DBN Austrians vs French

We've had the DBN rules for a while now & even based up a few armies. At long last we were able to get a game played. A 30" Battlefield, with home made terrain. Jack would take the French & I the Austrians.

The figures are 1/300 Heroics & Ros, which I collected & painted over twenty years ago! Various rules & basing schemes have come & gone. Just like everyone, I 'grew up' & became a sensible fella, so alas the figures were stored away. Anyway after Jack was born & he reached an age were he could enjoy gaming, we started collecting & painting armies, DBA became our standard rules. After discovering DBN, I purchased the version 2 rules & we set about basing the Napoleonics. They are all mounted on standard size 15mm bases. As with most first attempts, there were some 'vague' areas we were unsure of, but obviously we'll improve with practice. We enjoyed the game, even Jack had a few comments on what he liked & disliked.

The Heroic Austrians, a standard 12 point army.


A 12 point French Army


The Battlefield, the French would attack from the north. I set the terrain & Jack rolled for which set-up edge. Strangely he got the side he wanted, I was happy getting a road edge.



The Austrians in massed columns of march.



Jack elected for a more conventional approach & lined up from the start.


I waste no time & deploy either side of the town.


Austrian Muskets race to deploy


The French led by the flamboyant General, Prince Murat on the right


Jacks Light Cavalry, Chasseurs a Cheval & Lancers, race ahead


Overview from the south with elements labelled.
Sensing an opportunity I send my cavalry straight up the middle.


Jacks straight in & unleashes the Light Cavalry onto the Austrian Muskets.


The Artillery deploys & opens up. Sadly both sets fail to make an impression.


The French attack with Muskets in column & Heavy Cavalry, Cuirassiers.


Withering firepower form the Austrians repulse the French Cavalry with losses.
We used the optional 'HIT' system, with small stones used as Hit markers.


The Battle is shaping up nicely.


The Austrian Heavy Cavalry (Cuirassiers) plays a support role rather than a head on attack into the French Muskets in the centre. The Light Cavalry (Uhlans) are sent packing with losses.


I concentrate the Austrian musketry & the French Light Cavalry are destroyed.


More losses for the Austrian Uhlans & they are now 'shaken'. The Austrian Cuirassiers turn to face the threat of French Muskets.


Mid point in the battle, so a few labels for the troops.
I'm cruising Jacks lost all three Cavalry elements!!!


Vive la France! Utters Jack & attempts a last ditch effort.


French Columns in action. Elsewhere Jack takes out 2 elements of Austrian cavalry

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He brings it level by launching a surprising attack on the Austrians.

The French Columns charge home instead of deploying into line for a firefight.

Jack nearly succeeds & destroys an Austrian Musket, the score is 3 - 3!!

However it fails at the last & on my turn the flanks close.....

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Cue the Benny Hill music.... 4 Austrian Muskets chase 2 French Muskets around the town.

Daaa.. Da Da Da Diddle aaaa......!!!

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I manage to destroy some French Muskets on the left & victory is sealed.

Final positions...

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Final overview of the battlefield.


Well, well we did enjoy that one with a nice tense finish at he end. We did use the optional HIT markers for casualties & to be honest it didn't detract from the game. We printed out the combat charts & used them to speed up the game. I took a few double takes in adding up the combat factors, but again practice makes perfect.

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We both fell into the trap of using Cavalry head on & we both paid for it. Just like in history, firepower is more than capable of taking out the colourful horsemen. Close Combat in DBN has more factors & seemed more brutal than normal DBA, we both enjoyed that aspect.

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Yes we will play again & next time use more of the element types. Artillery didn't make an impression in this game, so hopefully that will change in the next. Overall, DBN is a smashing set of rules & we recommend them.