DBMM unit types are more detailed than in Triumph! or L'Art de la Guerre. The game engine uses a mix of core troop classes + quality grades + special traits, which creates a very highly detailed system used for troop types, troop quality, and organizational structure.
1. Core DBMM troop types
Infantry
-
Blades (Bd)
Close-combat infantry (Romans, elite foot) -
Spears (Sp)
Defensive infantry (hoplites, shield walls) -
Pikes (Pk)
Deep formations (Macedonian phalanx) -
Warband (Wb)
Fierce tribal infantry (Gauls, Germans) -
Auxilia (Ax)
Flexible medium infantry (good in rough terrain) -
Bows (Bw)
Archers -
Crossbowmen (Cb)
Armor-piercing missile infantry -
Psiloi (Ps)
Skirmishers / very light infantry
Cavalry & mounted
-
Knights (Kn)
Shock cavalry (heavily armored) -
Cavalry (Cv)
Standard mounted troops -
Light Horse (LH)
Fast, evasive cavalry (often missile-armed) -
Camelry (Cm)
Anti-horse troops in some matchups
Special / exotic
-
Elephants (El)
Powerful but risky shock units -
Scythed Chariots (SCh)
Shock disruptors - Heavy Chariots (play as Knights)
- Light Chariots (play as Cavalry)
-
Hordes (Hd)
Poor-quality masses -
Artillery (Art)
Engines like bolt-shooters, cannons (later periods)
2. The part that makes DBMM different:
Every unit type is modified by a quality grade, which has major gameplay impact:
- S = Superior
- O = Ordinary
- I = Inferior
Example:
- Bd(S) = elite Roman legionaries
- Bd(O) = standard heavy infantry
- Bd(I) = poorly trained infantry
3. Additional modifiers (this is where it gets nasty)
DBMM stacks further traits onto units:
Combat / behavior traits
-
Fast (F) vs Solid (S)
- Fast = more mobile, fragile
- Solid = slower, more resilient
-
Impetuous (e.g., Wb(F))
Must charge aggressively - Shieldwall / Pike depth effects
Equipment distinctions
- Bow vs Crossbow
- Close combat emphasis
- Mounted vs dismounted flexibility
Example unit breakdown
A single DBMM unit might look like:
- Kn(F)S Fast Superior Knights
- Sp(O) Ordinary Spears
- Ax(S) Superior Auxilia
- LH(F) Fast Light Horse
Each part changes how it behaves:
- Type = role
- Fast/Solid = movement & resilience
- Quality = combat effectiveness
How it compares (quick context)
| System | Unit definition style |
|---|---|
| DBMM | Type + quality + speed + traits (high level of detail) |
| ADLG | Type + a few modifiers |
| Triumph! | Fixed types, no modifiers |
DBMM is the most detailed of the three!.....
Conceptual grouping (simplified)
If you want a mental shortcut:
- Bd / Kn → aggressive "natural born killers" :oP
- Sp / Pk → defensive line holders :o)
- Ax / Ps / LH → terrain & mobility specialists
- Bw / Cb / Art → ranged pressure
- El / SCh → shock & disruption
- Hd → expendable "wimps" en mass
Shout out to Tony and Henry! hope this DBMM breakdown helps! ....
Here is a link to YouTube Getting Started/How to Play DBMM
Cheers!
A very nice summary Phil. This is one of the reasons that I like DBMM so much in that the variety of troops and troop types when combines with the lists makes for a lot of variety which keeps things fresh. Some of the army lists across the various books can feel a little similar, such as Tibetans when compared with Parthians etc., but there is always a nugget or two in each which makes them different. Just wondering about your 'Solid' classification though in that I always thought Solid was more a DBA thing, but could be missing something.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback Lawrence, I should have been more clear,my fault, Solid troops are or have better staying power in combat i.e. Bd(F) = Fast Blades Bd(O) = Ordinary (“solid”) Blades, Kn(F) = Fast Knights, Sp(O) = Ordinary Spears. "Solid" It is a term that players use... "My Macedonoan Pike blocks are "Solid" and will defand/hold their ground" In DBA/DBMM “Solid” generally distinguishes close-order, cohesive infantry types (spears, pikes, heavy foot,warbands etc.)
DeleteThat’s one of the biggest strengths of DBMM compared to a lot of other historical systems. The troop grading, behavior classes, commands, allies, and the army list/points system constraints creates a huge amount of variety even before terrain and player style enter the picture!.... cheers!
Ah yes, I see what you mean. I think a testament to DBMM is that we have been playing at least twenty times a year for the past five years, roughly every second Saturday, and haven't run out of steam with it yet. Not every game is a great one, but there are far more memorable than forgettable encounters.
DeleteOh I like that, which I agree, ...“far more memorable than forgettable encounters” is usually the dividing line between a ruleset people respect and one they genuinely keep playing. DBMM seems to keep generating those swings of fortune, improbable recoveries, command disasters, heroic flank marches, and “how did that happen?” :o)
Deletehonestly, “not every game is great” if the average game still generates discussion afterward, that’s a very good sign, "I know what to do with my army" next time we meet! :o)
cheers!
De Bellis Fantasiae is another option. DBF is DBA 3.0 with rules for big battles, point system and attributes such as Elite, Poor, High Morale, Lethal or Fear that allow you to custom special units and full armies. Actually, I bought the ruleset for playing historical battles and I'm easily adapting DBMM armies to DBF and it plays smooth.
ReplyDeleteThanks Javier!.... Those attributes you mentioned — Elite, Poor, High Morale, Lethal, Fear, are probably the key reason DBF adapts so well beyond fantasy. Your point about smooth play is important too. Many rulesets gain flavor at the expense of tempo, DBF tends to preserve the fast decision cycle that makes DBA-DBF systems fun to play in the first place! :o)
DeleteCheers!
That was a very clear and helpful summary, Phil. I played DBA decades ago. After reading this post, I think that I may need to get the rules. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Richard for your feedback much appreciated!
DeleteGreat to Know! :o) De Bellis Antiquitatis has a way of pulling people back in after years away — especially because the game engine is still fast play, and surprisingly tense compared to many larger rulesets...I think! :o) cheers!
Inteteresting overview, not a game Ive played but Ive been aware of it for some time!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thanks for your feedback Iain..... .yep, DBMM has had that “I’ve heard of it forever but never actually played it” :o) There’s also a newer descendant, DBMM 2.0, that cleaned up parts of the system, though cleaned up in DBMM terms still means fairly crunchy! :oP
Delete