De Bellis Navalibus

DBA V.1.1 Naval Extension 3000BC - 1485AD

Latest revision: 13th January 1998

Size of elements: 30mm x 30mm (45mm for bigger ships like Dekares) with one 1/1200 model (two if Boats).

De Bellis Navalibus Counters: a set of printable counters which can be stuck onto card and
used in place of models for playing the game.

HEAVY GALLEYS (Hg)

Big oared ships, with ram, "corvus" or similar engines, assault troops, bolt-shooters and
incendiary devices; like Roman or Carthaginian quadriremes or quinquiremes, Hellenistic
heptares or dekares, Byzantine dromons. They are superior to other Galleys but may be
destroyed by Ships.

LIGHT GALLEYS (Lg)

Medium-sized oared ships, like Greek and Persian triremes, Arab dromons, Viking drakkars
and mediaeval galliots. More versatile than Heavy Galleys, they are in great danger against
Ships.

FAST GALLEYS (Fg)

Light and quick oared ships, like Roman biremes or liburniae. They are perfectly made to kill
boats, but can be easily sunk by Ships and bigger Galleys.

SHIPS (S)

Sail vessels like Egyptian, Gallic or Saxon ships; merchant ships transformed into troop
transports; mediaeval cogs. Influenced by the wind, they suffer from their little
manoeuvrability, but they can carry a great number of warriors, often supported by archers.
They are in danger while crossing sand banks and against Boats.

BOATS (B)

Little oared boats, like Illyrian pentekonteres or lembus. They can easily cross sand banks,
impede the movements of Heavy and Light Galleys, fight Ships with success, but they are in
great danger against Fast Galleys.
MOVES & FACTORS

Type Move Combat Factor

Heavy Galleys (Hg) 300p +4
Light Galleys (Lg) 400p +3
Fast Galleys (Fg) 500p +2
Ships (S) 200p +2
Boats (B) 500p +2

A Fleet is made up of 12 elements plus 1 Admiral, accordingly to the following Fleet Lists.

TERRAIN AND DEPLOYMENT

The playing surface (60cm x 60cm) must have at least two and no more than four of the
following terrain features: coast (compulsory), sand banks, rocks, isles. The "1" side is the
North. Deploy the two fleets as in DBA, but before deploying roll for wind direction: 1 =
North, 2 = East, 3 = South, 4 = West, 5-6 = calm.

MOVE SEQUENCE

Just as in DBA.

MOVEMENT

The PIP system is the same as in DBA.

Ships can add 200p to their movement if in the same direction of the wind; they must
subtract 100p if in the opposite direction.
Groups can change direction, wheeling for a maximum of 45 at the half of their
movement: i.e. a group of Light Galleys can move forward 200p, then wheel 45
towards left or right.
Boats interpenetrate every element, and every element interpenetrates Boats, if there
is enough room and the two elements are "looking" in the same or opposite direction.
Movement ends when in contact with enemy or coast, islands or rocks.
Elements in contact with rocks are destroyed. Elements in contact with coast or
islands are stuck. Sand banks are crossable, moving 200p without changing formation
or direction; before moving, roll for every element; it is stuck if 1 = Fast Galleys; 1,2
= Light Galleys; 1,2,3 = Heavy Galleys; 1,2,3,4 = Ships.

SHOOTING

Only Heavy Galleys can shoot, and only in the enemy's bound. Distance: 200p. Roll for the
shooting element (-1 if shooting at Boats): 5-6 = a fire is set up on the target. Now roll for the
target (+1 if Admiral's element): 5-6 the fire is extinguished, otherwise the element is burnt.

