Best Warlord Games Black Powder Kits: Napoleonic Armies & Historical Wargaming Buyer's Guide

Looking to start a Napoleonic army or explore historical tabletop wargaming? Warlord Games' Black Powder range offers one of the most accessible ways to recreate the great battles of the horse-and-musket era, from Napoleon's campaigns across Europe to the American Revolution, the American Civil War and the Anglo-Zulu War.

With hundreds of miniature options, army starter sets, cavalry, artillery and massive Epic Battles collections, choosing the right Warlord Games Black Powder kits can feel overwhelming.

Should you start with Napoleonic French or British? Is the Waterloo starter set worth buying? Are 28mm miniatures better than Epic Battles? And which historical periods offer the best opportunities for building large armies?

In this buyer's guide, we'll explore the best Warlord Games Black Powder kits for beginners and experienced collectors, with a special focus on Napoleonic miniatures, army-building advice, painting tips and the other major historical ranges worth exploring.

Browse Black Powder miniatures at TistaMinis to explore available Warlord Games kits in Canada.

What Is Black Powder by Warlord Games?

Black Powder is a historical miniature wargame designed for battles fought during the age of muskets, cavalry charges and battlefield artillery.

Its historical coverage spans several centuries, including the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and its rules emphasize the movement and command of large military formations.

Rather than controlling individual soldiers, players organize infantry into regiments, cavalry into squadrons and multiple units into brigades under commanding officers.

Black Powder is designed to recreate the spectacle and uncertainty of historical warfare, with a strong emphasis on command decisions, movement and dramatic battlefield encounters.

Why Is Black Powder Popular?

• Large historical armies: recreate famous battles with infantry, cavalry and artillery.
• Flexible army sizes: play smaller introductory encounters or enormous multiplayer games.
• Multiple historical periods: use the core system for Napoleonic, American Revolutionary and other conflicts.
• Accessible command mechanics: orders and command rolls influence how formations move.
• Excellent miniature ranges: Warlord Games produces plastic, metal and resin kits.
• Epic Battles options: smaller-scale figures make very large battles more manageable.

The current core rules are found in Black Powder Second Edition, supplemented by period-specific books and army guides.

Why Start with Napoleonic Wargaming?

The Napoleonic Wars, fought between 1803 and 1815 as part of the broader era of French Revolutionary and Napoleonic conflict, provide one of the most colourful and varied settings for historical miniature wargaming.

Armies combined tightly formed infantry battalions, swift cavalry, powerful artillery and elaborate command structures.

The period also offers an enormous variety of uniforms and nationalities.

French soldiers in blue coats, British redcoats, Prussian infantry, Russian grenadiers and Austrian formations all create distinctive tabletop armies.

Famous battles such as Austerlitz, Borodino, Leipzig and Waterloo provide endless inspiration for scenarios and army collections.

For newcomers, the Waterloo campaign of 1815 is particularly appealing because Warlord Games produces dedicated British and French starter armies alongside Epic Battles collections.

Best Warlord Games Napoleonic Kits: Our Top 10 Picks

This ranking is based on usefulness for starting and expanding an army rather than an official sales ranking. Some products are available in different versions, bundles or campaign configurations.

1. Black Powder Waterloo Starter Set — Best Overall for Beginners

The Black Powder Waterloo Starter Set is one of the most practical entry points for players who want to experience 28mm Napoleonic wargaming.

It provides forces representing both the French and their Allied opponents, allowing two players to begin collecting opposing armies.

The established Second Edition Waterloo starter contains 136 miniatures, including:

• 48 French infantry
• 48 British infantry
• 24 Hanoverian infantry
• 12 French Chasseurs à Cheval
• One Royal Artillery cannon
• French and British commanders
• Black Powder Second Edition rules in a compact format
• Introductory gaming accessories

This combination provides an excellent introduction to infantry formations, cavalry movement, artillery support and command mechanics.

Why We Recommend It

For two new players, purchasing a two-sided starter set is usually more economical and convenient than assembling two armies entirely from individual boxes.

It also allows players to learn the game before committing to a much larger collection.

Best for: beginners, friends starting together and collectors interested in Waterloo.

2. Napoleonic French Starter Army — Best French Army Foundation

If you already know you want to command Napoleon's armies, the Napoleonic French Starter Army is an excellent place to begin.

Warlord Games offers different starter configurations for the Peninsular and Waterloo campaigns.

The Waterloo campaign version contains:

• 84 French Line Infantry
• 28 French Light Infantry
• 12 French Line Lancers
• One mounted officer
• One 6-pounder artillery piece with crew
• Flags and decals

These troops provide a balanced foundation of line infantry, lighter troops, cavalry and artillery.

