BHGS Army List Interpretations 

In order to give a greater degree of consistency and certainty to both players and Army List Checkers, the British Historical Games Society have produced the following set of interpretations which are intended for guidance when selecting army lists. They will be used by our list Checkers at our future events. We hope that they will become the basis of an internationally accepted and agreed set of army list interpretations, and are issued in response to the questions that we have been asked most frequently. These interpretations may be updated from time to time. Changes are indicated in red.  

Background 

These Interpretations are based on rulings made by the BHGS list checkers at previous events. For completeness those ( few ) rulings made in response to significant queries made on the various DBM chat lists have also been included.

Only those lists where a ruling has had to be made to-date are included and the clarifications will be updated as and when required following future rulings or when further information concerning a particular list becomes available.

Most rulings are based on specific interpretations of what the lists themselves say. And in the case of allies what the notes on allied contingents say at the beginning of the Army list books.

Rulings on allied contingents are generally referred to under the list they are allied to.

List Format

In general we do not prescribe the format for submission of army lists. However, in addition to listing the number and type of troops chosen we require the following information.

For the army:

• Army name
• Army date
• Total AP
• Total number of elements
• Army break point.

For each command:

• Total number of elements (including baggage where appropriate)
• Total of element equivalents
• Command break point

If submitting lists electronically please use common file formats such as Word, Excel, plain text, etc. 

List Submission

The following are general points that should be adhered to when submitting lists to the list checkers. They are intended to make the list checkers job easier and so help avoid misunderstandings.

Where the notes to a list state that a proportion of elements of a particular troop type can, at the players discretion, count as Bedouin these elements should be noted in any army list submitted for checking.

Where elements have been downgraded to Hd, this should be noted.

Where an army includes “mounts for any infantry” the submitted list must specify which troops are so mounted.

All lists submitted for checking should give the full name of the troop type as described in the army list (e.g. “Equites Alares”) as well as its classification (e.g. Reg Cv (O)). 

General Interpretations

The use of *ed, or similarly restricted troops, troops in a main army does not trigger the use of any such in an external allied contingent in the same army. The opposite also applies, i.e. the use of *ed, or similarly restricted troops, in an external allied contingent does not trigger such troops in the main army. The use of such troops in either the main army or allied contingent does not prevent their use in the other.

Where an upgrade is of the form “C-in-C and …” it can be used for an allied contingent, but the allied general must be one of those upgraded.

Allied contingents can include troops that are only allowed in the main list if the C-in-C is of a certain nationality - as long as the allied general is of the nationality in question and the troops are compulsory or otherwise alloed to allied contingents by list notes.

Book 1 

List 1 Early Sumerian

• Sumerian Ally General commands can represent different city states from the CinC and sub generals. Therefore the “Kish” and “Umma or Apishal” options can be used alongside one another. However they cannot be combined within a single ally command nor can different city options be used in a C-in-C’s and sub-general’s commands.

List 2 Early Egyptian

• Army lists before 1645 BC should specify whether they are based in the Delta or otherwise. N.B. This also applies to New Kingdom, Libyan, Kushite (from 727 BC to 664 BC) and Saitic Egyptian.

List 4 Zagros and Anatolian Highlanders

• The internal ally generals must be of the same tribe as the C-in-C and thus cannot command other peoples’ options.

List 8 Makkan, Dilmun, Saba, Ma’in and Qataban

• The internal ally generals must be from the same kingdom as the C-in-C and thus cannot command other kingdom’s options.

List 19 Mitanni

• Vassal Ally generals commands must include Irr Cv (S) Maryannu.

List 20 Syro-Canaanite and Ugaritic

• Maryannu chariotry in a Syro Cannanite Ally command within an army with an Ugaritic CinC can be upgraded to Irr Kn (O).

List 22 New Kingdom Egyptian

• Syro-Canaanite maryannu are chariots.

List 24 Hittite Empire

• The CinC cannot command any troops described as Vassal, i.e. Anatolian Vassal and Syrian Vassal. Gasgans do not count as Vassal.

