10 Best Warlord Epic Battles Waterloo Sets (June 2026) Expert Reviews

There is something about the Battle of Waterloo that captures the imagination of every wargamer I know. June 18, 1815 — a rain-soaked field in Belgium where Napoleon’s fortunes finally crumbled against the combined might of Wellington’s British and Blucher’s Prussian forces. It remains the single most iconic battle of the Napoleonic era, and Warlord Games has given us an incredible way to refight it on the tabletop.

The Black Powder Epic Battles Waterloo system uses 1/72 scale plastic miniatures, which means you can field massive armies without needing a mansion-sized gaming table. Each starter set packs hundreds — sometimes over a thousand — figures into a single box, complete with rulebooks, terrain, dice, and everything you need to start playing immediately. Whether you are a seasoned historical wargamer or someone just leaving Warhammer behind for Napoleonic warfare, these sets offer remarkable value.

Our team spent weeks comparing every available set in the Epic Battles Waterloo line to find the best Warlord Epic Battles Waterloo sets for 2026. We looked at figure counts, sculpt quality, army composition, included accessories, and real customer feedback from over 800 reviews. This guide covers all 10 sets currently available, from the massive starter armies down to individual brigade and scenery packs, so you can make the right choice for your tabletop.

Top 3 Warlord Epic Battles Waterloo Sets for 2026

10 Best Warlord Epic Battles Waterloo Sets in 2026

1. Warlord Epic Battles Waterloo: Bonaparte’s French Army Starter Set

When I first unboxed the Bonaparte’s French Army Starter Set, the sheer volume of plastic sprues was staggering. This set contains nearly 1,000 models — 800 line infantry alone, plus six distinct cavalry units, 16 artillery pieces, and 9 brigade commanders. Warlord Games also throws in the Dacoster House as an MDF scenery piece, which gives you an immediate terrain feature straight out of the box. It is a complete French Napoleonic army waiting for your paintbrush.

The cavalry variety is where this set really shines. You get Cuirassiers, Dragoons, Carabiniers, Hussars, Chasseurs a Cheval, and Lancers — six different cavalry types that let you field everything from heavy shock troops to fast reconnaissance units. On the infantry side, 10 units of line infantry give you the backbone of any French force, while 3 units of skirmishing Voltigeurs add a light infantry screen that most opponents will struggle to deal with.

I found the assembly straightforward once you get into a rhythm. The plastic quality is solid, and the detail on these Epic scale figures is impressive for the size. The only thing I noticed is that this is true Epic scale — smaller than standard 1/72 — so if you have fat fingers like me, you will want a good pair of tweezers and some patience. Some customers have reported occasional broken pieces, particularly rifle tips on the Voltigeurs, but that seems to be a shipping issue rather than a manufacturing one.

Army Composition and Playstyle

The French army in Epic Battles Waterloo is all about offensive flexibility. With 10 line infantry units and 6 cavalry types, you can build lists that lean into aggressive cavalry charges, massed infantry assaults, or a balanced combined-arms approach. The 16 artillery pieces give you plenty of fire support options, and the 9 brigade commanders ensure your command structure stays solid across the table.

The Voltigeurs deserve special mention here. In Black Powder rules, skirmishers can harass enemy formations and screen your advancing infantry. Having 3 units of Voltigeurs means you can cover multiple approach lanes, forcing your opponent to deal with them before they can engage your main line. This is historically accurate to how the French actually fought during the Hundred Days campaign.

Scale and Assembly Experience

The Epic scale used in this set measures roughly 13-15mm for individual figures, which is smaller than the 1/72 scale some buyers expect. This is important to understand before purchasing — these are not 28mm figures. The benefit of this smaller scale is that you can fit hundreds of figures on a reasonable tabletop and still have room to maneuver. Assembly took me about two weekends of casual work, with the infantry going quickly and the cavalry requiring a bit more attention due to the separate rider and horse pieces.

2. Warlord Epic Battles Waterloo: Wellington’s British Army Starter Set

Wellington’s British Army Starter Set is the natural rival to the French set, and it matches it almost piece for piece in terms of value and content. You get nearly 1,000 models including 10 units of line infantry, 3 units of the famous 95th Rifles, and 7 cavalry units. The Scots Greys and Household Cavalry are standouts — these are the units that every British Napoleonic player wants on their table.

The inclusion of the 95th Rifles is what sets this box apart from simply being a British copy of the French set. In Black Powder rules, the Rifles operate as elite skirmishers with superior accuracy, and having 3 units of them gives you tactical options that the French starter simply cannot match. On defense, which is how Wellington historically fought at Waterloo, the Rifles can hold key positions and whittle down advancing enemy columns before your line infantry finishes the job.