Why French Armies Are Popular

French Napoleonic armies are especially attractive because of their historical reputation, colourful uniforms and enormous variety of available units.

You can begin with regular infantry and expand into Imperial Guard formations, cavalry and specialist artillery.

The French are also suitable for recreating numerous campaigns, from the Peninsular War to Napoleon's final campaign in Belgium.

Best for: players who want a dedicated French army with several unit types in one purchase.

3. Napoleonic British Starter Army — Best Allied Army Foundation

The Napoleonic British Starter Army is another strong option for collectors beginning with a single force.

The Waterloo campaign version contains:

• 72 British Line Infantry in Belgic shakos
• 24 Hanoverian infantry
• 12 British Union Brigade heavy cavalry
• One mounted officer
• One Royal Horse Artillery 9-pounder cannon with crew
• Flag sheets

This starter represents the multinational character of Wellington's Allied army at Waterloo.

Although often described as a British army, Wellington's force included soldiers from several nations and German states.

Why Choose the British?

British infantry in their distinctive red uniforms make a striking tabletop force.

Combined with Allied contingents, cavalry and artillery, they provide a flexible collection with excellent historical variety.

They are also a natural choice for recreating battles from the Peninsular War and the Waterloo campaign.

Best for: players interested in Wellington's campaigns and British-led Allied armies.

4. Epic Battles: Waterloo French Starter — Best for Massed French Armies

For players who want to recreate Waterloo with enormous formations of troops, Black Powder Epic Battles: Waterloo offers a different approach.

Instead of conventional 28mm miniatures, the Epic Battles range uses much smaller figures, approximately 13.5mm in height, allowing players to represent very large armies.

The French starter range focuses on the formations of Napoleon's 1815 army.

These collections provide a foundation for building substantial infantry formations supported by cavalry and artillery.

Best for: collectors who want hundreds of troops and large battlefield formations.

5. Epic Battles: Waterloo British Starter — Best for Large Allied Armies

The British Epic Battles Waterloo range allows players to recreate Wellington's Allied forces on a grand scale.

Its smaller miniatures make it possible to deploy long infantry lines and numerous regiments without requiring the same space or painting investment as equivalent numbers of 28mm models.

The range also includes additional units and support options for expanding an Allied collection.

Best for: historical players who want the visual spectacle of large Napoleonic battles.

6. Napoleonic French Line Infantry — Best Core Regiment Kit

French Line Infantry form the backbone of most Napoleonic French armies.

They represent the soldiers who fought across Europe under Napoleon's command.

Warlord's plastic infantry kits provide a practical way to build the multiple battalions required for larger Black Powder armies.

For beginners, line infantry should usually be a higher purchasing priority than specialized elite units.

Modelling tip: paint multiple battalions in batches, using different flags and selected uniform details to distinguish individual regiments.

7. Napoleonic British Line Infantry — Best for Building Wellington's Army

British Line Infantry are among the most recognizable soldiers of the Napoleonic Wars.

Their red coats and distinctive headgear make them visually striking and relatively easy to identify on the tabletop.

Warlord offers British infantry suited to different Napoleonic campaigns and uniform periods.

When purchasing additional infantry, make sure the uniforms match the campaign you're recreating.

For example, British infantry wearing stovepipe shakos are especially associated with earlier Peninsular War campaigns, while Belgic shakos are appropriate for many Waterloo-era formations.

Modelling tip: use consistent facings, flags and basing to give each regiment a recognizable identity.

8. Napoleonic French Cavalry — Best for Aggressive Manoeuvres

Cavalry played an important role in Napoleonic warfare, providing reconnaissance, pursuit, battlefield mobility and shock action.

Warlord Games produces a variety of French cavalry options, including lancers, chasseurs and heavier mounted troops.

French cavalry are particularly attractive to painters because of their colourful uniforms, distinctive headgear and dramatic poses.

For new players, a single cavalry regiment is a sensible first expansion after building several infantry battalions.

Modelling tip: vary horse colours across the unit while keeping uniforms and equipment consistent.

9. Napoleonic British Cavalry — Best for Allied Counterattacks

British cavalry provide another distinctive addition to a Napoleonic army.

Heavy cavalry such as the Union Brigade are particularly famous for their participation in the Battle of Waterloo.

Mounted units can create dramatic moments during games, but they also require careful positioning.

A poorly timed charge can leave cavalry exposed to enemy fire or counterattacks.

Modelling tip: paint horses in several natural shades and reserve brighter colours for officers, standards and distinctive uniform details.

10. Napoleonic Artillery and Command — Essential Army Expansions

Artillery and command models are among the most useful additions to any Black Powder army.