A burnt element moves only 100p and subtracts -2 to its dice for the rest of the game.
COMBAT FACTORS

+1 If the Admiral's element

+1 Boats supported by Boats, only at open sea
-1 For every overlapping element
-1 If contacted from the rear
-1 If contacted on the flank by Ships o Boats
-1 If stuck element
-2 If contacted on the flank by Galleys
-2 Burnt element

COMBAT RESULTS

If Total Is Less Than That Of The Enemy But More Than Half:
Galleys destroyed by Ships at open sea, or by all others if stuck, if not recoil
Ships destroyed on sand banks or if stuck
Boats destroyed by Fast Galleys or Boats at open sea, if not recoil
If Total Is Half Or Less
Boats destroyed by Fast Galleys or Boats, or if burnt, if not flee 600p
Others destroyed

All Galleys whose enemy is destroyed, recoils or flees, must immediately pursue for the
deepness of their base. All elements except Ships can recoil from a contact, if their basic
move distance is more than the enemy's. No element can turn to face enemies in contact with
rear or flank, nor push back other elements, except Boats facing in the same direction and at
open sea.

Victory conditions: as in DBA, except that there are no camps!

FLEET LISTS

The following Fleet Lists are of course pure suggestions. They depict the main types of ships
used at their times, in a proportion made to give interesting games. Some lists are provided
with historical enemies; for friendly encounters or campaigns, you can use the enemies given
in DBA Army Lists for the same nations.

