So, ordinarily, this would be late Feb/early March ... but that was the big freeze and the Police shut Newark to traffic. But the show must go on - and it did: at the end of April.
In addition to playing in the DBA event and presenting the Society sponsored Cup, I was asked to support the tournament with a Participation Game version of DBA ... and there was also the show.
So this report will have 3 parts.
The Game, the Cup and the Show.
Details of the Double DBA were published in the History of Wargaming DBA 2.2 reprint (Zama) but I'll post an updated version here in due course (as V3 is a little different to earlier versions) ...
Essentially each player has 2 armies deployed one behind the other. The front army is 'expendable and may be used to batter through the other player's front army or play for time or manoeuvre for advantage. These armies will ultimately be withdrawn.
The rear army is the reserve, and the battle between the reserves is for keeps. The winning reserve army wins the game.
We'll get back to that in a minute.
The Northern Cup plays over 6 rounds with randomly selected scenarios between historical enemies on imaginary preset terrain.
I had variable success over the six games ... no duplicates ... I won some - but mostly I lost the others.
I had the army right in front of the viewer.
I really liked those Classical Indians.
Nice armies, Tony ...
OK ... let's have a quick wizz around the show ..
Naval looks like it's going to be a thing this year.
I really liked this one where the ships stand on stilts and the subs cruise around beneath them. A good idea I think - and well executed.
But there's more ..
The armies are 10mm figures. Most of Caesar's infantry are by Newline Designs. A welcome addition.
Pompey's foot are the AIM/Chariot figures from my Republicans, and the cavalry on both sides is a mix ... the above plus Magister Militum, Pendraken and a few Adler and Baggage Train for variety.
They are on 40mm frontages ... basically 10mm figures on 15s basing.
I really like the panoramic look you can get with 10mm.
But here are some positions ... Simon 3rd and Phil J runner-up ...
West Wind presented the prizes and generous shopping vouchers. I presented the Society of Ancients DBA Northern Cup. Drum roll ... to ... Martin Myers.
... and then we all had our picture taken.
Prufrock said...
Nice one!
Lee Hadley said...
Excellent photos.
Trebian said...
So...those games with my South East Asian armies weren't wasted then?
SoA Shows North said...
Thanks, Lee ... your pictures are amongst the best around so it's a great compliment.
SoA Shows North said...
Err, Trebian ... I lost that game!
I think I was too worried about getting my general killed by the elephant mounted artillery model.
The game threw up the discussion we have had on a number of occasions (as to why elephants are so obviously 'bad' in what is clearly 'elephant terrain' - and through which, in reality, they seem to stomp around quite happily).
So two 'elephant armies' in a jungle battlefield is a pretty game but something of an odd one.
Trebian said...
Good to see we aren't the only ones to query the elephant rules.
Otherwise, as young people say, LOL.
The Society of Ancients is an enthusiasts association dedicated to the understanding and exploration of warfare in the Ancient and Medieval world. Many of its members recreate campaigns and armies in miniature and join together to game the great battles of history.
Shows North is a dedicated band of volunteers who give up their weekends to tour Britain (and occasionally further afield) to run a stand at events, publicising the Society and its interests - meeting and recruiting members... we hope to use this blog to keep a diary of what we get up to - and to discuss some of the issues that come up..
Currently the Society of Ancients Shows North effort is organised by Phil Steele - a military historian, heritage volunteer and Society Life Vice President... Phil has been a wargamer since discovering Lawford and Young's 'Charge!' aged 10 in the late 60's ... by the early 70's he was playing ancient wargames with Airfix figures and WRG rules - joining the Society of Ancients in 1973. Phil has supported just about every form of historical wargame, and played just about every mainstream ancients rules set. He is a member of Wargames Developments and the Pike and Shot Society as well as SoA and is a trustee of several important battlefield charities.
