Sue’s Suggestions15 August 2010

BASING YOUR FIGURES AND MODELS

All figures must be combined into elements of several figures, or an elephant, chariot or artillery model, fixed to a thin rectangular base. Base size is not critical provided that all bases have the same frontage and both armies use the same conventions.

If you wish to use the same figures for DBA and DBMM, then you will need to consult the DBMM Army Lists for details - any element which is valid for a DBMM army may also be used for the corresponding DBA army.(This also covers armies based for previous versions of DBA.)

"Large figures" are 25mm or larger. "Small figures" are 15mm or smaller. HO scale plastics (20mm) may be treated as either.

Base widths: 60mm for large figures. 40mm for small figures.

Troop Type / DBA lists code / Base depth for large. / Base depth for small / Number per base
ELEPHANTS / El / 80mm / 40mm / 1 model
KNIGHTS / Kn / 40mm / 30mm / 3 or 4 figures
HEAVY CHARIOTS / HCh / 80mm / 40mm / 1 model
CAVALRY / Cv / 40mm / 30mm / 3 figures
LIGHT CHARIOTS / LCh / 80mm / 40mm / 1 model
LIGHT HORSE / LH or LCm / 40mm / 30mm / 2 figures
SCYTHED CHARIOTS / SCh / 80mm / 40mm / 1 model
CAMELRY / Cm / 40mm / 30mm / 3 figures
SPEARS / Sp / 20mm / 15mm / 4 figures
PIKES / Pk / 20mm / 15mm / 4 figures
BLADES / Bd / 20mm / 15mm / 4 figures
AUXILIA / Ax / 30mm / 20mm / 3 or 4 figures
BOWS / Bw / 30mm / 20mm / 3 or 4 figures
PSILOI / Ps / 30mm / 20mm / 2 figures
WARBAND / Wb / 30mm / 20mm / 3 or 4 figures
HORDES / Hd / 40mm / 30mm / 5 - 8 figures
ARTILLERY / Art / 80mm / 40mm / 1 model
WAR WAGONS / WWg / 120mm / 80mm / 1 model
LITTER / Lit / 120mm / 80mm / 1 model
CAMP FOLLOWERS / 30mm / 20mm / 1-4 figures

If your army is of individual 10mm or 6mm figures, use twice as many figures and models as specified above. Basing of 6mm or 2mm blocks is complicated by them being cast with varying frontages. They must be cut and combined to look realistic, with irregulars and skirmishers often in small random groups. Use open formation blocks for light horse or psiloi, loose for most knights, cavalry, auxilia, bowmen or warband, and close for cataphracts, spears, pikes and most blades.

If you are using figures larger than 25mm, you may not be able to fit the required number of figures on to the base - in this case, keep the standard base widths and get as close as possible to the above specifications while using fewer figures or deeper bases.

Distribute figures representing regular troops evenly along the base in level rows, and distinguish irregulars by using figures of differing type, pose and/or colour scheme placed more randomly. Depict camp followers as armed civilians. The general's element must be recognisable by his figure, standard or conventional white charger and be of a type specified for the general in the army list.