Number Nation Enemies Fleet Elements

MYCENAEAN & MINOAN 8 x Lg, 4 x B
10
(1600BC-1150BC)
11 NEW KINGDOM EGYPTIAN 14a 6 x S, 6 x B
(1550BC-1070BC)
14a SEA PEOPLES (1230BC- 11 4 x S, 8 x B
1165BC)
18d LYDIAN (687BC-546BC) 6 x Lg, 6 x B
KUSHITE EGYPTIAN
22 6 x S, 2 x S or Lg, 4 x B
(712BC-664BC)
NEW ASSYRIAN (745BC -
23 4 x S, 3 x Lg or B, 5 x B
605BC)
EARLY HOPLITE GREEK 24a, 28a,
24a 10 x Lg, 2 x Lg or B
(700BC- 450BC) 30b
EARLY SPARTAN (700BC-
24b 12 x Lg
450BC)
EARLY NORTH GREEK
24c 6 x Lg, 2 x Lg or B, 4 x B
(700BC - 450BC)
26 ILLYRIAN (700BC-46AD) 46b 12 x B
28a EARLY ACHEMENID 24a 12 x Lg
PERSIAN (550BC-420BC)
29 SAITIC EGYPTIAN (660BC- 4 x S, 4 x Lg, 2 x Lg or B, 2 x B
525BC & 405BC-335BC)
30b ETRUSCAN (650BC-280BC) 24a 8 x Lg, 4 x B
31a EARLY CARTHAGINIAN 24a, 34 10 x Lg, 2 x B
(550BC - 275BC)
31b LATER CARTHAGINIAN ( 46b 4 x Hg, 6 x Lg, 2 x Lg or B
275BC - 146BC)
32 LATER HOPLITE GREEK 32, 34 1 x Hg or Lg, 9 x Lg, 2 x Lg or B
(450BC-275BC)
LATER ACHAEMENID 1 x Hg or Lg, 9 x Lg, 2 x Lg or B
33
PERSIAN (420BC-330BC)
34 SYRACUSAN (410BC - 31a 1 x Hg or Lg, 7 x Lg, 4 x B
210BC)
35 GALLIC (400BC-50BC) 59 6 x S, 4 x S or B, 2 x B
ALEXANDRIAN 1 x Hg or Lg, 10 x Lg, 1 x Lg or B
36 MACEDONIAN (355BC-
330BC)
38a ANTIGONID (320BC - 285BC) 42a 1 x Hg (dekares), 3 x Hg, 4 x Lg, 2 x
Lg or B, 2 x B
38b EUMENID (320BC-316BC) 8 x Lg, 4 x B
 LYSIMACHID (320BC-
39 8 x Lg, 2 x Lg or B, 2 x B
281BC)
MACEDONIAN EARLY 1 x Hg (dekares), 1 x Hg (dekares) or
40
SUCCESSOR (320BC-260BC) Lg, 8 x Lg, 2 x B
EARLY SELEUCID (320BC- 1 x Hg (dekares), 1 x Hg (dekares) or
41a
280BC) Lg, 6 x Lg, 4 x B
LATER SELEUCID (280BC- 2 x Hg (dekares), 2 x Hg, 6 x Lg, 2 x
41b
83BC) B
42a EARLY PTOLEMAIC (320BC 38a 2 x Hg (dekares), 4 x Hg, 2 x Lg, 2 x
- 275BC) S or B, 2 x B
LATER PTOLEMAIC (275BC- 2 x Hg (dekares), 2 x Hg, 2 x Lg, 2 x
42b
40BC) S or B, 4 x B
43 PYRRHIC (300BC-272BC) 3 x Hg , 3 x Lg, 3 x S or B, 3 x B
46b POLYBIAN ROMAN (275BC - 31b, 26 6 x Hg, 3 x Hg or Lg, 3 x Lg
146BC)
HELLENISTIC GREEK 1 x Hg (dekares) or Hg, 1 x Hg or Lg,
47
(275BC-146BC) 8 x Lg, 2 x Lg or B
48 PERGAMENE (263BC-129BC) 12 x B
LATER MACEDONIAN 3 x Hg (dekares), 3 x Hg, 3 x Lg, 3 x
49
(260BC-148BC) B
EARLY GERMAN (115BC- 6 x S, 6 x B
57
250AD)
58 PONTIC (110BC-47BC) 2 x Hg, 3 x Lg, 7 x B
59 MARIAN ROMAN (105BC - 35, 59 1 x Hg (dekares) or Hg(qunquiremes)
25BC) , 5 x Hg, 2 x Hg or S, 3 x Fg or B, 1 x
B or S
ANCIENT BRITISH (55BC-
60 12 x B
75AD)
61 SCOTS-IRISH (55BC-846AD) 12 x B
EARLY IMPERIAL ROMAN 2 x Hg, 2 x Hg or Lg, 2 x Lg or S, 4 x
64
(25BC-193AD) Fg, 2 x B
CALEDONIAN or PICTISH
67 12 x B
(75AD-846AD)
MIDDLE IMPERIAL ROMAN 1 x Hg or Fg, 5 x Fg, 2 x S or B, 4 x
69
(193AD - 324AD) B
75b MIDDLE ANGLO-SAXON 106a 4 x S, 8 x B
(617AD-1014AD)
LATE IMPERIAL ROMAN - 4 x Fg, 8 x B
77a
WEST (307AD - 425AD)
 LATE IMPERIAL ROMAN - 6 x Fg, 2 x Fg or B, 4 x B
77b
