Black Powder Zulu War: Is Epic Battles a Good Way to Start Historical Wargaming?
Yes, Black Powder Epic Battles: Zulu! can be a good introduction to historical mass-battle wargaming, if you want the army-building hobby as much as the game. The Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana battle sets include opposing forces, the Anglo-Zulu War rulebook, a how-to-play booklet, terrain, dice, and a battlemat. That gives two newcomers a clear starting purchase.
The main hurdle is preparation. This is a substantial miniatures project, not a ready-to-play board game. Choose it because you want to build historical formations and learn their scenarios, not because a large box necessarily means an easy first game.
Is this the right first project for you?
| Your priority | Our advice |
|---|---|
| Commanding formations rather than individual characters | A strong reason to consider Epic Battles. |
| Starting with a friend and one shared purchase | A battle set supplies both forces and learning materials. |
| Building a recognizable historical battlefield | Consider Rorke's Drift and its mission buildings. |
| Collecting massed troops and several troop types | Look at Isandlwana. |
| Trying a small painting project first | A brigade can be a hobby trial, but is not a standalone game. |
| Very few models and minimal preparation | A smaller project is likely a better fit. |
What kind of historical wargaming are you starting?
Epic Battles: Zulu! sits at the mass-battle end of the hobby. Its appeal is an army made up of formations, supported by coherent painting and basing, rather than a handful of individually named adventurers.
The setting is the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, following the British invasion of the independent Zulu Kingdom. British-led forces included regular infantry and African and colonial contingents; Zulu forces were organized military formations. Learning about the people, terrain, and decisions behind the scenarios adds depth beyond comparing equipment.
Interest in the period matters. It is what will keep you working on the next formation after the excitement of opening the box has passed.
Rorke's Drift or Isandlwana?
| Consideration | Rorke's Drift | Isandlwana |
|---|---|---|
| Main attraction | Mission-station defence and distinctive terrain | Massed formations and varied troop types |
| Zulu infantry bases listed | 80 | 160 |
| Standout components | 13 character miniatures, hospital, storehouse, and defensive pieces | Mounted/dismounted troops, two cannon, rocket launcher, and camp scenery |
| Preparation to consider | Buildings and barricades alongside the troops | A larger Zulu force and several troop types |
Base counts are not individual miniature counts or a measure of army strength. Use the scenario's unit definitions when setting up.
Rorke's Drift is our terrain-focused recommendation. Its recognizable mission station gives the project a clear visual identity, but the MDF buildings and resin defences also need preparation. A contained historical setting does not automatically mean less hobby work or simpler rules.
Isandlwana suits someone drawn to a large army collection, mounted troops, and artillery. Prior wargaming experience is not a prerequisite for enjoying that project; a realistic plan for preparing it is more useful.
For the detailed contents and expansion breakdown, read our Black Powder Epic Battles Zulu War: Complete Product Overview. Here, the important choice is which project you actually want to build.
What does the box solve, and what is still up to you?
Both battle-set listings include the Black Powder Epic Battles: The Anglo-Zulu War A5 rulebook, Zulu How to Play booklet, both sides, terrain, bases, an A0 double-sided battlemat, and six six-sided dice. That reduces the number of separate gaming purchases to research.
You still need suitable assembly tools and adhesives, plus primer, paints, brushes, and basing supplies if you plan to paint the collection. Follow the manufacturer's preparation guidance for plastic, resin, and MDF rather than treating every material the same way.
Compare the whole project cost, including supplies and storage, using current CAD prices and ordering status on the linked product pages. Cost per miniature is not the most useful measure if the collection is too large for you to finish.
Identify a playing partner and a suitable surface before buying. An A0 mat does not by itself confirm the recommended playing area for every scenario. Read the setup instructions and allow room for reference materials, dice, and tracking.
A manageable route to your first game
- Read the learning materials first. Check the basing and scenario instructions before committing every component to a layout.
- Finish a test batch from each force. Try your colours, adhesives, and basing method before repeating them across the army.
- Practise the fundamentals. Work through movement, firing, combat, and tracking. A reduced-force practice exercise is not automatically a balanced scenario.
- Play the supplied scenario. Follow its setup and objectives, leaving time to consult the rules.
- Review before expanding. Decide whether you need more formations or simply more time with the existing collection.
If you are sharing the set, divide the painting by force and share the terrain work. Aim for models and bases that are easy to distinguish. Consistent ground colours and a repeatable painting process matter more to a first army than perfecting every tiny detail.
Can you start with a smaller brigade box?
Yes, as a painting trial. The British Army Brigade lists 16 infantry bases, split evenly between British infantry and Natal Native Contingent troops. The Zulu Impi Brigade lists 24 bases, split evenly between married and unmarried Zulu warriors.
Neither is an equivalent two-player starter. You still need rules, an opponent's force, and the other components for your chosen scenario. This route is particularly useful if a friend already has those available.
What should you add later?
Expand to meet the needs of a scenario, rather than collecting reinforcements automatically. The infantry brigades add more formations; the British Army Cavalry Brigade adds mounted and dismounted representations of colonial troops. Check the rules before counting those representations as separate forces to field simultaneously.
The British Army Casualty Markers and Zulu Impi Casualty Markers each list 18 Warlord Resin markers. Treat them as a visual upgrade after learning the required tracking, not a prerequisite for your first purchase.
Beginner FAQs
Do I need a separate rulebook?
Not with the two battle sets discussed here: both listings include the Anglo-Zulu War rulebook and how-to-play booklet. Do not assume brigade or marker boxes include them.
Can I mix these with a 28mm collection?
Do not assume compatibility. These products belong to Warlord Games' smaller Epic Battles format. Check manufacturer dimensions and basing guidance before combining ranges.
Do I need both battle sets?
No. One provides a starting project with opposing forces. Buying both immediately duplicates some gaming components and increases the preparation workload.
How long does a game take?
Plan around the chosen scenario rather than expecting a fixed duration. Your first sessions also need time for setup and rules questions.
Can I learn on my own?
Owning both sides lets you practise handling units and work through examples yourself. That does not establish a dedicated solo opponent system; check the rules if solo play is your main requirement.
The verdict
Choose Epic Battles: Zulu! if historical formations, the period, and the hobby project appeal to you. Start with the battlefield you most want to recreate, prepare it in manageable stages, and let your first games guide the next purchase. If minimal assembly and a tiny collection are your priorities, this is probably not the best starting route.
Product details are based on the linked Tistaminis listings. Check each product page for current contents, price, availability, and ordering status.