"BBDBA pip assignment rationale" Topic

I don't understand why in BBDBA, pips are distributed with the high, middle, and low rolls always going to certain commanders. I'm not opposed to it, but I'm missing the nuance. Would someone explain the rationale? Thanks.

The game rationale is quite simple. This is a way of creating scarcity of command attention. This quite nicely models more complex systems (order writing, command chits, etc.) of command without the fuss.

The historical rational is somewhat more complex. The scarcity of command imitative for certain commands tends to model some historical battles where more motivated or better lead forces demonstrated more agency in the outcome of the conflict. Again, this is done without complication.

Now, this doesn't perfectly model history. For a better model you need Historical Battle DBA. Battle scenarios there often start with the BBDBA premise, but modify it to meet the historical context. Great commander for instance may be able to change the commands receiving the order of dice awards mid-battle. They may be able to add more pips to certain commands. Poor commanders may be forced to randomly roll for each command. giving more unpredictable results. Finally in HBDBA, you may have more (say 4) or less commands (2 or even one in some cases) depending on the battle.

In short, the BBDBA pip allocation is an abstract mechanism to model the real world in a simple way. While not covering all possibilities, it provides a very good game that generates a decent, believable narrative in just a few hours of play.

To cover the peculiarities of certain battles or armies, you really need to play Historical Battle DBA.

I hope this helps.

Joe Collins

Aww, it's so cute watching people trying to argue that anything DBA related reflects historical accuracy.
It's fine as a game, but "historical"? Surely you jest.

John, what activation system is more historical? Sending written commands in a time, where some generals couldnt read? Or no activation system, where everyone does, what you want?