condotta

I am returning to play DBA after far more than a decade (how many editions ago was that?). I have acquired enough of the beautiful Mirliton miniatures to put Milanese and Venetians in the field.

Since this army list seems to be fairly popular and successful, I was hoping some players might share their favorite carmy compositions, as well as some comments about why certain types might be preferred over others.

On a related note, I was dissappointed all those years ago to see how most armies rolled over the Book IV English since blades do so well against bows. I have seen a few recommendations for factor changes, but 2.2 still has bows a +2/+4. Ideas?

R

Originally Posted by rjrockefeller

On a related note, I was dissappointed all those years ago to see how most armies rolled over the Book IV English since blades do so well against bows. I have seen a few recommendations for factor changes, but 2.2 still has bows a +2/+4. Ideas?

Primary idea -- don't worry about it. Blades are no longer the super-troop-type (although they are still very good). In v1.1 Blades weren't QK by Kn; now they are. What does your army have? Huge wads of Kn. Your bow are going to be fine unless you put them casually in harms way.

The various recommendations for factor changes have gained little support because they seem to cause many more problems than they putatively fix.

Originally Posted by rjrockefeller

Since this army list seems to be fairly popular and successful, I was hoping some players might share their favorite carmy compositions, as well as some comments about why certain types might be preferred over others.

Personally I play with this composition:
Kn (Gen), 4x3Kn, 1x2Lh, 2x8Bw, 2x4Sp, 1x3Bd, 1xArt

The artillery option is very useful, since it is good against the troops that your Kn fear most (Bw, WWg and El).

I played also with the 2x4Pk option, but they are more difficult to use than spears: they are too few and slow, so their potential target is usually able to evade them. Spears are more flexible and have some limited bad going capability which is missing to the Pikes.

On a related note, I was dissappointed all those years ago to see how most armies rolled over the Book IV English since blades do so well against bows. I have seen a few recommendations for factor changes, but 2.2 still has bows a +2/+4. Ideas?

I find factors are fine. Bad performances of Bd vs Bw (like Agincourt) were more due to bad generalship, not to a too low effectiveness of the Bd.

There is a game in which Bows are more effective than in DBA, it is called HOTT and it is a fantasy game

The real issue with Bk 4 armies is that dismounting should be more difficult than it is now and, on this specific topic, there were many suggestions: all of them probably acceptable, but no general consensus.

Attilio

Such observations are always welcome.

Right now, I have the two armies organized according to "historical" character compositions:

Milan: 1 Kn(Gen) 4 Kn, 1 LH [mtd xbow], 2 PK, 2Cb [xbow w/pavises], 1 Bd [ducal guard], 1 Art [bombard]
Venice: 1 Kn(Gen) 4 Kn, 2 LH [stradoits], 2 Sp, 2 Ps [xbow marines], 1 Ps [handgonners]

More experence may change my habits. I have to order some peasants for the camp followers anyway...

I do hope to cross swords with the Turks soon. We will let everyone know how that goes.

R