From DUX to Duke and Daimyo

[Sir Tobi]

When contemplating the year 2012 (which thankfully has not ended yesterday - along with the whole earth), one of the best hobby-related things for me in the last months was the release of DUX Britanniarum. With its very accomplished synthesis of game, simulation and story-telling, it hit the bulls eye. I have only one quarrel with it (but it really can be considered a minor one): The Arthurian era is not one of my favorites. Yes, I have figures and yes, I like them, BUT it would be so much more fun battling away in Outremer, 14th century France or Feudal Japan. There is hope for offical supplements, but I think I don't think I can wait that long.

So, my new-years resolution for the hobby does include many things DUX-related. While my basic armies for the Britons and Saxons are finished (just have to take pictures which will happen soonish), they will need to be reinforced. But in addition I also want to adapt the rules to other periods. And here the big challange is to keep the balance of the game.

Therefore I have tried to deduce a point-system for DUX, which for me looks rather balanced and rates both official DUX-starter armies at the same point value of 70 points. Here's the point-system I came up with:



Let me explain how it works: The point value of each unit is calculated by the number of figures, their quality and the fact whether they are mounted and/or have ranged weapons. Thus a 6 figure unit of elites comes out at 10 points (6 for the figures, 4 for being elite). A unit of 4 bowmen counts 6 points (4 for the figures, 2 for ranged weapons). I also had to make the destinction regarding unit-size in order to adjust the quality-costs to the number of figures. A normal unit for foot is 6 figures, a small one 4 and a large one 8. For mounted troops a normal unit is 4, a small 2 and a large 6. Thus a mounted unit of 6 elite shock troops costs 14: 4 figures + 4 elite + 4 shock horse + 2 large unit size.

With this system it should be possible to adjust the game to any setting mentioned above. Flavour of the period will have to be added by the card-deck as well as by (very few) additional rules. Talking about tinkering with the rules - you will notice the term "B&M Group" in the system above. This is a group of bannermen, standards and musicians which is indispensible in every feudal army. It works as follows: The force moral level for a battle with the basic army is 6 + 1D3 (meaning on a pip of 1-2 the level will be raised 1 point, on 3-4 it will be raised 2 points and so on). Thus this can be adapted for larger games as 0,5 force morale points per levy unit, 1 per warrior unit and 1,5 per elite unit present on the table plus the additional D3. The new B&M group will count as an elite unit (thus being a very cheap addition to the force moral level - analogous to baggage in DBMM) AND allow one re-roll of the D3 when first determining the force moral level. As a downside it will fight like levies (being encoumbered with all those flags and gear) but die like elites - with a potential loss of 3 morale points. I think this might work well and will also make for a beautifull addition to the army on the field.

You may also have noticed that bowmenship is not available for levies - that is because levies trained with ranged weapons will fight as missile troops or skirmishers in feudal armies. Experts of shooting belonging to the elites shoot better (thus the higher point value). When checking for hits they treat their targets as one quality level lower then they actually are (thus elites shot at by elites use the warrior-outcome). In addition, elites don't have to shoot on the nearest target (yet they still are not allowed to target commanders).

That's enough of special rules at the moment, now let's have a look at the 100p Samurai army I'm planning to field 2013:



I would very much appreciate it if you would let me know what you think of the point-system/adaption and where you see problems to be solved.

Very best regards,
 Tobi

[OSHIROmodels]

I've got the rules but haven't been through them yet as its a project for next year but I'll be following this thread with interest for probably very obvious reasons 

cheers

James

[Arlequín]

I think it works very well and I quite like that the points work by the unit, rather than on individual figures. I thought that the rules gave a variation of quality between troop types, but not as much as you would think.

I am not a fan of points values generally, although I do see the need for them in 'club games' as opposed to a campaign setting, however simple. So I would imagine that quite a few folk will be pleased with these and I will certainly be using them to balance 'starter forces', so thanks from me at least!

 

I'm not so sure about the B&M group though, although the rules for them are quite well thought out. I have taken it that these are included within the units and are a very small proportion of the numbers of fighting men. Obviously this depends on what figure ratio you are using, so with a smaller ratio, then I can see it being a necessary addition.

Thanks for sharing!  

