User blog comment:Pygmy Hippo 2/Zulu Impi vs. Iberian Caetrati/@comment-35680048-20190923143935

Tybatlcapulet's "At least it isn't the Carthaginians and their filthy Musculata" Edges:

Primary Combo: Yeah the Iklwa and Isihlangu win here. The Iklwa is a pretty ingenious design, being able to function at longer ranges than the Falcata. It's not so big that it becomes hard to wield in closer ranges. It can also be used to slash just like the Falcata, and is just a more viable weapon. The Isihlangu is literally designed around using the Iklwa and covers a larger area, allowing better coverage, even if its materials aren't up to snuff to the Caetra's. The Zulu were rapid-fire attackers, and this category of weapons is better designed for it.Edge:Impi 

Throwing Spear: The Soliferrum even with its shorter range, should be able to more reliably put down the Impi than the Assegai. The fact that it's heavier actually works to its advantage, as it puts infinitely more power into the impact, and the Isihlangu won't be able to protect the Impi as well as one may think, and since they're also unarmored, the impact on the body if it strikes wiil be amplified. The Caetrati aren't exactly very armored, but any area that is armored should be able to take hits from the assegai with relative ease. Also in any close range engagement, the Soliferrum should absolutely dominate in range and power'''. Edge:Caetrati'''

Blunt: I have to give this to the sling, no doubt. Neither of these weapons are great options and are probably the worst in their respective loadouts, but the sling actually has a really long range, and it most likely will be better in volleys. And I doubt the Impi will be using a lot of the Iwisa in short range combat, and even if they did, it wouldn't really help too much. The Iwisa is a real last ditch weapon here, while the Sling can provide at least some form of long range firepower.Edge:Caetrati

Secondary Melee: This is a clear edge for the Zulu Axe. The Gladius isn't really offering anything that any other standard sword of the time can't offer. The Axe absolutely slams versatility, being able to thrust, slash, and hook enemy equipment. The Gladius is a great sword, but it doesn't really offer anything new to the battle.Edge: Impi

Overall/X-factors: As we can see, the Impi take the closer range weapons, but the Iberian Caetrati take the longer weapons, and actually have armor to speak of. The Zulu have zero coverage without their Isihlangu, and if lost, they're pretty much screwed. Also, none of the close range weapons of the Iberians are actually bad per se, it's more of the Impi having more variety in their attacks. They should do just fine up close. And this battle is perfectly suited to the Iberians, with enough men for their harassment/guerrilla tactics to work wonders on the Impi lines. This won't be enough to win the day outright, but it should be enough to make any close range fight go in their favor rather easily. Also they can match the experience of the Zulu unlike their recent battle with the Aboriginal Australians who are a bunch of hunters who had periodical fights.The Iberians are well trained, highly experienced mercenaries who have decent enough protection to no sell Impi weapons and can no sell them at range for long enough for clean up to be easy.

Iberian Caetrati: 3500

Zulu Impi; 1500