Beginners Guide to the
Differences in DBAv1.1 to DBMv3.0

Despite DBA’s simplicity, players with experience in DBM often have trouble distinguishing the many subtle differences between the two. The following list is a quick guide to the gaming differences of DBA compared to DBM (v2.0);

Combat

• Blades recoil from Knights in combat if beaten but not doubled.
• Cavalry are dead if doubled by Spears or Pikes.
• War Wagons use the old combat factors of 4 vs foot, 5 vs mounted.
• Only Knights, Scythed chariots & Warband followup in combat.
• Pikes are only allowed one supporting rank which adds +3 for combat.
• Blades cannot support Blades in combat against Knights.
• Psilio can support any Spears or Blades as a second rank in combat against mounted.
• There is no ‘Zone of Death’ from elements killed as a result of combat, excluding any supp. rank.

Shooting

• Bows & War Wagons shoot 2" & Artillery shoot 4"
• Bows can shoot at any target within range and a base width either side of their front edge.
• Light Horse die from Bow fire if doubled.
• Psilio flee from shooting, even if doubled.

Movement

• Moves distances are measured from any corner that moves the most, not just the front corner.
• Groups or elements cannot do march moves unless on a road in a group with a general (+100 paces per pip.)
• No troop type is impetuous.
• Groups are not required to be in corner to corner contact.
• Fleeing movement for both Light Horse & Psilio is 600p (6")

Troop Types

• Troop types are not graded Inferior, Superior or Fast. All are treated as Ordinary.
• Any 40x80 element in DBM is 40x40 for DBA.
• The troop type "Hordes" is not used, although "camp followers" might be considered their eqivalent..
• Hordes(O) are represented as Spear and all other Hordes as Auxilia for DBA
• Camps must be defended.

Interpentrating

• Mounted can recoil through any except Pikes or Elephants.
• Blades can recoil through Blades or Spears, but not Bow.
• Pike & Bows can recoil through Blades.

Terrain

• All terrain is treated as either good or bad going, nothing in between.
• There is no provision for ambushes or flank marches.
• All elements are visible all the time.

Command & PIPs

• Element/s further than 12" (1200p) from general’s element require an extra pip for movement.
• Elephants as single elements or as part of a group always require a extra pip for movement.

The above list is not complete, if you have any to add or if an error is detected in the above, please contact me; scottn@alphalink.com.au