User blog comment:Pygmy Hippo 2/Zulu Impi vs. Iberian Caetrati/@comment-379205-20190926021145

'''119's "Iwisa, meet... Hannibal?" Edges'''

Short Melee: The Falcata is an effective slashing sword, but the thrusting attacks from the Iklwa will have a slightly longer reach and possibly a faster attack speed. Edge: Zulu

Shield: The Caetra is made of wood and bronze, and Isihlangu is made of cow skin, it should be obvious which would provide better protection. Edge: Caetrati

Spear: The Assegai can be thrown further, but the Soliferum packs a bigger punch, having a better chance of piercing armor. The Zulus don't use armor, but the Solifferum will also have a better chance of piercing through the shields of the Zulus. The Assegai will do damage, but even the Caetra's light armor will be more effective at stopping it than the cow skin shield of the Zulus will be at stopping the Solifferum, so overall, the Carthaginans will get more kills or injuries per spear volley.

Blunt Ranged: The sling has a far greater effective range, and can throw a projectile at a higher velocity. That's before you mention that fact that the sling has back-up ammo, while most warriors would probably carry only one, maybe two Iwisa. Edge: Caetrati

Special: The gladius is, in many ways similar to the Iklwa, being as short stabbing weapon for use behind a shield, and proved so effective that the Carthaginian's Roman foes adopted it as their standard weapon. The Zulu axe, on the other hand, was generally used less often than the Iklwa, and not as effective. Edge: Caetrati

X-Factors: Both sides tactics could be effective depending on the situation, with the Zulus proving more effective if they can corner the Caetrati, while the Iberian guerilla tactic will allow them to surprise the Zulus and pick them off with a series of hit-and-run attacks, provided they can retreat to the next favorable position. Both sides were highly experience, and faced dangerous foes, with the Zulus having fought more advanced enemies. In terms of armor, the Caetrati get a slight edge, as while still lightly armored, at least they have some armor.

WINNER: In a closely contested battle, I give a narrow victory to the Caetrati, with their superior armor and weapons allowing them to narrowly pull through, with them winning somewhere in the neighborhood of 2600 out 5000 simulated battles. This will, however, be a very close fight, and they will suffer heavy losses at the hands of the Zulus.