German DBM

The DBM Medieval German list covers the Imperial armies, Principalities, Dukedoms, Clerical/City states and those of the Free Canton republics. The list starts in 1106 AD (the accession of heinrich V) and finishes in 1519 AD.

This is list is a very difficult one to get to grips with. Due to the number of distinct types of Allied Generals and the differing troops they are allowed to command working out a 'legal' list can be very tricky. I have listed below some hints and tips and the interpretations used by the British Historical Wargames Society (BHWS) for checking this list. I personally do not agree with these but they are the most widely accepted.

· Where a troop type is asterixed and could be from more than one origin (e.g. Clerical or Mercenary Knights), if any troops of either origin are taken they become compulsory only for the commands of generals from that origin. Therefore 1/4 of the minima must be taken in any ally-general's command which is allowed to include troops from that origin.

If your army post 1450 AD includes 1 Clerical Allied General (AG) and 1 Mercenary AG your compulsory troops become,

Troop Type	Minimum	Min. 1/4 for AG
Clerical or Mercenary Knights	6	2
Mercenary Archers or crossbowmen	4	1
Mercenary Mounted crossbowmen	2	1
Regrade mercenary bw to handgunners PS(S)	2	1
Regrade crossbow cv with mounted handgunners	2	1

Due to the internal, same nation AG rules each must command 1/4 of compulsory troops. This would mean each of the two AG commands would have the following compulsory troops,

Mercenaries have to be included as the list notes allow Clerical Generals to command them.

* Note, although only 2 KN(I) are compulsory an additional 1 must be included to double base the AG.

# Note, although 1 mercenary BW and 1 Mercenary mounted crossbow are compulsory they must be upgraded to handgunners as these regrades are also compulsory.

Only after 1375 : At least 2 Ps (S) Handgunners are compulsory if any city, free canton or mercenary elements are used. At least 2 Bw elements must be taken (even if they are not compulsory) from the appropriate origin to convert to Ps S.

This prevents players fielding all the mercenary BW as PS(O) and not using City troops. This would mean no BW so no compulsory regrade.

Konradin's feudal army at Tagliocozzo in 1268 AD: Only the Spanish ally-general can command Spanish and Italian elements. He must also command at least Ľ of other elements that become compulsory .

Heerban Ps (O) can assumed to either be bow or crossbow armed (any dispute during a game and they will be deemed to be armed as per the majority of the figures)

- At 500 points try for a SG and 2 AG's this reduces the likelihood of losing 1/3 of your army should one go unreliable.

- When working out commands list the compulsories for each first otherwise there is a strong possibility you will miss some, been there done that.

- Don't use Clerical AGs as they are allowed to command all bar feudal troops so could end up with a mass of unsuitable troops.

- Use Standard wagons, especially in infantry commands where they can be protected. They add 3 EE to the command break.

- Use spear where possible as they are cheaper per frontage than pikes. Always support with PS(O).

- If you don't want to use LH or your army is not allowed them go with 4 to 6 CV(O) (lancers or crossbowmen) they will do a reasonable job against enemy LH.


Points	Command1	Num.	Points	Command2	Num.
35	CinC, reg Kn(S)	1	30	Clerical SG, Kn(I)	1
54	Mercenary Kn(I)	6	64	Mercenary Pk(O)	16
20	Mercenary Cv(S)	2	8	City Sp(I)	2
16	Hungarian Lh(F)	4	2	City Ps(O)	1
3	City Ps(S)	1	20	Clerical Wwg(O)	2
8	Mercenary Ps(O)	4	3	Clerical Wwg(I)	1
3	Heebron Hd(O)	3	10	City Bw(O)	2
139	Element equiv	17	4	Mercenary Ps(O)	2
	command break	6	8	Clerical Kn(I)	1
			14	Mercenary Bd(O)	2
			163	Element equiv	30.5
				command break	10.5

	Command 3
20	City AG, Kn(I)	1		Army total	63
26	City Kn(I)	3		Army Break	31.5
10	City Cv(S)	1
16	City Sp(I)	4
16	Mercenary Cv(O)	2
4	City Ps(O)	2
3	City Ps(S)	1
3	City Wwg(I)	1
98	element equiv	15.5
	command break	5.5


Points	Command1	Num.	Points	Command2	Num.
35	CinC, reg Kn(S)	1	30	Clerical SG, Kn(I)	1
54	Mercenary Kn(I)	6	64	Mercenary Pk(O)	16
10	Mercenary Cv(S)	1	8	City Sp(I)	2
16	Hungarian Lh(F)	4	2	City Ps(O)	1
3	City Ps(S)	1	20	Clerical Wwg(O)	2
8	Mercenary Ps(O)	4	3	Clerical Wwg(I)	1
4	Heebron Hd(O)	4	10	City Bw(O)	2
8	Mercenary Cv(O)	1	4	Mercenary Ps(O)	2
137	Element equiv	17.5	8	Clerical Kn(I)	1
	command break	6	14	Mercenary Bd(O)	2
			163	Element equiv	30.5
				command break	10.5

	Command 3			Command 4
20	City AG, Kn(I)	1	20	Mercenary AG	1
26	City Kn(I)	3	40	Mercenary Kn(I)	5
10	City Cv(S)	1	8	Mercenary Cv(O)	1
16	City Sp(I)	4	10	Mercenary Cv(S)	1
16	Mercenary Cv(O)	2	20	Mercenary Bw(O)	4
4	City Ps(O)	2	3	Mercenary Ps(S)	1
3	City Ps(S)	1	101	element equiv	12.5
3	City Wwg(I)	1		command break	4.5
98	element equiv	15.5		Army total	79
	command break	5.5		Army Break	38.5

The list above is one I like but it will have a hard time against experienced players. The biggest problem is the large SG command is very nearly half the army. Given the low aggression of the army you are likely to be defending and your opponent will try to pin down your other commands while concentrating on crushing the SG's command. Basically I designed it to make use of the large numbers of pikemen I bought before I realised how badly they suffer under DBM.

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