[max]

Some interesting ideas; they're be copied and pasted onto my computer 

When i first got the rules, i made up severql ideas, mainly for 15th century as this is my period of interest. I did make a routier campaign for the HYW, where a band of English (or wandering mercenaries, routiers of course) took a lightly defended castle and began to raid the surrounding area. The French have a band of feudal levies and some proper soldiers to kick them out. Later, the routiers could create a 'proper' piece of land and become a lord under the English king, while the French rose the social ladder, etc...
If you're interested, a table for the campaigns is here: http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=46487.0

As for cards, Jim made some for the 15th century, Wars of the Roses, Burgundy and all that. He has also done a Wars of the Roses campaign and notes for battles, over on his blog, if you need inspiration. I'm going to give the campaign a roll over the christmas holidays.

As for forces, Jim used the basic Saxon force, slightly modified. So, an English Wars of the roses army would be 2 groups of elites (1 archer, 1 combat) and 3 warrior groups (2 archer, 1 combat) with different names, so elites are called Household, warriors are Soldiers or Retinue troops, and levies Yeomen or Militia, to give more flavour.
For a HYW setting, i had thought of;
English -> use the saxon force, with all warriors with bows.
French -> use the Briton force, with maybe some levies with missile weapons and the warriors armed with crossbows.

I would like to see what you do for feudal europe. An idea though, maybe the B&M group could be a band of monks (Crusades mostly, i guess)?

  Hmm, this post went on a bit, i just find that when talk turns to Dux Britanniraum, i have lots to say!

[Arlequín]

i just find that when talk turns to Dux Britanniraum, i have lots to say!

Really? Hadn't noticed... 

You're right though, it's a great system with lots of potential, in my humble opinion anyway. I'm waiting for someone to do an English Civil War/Thirty Years War variant... if they haven't done so already.

As Max says though, I've done some work on them myself and I'm very open to criticism or seeing them adapted, abused, altered or whatever.

 

[Lowtardog]

Like the samurai idea

[Lardy Rich]

I just wanted to say thanks to you chaps for saying such nice things about Dux Britanniarum.  It was a real labour of love and it's great to know that it is appreciated.

Cheers

Rich

[Sir Tobi]

Many thanks for your kind comments. I'm glad you like the idea and I'll keep you posted on the progress.

@Jimbibbly: I can't recommend the rules high enough, and I'm very sure they have great potential for both the sengoku period and the Korean invasion. As a matter of fact I have now finished my setup for the Korean/Ming forces:


@Arlequín: Many thnaks. I feel very similar about point systems, but as a full campaign needs greater involvement and I still have to persuade the members of my club for this system, a balanced game where I bring both armies involved seems to be the best plan to see this happen. As for the B&M, I agree it needs some further testing...

@Max: Thanks for sharing. Yor campaign looks very interesting indeed. Can you give a short account on how it works/worked? I've got a load of Perry HYW figures as a present for Christmas, so after having finished the Samurai adaption HYW will certainly be the next project and I'm hoping to grab some ideas from you 

@Rich: Many thanks for your kind comment. You've really given us all a great present with these rules, and for my own part I can only say this "labour of love" is very much appreciated.

Best regards,
Tobi

 

[max]

I might give the idea a go soon, maybe playing the first game in a few days. I was going to do a wars of the roses feud, but my current collection probably suits English vs France better, so i'll see.
I'll probably post it's progress on this forum.

[OSHIROmodels]

Great stuff Tobi but which figures are you going to use for the Ming?

Looks like I'll be buying more Koreans from the Perrys soon 

I recently joined the Shap Practice Yahoo group but unfortunately I've only really got the time for one forum. Obviously I'll still pop over to see what's happening but I won't be able to take part in the conversations.

@Rich - Sharp Practice has become our little groups rules set of choice now and we're using it for a few different periods and I think we'll do the same for Dux 

cheers

James

[Sir Tobi]

I gave the Cavalcade figures some consideration as they are to my knowledge the only true Ming in 28mm - apart from Sheltrum, which are not at all to my taste. Yet after all pictures and descriptions I was able to pull together, I think the Perry heavily armed Koreans are as good a match to heavily armed Ming soldiers as you can get - after all, the Koreans strove to imitate the much revered Chinese in many aspects. Thus I will use those figures:


As a plus, together with the most of the Korean force I already have them painted and ready to be based  . 

Best regards,
Tobi

[OSHIROmodels]

Sounds good to me 

cheers

James