List 25 Middle Assyrian and Early Neo-Assyrian

• Ps supporting Bd (F) or Ax (O) must, at the start of a game, be deployed in edge to edge and corner to corner contact with the element they notionally support.
• In the Regency of Sammuramat only the minimum Ashsharittu can be used, as no king is available to lead the army.

List 26 Later Mycenaean and Trojan War

• Pylian archers can only support Pylian spearmen.

List 28 Sea Peoples

• A defending Sea Peoples army must deploy a WW even though no BUA is allowed.

List 30 Dark Age and Geometric Greek

• Unshielded archers Ps (O) can only support Foot Warriors, Irr Ax (O), or proto-hoplite, Irr Sp(I).

List 31 Neo-Hittite and Aramaean

• An allied contingent drawn from this list must include 4-9 Chariots.
• Chariots upgraded to Kn(S) are restricted to 1 in each command.

List 36. Italian Hill Tribes

• The internal ally generals must be of the same tribe as the C-in-C and thus cannot command other tribe’s options.

List 38 Libyan Egyptian

• Chariots can be of any nationality and are therefore compulsory to all ally generals.

List 43 Kimmerian, Skythian or Early Hu

• Only Massegetae from 550 BC to 150 BC: The “upgrade archers to Irr Bw (O)” option applies only to foot archers.

List 45 Neo Assyrian Empire

• The use of either the “Reserves of the battle array” or the “Levied troops of the battle array, dikut mati emergency levies” does not activate the compulsory minimum for the other.

List 51 Neo-Assyrian Later Sargonid

• Before 627BC the use of either the “Reserves of the battle array” or the “Levied troops of the battle array, dikut mati emergency levies” does not activate the compulsory minimum for the other.
• Madaya, Mede regiment Ps (O) do not support Madaya, Mede regiment Sp (O).

List 52 Early Hoplite Greek

• Only if Phokian, Aitolian or Akarnanian: Extra Javelinmen elements replacing hoplites [2 such replace 1 hoplite element]. The minimum of 20 is triggered by the use of any command with a general of one of these nationalities. If more than one such general is used then the minimum can be spread across such commands but each must contain at least 6 Ps (I).
• Allied contingents drawn from this list can only utilise the options of the CinC that relates to the description of the allied contingent in the list it is to be allied with.
• H(S) is an option for all C-in-Cs except Thessalian.

List 53 Saitic Egyptian

• A Neo-Assyrian Later Sargonid ally for this list is highly restricted in the number of elements it can use per line of some of its compulsory troops. For all those troops with a 2-4 mimima/maxima and that are also half each of two different troop types, you will only be able to take one of each troop type from that line in the allied contingent eg Close order infantry (whether Elite or Line) – 1 Sp (O) and 1 Ps(O).

List 55. Latin, Early Roman, Early Etruscan and Umbrian

• The internal ally generals must be of the same nation as the C-in-C and thus cannot command other nation’s options.

List 57. Etruscan League

• “Devoted” and Axemen are restricted to one element of each type in each command and Chariots are restricted to two elements in each command.

List 60. Early Achaemenid Persian

• Mede rebel allies are taken from the “Median Empire” options of List 40.

List 61 Early Carthaginian

• Numidian allies can be used even though the Numidian army list does not overlap this period.

 Book 2 

List 3 Classical Indian

• The total number of hereditary & mercenary Bw and Bd elements must be a multiple of 2 to meet the requirements for the Poor Quality foot and followers Hd (O).

List 4 Warring States & Ch’in Chinese

• Cv (O) generals cannot dismount other than when permitted to do so by the main rules to attack/defend fortifications, attack War Wagons or if a mounted generals command is entirely of foot.

