General’s characteristic

[timurilank]

Normally, we use the WRG 1685 – 1845 rule set for our SYW battles, but for a quick resolution, we find the DBA-HX variant with multiple commands convenient.

For our campaigns, we did implement the General’s command type of cautious, bold or rash, however, DBA does not require morale testing, We do have a situation where a command will become demoralized when sufficient elements are lost. For our games, Rash and Bold generals add an extra element needed to reach a state of demoralization and a Cautious one, deducts one.

In a campaign situation it could be possible to have ideally a number of bold and rash generals tenacious engaged in battle or several cautious one packing it in earlier than expected. We find this option helps the smaller armies, but well commanded, ably take on an enemy with larger number of troops.

[David Brown]

Hi there,

There's a lot you could fiddle with here.

I'd have Cautious generals roll a D-Average for PIPs.

Rash can and must move to contact for no pips, either as an individial stand or a group he is part of.

regards

David B

[timurilank]

There is a lot that could be done to expand the General's influence in the actual play of the game. We do recognize all three characteristics have a place in the greater campaign. We also know (WRG) that the Prussians have a greater chance of fielding Bold generals while conversely, the Austrians cautious ones.

We know from history, the Prussians were not adverse to engaging the Austrians at lesser odds or launching their campaigns at unexpected moments. In contrast, the Austrians were methodical in their preparations which often consumed precious time. They did however, recognize the value of certain leaders to operate independent of the main army which presented the Austrians with an advantage.

[vodnik]

...in Switzerland we are a 2 man team exercising 7YW battles. To create more action we use BBDBA sice + 3 extra comanding Elements. Each player is free desiding to give the dice to a sertain general.
Weknow line infantry, grenadiers, militia(frei corps), jagers + artilllery as foot troop types + cuirassiers, dragoons, hussars + lansers as mounted troops.
Foot elements can shoot when in range ewen from an owerlap. Artillery shoots in both turns. Its maximum range is 1000 pase but up to half range shooting is -1.Shooting is +1 if the target is closer than 300 pase.
As an example the Prussian list:
6-10Li(0-2Gr, 0-1Fr), 0-1Ja, 0-2Cu o Dr, 0-2La o Hu, 0-2Art
The 3 comands do not need to be the same size but more then 6 elements. And yes we enjoy that kind of battles...

[Martyn]

If I recall correctly, and it is some time since I last played, the impact of Rash, Bold or Cautious generals is primarily in the reaction phase, or affecting morale where a plus or minus one applies.

I would be concerned in having too much of an impact on a DBA variant. The adjustment of demoralisation sounds good but I would be unhappy with too much tinkering with PiP die. A lower demoralisation makes a player act more cautiously.

If considering different PiP die, would it be better to have a Bold gen having an average die as there is more likelihood of a 3 or 4 keeping a plan moving than the wild variation of a 1 or 6 which would be better for a Rash gen. A Cautious gen could have a -1 on a normal PiP.

Just some idle thoughts on a Monday morning. :)

[timurilank]

Vodnik and Martyn,

We do have a similar flexibility with dispersal of pip results among the various commands.

We play primarily campaigns and not one-off battles. This results, in many instances, lead to a good quantity of small conflicts before we ever see a large battle. To simplfy things, neither the combat factors, modifiers or results have been tinkered with and we find this works well.

In keeping with a campaign structure, either player may break off a conflict, but must withdraw off the field. This has a number of advantages, one side may have committed to battle to create a diversion, or had been ambushed, or it was all part of "a cunning plan".

The average die is something to consider for national characteristics; Russians for example.