Colonial Portuguese – New World DBA Army List

Colonial Portuguese (1494-1700) for New World DBA, my New World variant of DBA. Based on DBR III/1. This list covers the Portuguese Explorers of the 16th and 17th Centuries. Portuguese expeditions fought in Brazil, Africa and Asia.

Theatres: Africa, Asia, Brasil
Ag: 4
Tropical Terrain. 1-2 Compulsory: Woods. 2-3 Optional: River, Marsh, Rough, BUA, and/or Road.
Camp/Stronghold: Stockade around a group of huts

Number Description Troop Type Cost Example Army
Number Cost
0-1 Lancer (Gen) Ln 15
4-14 Portuguese Foot (Gen) Up to 1/2 ShE 7 5 35
Rest BdE 7 5 35
3-4 African Slaves or Arab Infantry BdS 5 3 15
0-2 Skirmishers (bandeirantes “adventurers”, mamelucos, “half-breed and natives) Sk 2 2 4
0-1 Cannon Art 15
Only after 1550
All Regrade Portuguese Foot BdE as ShE ShE 0
Any Regrade African Slaves BdE as ShS ShS 0
0-1 African Slave Powder Pot Thrower Sk 2
Only in Brazil
0-8 Indian Slaves ShS 5
Only in India or Ceylon after 1510
0-2 Indian Lascarins with arquebus ShS 5
Only in Morocco
0-1 Garrison Ginetes LH 5
Only in Macau or Indonesia after 1520
0-4 Local Chinese Up to 1/4 Sk 2
Rest BdO 3
14 89

Portuguese shooters were initially crossbowmen, only starting to acquire firearms in 1520. By 1550 the crossbow had disappeared entirely and in fact all Portuguese foot had firearms . Prior to 1620 the Portuguese foot were called “Civilisados” and subsequently “Degredados” with an apparent drop in quality although I see no reason to change their efficiency compared to the indigenous peoples.

Portuguese Ln and BdE, and Portuguese, African, and Indian Slave Shooters are Impetuous: Under the same conditions as can Warbands they can move a second or subsequent tactical move during the same bound (p. 9), and must pursue their own base depth when a close combat opponent does a recoil, break-off, flee or is destroyed (p. 11).

At the Battle of Mbwila The Portuguese force, commanded byr Luis Lopes de Sequeira, a soldier of mixed Portuguese and African parentage, were centred on a group of 450 musketeers and two light artillery pieces, forces from Brazil including those of African and Native American origin, as well as Imbangala and African forces numbering about 15,000 (Wikipedia: Battle of Mbwila).

The largest military force that Portugal ever mobilized in Angola had 40,000 troops (Wikipedia: Kingdom of Matamba). This was in 1681 when the Portuguese intervened in a war between Matamba and neighbouring Kasanje. This massive force invaded Matamba. During the Battle of Katole Imbangala troops in the Portuguese army held the surprised attack by the Matamba. The enemy leader was killed but the Portuguese army, having suffered heavy losses, withdrew.

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