List 19 Seleucid

• An Aitolian ally’s command must include a ¼ of the minimum of:

Archers or Slingers Reg or Irr Ps (O)

Tarantine mercenaries Reg LH (O)

Cavalry Reg Cv (O)

Citizen or Mercenary Thureophoroi Reg Ax (S)

List 23 Later Pre-Islamic Arab

• The notes on Allied contingents in this list apply to Later Pre-Islamic Arab commands used as allies to other lists and to internal Nomad ally commands.

List 28 Early Armenian

• An Armenian ally’s command in this army or used as an ally in another list need not include any otherwise compulsory foot. However for any type used at least ¼ of the minimum number of this type must be included in the command.

List 31 Hellenistic Greek

• In a Spartan allied contingent supplied from this list Spartan generals elements do not count for the number of Spartan Perioki hoplites that can be included in the contingent.
• If the CinC is Eleian, Spartan or Boiotian an Aitolian Ally’s command must include a ¼ of the minimum of:

Archers or Slingers Reg or Irr Ps (O)

Tarantine mercenaries Reg LH (O)

Cavalry Reg Cv (O)

Aitolian mercenary or allied javelinmen Irr Ps (S)

• The Ally may also include 1 Citizen or Mercenary Thureophoroi Reg Ax (S) to a maximum of 1 per 2 elements of Aitolian mercenary or allied javelinmen Irr Ps (S) but need not include any.
• The Ally can also include any other non compulsory elements permitted under an Eleian, Spartan or Boiotian CinC except that Eleian, Spartan or Boiotian troops must be commanded by a general of their own nationality.
• If the CinC is Aitolian an Aitolian Ally’s command must include a ¼ of the minimum of:

Archers or Slingers Reg or Irr Ps (O)

Tarantine mercenaries Reg LH (O)

Cavalry Reg Cv (O) downgraded to Irr LH (O)

Citizen or Mercenary Thureophoroi Reg Ax (S)

• The Ally may also include “Aitolian Javelinmen” Irr Ps (S). However note that ½ to all of the Thureophoroi in a Hellenistic army must be re-placed with these “Aitolian Javelinmen”. As long as this requirement is met overall for the army then any Thureophoroi in an Aitolian ally’s command need not necessarily be re-graded.
• The Ally can also include any other non compulsory elements permitted to an Aitolian CinC (NB it cannot include “Aitolian mercenary or allied javelinmen Irr Ps (S)” or “Aitolian mercenary or allied Cavalry” as these are only permitted under an Eleian, Spartan or Boiotian CinC).
• If the CinC is not Aitolian, Eleian, Spartan or Boiotian an Aitolian Ally’s command must include a ¼ of the minimum of:

Archers or Slingers Reg or Irr Ps (O)

Tarantine mercenaries Reg LH (O)

Cavalry Reg Cv (O)

Citizen or Mercenary Thureophoroi Reg Ax (S)

• The Ally can also include any other non compulsory elements permitted under a non Aitolian Eleian, Spartan or Boiotian CinC except Athenian and Achaian troops must be commanded by a general of their own nationality (NB it cannot include Aitolian mercenary or allied javelinmen Irr Ps (S) or Aitolian mercenary or allied Cavalry as these are only permitted under an Eleian, Spartan or Boiotian CinC).

List 32 Later Carthaginian

• Numidian allies can be used from the start date of the Carthaginian list.

List 33 Polybian Roman

• An Aitolian ally’s command can only include the following:

1-2 Tarantine mercenaries Reg LH (O)

3–20 Citizen or Mercenary Thureophoroi Reg Ax (S)

upto 8 Javelinmen (these must be Irr) Ps (S).

• Bd must be taken in multiples of 2 in order that the correct ratio between them and the Leves/Velites is maintained. Bd generals as well as Hastati and Principes are included in the total number of Bd.

List 36 Graeco-Indian

• Elements described as Mountain Indian count towards the total of non allied Indian troops.

List 37 Parthian

• Parthian Kn (X) can dismount as either Bw or Sp when permitted to do so by the main rules to attack/defend fortifications, attack War Wagons or if a mounted generals command is entirely of foot.

