Instead of using the rules for BUA in the DBA rules players may choose to instead use the following rules for what I term Settled Areas. If using these rules for settled areas ignore all references to BUAs in the DBA rules. Long time DBA players may recognize the following rules as the BUA rules from earlier versions of DBA.
A settled area can be represented by 1 or more small buildings and/or an enclosed field or orchard, etc. A settled area does not represent a large city or some part thereof, but rather represents civilization not far from a city or the like. Such a settled area is not suited well to proper defense and exists mainly as a representation of civilization on the battlefield.
The following rules apply for settled areas:
1). A settled area counts as an area terrain feature that is bad going (see page 6 in DBA rules), and replaces any compulsory or optional BUA listed for a particular army list. For example, an Arable army replaces its compulsory BUA with a compulsory settled area instead.
2). An extra pip is required to give an order to a group or element who starts 600 or more paces away from its general's element, and is also in or beyond a settled area.
3). The edge of a settled area blocks shooting from or at an element base edge entirely beyond it (as for hill crest lines, woods, etc.).
4). There can be a max of one settled area on the battlefield.
5). If roads are present on battlefield with a settled area, 1 road must contact the settled area or pass through it. Elements passing along the road through a settled area count as in bad going for all purposes except movement as long as any part of that element is on the road within the settled area.
Players should decide before hand if they will use this rule or use the original rules as presented in DBA 2.0.