Barons' War Second Edition Buyer's Guide 2026
The Barons' War Second Edition Buyer's Guide 2026: Best Medieval Starter Sets and Miniatures
Step into the brutal world of medieval England with The Barons' War Second Edition, a historical miniature wargame inspired by the political struggles, rebellious nobles and military conflicts of the thirteenth century.
Featuring armoured knights, professional serjeants, archers and peasant levies, The Barons' War offers an excellent introduction to medieval tabletop wargaming.
This 2026 buyer's guide covers the rules, historical background, Wargames Atlantic plastic miniatures, starter sets and the best way to build your first medieval retinue.
Explore The Barons' War miniatures at TistaMinis Canada.
What Is The Barons' War?
The Barons' War is a medieval tabletop miniature wargame focusing on clashes between armed retinues rather than requiring enormous armies.
Players command forces representing medieval nobles and their followers, using a combination of armoured warriors, missile troops and less heavily equipped soldiers.
The game is particularly appealing to collectors who enjoy historical miniatures, narrative scenarios and smaller-scale engagements.
The Historical Background: England's Rebellious Barons
Thirteenth-century England was shaped by struggles between the monarchy and powerful nobles. Disputes over taxation, royal authority, feudal rights and political influence repeatedly brought the kingdom into conflict.
The First Barons' War followed the crisis surrounding King John and Magna Carta in 1215. The Second Barons' War, fought from 1264 to 1267, involved Simon de Montfort and supporters of King Henry III.
These conflicts provide excellent inspiration for historical miniature campaigns, castle assaults, ambushes and battles between rival noble households.
Why Choose The Barons' War Second Edition?
Second Edition provides an updated starting point for collectors entering the game. It is a natural choice for players who want to learn the current rules rather than begin with older materials.
The game's retinue-focused format also allows players to build armies gradually, painting one group of medieval warriors at a time.
Best Barons' War Starter Sets and Miniatures
1. The Barons' War Second Edition Starter Set – Best Overall Starting Point
Best for: New players who want a dedicated introduction to the game.
The official Second Edition starter is the most obvious first purchase when available. It is designed around introducing players to The Barons' War and its medieval miniature battles.
Check the current box contents before purchasing, particularly the included rules, models and accessories. The starter set has experienced periods of limited availability.
2. Wargames Atlantic Foot Knights (1150–1320) – Best Armoured Infantry
Best for: Players who want heavily armoured medieval warriors.
Foot Knights are among the most recognizable troops of the period. Their armour, shields and heraldry make them outstanding painting projects and natural additions to a noble retinue.
They also work well as visually distinctive veteran warriors or household troops.
3. Wargames Atlantic Foot Serjeants (1100–1320) – Best Core Troops
Best for: Building the foundation of a medieval retinue.
Serjeants represented an important category of medieval soldiers serving lords and other military authorities. They provide an excellent middle ground between richly equipped knights and less heavily armed troops.
For collectors building a versatile force, Foot Serjeants are one of the most practical expansion choices.
4. Wargames Atlantic Peasant Levy (1100–1350) – Best for Adding Numbers
Best for: Players who want less heavily equipped infantry and characterful medieval formations.
Peasant levies bring variety to a medieval army with simpler equipment and a more improvised appearance.
They are particularly useful for representing local troops, hastily assembled defenders or the followers of a less wealthy noble.
Explore Wargames Atlantic Foot Knights, Foot Serjeants and Peasant Levy miniatures.
Best Medieval Miniatures for Different Playstyles
| Unit Type | Best For | Hobby Appeal |
|---|---|---|
| Foot Knights | Elite household theme | Armour and heraldry |
| Foot Serjeants | Versatile retinues | Historical military formations |
| Peasant Levy | Adding less-equipped troops | Rustic medieval character |
| Archers | Missile support | Dynamic ranged formations |
| Mounted Knights | Cavalry-focused collections | Horses, shields and heraldry |
| Command Figures | Noble retinue leaders | Personalized characters |
Check the current Second Edition rules for legal troop options, equipment and retinue composition before selecting models.
How to Build Your First Barons' War Retinue
Step 1: Choose a Historical Theme
Begin by deciding whether your force represents a royalist household, rebellious baron, local garrison or another medieval military group.
A clear theme will help guide your miniature purchases and painting scheme.
Step 2: Choose a Commander
A distinctive noble or military leader provides a focal point for your retinue. Consider giving your commander a recognizable shield design or heraldic colours.
Step 3: Build a Core of Foot Soldiers
Foot Serjeants are a practical foundation for many collections. Add suitable infantry according to your preferred scenario and the current rules.
Step 4: Add Elite Warriors
Foot Knights bring visual impact and help distinguish your noble household from less heavily equipped troops.
