Eureka Amazon Army Design Contest Entries

Using Wargames Research Group's DBA 2.2 rules, a BBDBA army can be constructed using two I/29.(b) Philistine lists with an allied I/38. Libyan Egyptian contigent:

Philistine C-in-C Command

1xLCh (Gen), 12x4Sp, 4x2Ps

LCh (Gen) (Amazon chariot - 100AMZ15), (Amazon officers 100MYT22) & (Amazon standard bearers - 100MYT23)
Sp (Amazon hoplite - 100AMZ01), (Amazon unarmoured hoplite - 100AMZ02) & (Amazon nude hoplite - 100AMZ03)
Ps (Amazon peltast - 100AMZ04) & (Amazon nude peltast - 100AMZ05)

Philistine Secondary Command

1xLCh(Gen), 2xLCh, 4x3Ax

LCh(Gen) (Amazon chariot - 100AMZ15), (Amazon officers 100MYT22) & (Amazon musicians - 100MYT24)
LCh (Amazon chariot - 100AMZ15)
Ax (Amazon chariot runners/shield bearers - 100AMZ16) & (Amazon axewoman - 100AMZ09)

Libyan Egyptian Allied Command

1xLCh (Gen), 2xLCh, 1x3Cav, 2x4Wb, 1x3Wb, 3x2Ps, 1x4Bd, 1x4Bw

LCh(Gen) (Amazon chariot - 100AMZ15), (Amazon officers 100MYT22) & (Amazon standard bearers - 100MYT23)
LCh (Amazon chariot - 100AMZ15)
Cv (Amazon 'Traditional' cavalry - 100AMZ11) & (Amazon heavy cavalry - 100MYT20)
Wb (Amazon nude phalangite - 100AMZ13) & (Amazon armoured phalangite - 100AMZ14)
Ps (Amazon nude slinger - 100AMZ08)
Bd (Amazon Royal Guard axewoman - 100AMZ10)
Bw (Amazon archer - 100AMZ06) & (Amazon nude archer - 100AMZ07)

Deployment and basic tactics:

If setting up first, place the Philistine C-in-C command and the secondary Philistine command down. The C-in-C command is not subtle with its psiloi supported spear. Place it in the middle of your battle line - it won't surprise anyone by being there and will start to worry your opponent who will immediately start thinking how to counter it (and therefore hopeful give you the advantage before PIPs have even been rolled!). The smaller secondary command should be placed on one flank back from the main battle line. You can use them as either a flank protection or camp protection if the spear wall starts moving forward. The flank chosen doesn't matter too much - as you want to have the option of placing your allied command on either flank after your opponent deploys.

When placing the Libyan Egyptian Allied Command after your opponent deploys his army, you should make sure to use this to your advantage. Where is the weakness for you to exploit (either in terrain or match ups)? Try to imagine what your opponent's plans are for each command and prevent him from achieving these. You can do this defensively or offensively by going on the attack (this will of course depend on your opponent's army).

If setting up second (as the attacker), you should still use the spear wall as a defensive element - but with the ability to start moving forward with the faster (but less powerful) flank attacks of the other two commands. Make sure to use the information of your opponent's deployment to your advantage - what are the enemy's plans for the battle? You will also be able to deploy creating the best possible match ups, but remember there's still one command to be deployed. Use the allied command (with its mix of troops as a possible counter to this command.) Try to attack one of your opponent's commands with two of yours, while preventing the same happening to you. This will usually win you the game.

Vision:

The look behind this army should be a fairly cohesive and viewed as one whole, treat the allied command as a "cousin" of the main family when painting it. Painting everything in earth tones with a blue-and-gold overall scheme will look good, and the allied contingent can stand out with a heavy use of red (for instance). Animal and geometric patterns should feature heavily on the side of the chariots and all shield designs. I imagine this army would be fun to play - but only time will tell.