I have always been a big fan of mass combat in an RPG context, and I recently discovered the old Birthright setting which has some really nifty rules on warfare, mustering armies, etc. From what we know, the DMG is supposed to have some rules on mass combat. Do you think the new rules in the DMG will leverage any of the Birthright stuff? Maybe modify it a little bit? How do you envision the mass combat rules being implemented? What about sieges? I personally would prefere a detailed treatment of it, rather than some abstract "One goblin now represents 100 goblins. You killed it, therefore you killed 100 goblins. Wow!"
I also would prefer a more detailed set of rules. However, I think it unlikely that Wizards would have any plan to update Birthright; they haven't talked about it ever and they did give that preview of what they had going on at the time, which was the abstract version.
If you haven't seen it, ACKS Domains at War came out recently, which is a much more detailed approach to mass combat than 5E is likely to take. It's OGL, so it can be used with 5E without too much trouble.
The book Ultimate Campaign or the adventure path Kingmaker from pathfinder have very good mass combat and kingdom running rules.
Mike Mearls wrote a Legends & Lore post about the mass combat system that'll be in the DMG. Unfortunately, I can't find it anywhere now that the site has changed.
There was a big thread about it over on EN World, if you want to use some Google-fu to track it down.
I would like to see an updated and modern redesign of the War Machine-type rules from the rules cyclopedia. I've never been a fan of fighting out the battles, but really like all the detail and input that goes into the mechanics to see who wins when the dice are rolled (troops, training, morale, tactics chosen, leaders, all the stuff the PCs worked for in an adventure, etc).
I don't mind seeing the more detailed system that’s been hinted at, of actually fighting out the combats, for those who enjoy that type of play. I just hope they have support for both.
I have high hopes for the domain and mass combat rules in the DMG...having all the work done for my Birthright game would suit me well 