Step 5: Introduce Missile Troops
Archers or other appropriate ranged units can add tactical variety, depending on the troop options available to your retinue.
Step 6: Expand with Cavalry and Specialists
Once you have played several introductory battles, consider mounted troops and additional specialists to develop your force.
Suggested Beginner Shopping List
For a practical introduction to The Barons' War, consider the following purchases:
- The Barons' War Second Edition rules or starter set.
- One box of Foot Serjeants.
- One box of Foot Knights.
- A suitable commander miniature.
- Appropriate dice, measuring tools and basing materials.
- Optional Peasant Levy or archers for additional variety.
This is a collecting recommendation, not a guaranteed legal army list. Build your actual retinue using the current rules and agreed game size.
The Barons' War vs Larger Medieval Wargames
The Barons' War is particularly attractive to players who prefer smaller, characterful medieval encounters.
Games such as Hail Caesar and other mass-battle systems can emphasize much larger formations. The Barons' War allows hobbyists to focus on the individual warriors and personalities within a retinue.
For collectors interested in broader historical gaming, explore Hail Caesar miniatures and Perry Miniatures.
Five Beginner Strategies for The Barons' War
1. Use Terrain to Control Engagements
Medieval villages, woodland, hills and defensive positions create tactical opportunities. Consider how terrain affects the movement and positioning of your warriors.
2. Support Your Elite Troops
Heavily equipped warriors may be impressive, but they should not operate without a coherent plan. Coordinate them with the rest of your retinue.
3. Protect Your Commander
Keep your leader in a position where they can contribute without becoming unnecessarily exposed.
4. Use Missile Troops Carefully
Ranged troops can influence the battlefield by threatening exposed opponents and supporting your advance. Learn their specific capabilities under the current rules.
5. Focus on the Scenario
Winning may depend on controlling a location, defending an objective or accomplishing a mission rather than simply defeating every enemy warrior.
Painting Your Medieval Miniatures
The Barons' War offers excellent opportunities for historically inspired painting. Chainmail, leather, wool, shields and colourful heraldry all contribute to the appearance of a medieval retinue.
Consider painting each noble household with a consistent heraldic theme while allowing less heavily equipped troops to display greater variation.
Useful Painting Techniques
- Metallic drybrushing for chainmail.
- Layered cloth colours for tunics and surcoats.
- Freehand heraldry or suitable transfers for shields.
- Brown and grey washes for leather and equipment.
- Grass tufts, earth texture and stones for medieval bases.
Explore AK Interactive paints and miniature basing materials for your medieval collection.
Creating a Barons' War Campaign
Once you have two retinues, create a short narrative campaign based on a fictional dispute between neighbouring nobles.
For example, one lord might attempt to seize a strategically important bridge while another defends nearby farmland and settlements.
Link three or four scenarios together and record the results to create an ongoing story. These narrative additions can be agreed between players without requiring a complex campaign structure.
The Barons' War FAQ
1. What is The Barons' War?
The Barons' War is a historical medieval miniature wargame focusing on conflicts between armed retinues.
2. Is there a Second Edition?
Yes. The Barons' War Second Edition provides an updated rules system and dedicated starter products.
3. What scale are the miniatures?
The dedicated Wargames Atlantic plastic range is designed for 28mm historical miniature gaming.
4. What is the best starter set?
The official Second Edition starter is a natural choice when available. Individual plastic kits offer another collecting route.
5. What should I buy first?
Start with the current rules, a commander and a selection of suitable infantry, such as Foot Serjeants and Foot Knights.
6. Are Wargames Atlantic miniatures plastic?
Wargames Atlantic produces hard-plastic kits in its dedicated Barons' War range.
7. Can I use Perry Miniatures?
Suitable medieval miniatures may be usable, provided they match the period, scale and equipment represented in the rules.
8. Is The Barons' War historically accurate?
The game draws inspiration from medieval history while using tabletop rules to create playable battles.
9. Can I play narrative campaigns?
Yes. Players can link battles into historical or fictional medieval campaigns.
10. Where can I buy The Barons' War in Canada?
Browse TistaMinis for Wargames Atlantic Barons' War miniatures, rules and related historical hobby supplies.
Final Verdict: The Best Way to Start The Barons' War in 2026
The Barons' War Second Edition is an appealing choice for historical miniature gamers who want characterful medieval battles without immediately collecting enormous armies.
Start with the official starter set if available, or build a retinue using Foot Serjeants, Foot Knights and a suitable commander. Add Peasant Levy, archers and cavalry as your collection grows.
Whether you are recreating the conflicts of medieval England or inventing your own feudal rivalries, The Barons' War offers an engaging historical miniature hobby.
Explore The Barons' War Second Edition and Wargames Atlantic miniatures at TistaMinis Canada.