List 49 Marian Roman

• If any “Only alliance of Cassius and Brutus in 42 BC” options are taken, a Roman Ally general must be used.

List 55 Nobades and Blemmye or Beja

• A Beja allied contingent in a Christian Nubian army can have a Bedouin Arab CinC and then must include at least 1/4 (and no more than 1/3) of the Arab Cavalry Irr LH(O).

List 56 Early Imperial Roman

• A western army can include Batavian and Sarmatian allies in the same list.

List 64 Middle Imperial Roman

• Legionaries must be taken in multiples of three to maintain the correct proportions of Legio Lanciarii Reg Bd (F).

List 69 Sassanid Persian

• If baggage from an allied contingent is placed with a Sassanid command it does count towards the proportion of baggage that must be protected by TF.

List 74 Palmyran

• Roman Legionaries must be taken in multiples of three to maintain the correct proportions of Roman Lanciarii Reg Bd (F).

List 80 Hunnic

• “Only Sabir from 463 AD to 558 AD” option - each Wb(O) replaces one “Huns” LH(S) and at least one general must be dismounted. “Noble” LH (S) or Cv (S) cannot be replaced.

Book 3 

List 4 Early Byzantine

• Hunnic allies can be used after 550 AD

List 11 Central Asian Turkish

• Uighur sub generals can be Irr Cv (S), Irr Cv(O) or Irr LH(S),. They cannot be Irr LH(F).

List 15 Tibetan

• Nomad Tribesmen Irr LH(F) cannot be used in Tibetan allied contingents to other armies.
• If a Ch’iang, Sumpa, Aza or similar nomad ally general is used, then all Nomad Tribesmen Irr LH (F) used must be in that ally’s command.

List 25 Arab Conquest

• A Nomad ally general must command at least 1/4 of the minimum number of foot warriors.

List 35 Feudal Spanish

• Reg Bd(O) WWg guards must be in the same command as the WWg (I)
• Archers can support military order sergeants Reg Sp (O).

List 37 Abbasid Arab

• Abbasid generals cannot dismount other than when permitted to do so by the main rules to attack/defend fortifications, attack War Wagons or if a mounted generals command is entirely of foot.

List 40 Norse Viking and Leidang

• Only Leidang option: A Swedish in Finland army can contain both Bondi Bd (I) and Finns Ax(O).

List 64 Nikephorian Byzantine

• The Rus ally is listed as 0-14 plus 0-4 boats. The boats must be crewed by elements taken from the 0-14. However the boats are additional to the 0-14.
• The Skoutatoi and archers Bw(X) and (O) must be taken in multiples of 6 to maintain the correct proportions of Akontistai Ps(S) and Skirmishing archers and slingers Ps(O).

List 72 Communal Italian

• Imperialist allies (from Medieval German list): the Medieval German Ally General’s type can either be as the Imperial CinC (ie must be Reg Kn (F) up to and including 1150 AD or Reg Kn (S) after 1150AD) or as the Clerical and or City Sub General (ie must be single based Reg Kn (I) up to and including 1235 AD and double based Reg Kn (I) afterwards). An Ally General can only command troops permitted by its type (ie Imperial, Clerical or City) as stated in the notes and the command is subject to the normal minima/maxima allowed to allied contingents.

List 74 Fanatic Berber

• A Christian sub general can only command troops explicitly listed as Christian or Andalusian, i.e. he cannot command Catalan Almughavars.

List 75 Konstantinian Byzantine

• The Kontaratoi and archers Bw(X) and (O) must be taken in multiples of 6 to maintain the correct proportions of Akontistai Ps(S) and Skirmishing archers and slingers Ps(O).

Book 4 

List 1 Komnenan Byzantine

• If 1150 is chosen as the list date then troops listed under the “Only before 1150” and “Only after 1150” options cannot be used.

List 7 Early Crusader

• Navi/Nefs Irr Shp (O) cannot be used before 1098 AD. There are only crews designated to man them in the list after that date.

