Irregular vs. Regular
Command and Control

> Rules Variants > Resources > Fanaticus

Many ancients rules systems (including DBM/DBMM) distinguish between regular and irregular troops or armies in order to better simulate the difference between  well-disciplined troops such as Romans or Macedonians capable of moving and fighting in tactical formations versus armies comprised of tribal warbands or levies who fought on mass and who were much more difficult to control. DBA doesn't attempt this distinction, but this variant rule offers an easy method of simulating regular versus irregular armies indirectly through the PIP die mechanism. 

Quite simply, the command and control radius of the General's element in armies classified as Irregular is reduced to 600p in all conditions.  It is up to the players to agree on whether an army is irregular or regular.   As a guideline, it is suggested that any army containing 4 or more Warband, that has the word "Revolt" in its name, or any Book IV army with 4 or more Knights in its composition be classified as Irregular.

By reducing the General's command and control range in half, the Irregular army will have an incentive to fight in larger groups and in tighter masses in order to conserve pips.  Fancy single-element maneuvers available to the Regular army will be more difficult for the Irregular army to execute.

I offer this variant specifically with Marian and Early Imperial Romans and their barbarian foes in mind.  Since this variant gives the Romans the edge tactically, you might consider giving the barbarian army an extra element or two for balance. Classifying Mongols as Regular against foes classed as Irregular could also put the Conquest back into Mongols.

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Last Updated:19 Oct. 2007

Questions, comments, suggestions welcome.
Send them to Chris Brantley at brant@erols.com.