but will keep my eyes open for more in the future. If no one minds 6mm with 40mm frontage against 15mm scale figures it would be easier. I admit 6mm armies are few and far between it seems.

I knew Kevin Donavan. I think he made the trip to Eastern cons from California. He was a well regarded player but I don't think he played much in 25mm.

Lots of the old 25mm guys seem to be playing ADLG. Hope to get Big Battle DBA 3.0 going as a mass combat version to help revive the numbers we had for DBM 2.0.

TomT