User blog comment:Rikun85/Shaka Zulu vs. Lapu-Lapu/@comment-3189283-20190109224147

Let's see shall we

Short Range

The Iwisa is a good weapon but as a general rule a bladed weapon is better than a blunt trauma weapon especially when you're talking about two lightly armoured warriors like we are here. Therefore the Pinuti gets the edge despite being ever so slightly shorter.

Edge: Lapu-Lapu

Mid Range 

The Sibat has the longer reach and when it comes to spears that is usually a big advantage as the main point of having a spear is to keep your opponent at bay where they can't harm you. However that's in the context of both spears being of a similar usage and with the Iklwa that's not the case. The Iklwa was meant to be used to close range with rapid strikes and so getting closer actually works in Shaka's favour as he can get within a range which the Sibat will be too cumbersome to use. Shaka and the zulu's also have a lot of experience fighting against long spear wielding warriors so there's an even bigger advantage here for them.

Edge: Shaka Zulu 

Long Range 

Shaka wasn't terribly fond of the Assegai and probably won't make a whole lot of use of it in the battle aside from a volley throw of them once the match begins. The Pana is obviously more accurate and more useful at a further range and those poison tipped arrows will be game over for any unfortunate zulu if it gets past the shield.

Edge: Lapu-Lapu 

Special Weapon 

Both the Isinzenze and the Kampilan will do some serious damage to other warriors shields and of course the men behind them once they've finished with the shields. The Isinzenze has the advantage of being able to hook the filipinos shield away as well to bypass the need to destroy it but the Kampilan's reach advantage will be key for getting the first blow in. I'm calling it even.

Edge: Even

Shield 

The Isihlangu was the second half of the iconic duo with the Iklwa and was integral to Shaka's conquest of the other African nations and it's unique design gave it more functions in battle. The Kalasag meanwhile functions as your standard shield and in terms of protection it actually does a better job with the thicker material. I have to give the edge to the Isihlangu though for giving more options in combat and it's not as if it won't protect Shaka as well, it just might not do as good in that area as the Kalasag.

Edge: Shaka Zulu 

Final Verdict 

This is honestly a very close battle and there isn't really anything here that gives either warrior a massive edge. The Zulu's Iklwa and Isihlangu combo is probably going to dominate the close quarters battle with it's versaility in basically any situation but the Filipinos longer reaching weapons means they could control the distance of the battle. They also have the only real viable ranged option in the battle and a couple of lucky hits early on and the Zulu's could be outnumbered before they near enough to push thier main close quarters advantage. When it comes to tactics and experience it's also very close. Shaka has a more impressive set of achievements here and his tactics revoluntionised warfare in African warfare at the time. However this was very much in the context of large scale battles and in the scenario presented here I think Lapu-Lapu had the upper hand and his ambush tactics work much better in a small scale battle like this.

I do have to pick a winner though and I'm going to give a very slim victory to Shaka here. The effectivness of the Iklwa and Isihlangu combo is hard to look past and his weapons all have multi-purpose uses which gives him and his warriors more options in combat. He also has the advantage of having a better trained and set of warriors as well, the Filipinos were trained no doubt but not the same level as that of the Zulu's.

Shaka Zulu: 2,600

Lapu-Lapu: 2,400