Artillery provides ranged support, while officers and commanders represent the leadership required to coordinate brigades.

Because Black Powder's command mechanics are central to gameplay, command figures are more than decorative additions.

They help organize your army and reinforce the historical character of your collection.

Our recommendation: after assembling two or three infantry units, add a commander and artillery battery before purchasing large numbers of specialist troops.

28mm Black Powder vs Epic Battles: Which Scale Is Better?

One of the biggest decisions when starting a Warlord Games historical army is choosing between traditional 28mm miniatures and Epic Battles.

Our recommendation: choose 28mm if you enjoy painting detailed individual soldiers and building display-quality regiments. Choose Epic Battles if your priority is recreating enormous historical engagements with impressive massed formations.

Remember that the two ranges are not intended to be mixed within the same visually consistent army because their figure sizes differ substantially.

How to Build Your First Napoleonic Army

For beginners, we recommend building a small, balanced collection before expanding into larger brigades.

Step 1: Choose Your Nation and Campaign

Decide whether you want to collect French, British, Prussian, Russian or another Napoleonic army.

Next, choose a historical campaign such as the Peninsular War or Waterloo.

This helps ensure that your uniforms, weapons and unit selections are historically appropriate.

Step 2: Start with Infantry

Infantry should form the core of your army.

Begin with two or three battalions using the model counts and basing conventions agreed upon by your gaming group.

Step 3: Add Commanders

Black Powder uses command rolls to determine how effectively units respond to orders.

Commanders are therefore essential to the feel of the game.

Step 4: Add Artillery

A cannon or artillery battery provides additional tactical variety and gives your army a more complete appearance.

Step 5: Add Cavalry

Once you're comfortable with infantry movement and combat, add a cavalry regiment.

Cavalry provides opportunities for rapid manoeuvres and decisive attacks.

Step 6: Expand into Elite Units

French Imperial Guard, British Guards or other specialized troops can be excellent additions once your basic army is established.

Elite units look impressive, but they are not a substitute for having enough ordinary infantry to form a functioning army.

Example Beginner Napoleonic Army Shopping List

Starter sets often already contain several of these unit types, so check the contents before buying duplicates.

Other Warlord Games Black Powder Ranges Worth Exploring

Although Napoleonics are one of the most popular parts of the Black Powder range, Warlord Games supports several other fascinating historical periods.

American War of Independence: Revolution!

The American War of Independence, fought between 1775 and 1783, provides a different style of horse-and-musket warfare.

Players can collect Continental Army forces, British regulars, Hessian troops and other formations involved in the conflict.

Warlord Games offers both traditional 28mm American Revolutionary War miniatures and the smaller-scale Black Powder Epic Battles: Revolution! range.

Recommended Kits

• Epic Battles: Revolution! Rulebook
• Continental Army Brigade or Army Bundle
• British Army Brigade
• Hessians and Allies Brigade
• American Revolutionary War infantry and command sets

Why choose this period? The American Revolution offers recognizable uniforms, varied troop types and numerous historical battles, including Saratoga, Camden and Yorktown.

It is particularly appealing to players interested in eighteenth-century warfare and the origins of the United States.

American Civil War: Union vs Confederacy

The American Civil War, fought from 1861 to 1865, is another major historical period supported by Warlord Games.

Its battles involved enormous infantry formations, artillery bombardments, cavalry operations and increasingly modern military technology.

The conflict was fundamentally rooted in slavery and the secession of Southern states, with its campaigns producing some of the most destructive battles in American history.

Warlord's Epic Battles range makes it possible to recreate these engagements using very large numbers of miniatures.

Recommended Kits

• Epic Battles: American Civil War Guts & Glory Starter Set
• Epic Battles: Gettysburg Battle Set
• Union Infantry Brigade sets
• Confederate Infantry Brigade sets
• Artillery and cavalry expansions
• Historical command figures

Why choose this period? American Civil War armies are ideal for collectors who enjoy massed infantry, artillery and historical scenarios.

The Gettysburg Battle Set is particularly appealing for players who want to recreate one of the conflict's most famous engagements.

Anglo-Zulu War: Epic Battles Zulu!

The Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 offers a different battlefield experience from Napoleonic warfare.

British imperial forces equipped with modern rifles and artillery fought the armies of the independent Zulu kingdom.

Warlord Games expanded its Epic Battles range in 2026 with Black Powder Epic Battles: Zulu!, allowing players to recreate engagements such as Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift.

The range focuses on the contrast between British firepower and the mobility, numbers and tactical organization of Zulu forces.

