Dan Becker's DBA Battle - Carolingians vs Early Bulgars

This article gives a play-by-play photograph and descriptions of a De Bellis Antiquitatus (DBA) army battle with 15mm models. DBA is a miniatures game that allows opponents to field an army of antiquity (2000 BC to 1500 AD) with 12 units of miniatures against an historical opponent. The game is popular because of its small scope (30 to 60 figures), historical depth, and great support by manufacturers, fan sites, and number of game participants.

For this article, I am pitting two of my recently painted 15mm armies: the Carolingian Franks (639 - 888 AD) against the Early Bulgars (804 - 1018 AD). Both armies feature mounted nobility and a sizeable amount of levy spear militia. Click on these army links to learn more of the composition and building of these armies.

I did play many DBA games in game stores about 20 years ago, but this is my first DBA game since, and I am quite rusty. I did try to follow the rules, but despite the short rule book, I find the organization and clarity of the rules very difficult. If I missed rule or made an improper play, please let me know and help me improve for the next game.

Click on an image below to get a photo gallery containing all the game photos.

DBA Battle - Carolingians (III/28) vs Early Bulgars (III/14c)

This photo shows the setup of the DBA Battle of the Carolingians and the Bulgars. In the foreground, a tablet with the rules for the game, a quick reference sheet and two sheets with the army compoistion. The Carolingians are nearest the viewer. The Bulgars are farthest in this photo. The photos generally will alternate views with the moving side nearest the viewer.

The Carolingians show up to the battlefield with 5 units of knights, 1 unit of cavalry, 4 units of spear, 1 archer, and 1 levy horde.

The Bulgars arrive with 3 units of knights, 4 units of light horse archers, 4 spear. and 1 archer.

This photo shows the reverse view from the Bulgar side. The borders of the battlefield (a two foot by two foot area) are denoted by the angle irons with large stones at the corners. According to the DBA setup rules, the sides have placed a river in the middle of the board, two wooded areas, and two farm fields.

The battle commences with the Carolingians moving first. DBA moves start with a roll of one-six sided to determine activation points which is basically the number of elements that can move. However distance from the general can cost more, and some units such as light cavalry and skirmishers can move independently.

The Carolingians with the green die have rolled a one! Not only is this the worst roll, but also on the first turn it means the farm fields have been turned to mud. Instead of clear terrain, the fields are now rough going which hinders movement.

The Carolingians opt to move their infantry forward to the river.

This photo shows the the Bulgars' first move. The Bulgars with the red die roll a 2 for their activation so not many elements will move.

There is a red and tan measuring stick on the right flank. This stick is for unit movement and is delimited in 40mm stripes. In DBA elements move in multiples of "base widths" or BWs which for these 15mm figures is 40mm wide.

The Bulgars opt to move both light horse groups on the flanks forward toward the river.

This photo shows the Carolingians move on turn 2.

The Carolingian green die for activation is 5 points. The mounted units on the flank move forward. The General and his knights also move forward. The peasant levy remains in the back to guard the camp.

This photo shows the Bulgar move on turn 2. The Bulgars must be confused because again they roll low with a 1 on the red die.

The Bulgars move the infantry line forward to the river.

This photo shows the Carolingian turn 3. The Carolingians have rolled a 2 on their green activation die.

One strange rule about DBA is that the strength of a river is not known until one unit enters it. A single die is rolled with a 1 or 2 being a paltry river (no effect), 3 or 4 being a slow down to movement and combat defense, and a 5 or 6 being a slow down, combat defense, and special crossing rule. Of course, like other games, you can make an agreement with your opponent and barter or roll for the river strength at the beginning of the match.

The Carolingian infantry have entered the river, rolled a 3 causing movement slowdown to 1 BW and a defensive bonus of 1 for the rest of the game.

At this moment, a pause in the turns for an artist's rendition of the battle. The generals, nobles, and infantry stare each other down across the rain soaked river.

This photo shows the Bulgar turn 3.

The Bulgars throw a decent activation roll of 5 on the red die.

The Bulgars move both light horse flanks into the water to defend at the river's edge. The Bulgar General and noble knights group make a decision and move to their right. They see there is but a single Carolingian cavalry on that side.

This photo shows the Carolingian turn 4.

The Carolingians roll the green activation die for a paltry 2 pips. The General and his knights move to the left to counter the Bulgar nobles on the other side. The muddy field and the established spear infantry line make it difficult to maneuver.

This photo shows the Bulgar turn 4.

The Bulgars also roll a paltry activation of 2 on the red die. There's no major action possible here for 2 pips, so the Bulgars move the two Light Horse into the river to have a go at the lone Cavalry. This might be risky since the river bank adds defense, but not when you are in the river.

This photo shows the Carolingian turn 5.

The Carolingians roll a 3 for activation. They opt to move the General's group of knights but without enough movement to make it to the river bank. The lone Cavalry decides to attack the two Bulgarian Light Horse in the river. This will be even odds since Cavalry have 4 pips for close combat and Light Horse have 3. However the Light Horse receive 1 tactical factor pip.

