The Christmas and New Year holiday season is almost over for me as I soon head back to work. From a wargaming perspective it has provided a great opportunity to play a good number of 15mm Ancient and Medieval games against by son using the DBA rules.
My son, visiting from out of town, decided to bring three DBA armies that he has repainted or completed this year. They were Classical Indian, Seleucid and Wars of the Roses English. The first two contain veteran miniatures with the Indians being a gift from me when he was eight years old, his first army. Given they have been in service for some 27 years, and still providing enjoyment, it seems to have been one of the better gifts. His Seleucids were collected a few years later when he was building his own armies. His Wars of the Roses army was a recent purchase.
As to the games we managed 18 DBA games, all of which were between historical or near historical opponents.
His Indians were deployed twice against my own Seleucids, one game being shown above. The Indians secured victory twice. Stepping back in time we would also see Alexander the Great facing the Indians in two battles, but with Alexander and Porus achieving one victory each.
My son’s Seleucids would likewise face two opponents across four games. First the Polybian Romans secured a hard fought victory, only to be driven out of Asia minor in the second. Now Antiochus turned his attention to the Celts defeating the Galatians in a battle that was not as one sided as one would expect. Finally, the Romans reappeared and despite having a cunning plan, as Romans always should, suffered another defeat. But being Roman another army can be formed I’m sure.
Above and below, the Romans face the Seleucids. My son’s Seleucids are a mix of old Tabletop Miniatures once manufactured under license in New Zealand and Essex. The Romans are all from my own collection and a mix of Essex with some variation provided by selected Museum Miniatures.
The major on-going conflict was however Medieval. Over several evenings, and one afternoon, we played no less than ten Wars of the Roses engagements. Experimenting with different troop options and tactics the Lancastrians and Yorkists fought across England in what can be only be described as a determined campaign to replace the rightful king with a Yorkist usurper. Below, one of the many battles.
With the armies having a similar composition, but infrequently the same, it was the terrain and cunning that could provide even a minor advantage. A short summary of the first six games can be found here.
Without doubt a wonderful way to spend the holiday evenings. There is, in my view, much to recommend DBA.
Across the Table 
Keith, I eagerly followed your son’s battle reports on FB. I also liked the reports on what adult beverages were being consumed 🍻🍺. I’m all geared up for CANCON, running Skythians on Day 1 and Uighars on Day 2. Looking forward to the challenge both armies present, but don’t expect to be in the running for laurel leaf crowns.
Greg, I certainly smiled at your questions regarding which beers were being consumed.
Good luck for Cancon, two challenging armies. I’ve used Numidians with a degree of success, but the Scythians look to be extremely difficult due to their aggression.
Thanks Keith. Can we expect you cross the ditch in the coming years?
I’m sure we will get to Australia again, but I’m not sure it would be for Cancon. Just a little hot in January.