The La Belle Alliance scenery piece included in this set is the farmhouse that served as Napoleon’s headquarters during the battle. It is a nice MDF model that adds historical flavor to your tabletop. Assembly quality matches the French set — the plastic sculpts are crisp, and the figures go together cleanly. Customer reviews show an 84% five-star rating, which tells you that most buyers are extremely happy with what they get.

British Army Composition and Strengths

The British army composition in this set mirrors Wellington’s actual force structure at Waterloo. The line infantry forms your defensive backbone, while the heavy cavalry — Scots Greys and Household Cavalry — provide devastating counter-charge capability. The Hussars and Light Dragoons give you mobile screening forces that can protect your flanks and pursue broken enemy units.

What I really like about the British army in Epic Battles is how well it suits defensive play. If you enjoy setting up a strong position and making your opponent come to you, the British are ideal. The line infantry form solid squares against cavalry charges, the Rifles harass from ahead of your main line, and your heavy cavalry waits for the perfect moment to counter-attack. This is exactly how Wellington won the real battle.

Value Compared to Individual Sets

Buying the British Army Starter Set gives you everything in one box at a better value than purchasing individual brigade sets separately. The included rulebook alone saves you from needing to buy it standalone, and the scenery piece would cost extra if purchased individually. If you know you want to play British forces, this starter set is the most cost-effective way to build your army. One thing I recommend is grabbing a second starter set if you and a friend want to split the cost — one of you takes British, the other takes French from the split.

3. Warlord Black Powder Waterloo Second Edition Starter Set

The Waterloo Second Edition Starter Set is where I think most complete beginners should start. This is the original entry point into the Black Powder Waterloo system, and it takes a different approach from the big army starter sets. Instead of nearly 1,000 figures for one side, you get 124 miniatures split between British and French forces. This means you can try both armies and learn the rules without committing to one side.

What makes this set special is the included softback A5 version of the Black Powder Second Edition rulebook. This is the full rulebook, not a stripped-down quick-start guide. You also get an easy start guide, 12 Chasseurs a Cheval, 48 French infantry, 48 British infantry, 24 Hanoverian Infantry, a metal Royal Artillery cannon, metal French and British foot commanders, bases for all models, six D6 dice, a card playsheet, and casualty markers. That is a complete game in one box.

The miniatures in this set use a slightly different approach than the Epic Battles line. The figures are larger — closer to traditional wargaming scales — and they have a really impressive level of sculpt detail. I painted a test batch of the British infantry and was genuinely surprised by how crisp the facial features and uniform details were. The metal artillery piece is a nice touch, though I will say the metal commanders and artillery crew require a slightly different painting approach than the plastic figures.

With 314 customer reviews and a 4.7-star rating, this set has proven itself over time. The main drawback is that it is an older product, so you are not getting the massive figure count of the newer Epic Battles starters. But if you want to learn the game system with a manageable number of figures and try both sides before committing, this is the smartest purchase you can make.

What Makes the Second Edition Different

The key difference between this set and the Epic Battles starters is scale and approach. This set uses larger figures with more individual detail, while the Epic Battles sets use smaller figures optimized for mass battles. The Second Edition also includes the full Black Powder Second Edition rulebook, whereas the Epic Battles sets include a bespoke A5 version adapted for Epic scale. If you want to understand the complete Black Powder rules system before diving into Epic scale, this is your starting point.

Who Should Buy This Set

I recommend this set for three types of buyers. First, complete beginners who want to learn the rules with a manageable number of figures. Second, players who want to try both British and French forces before committing to one side. Third, collectors who prefer larger, more detailed individual figures over massed armies. If you already know you want to play Epic scale with hundreds of figures, skip this and go straight to one of the army starter sets.

4. Warlord Epic Battles: Waterloo British Highlanders and Riflemen

If you already own the British Army Starter Set and want to add some of the most iconic units of the Napoleonic era, the Highlanders and Riflemen expansion is exactly what you need. This box gives you 240 pieces including three full Highlander regiments of 80 men each, 24 skirmishing 95th Rifles, three Royal Artillery 5.5-inch howitzers, and three mounted brigade commanders. The Highlanders alone transform the look of your British army on the table.

The 95th Rifles in this set are distinct from those in the starter box because they come in a dedicated skirmishing formation. In Black Powder rules, these Rifles can operate independently ahead of your main line, picking off enemy officers and disrupting formations. I have seen games where a well-positioned unit of Rifles single-handedly stalled an entire French column advance. Having 24 of them gives you serious tactical flexibility.

The howitzers deserve a mention too. Three Royal Artillery 5.5-inch howitzers give you indirect fire capability, which is something the starter set artillery lacks. Being able to lob shells over terrain features and into enemy formations changes the way you approach table setup and army deployment. Just be careful removing them from the sprues — customer reviews consistently mention that the artillery cannons are fragile and can snap if you are not gentle.