The combat roll is 3 pips each plus 4 combat pips each. A tie of 7, both units stay in place and are locked in combat.

This photo shows the Bulgar turn 5.

The Bulgars roll their red die for activation and get 1 pip. The Bulgar General and his knight group line up a defensive column on the river bank. They are guarded by infantry on the right and the forest (bad going) on the right.

This photo shows the Carolingian turn 6. The Carolingians roll a 2 for activation.

Between the low activation rolls and the difficult terrain, this has been one difficult match with some maneuvering and little combat. The wind must be howling or the fog must be thick because the Generals are not getting many activation orders out.

The Carolingian Cavalry on the left attack the two Bulgar Light Horse elements. The Cavalry get four combat factors for attack, and the Light Horse get three. However the Cavalry lose one factor for the one unit overlap.

It's an even roll and the units stay in place.

This photo shows the Bulgar turn 6. The Bulgars roll a 2 for activation.

The Bulgars continue the combat between the Light Horse and the Cavalry. The Light Horse is able to "shut the door" and move from a support position to a flank attack. The attack is a Bulgar 3 pip attack roll (plus 4 combat factors) versus the Carolingian 1 pip attack roll (plus 4 combat factors). Ordinarily the Carolingian Cavalry must recoil, but the flank attack turns this into destruction.

First blood! The Carolingians have lost a Cavalry element.

This photo shows the Carolingian turn 7. The Carolingians roll the green activation dice and score a five. The General unit costs 1 pip to move, and other units cost 2 pips.

The General's noble knight group fits between the muddy field and infantry line and engages the recently victorious Bulgar Light Horse on the left. The Carolingian archer moves to harass the Bulgar knights in the center. On the far right side, the two knights engage the light horse in the river.

On the right side, the Carolingians knights score a push back to the Bulgar light horse which aligns with his fellow horseman. On both the center and the right, the Carolingians have low combat rolls for no effect.

The Carolingians have moved many, but have not had much combat success this turn.

This photo shows the Bulgar turn 7.

With an activation roll of 4 the Bulgars opt to use the Light Horse units on the flanks to make archer attacks the Carolingians.

The Bulgars are ineffective on their left flank, but they do push back a knight on the left flank.

This photo shows the Carolingian view on turn 8. The Carolingians roll a five for activation.

On the left, the Carolingian General and the knights line up with the Bulgar light horse in the river. With the flanking support of the knights, they are able to kill off one of the Bulgar light horse elements. Similarly the Carolingian knights on the right kill off another light horse element.

The Carolingians have take the lead by destroying two enemy elements versus the Bulgar one element.

This photo shows the Bulgar view on turn 8. The Bulgars roll a paltry one on their activation roll. The General's unit is the only option.

The knights group unit enters the river but with not enough movement to line up and make an attack.

This photo shows the Carolingian view on turn 9. The Carolingians roll a robust five for activation.

On the left the Carolingian General and knights, 3 stands, attack the lone Bulgarian light horse. The light horse recoils back.

In the center the lone Carolingian archer again targets the Bulgar knights for harassment. The archers roll a 4 to the knights 1, thus doubling him and destroying him.

The Carolingians now lead the match three elements to one.

This photo shows the Bulgar view on turn 9. The Bulgars roll the red die for an activation of six - the best.

On the left, the Bulgars back off the lone archer light horse to shooting distance. Unfortunately, this archer rolls a combat die of one for no effect.

On the right, the Bulgar knights attack the archer unit through the river. Unfortunately the knights roll a one also. The archer and the supporting spear unit recoil the knights back.

This photo shows the Carolingian turn 10. The Carolingians roll a poor two for activation. That is enough to move the knights on the right flank and attack the Bulgar light horse archers.

The two Carolingian knight elements roll a 6 combat die against the long Bulgar light horse which rolls a 4. With superior units and superior support, the knights destroy the Bulgar unit.

At this point the Carolingians have destroyed four enemies, ending the game, and defeating the Bulgars!

This photo shows a close up view of the Carolingian Victory. The Carolingian General accepts the surrender and conscripts the Bulgars to fight as allies in the next Carolingian battle.

For the recap, here are a few observations:

• the constrained battlefield turns a normal free-wheeling cavalry game into an infantry slog.
• the low activation rolls led to slow development and mostly mild attacks on both sides.
• generally the Carolingians had better combat rolls than the Bulgars.
• superior units on the flanks won the flanks.

I hope you enjoyed seeing a fully documented DBA game with painted miniatures, photographs, and descriptions.

I have built several other DBA armies (Romans, Ancient Brits, Teutonic Order, Rus, etc.), and they are listed on my DBA Armies web article. Other miniatures I have built are available on my Miniatures Page or the complete index of minis on the Mini Data Page.

Thanks for reading about my latest miniature figures.