Recommended Kits

• Epic Battles: Zulu! starter sets
• British infantry formations
• Zulu warrior formations
• British artillery and support units
• Historical terrain and defensive positions

Why choose this period? The Anglo-Zulu War offers distinctive historical scenarios, visually different armies and challenging asymmetrical battles.

For players interested in military history, it also provides an opportunity to explore the history of British colonial expansion and Zulu resistance.

Other Warlord Historical Ranges: Pike & Shotte and Hail Caesar

Warlord Games also produces major historical miniature ranges outside the Black Powder period.

Pike & Shotte

Pike & Shotte focuses on warfare during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, including the English Civil Wars and Thirty Years' War.

Its armies feature large formations of pikemen, musketeers, cavalry and artillery.

Warlord also produces Pike & Shotte Epic Battles, making the period accessible to players interested in large historical formations.

Hail Caesar

Hail Caesar focuses on ancient and medieval warfare.

Its miniature ranges cover civilizations such as Rome, Carthage and other ancient armies.

Hail Caesar Epic Battles includes large-scale collections for conflicts such as the Punic Wars.

These are separate game systems, not additional Black Powder armies, but they may appeal to hobbyists who enjoy Warlord's historical miniature style.

Which Warlord Games Historical Period Should You Start With?

Painting Tips for Warlord Games Napoleonic Miniatures

Napoleonic armies are among the most colourful subjects in historical miniature painting.

However, painting dozens or hundreds of soldiers can be intimidating.

The best approach is to develop a repeatable painting process rather than attempting to make every individual miniature a display piece.

1. Paint Infantry in Batches

Paint 8–12 miniatures at a time, applying the same colours across the entire group before moving to the next step.

This is especially effective for uniforms, trousers, equipment and muskets.

2. Research the Correct Uniforms

Napoleonic uniforms changed over time and differed between regiments.

Before painting, decide which campaign and year your army represents.

Historical illustrations and uniform guides are useful references.

3. Use Strong Contrast

Bright uniforms, dark equipment and carefully selected highlights help miniatures remain visually distinct on the tabletop.

For French infantry, blue coats with white or light-coloured equipment can create a striking appearance.

For British infantry, red coats combined with white crossbelts produce an equally recognizable result.

4. Keep Basing Consistent

Matching bases make a historical army look cohesive.

Use consistent earth colours, grass textures and battlefield debris across your regiments.

Check your gaming group's preferred basing conventions before permanently mounting miniatures.

5. Use Flags to Identify Regiments

Flags are among the most effective ways to give historical units personality.

Many Warlord starter sets include printed flag sheets, allowing you to represent specific regiments or national formations.

For best results, carefully fold and shape paper flags rather than leaving them completely flat.

Common Mistakes When Buying Black Powder Kits

Mixing 28mm and Epic Battles Without Planning

Warlord's 28mm and Epic Battles ranges use very different miniature sizes.

Choose one scale for a coherent collection unless you specifically want separate armies or games.

Buying Elite Troops Before Basic Infantry

Imperial Guard and specialized cavalry are exciting, but regular infantry forms the backbone of most Napoleonic armies.

Build your core formations first.

Ignoring Historical Uniform Differences

Not all Napoleonic kits represent the same year or campaign.

Check whether the uniforms and equipment are appropriate for the army you want to recreate.

Buying Too Many Kits at Once

Historical armies can involve substantial painting projects.

Begin with a starter set and expand after completing your first few regiments.

Forgetting About Terrain

Historical battlefields need more than infantry and cavalry.

Fields, roads, farms, hills, hedgerows and villages can make your games more visually appealing and tactically interesting.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Warlord Games Black Powder

Final Verdict: Which Warlord Games Black Powder Kits Are Best?

Warlord Games offers one of the most extensive historical miniature ranges for players interested in the age of muskets, cavalry and artillery.

For beginners, the Black Powder Waterloo Starter Set is our top overall recommendation because it introduces two opposing Napoleonic forces and provides a foundation for learning the game.

Players who already know which army they want should consider the Napoleonic French Waterloo Campaign Starter Army or Napoleonic British Waterloo Campaign Starter Army.

For hobbyists who want to recreate enormous battles with hundreds of soldiers, Black Powder Epic Battles: Waterloo is an especially appealing alternative.

Beyond Napoleonics, Warlord's American Revolution, American Civil War and Anglo-Zulu War ranges offer different historical settings and collecting opportunities.

The best approach is to choose a period that interests you, start with a coherent army collection and expand gradually into additional infantry, cavalry, artillery and terrain.

Whether you're recreating Waterloo, Gettysburg or Isandlwana, Black Powder provides a rewarding way to bring military history to the tabletop.

Ready to start your historical army? Explore Warlord Games Black Powder miniatures at TistaMinis and find your next project.