Ideal Army Expansions

This set pairs perfectly with the British Army Starter Set. Take the starter as your foundation, add the Highlanders for visual variety and the extra Rifles for skirmish screen depth, and you have a formidable British force that covers every tactical role. The three howitzers give you fire support that the starter set alone lacks. I would recommend this as your first expansion purchase after the starter.

Painting and Customization

The Highlander figures offer a fun painting challenge. Their tartan kilts and distinctive bonnets make them some of the most colorful units in any Napoleonic army. Even at Epic scale, the sculpt detail captures the essential features of the Highland uniform. One tip from my own experience: paint the kilts in a simple two-tone pattern rather than trying for a full tartan at this scale. The results look great on the table without requiring a magnifying glass and infinite patience.

5. Warlord Epic Battles: Waterloo French Middle and Old Guard

The Imperial Guard was Napoleon’s elite — the army within the army. This set lets you field three battalions of Guard infantry, each with 80 men, plus 30 Marines of the Guard and 30 Engineers of the Guard. You also get three Foot Artillery 12-pounders and three mounted brigade commanders. For French players, this is the box that lets you add the most feared infantry of the Napoleonic era to your tabletop.

One thing I love about this set is that the figures come molded in blue plastic. This is a small detail that makes a real difference when painting. The French line infantry wore blue coats, so the base plastic color already matches the primary uniform color. A simple wash and highlight over the blue plastic gives you a perfectly serviceable tabletop result, which saves significant painting time when you are dealing with 300 figures.

The sculpt quality matches what I expect from Warlord Games. The Guard figures have distinctive bearskin caps and the martial bearing you would expect from Napoleon’s finest. The optional head options are a nice touch — you can build the battalions as the poorer-uniformed Middle Guard or the full-dress Old Guard depending on your preference. I built mine as a mix of both for visual variety on the table.

The main issue customers raise is scale accuracy. These figures measure roughly 12-13mm rather than the 15mm or 1/72 that some listings suggest. This does not affect gameplay at all since Epic Battles uses its own basing system, but it does mean you cannot easily mix these with figures from other manufacturers or scales. If you are committed to the Epic Battles system, this is a non-issue. If you were hoping to blend these with existing 15mm collections, you may be disappointed.

Guard Units in Gameplay

In Black Powder rules, Guard infantry are elite units with superior morale and fighting ability. They hold their ground when regular infantry would break, and they hit harder in melee. Having three battalions of Guard infantry means you can anchor your battle line with units that will not run. The Marines and Engineers add flavor and can be used for scenario-specific objectives, like defending fortified positions or manning barricades.

Historical Accuracy and Detail

Warlord Games has done a solid job with historical accuracy on the Guard figures. The bearskin caps, epaulettes, and uniform details are all appropriate for the Imperial Guard at Waterloo. The optional head options for Middle Guard are a particularly nice touch, as the Middle Guard did indeed have a less elaborate uniform than the Old Guard. This attention to detail matters to historical wargamers, and it shows that Warlord took the research seriously.

6. Warlord Epic Battles Waterloo: British Infantry Brigade

The British Infantry Brigade is the building block set for British players who want to expand beyond the starter army. This single box gives you enough models to field a complete brigade: three British line infantry regiments of 80 men each, a regiment of 95th Rifles with 60 men, a 3-gun Royal Artillery 9-pounder battery, and three mounted brigade commanders. That is a self-contained tactical unit ready for the table.

I like this set for players who already have the British Starter Set and want to bulk up their infantry line. Adding another full brigade gives you more tactical flexibility — you can extend your battle line, reinforce weak points, or create a reserve force for counter-attacks. The 95th Rifles regiment is particularly welcome because it lets you screen another section of the battlefield.

The sculpt quality is consistent with the rest of the Epic Battles line. The line infantry have the classic British “thin red line” look with their shakos and red coats, while the Rifles stand out in their distinctive dark green. At 4.4 stars from 45 reviews, the feedback is positive, with customers particularly praising the detail quality and the fact that this single box provides a complete, playable formation.

Brigade Loadout and Flexibility

A complete brigade in Black Powder terms gives you a self-contained command structure. The three mounted brigade commanders mean you can issue orders to each infantry regiment independently, which is important for maintaining coordination across the table. The 9-pounder battery provides direct fire support that can soften up enemy formations before your infantry commits to an assault. This brigade can operate independently or as part of a larger division-level force.

Assembly Tips for Beginners

If this is your first Epic Battles set, here are a few tips I learned the hard way. First, snip the figures from the sprue with a proper pair of plastic cutters — do not twist or pull them off. The smaller connections on the rifle barrels and bayonets snap easily. Second, use plastic cement rather than super glue for assembly. The cement creates a proper plastic weld that is much stronger. Third, prime everything with a light gray spray primer before painting. The detail picks up much better on a primed surface than on bare plastic.

