24 Element Games

I do not know the official answer, but since you start opposite each other from ANY of the four sides normally 4foot square would work, however that is probably inconvenient, so it implies a 4foot by 2foot table starting from the long sides.

Should you work it out from BBDBA size rather than DBA size?

David Constable

I have used 3' square quite successfully for 24 element games. You need a depth to your line, but there if the enemy can turn a flank, you can find yourself quite stretched. If he spreads across the entire 3' (and you adjust the flank dead zone accordingly) with no thought to his reserve, you can fairly easy run Cv, LH, 3Ax/3Bw past them and get behind them.

The 4' board for 24 elements converts almost every battlefield into open desert/steppe, which in my view is pretty unrealistic. The "edge of the world" phenomenon is somewhat realistic, as armies typically deployed in such a way that outflanking them was difficult or impossible, due to terrain. Ancient generals required to fight in linear formations first and foremost anchored their flanks as step 1 in their choice of battlefield, if voluntarily offering battle. This is what made ambushes so dangerous!

3' works quite well, and provides a nice "attrition" feel to the game, with a few more double lines in action on occasion. Feels sort of right to me.

That said, one drawback of the DBA system (and it is a big one) is the inability of Cv, LH, and Ps to slowly grind down and weaken the opposition through attrition with missiles. This makes Cv-heavy armies need to have bigger boards I guess. Meaning for DBA purposes, Cv battles are by definition, ambushes of sorts.