User blog comment:Pygmy Hippo 2/Zulu Impi vs. Iberian Caetrati/@comment-39845974-20190929013942

Short ranged: To me this is a very tough comparison. The 2 weapons are very different weapons which are in many ways on the different sides of the spectrum. The Falcata is a powerful chopping and slashing sword which could preform a thrust. While the Iklwa is a short stabbing short spear which is also a passible slasher. To me its hard to determine a real winner between the 2 for me, so I will say they are pretty equal. Edge: Tie.

Shields: These 2 shields are also a very much so on different sides of the spectrum. The Caetra is a very small and sturdy style of shield, but suffers from being fairly small. The Isihlangu is a very large shield which covers a very large area of the body, but it suffers from being comparitivly weak. But this is itself not such as hard debate to figure out. The Caetra, while admittingly small, could easily withstand the punishment thrown out by the Zulu weapons. I don't hold the same faith in the Isilangu. Edge: Caetra.

Spears: This is very easy for me to decide. The Assegai might be lighter weight and has a slight greater range, I don't think It has what it could take pierce the shields and armor of the Iberians. The Soliferrum on the other hand packs one hell of a much and in my mind could make mince meat of the Zulu shields. Edge: Soliferrum.

Range: This is also very easy to call. The Iwisa is a light weight thrown stick. While it can hurt an enemy and break bone, It is very unlikely to kill even an naked foe. While the sling isn't a great tool, it still can a subtantually greater punch then the Iwisa. This is disparity grows when considering the fact that the sling is more accurate, has greater range, and has more ammo to spare then the Iwisa. Edge: Sling.

Secondary short range: While The Zulu axe does a fair amount of damage, it is still slow and clunky. The Spanish sword however is a fairly quick and highly effective weapon. While The Zulu axe does do more damage, the Spanish sword was still know in history as being able to cleave of limbs and split skulls. So in my mind, the Spanish sword is a much great weapon then the Zulu axe. Edge: Gladius Hispaniensis/Spanish sword.

Armor: This is easy to call. I already stated my belief that the Iberian shield is superior to the one carried by the Zulus. This added to the fact that the Iberians also wear helmets, greaves, and primitive breast plates really steals them the edge. Edge: Iberians.

Experience: This now, This is an actually tough decision. Niether have ever actually battled foes similar to each other. They generally fought against peoples who fought and opperated like time, or fought a people dramatically more advaned then them in the case of the zulus. But When considering the fact that the Zulu peoples did fight against a greater number of peoples, then I'd say that They take this point. Edge: Zulu.

Tactics: This varies depending on how many people are going to fight in this battle. It its a 1 on 1, or even a small group on small group, then the horns of the buffalo isn't going to be a very good tactic. But if this is a battle between some moderatly sized forces or even small armies, then the horns suddenly become great for this battle. So I'm going to say that this point is inconclusive for now, and will updated once I get more information about the context of this fight. Edge: Inconclusive.

Conclusion: As it currently stands, My vote goes to the Iberian Caetrati. They hold have a noticeable boon in the areas of armor and equipment, and while the Zulu hold the edge in experience, It's still not dramatic enough to tip the scales in their favor. But since I don't know the full context of this fight or how big this fight is going to be, I can't say who I think is going to win in he end. While the Iberians are currently holding the advantage, the most important aspect of this fight is still unanswered.