decoding the flank

[Sven]

I just finshed reading the rules for the first time and I think they are slightly easier to read then DBM, but the rules themselves might be slightly harder to grasp by reading alone.
I'll need to play them a few times for them to stick I think.
The QRS will be most useful too.

[Aloysius the Gaul]

Why wont you listen to people who work as technical writers, (a small part of my own job too), and actually hear them?

I am a technical writer, and I audit manuals.  It's not a minor part of my job - it was my career for many years.

Thousands of people world wide use these rules without nearly as much bother as you seem to have.

I'm surprised you use them at all since you find them so bad.

[Doug M.]

Actually no, they don't. Caliver have advised about 1,000 sold, so I would be surprised if '1000s' are using these rules. If you actually listened you would hear that I can use them;and have done so over a couple of years, but they could certainly benefit from a significant re-write. The fact that DBA and DBM are both mentioned at no 23 in the world's worst rulebook might give you a clue that many people do find them (DBMMs precursors admittedly), difficult to use. The constant debate on the DBMM list is evidence enough.

[loki223]

Mybe Aloysius is one of those rare people who easily grasps the way that PB writes. I am sure that in PB's mind it all makes perfect sense. I for one am Glad that he (Aloysius), Toby, Mad Mike, Barritus, and the others who understand it (or have allready translated it)  have been able to answer most of my questions. Not all of them agree but it usually gets worked out in the end. I freely admit that nearly every sentence in the book i have to read several times and still may not understand it.

I can say this. That even though I cant read the rules myself..lol...once they are explained to me they seem to make good sense, and are reasonable.

ohh and by the way...

Quote
Quote
Quote
   (otherwise, how could an Alex.Imp companion flanking move EVER happen, with any modicum of control?)[/i]

when did they do anything like this?

and thus they MAY NEVER be permitted to do so in a DBMM game?

I think that he was trying to recreate the battle of Gagamella (spelling) where Alexander did the companion Hook himself to try and kill Darious.

but i could be wrong.

Thanks everone for the help so far.

[toby]

I don't think the attack by Alexander at Gaugamela was far enough out to be an off table flank attack. The best simluation of it would probably be him extending his troops out beyond the Persian left flank.

The opposing Persion general (Bessus?) then moves out his light cavalry to match this extension, leaving a weak point between his command and Darius in the centre.

Alexander then uses a doubled high PIP dice to swap his element of companions back inwards again and punch through the weak point in the Persian line.

[loki223]

Alexander then uses a doubled high PIP dice to swap his element of companions back inwards again and punch through the weak point in the Persian line.

How do you do this?

is it a brilliant stroke?

[toby]

Yes - a general can double a PIP dice with a brilliant stroke.

[loki223]

I havent gotten into the stratagems and brilliant stuff yet.

[toby]

Good idea - leave them until you have the basics and the complicated stuff mastered. Then move onto the incomprehensible stuff. Then try strategems