"Dux Britanniarum question" Topic

from the size of the battle packs – quite small number of figs – I'm trying to see if this is more of a skirmish game or a battle game in terms of size and tactical options.

I did read some of the players notes and such at the TFL site, and it appears that the figures are grouped into 6 fig "units" which sounds small for a wargame "unit". I usually think of 16-32 figures as a unit, more or less.

I'm just trying to figure out the general scale of things and how many figs to play what size of battles. Haven't bought the game yet but seriously considering it.

Thanks!

basic game is built around a skirmish campaign system (a very good skirmish campaign system)

6 units of troops, plus a unit of missiles until later in the campaign.

the units can be split into bases of any size providing there are six (or eight… later) elements to a unit

It is fun and a lot better than a number of skirmish games that are mysteriously popular with some people…

I had the same feeling, and am going to solve it by using 3x 15mm figures on a single 20-25mm base (instead of a single 28mm figure), so a six-base unit will field 18 figures and look much better on the table.

so the unit is 6 x 25mm figs, and acts like a "unit" (restricted movement, facing issues of front/flank/rear) not an individual figure (freedom of movement, no facing etc)

I'm just a little confused as to are the mechanics that of a skirmish game or a unit-based game. I get the feeling that it's a unit game that can be played at a smaller level with fewer figures.

I'll try and read some more batreps or something.

its a unit based game – no individual figures running around on their own.

I suppose it depends on what you call a skirmish level game – I think it is – because its played at the lowest level above role playing.

You start out with 5 groups of 6 and one of 4 (archers)
During the campaign some of these groups can get up to 10 men. Once 12 they split up again in 2 of 6.

But since groups will often be used in a 'formation' of 2 or more groups actual units can be as high as 18, 24 or even 30.

Nobles can operate on their own or as leaders of groups or formations. In one noteworthy incidence a single noble ( loaded with cards!) charged a group of 5 warriors killing 3 and chasing away the 2 survivors.

Anyway DuxB is certainly one of the most enjoyable games I've played in 30+ years of wargaming.

I can only hope the TFLs release the Raiders supplement real soon!

Understand that "armies" at that time were very small compared to other times, think more gangs.

maddaz – I tend to think that the lowest level above RPG is individual skirmish, ie Song of Blades and Heroes.

This sounds like the lowest level of a miniatures battle game.

suits my figure collection admirably, I'll probably have to go for this one.

Another question – can it play with a group of several people?

@grandviewroad

We're running a campaign with 8 people, 4 a side.
It takes some administration but is quite feasable.
Saxons can raid whomever they want ( geographically permitted) but once they start attacking a province for keeps they are 'stuck' to their opponent.

I've got some 25+ AARs on our forum but alas it's not in English.

I decided to use the extra rules for industry and such as outlined in the TFL 2012 Summer Special. It gives the RB some additional income (and possible the Saxons) too.
Soon the Romano- British will be raided by Irish, Picts and Scotti so they'll need every advantage. Of course the Saxons will be raided too!

well, English is the preferred option…
:)
Actually, I meant "can you play a game (campaign or not) with multiple players a side?"
So the operative mechanic question is "Do the cards allow a player to act as a nobleman with enough options to have fun and keep it interesting?" It _seems_ like the answer would be yes, but I'm uncertain.

I'd like to host 1-off games occasionally of bigger battles with several people a side.

I think you could manage multiple players per side. The default army composition is a single noble leader assisted by two subordinate nobles, and units (or groups of units) move under a noble's command (for the most part). There aren't that many units, so each player would only have 2-3 units, but it could be done and might even add some flavor.

The campaign itself easily supports multiple players.

If you are looking to get it, I have a copy with some bits to go with it for sale.

As a test we tried multiple players a side yesterday.
3 a side might have been a bit much as it were both starting armies, but with 2 it worked like a charm. If anything it seems to give even more flavour to the whole game.

On the RB side one player had the Tribune, his comanipulares + 1 group of milites and the archers, the other 2 nobles,all three Numeri and another Milites group.

Saxons were somewhat assymetrically split with the Drothin taking both Gedrith(elite) groups and nothing else.

The Saxons fought well but in the end their morale plummeted and they had to retreat. Rather heavy losses on both sides.

dux brit is a pretty good game…

but just to mention a flaw; some rules and events in the game are maddeningly vague and not at all explained. you'll have to (several times) figure it out on your own with your opponent.

-Stew

Agree, sometimes rules are a bit vague, but Rich answers any question ad infinitum and faster than lightspeed on the Yahoo group.
Toofatlardies@yahoogroups.com

@ The Young Guard

I would be interested in your copy of the rules. Please contact me

jminesp@gmail.com

Cheers