EAST (307AD - 425AD)
AFRICAN VANDAL (442AD- 6 x Fg, 6 x B
84
535AD)
EARLY BYZANTINE 12 x Fg
86
(493AD-578AD)
ITALIAN OSTROGOTHIC 2 x S, 6 x Fg, 4 x B
88
(493AD-561AD)
89 SLAV (476AD - 1218AD) 12 x B
MAURIKIAN BYZANTINE 8 x Fg, 4 x B
91
(578AD-650AD)
99 THEMATIC BYZANTINE 100 6 x Hg, 6 x B
(650AD-963AD)
100 ARAB IMPERIAL (660AD- 99 6 x Lg, 3 x Fg, 3 x B
1090AD)
LATER FRANKISH (639AD- 3 x S, 3 x S or B, 6 x B
102a
1072AD)
102c NORMAN (923AD-1072AD) 6 x S, 6 x Lg
105 MEXICAN (600AD-1521AD) 12 x B
106a VIKING (790AD-1280AD) 75b 12 x Lg
106b LEIDANG (790AD-1280AD) 12 x Lg
PRE-FEUDAL SCOTS
111 12 x B
(846AD-1124 AD)
NORSE IRISH (846AD-
112 12 x B
1260AD)
ANGLO-DANISH (1014AD-
113 4 x S, 2 x S or B, 6 x B
1075AD)
NIKEPHORIAN BYZANTINE 2 x Hg, 4 x Lg, 2 x Fg, 4 x B
117
(963AD-1071AD)
FATIMID EGYPTIAN 1 x Hg or Fg, 2 x Fg, 3 x Lg, 6 x B
118
(969AD-1171AD)
123 COMMUNAL ITALIAN 123 2 x Hg, 2 x Hg or S, 4 x Lg, 2 x Lg or
(1029AD - 1320AD) B, 2 x B
SCOTS ISLES & HIGLANDS
128 4 x S or B, 8 x B
1050AD-1493AD)
EARLY MEDIEVAL 6 x S, 2 x S or B, 4 x B
131a SCANDINAVIAN (1280AD-
1350AD)
131b LATER MEDIEVAL 8 x S, 1 x S or B, 3 x B
SCANDINAVIAN (1350AD-
1523AD)
COMNENAN BYZANTINE
133 4 x Hg, 4 x Fg, 2 x Lg or B, 2 x B
(1071 AD-1204AD)
ANGLO-NORMAN (1072AD -
134 7 x S, 4 x Lg or B, 1 x B
1181AD)
4 x S or Lg, 2 x Fg or Lg or S, 4 x Fg
135 SICILIAN (1072AD - 1442AD)
or Lg, 2 x B
FEUDAL FRENCH (1072AD -
137 3 x S, 3 x Lg, 3 x Lg or S, 3 x B
1330AD)
EARLY CRUSADER (1096AD
138 6 x S, 6 x S or Lg
- 1128AD)
MEDIEVAL SYRIAN
139 6 x Fg, 3 x Lg or B, 3 x B
(1100AD - 1286AD)
SCOTS COMMON (1124AD - 2 x S or B, 2 x S or B, 2 x Lg or B, 6
140
1512AD) xB
LATER CRUSADER 4 x S, 2 x S or Fg or Lg, 2 x Lg, 4 x
141
(1128AD-1303AD) Lg or B
AYYUBID EGYPTIAN (
143 1 x Hg or Fg, 7 x Fg, 4 x B
1171AD - 1250AD)
ANGLO-IRISH (1172AD-
144 4 x S, 2 x S or Lg, 6 x B
1489AD)
FEUDAL ENGLISH (1181AD- 3 x S, 1 x S or Lg, 4 x Lg, 2 x Lg or
145
1322AD) B, 2 x B
PRUSSIAN or ESTONIAN
148a 12 x B
(1200AD-1386AD)
150 INCA (1438AD-1534AD) 12 x B
TEUTONIC ORDER (1201AD-
151 10 x S, 2 x B
1522AD)
LATE BYZANTINE (1204AD
153 3 x Fg, 3 x Lg, 3 x Lg or B, 3 x B
- 1460AD)
MAMLUK EGYPTIAN
158 1 x Hg, 6 x Lg, 2 x Fg or B, 3 x B
(1250AD-1517AD)
LATER OTTOMAN (1362 AD-
160b 2 x Hg, 4 x Fg, 6 x B
1512 AD)
EARLY SWISS (1291AD-
161a - OK, it's a joke!
1400AD)
162a KNIGHTS OF ST.JOHN ON 6 x Lg, 2 x S or Lg, 4 x B
 CYPRUS (1291AD - 1310AD)
KNIGHTS OF ST.JOHN ON
162b 1 x Hg, 5 x Lg, 2 x Lg or S, 4 x B
RHODES (1310AD - 1522AD)
MEDIEVAL IRISH (1300AD - 2 x S or B, 8 x B
164
1487AD)
168 100 YEARS WAR ENGLISH 170, 171 4 x S, 2 x S or Lg, 6 x B
(1322AD - 1455AD)
ITALIAN CONDOTTA (1320 4 x Hg, 2 x Hg or S, 4 x Lg, 2 x Fg or
169
AD -1494 AD) B
170 MEDIEVAL FRENCH 168 3 x S, 3 x S or Lg, 3 x Lg, 3 x B
(1330AD - 1445AD)
171 MEDIEVAL SPANISH 168 2 x Hg, 4 x S, 2 x S or Lg, 2 x Lg, 2 x
(1350AD - 1485AD) B