"Pondering the DBN Rules" Topic

Evening all,

This weeks blog post is a quick one – i'm pondering creating a small force for the DBN rules – i'd like to know if a) i've done the basing right and b) your views on the ruleset – does anyone have any tips?

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Regards

J

I play DBN and find it attractive for the reasons you mention, the ability to fight medium to large size battles with a limited number of stands. Two aspects of the game I don't like that well….the forming of infantry squares is handled in the abstract, which I think takes away something from the rock, paper, scissors feel of a good Napoleonic game. Also you lose the sense of unit attrition over time, even if you use the alternate two strike method of recording unit damage. Your unit is there, and then its dead. Some think that is a good feature, not a bug, since a CnC never knew what the morale state of a particular unit was at a given point in time.

One other thing that I've experienced playing DBN is that I have a tendency to set up battles using 15mm figures with too much starting distance between the opposing armies. It takes too long for the attacker to get troops into contact, giving the opponent more time to concentrate troops against the point of attack…and when you get within firing range, the battle if over quickly. Something about the 15mm figures reinforces that tendency visually, and would probably be less of an issue for me if I was using 6mm figures even with the same ranges.

Although DBN can and is used to simulate big battles at a 1 stand equals one battalion/regiment or brigade scale to the satisfaction of many players, I truly think DBN is at its best as a quick DBA-style beer and pretzels game of 10-12 elements a side.

IMO DBN is a great set of rules. Not because it ‘simulates' anything; I am of the firm belief that no game simulates anything except old white guys playing with toy soldiers. In my mind, they are great because you can play Napoleonics without painting thousands of figures. A stand of cavalry has you painting 3 dudes, not 30. This way, it's a fast and easy way to get Napoleonics on the table.

It's good with 12, 24, 36, or more elements in play, each providing their own level of fun and decision making. Just make sure to use the rules for taking ‘hits' for a more meaty or complex game.

Here's a link to a DBN game I ran at Fall-In years ago depicting the fight around the village of Utitza at Borodino:

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These are the opinions of an old guy and not necessarily those of TMP.

Steve

Agree that this DBA variant is a good way to play a quick game of Napoleonics. As far as basing is concerned, you can use the standard 40mm wide bases or, if you prefer, wider bases that allow for more figures as long as both armies are based the same.

An excellent set of rules. Quick to set up and very modest in the numbers of figs, time and table space you need for a fun game. Be sure to watch some of the excellent demo videos the author has on youtube. With 1 regiment/Batt per stand you also get to paint a great variety of uniforms. I have a lot of figures and I found I could get 10 15mm figs in 2 ranks of 5 figs on a base 45mm wide by 30mm deep. So I changed all base widths from 40mm to 45mm.