|
Post by dolphinless on Mar 10, 2023 9:29:58 GMT
I'm about to start my DBN journey.
I like the rules, have seen a few of the author's videos & this is my first ever foray into Napoleonics.
One area I've not got mapped is the representation of hits/attrition/shaken etc. I understand the practicality of the author using puffs of cotton wool, but I'm looking for something a little more formal.
I was a big player of WRG 6th Edition Ancients back in the day & its casualty removal was that in a multi-base unit (a cohort, for example), one of the bases would be made up of individuals, enabling easily casualty removal.
The DBN analogy would be to have each base duplicated, but with fewer figures mounted....but the thought of the (almost) tripling the number of required bases horrifies me, even at 10mm. Some players use markers such as a dice behind a unit, or maybe different coloured counter. But IMHO, this detracts from the overall look of the game & I'm keen to avoid anything that would look out of place historically.
Also, placing any kind of marker next to a base could get awkward when a multi unit attack column gets into close combat.
Because of the plethora of flags & standards, maybe drill an appropriately located hole in a couple of each base's figures to mount a removable & historic(ish) flag of colour, removing of which would indicate hits.
What do other players do?
|
|
|
Post by Baldie on Mar 10, 2023 9:46:11 GMT
I just use a little coloured marker. Have seen small bits of cotton wool wedged between figs. If really daring you could snap a fig off per hit. I play in 6mm scale and find little markers simple to use.
By the way I love the system hope you have some fab games
|
|
|
Post by Brian Ború on Mar 10, 2023 11:07:11 GMT
I'm quite a fan of sheep wool, which may be used in different colours, natural white or dark, in front of the units or on top of them. Your idea of removable flags is great! And if you don't find it too morbid: some manufacturers offer figures of casualties...or wounded or even stretchers. Now I think of it I have the impression a combination of all these would work best. You can see the status of a unit at a glance and you've got a vivid battlefield–and not only soldiers on parade...
As the loss of the flag (imperial eagles) was seen as a sign of weakness or even cowardice and disgrace maybe this should be used as highest marker, a sign of greatest distress...
In my naval Napoleonics games I use light, dark and red wool (ship on fire, explosion!) and painted toothpicks with yarn and bits of cotton (broken masts, damaged sails)...next I'll paint some sinking ships...
|
|
|
Post by Cromwell on Mar 10, 2023 15:14:50 GMT
At 20mm scale I use casualty figures. As a unit is destroyed after the third hit you only need two per units.
I also use 2mm and then I use a small green coloured dice behind the unit.
|
|
|
Post by vodnik on Mar 10, 2023 18:17:28 GMT
...did you play Art de la Guerre before? Cohesionmarkers are needed there too. DBA also knows Napo-rules without such markers. I have undefeated Prussians and Austrians that I don't use at all. I find the 7YW much more exciting and more global...
|
|
|
Post by ammianus on Mar 11, 2023 0:47:26 GMT
I use push pins. I wargame DBN in 6mm so the bushes,trees etc are foam rubber. I just stick my pins on the bases foliage. I use cotton balls for artillery fire.
|
|
|
Post by ilkleyoldschool on Mar 11, 2023 8:35:00 GMT
I use small dice on the base. Black = 1 hit and red = 2.
|
|
|
Post by dolphinless on Mar 14, 2023 9:12:26 GMT
Hi All....thanks for the responses.
My plan using 10mm 3d-printed figures.
In one figure on each base, drill an approx 1mm hole in an appropriate place. The figure position will be the same on each base, maybe rear rank, 2nd file.
Construct several colours (probably from Pendraken) with 1mm (or slightly under) flag staffs.
Half the colours will be flying & full but with obvious damage. The Pendraken colours are approx 14x12mm so this damage should be obvious.
The remaining colours will be limp.
When a base takes a hit, place the staff of the full flying colour into the pre-drilled hole. When it takes a second hit, replace with the limp colour.
The replaceable colours will be additional to those permanently on the base, shouldn't look too out of place.
I'll try to post pictures of the process.
|
|
|
Post by Brian Ború on Mar 25, 2023 18:12:41 GMT
"To amuse the enemy." A little bit of naval Napoleonic action A British squadron with the weather gauge attacks a combined French and Spanish squadron off Gibraltar. Tiny ships with sheep wool and toothpicks in action.
|
|
|
Post by Brian Ború on Mar 25, 2023 18:24:44 GMT
The leading french third rate lost a mast and is on fire!
|
|
|
Post by redwilde on Apr 30, 2023 2:09:08 GMT
Like in the videos, our group uses little cotton puffs on the stand. They're quite visible and stay with the stand in a thick scrum.
|
|