The army lists for De Bellis Antiquitatis (DBA) 3.0 are a comprehensive collection of over 300 historical military compositions spanning from 3000 BC to 1515 AD. Published by Sue Laflin-Barker, these lists are integrated into the core rulebook and provide a standardized 12-element structure for quick-play ancient and medieval wargaming. Structure of the Army Lists
The lists are organized into four chronological "Books," each covering a specific historical era: Turning a DBA 2.2 army into a DBA 3.0 Army
DBA 3.0 Army Lists PDF is a critical component of the wargame De Bellis Antiquitatis
(DBA), providing the framework for recreating historical battles across 4,500 years of history. These lists allow players to field balanced, 12-element armies that reflect the tactical realities of their specific historical era. Structure and Historical Coverage
The lists are divided into four chronological "books," ensuring players can find nearly any major army from the dawn of civilization to the Renaissance: Book I (3000 BC – 500 BC):
The "Chariot Period," covering Sumerians, early Egyptians, and Biblical-era forces. Book II (500 BC – 476 AD):
The "Classical Period," featuring Greeks, Romans, Carthaginians, and Han Chinese. Book III (476 AD – 1071 AD):
The "Early Medieval Period," including Byzantines, Vikings, and early Arab dynasties. Book IV (1071 AD – 1500 AD):
The "High Medieval/Renaissance Period," covering the Crusades, Hundred Years War, and Mongols. Core Functions of the Army Lists
The primary purpose of these lists is to translate historical research into gameplay mechanics. Each entry typically includes: Troop Composition:
Defines the 12 elements required, distinguishing between "Solid" (steady) and "Fast" (mobile) troop types. Historical Context:
Background notes explaining the army's tactical evolution and major campaigns. Tactical Parameters: Dba 3 Army Lists Pdf
Specifies the army’s "Aggression Factor" (likelihood of being the attacker) and preferred "Home Terrain". Campaign Dynamics: Lists of historical and potential to help players set up authentic matchups. DBA 3.0 Review | Ancient & Medieval Wargaming
The DBA 3.0 (De Bellis Antiquitatis) army lists are the cornerstone of this fast-play historical miniature wargaming system, providing players with more than 600 detailed compositions spanning from 3000 BC to 1520 AD. These lists, often found in digital PDF formats or within the official rulebook, act as a bridge between historical accuracy and tactical gameplay. Structure of the Army Lists
In DBA 3.0, every army is standardized to 12 elements, ensuring games remain fast and balanced regardless of the historical era. Each list typically includes: Turning a DBA 2.2 army into a DBA 3.0 Army
Finding a complete, official "DBA 3.0 Army Lists PDF" can be tricky because the full set of over is primarily sold as part of the physical DBA 3.0 rulebook
. However, several high-quality free guides and digital resources exist to help you navigate and supplement these lists. 1. Essential Official Supplements & Corrections
Since the rulebook's release, certain errors and updates have been documented. Army List Corrections (PDF):
A vital 2018 document by Stevie and Timurilank that fixes specific errors and anomalies in the official 3.0 lists. DBA 3.0 FAQ:
Official clarifications that often impact list building and troop definitions. vignette.wikia.nocookie.net 2. Digital List Browsers & Spreadsheets
Instead of a static PDF, many players use community-driven digital tools: DBA List Browser: An online tool at Flying Goat Creations that allows you to browse and find lists by name or period. DBA 3.0 Army Spreadsheet:
A comprehensive update to the classic fanaticus boards spreadsheet, including enemies and allies for every army. 3. Community-Shared List Overviews (Beta/Partial)
Some partial or "Beta" versions of the lists for specific historical periods are available on document-sharing platforms: Book 1 (Chariot Period): The army lists for De Bellis Antiquitatis (DBA) 3
Lists for armies from 3000 BC to 500 BC, including Sumerian and Early Egyptian. Book 2 (Classical Period):
Covers 500 BC to 476 AD, including Classical Indian and Camillan Roman. Book 4 (High Medieval): Beta lists for later medieval armies. 4. Beginner & Print-and-Play Aids
If you are just starting, these PDF guides help you visualize and play the lists immediately: DBA 3.0 Army Spreadsheet. | Fanaticus
The DBA 3 Army Lists PDF is more than just a document—it is your battlefield blueprint. Whether you are fielding Spartan hoplites, Norman knights, or Aztec warriors, having quick, reliable access to your list determines victory or defeat.
Action plan:
Remember: DBA 3.0 is meant to be fast, fun, and historically immersive. The right PDF army list in your hand (or on your tablet) lets you focus on strategy, not rulebook flipping.
Do you use digital or printed army lists for DBA 3.0? Share your organization tips in the wargaming forums. And if you found this guide useful, consider supporting the publishers who keep this classic ruleset alive.
The army lists in De Bellis Antiquitatis (DBA) 3.0 are the foundation of the game, providing a comprehensive historical framework for recreating battles from 3000 BC to 1500 AD. Whether you are looking for a DBA 3 army lists PDF to plan your next miniature collection or to verify a historical matchup, understanding how these lists are structured is essential for both competitive play and historical accuracy. Structure of the DBA 3.0 Army Lists
The latest edition of the rules features over 300 unique army lists, spanning more than 100 pages of the official rulebook. Unlike earlier versions, DBA 3.0 includes detailed background sections and historical references for each entry. The lists are divided into four chronological books:
Book 1 (3000 BC – 500 BC): The Chariot Period, featuring early Sumerian, Egyptian, and Biblical armies.
Book 2 (500 BC – 476 AD): The Classical Period, covering the rise of Rome, the Hellenistic kingdoms, and Han China. Conclusion: Your Next Step to Wargaming Glory The
Book 3 (476 AD – 1071 AD): The Early Medieval period, including the Byzantines, Vikings, and early Islamic conquests.
Book 4 (1071 AD – 1500 AD): The High and Late Medieval periods, featuring knights, longbowmen, and the early use of gunpowder. Key Components of a List Entry
Each army list in a DBA 3.0 PDF or rulebook follows a standardized format to ensure quick setup:
Army Number & Name: A unique identifier (e.g., II/11 for Gallic) and the historical dates it represents.
Terrain Type: Specifies the preferred battlefield for that army (e.g., Arable, Hilly, Forest, or Littoral).
Aggression Factor: A numerical value (0–4) used to determine who is the attacker in a game.
Troop Composition: A list of 12 "elements" that make up the army. Many lists offer internal variations (sub-lists) to represent different stages of an empire's history.
Enemies & Allies: Lists of other army numbers that the force historically fought against or alongside, providing a guide for historical matchups. Troop Types in DBA 3.0
Armies are defined by their battlefield behavior rather than just their weapons. In version 3.0, the distinction between Solid and Fast troop types was introduced, adding tactical depth to movement and combat.
DBA 3.0 Army Lists: Chariot Period | PDF | Troy | Hittites - Scribd
The official DBA 3.0 army lists are not free in their complete form. They are copyrighted by the Wargames Research Group (WRG) and published by various distributors (e.g., Caliver Books, Alternative Armies, or directly via the Society of Ancients).
The PDF will list a terrain “menu” (e.g., Arable, Littoral, Steppe). This determines which terrain pieces you can place as the defender. In DBA 3.0, choosing terrain wisely is as critical as choosing troops.