List 12 Polynesian or Melanesian

• The internal allied generals (and their troops) must be from the same island as the CinC.

List 13 Medieval German

• 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 for the commands of generals from that origin or who could command such troops. Therefore 1/4 of the minima must be taken in any ally-general's command which is allowed to include troops from that origin.
• 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.
• Konradin’s feudal army at Tagliocozzo in 1268 AD: The C-in-C must be a Feudal general. The C-in-C can command Italian knights. The Spanish ally-general can only command Spanish troops, and must command all of them.
• 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).

List 14 Jurchen-Chin

• A Khitan sub general may command any troops other than Jurchen cavalry.

List 17 Later Crusader

• Second Crusade in 1148: the Medieval German Ally General must be an Imperial CinC from the Medieval German list i.e. must be Reg Kn (F) or the Clerical or City sub General permitted to the Imperial CinC i.e. must be single based Reg Kn (I). If either of the latter then they can only command troops permitted by the notes to the Medieval German list. In all cases generals subject to reduction in points for being allies and their commands to the normal minima/maxima allowed to allied contingents.

List 18 Lithuanian or Samogitian

• Only Lithuanian after 1386: The Polish Ally cannot be unreliable, his contingent is otherwise chosen as per rules re: allied commands but there is no reduction in the points cost of the generals element.

List 24 Khwarizmian

• Only Khwarizmian Lancers (includes generals as well) - Reg Cv (S) and any Cv in either the Qanqli indented ally command or the Ghurid external ally command are allowed to dismount in 1221 (other than what the main rules currently allow to attack/defend fortifications or attack war Wagons).

List 26 Lusignan Cypriot; List 39 Navarrese; List 69 Albanian; and List 84 Burgundian Ordonnance.

• The Italian, Neapolitan or Venetian Kn in all these lists cannot dismount (other than those in an allied contingent, drawn from List 61 “Italian Condotta”).

List 32 Romanian Frank

• The Venetian Galleys can be commanded by the Romanian Frank generals unless more than 4 Venetian elements are used (including the Galleys). In which case the Venetian Ally-general becomes compulsory and must command all Venetian elements.

List 43. Later Hungarian

• Wallachian allies cannot be used after 1476.
• If the upgrade CinC and Nobles to Kn (S) as Royal Banderium option is used then the CinC must be upgraded to Kn (S), and cannot be further re-graded, and then only a maximum of two Nobles can be upgraded to Kn (S).

List 55 Ottoman

• Serbian allies cannot be used in conjunction with Ottoman war wagons.

List 66 Later Polish

• Only after 1386: The Lithuanian Ally cannot be unreliable, his contingent is otherwise chosen as per rules re allied commands but there is no reduction in the points cost of the generals element.

List 68. Medieval Spanish or Portuguese

• Spanish (Castilian or Aragonese) armies cannot include Portuguese Knights.
• Military Order Knights in a Portuguese army can dismount.

List 75 Timurid

• The CinC can only command those troops noted as “Timurid” and those without a “nationality label” - that is the Timurid Cavalry, Timurid archers, Baggage, all Artillery, Elephants, Hostage screen, all Expendables and Handgunners.
• A sub general can command any troops in the list.
• A sub general downgraded to an ally general can command the same troops as allowed to the CinC.
• Troops labelled as Tajik, Afghan, Turkoman, Persian or Georgian can only be commanded by a Sub General or, where one exists in the list, by an ally general of the same nationality.
• If a Persian or Georgian ally general is used they can only command troops of their own nationality and Turkomans. However not all Persians, Georgians or Turkomans have to be in their command.

List 83 Wars of the Roses English

• As well as the usual compulsory troops (Men at arms, Retinue Billmen and Archers) an Internal English Ally must command at least ¼ of any asterisked troops that are used other than those that don’t count as English (see below).
• Non English troops are those labelled as Welsh, Irish, Burgundian, Flemish, French, German, Burgundian supplied and Breton.

BHGS DBM ArmyInterps. Ver 4.4 Feb 05