|
|
The DBx Rules Family |
|
|
|
The DBx Rules Family |
|
The WRG (Wargames Research Group) produce a family of rules for ancient and renaissance warfare based around the same basic system.
'De Bellis Antiquitatis' (DBA) is designed for fast games with a small number of figures, and covers the period 4000BC-1500AD. It would be true to say that DBA has had a considerable effect on wargames rules over the last decade or so, starting a trend towards simpler games with 'effect driven' mechanisms. 'Hordes of the Things' is a fantasy variant of these rules.
'De Bellis Multitudinis' (DBM) is a greatly expanded version of DBA. They are are pretty much the best ancients rules around in terms of providing detail with playability, but suffer from constant revisions, which makes them a trial for the casual player. To tell the truth, though, I haven't played them in years
Finally there is 'De Bellis Renationis' (DBR) which uses the same basic rules as DBM, but covers the period 1500-1700. I don't know much about this set though, but it has its dedicated followers. There are rumours that there will be a future set or sets covering the period from 1700-1900, but this project still seems to be at the playtest stage.
I am saved from giving a detailed description of this system because there is an excellent web site maintained by Ed Allen which has loads of resources and links related to these and similar rules.
The DBA Resource Page, maintained by Chris Brantley, is the best place to start for anyone interested in DBA. David Kuijt maintains a superb
DBA page. This includes notes on tactics, variant army lists, lovely pictures and some useful links.
There are some loonies who play DBA, using Playmobil figures. Click here to see the evidence.
Play DBA on-line courtesy of some guys in, of all places, Minsk.
I have written some DBA lists using the mechanism described in the rules for converting DBM lists.
Whilst on holiday in 1999 I came upon a battle which I have translated into a DBA scenario:
Tony Barr and the Humberside Wargamers have deveoped a set of DBA Extensions that allow the rules to be used for battles up to 1900, whilst still maintaining the simplicity of the original rules.
Keith Barker maintains a page devoted to his Ancient British DBM army including pictures, lists and other useful information. The page also has a pretty complete list of other DBx related pages.
Jeff Zorn has written a rather unusual DBM supplement: De Bellis Dinosauris.