7. Warlord Epic Battles Waterloo: Prussian Infantry Brigade

No Waterloo collection is complete without the Prussians. Blucher’s arrival on the afternoon of June 18th turned the battle from a close-run thing into a decisive victory for the Allies, and the Prussian Infantry Brigade lets you field the forces that made it happen. This set gives you three Prussian line or light infantry regiments of 80 men each, three bases of Jagers, a 3-gun Foot Artillery 12-pounder battery, and three mounted brigade commanders.

The Prussians play differently from both the British and the French in Epic Battles. Their infantry is solid but not flashy, and their strength lies in aggressive advance and willingness to take casualties. The Jagers are your skirmish element, similar to the French Voltigeurs or British Rifles, and they give you a light infantry screen that can slow enemy advances. The 12-pounder battery provides solid artillery support for your advancing columns.

With a 4.3-star rating from 23 reviews, the Prussian Infantry Brigade has less customer feedback than the British and French sets, but what exists is generally positive. The main complaints involve scale confusion — some customers expected 28mm figures based on the listing and received the smaller Epic scale. There is also an isolated report of a customer receiving cavalry instead of infantry, which appears to be a fulfillment error rather than a packaging issue.

Prussian Army Role at Waterloo

In a historically accurate Waterloo scenario, the Prussians arrive from the east as reinforcements. This means you can use the Prussian Infantry Brigade to either expand an Allied army or to create a dedicated Prussian force that arrives mid-game. The Jagers are particularly useful in this role because they can quickly deploy to screen your advancing columns as they march onto the table. In competitive play, Prussians are often paired with British forces for a combined Allied army.

Combining With Other Sets

I recommend combining the Prussian Infantry Brigade with the British Army Starter Set for a full Allied force. The British form your defensive anchor while the Prussians provide the aggressive offensive punch that arrives as reinforcements. If you want a pure Prussian army, you will need multiple boxes of this set plus the Prussian cavalry — which is not yet widely available on Amazon but can be found through specialty retailers. For most players, one or two Prussian brigade boxes plus the British starter gives you everything you need for a complete Waterloo game.

8. Warlord Epic Battles Waterloo: French Heavy Cavalry Brigade

The French Heavy Cavalry Brigade is one of the most visually impressive sets in the Epic Battles Waterloo line. Cuirassiers in their gleaming breastplates, Carabiniers in their distinctive helmets, and Dragoons on their powerful horses — these are the units that broke infantry squares and decided battles. This set gives you four bases of Cuirassiers, three bases of Carabiniers, three bases of Dragoons, and a 3-gun horse artillery 6-pounder battery.

In gameplay terms, heavy cavalry is your hammer. The Cuirassiers are the toughest cavalry in the game, capable of charging head-on into formed infantry and coming out on top. The Carabiniers provide a slightly faster alternative for flanking maneuvers, and the Dragoons offer a flexible option that can fight on foot if needed. The horse artillery battery keeps pace with your cavalry, providing fire support that disrupts enemy formations before you commit to a charge.

The sculpt quality on this set is outstanding. Even at Epic scale, the Cuirassiers’ breastplates and the Carabiniers’ helmets are clearly distinguishable. The horses are well-proportioned and come with separate riders that attach cleanly. At 4.6 stars from 16 reviews, this is one of the highest-rated expansion sets in the line. Customers particularly praise the included bases, which make it easy to get your cavalry table-ready quickly.

Cavalry Impact on Gameplay

Heavy cavalry changes the dynamic of any Black Powder game. Infantry commanders have to respect the threat of a cavalry charge by keeping their units in square formation, which reduces their firepower and maneuverability. This creates opportunities for your own infantry and artillery to exploit. I have found that even the threat of a cavalry charge — without actually committing to one — can dictate an opponent’s deployment and movement decisions for multiple turns.

Best Army Pairings

This cavalry brigade pairs naturally with the French Army Starter Set to create a complete French force with strong offensive capability. The starter set gives you the infantry and some cavalry, and adding this heavy cavalry brigade gives you the elite shock troops that can break through determined opposition. I also recommend adding the French Middle and Old Guard set for a French army that has infantry, elite infantry, light cavalry, heavy cavalry, and artillery — a force that can handle anything your opponent throws at you.

9. Warlord Epic Battles Waterloo: Hougoumont Scenery Pack

Hougoumont is probably the most famous farmhouse in military history. The desperate British defense of this position against repeated French assaults was one of the defining moments of Waterloo, and this scenery pack lets you recreate it on your tabletop. The set contains an unassembled and unpainted model of the Hougoumont complex, ready for you to build and paint to match your table.

From a gameplay perspective, the Hougoumont model creates a strong defensive position that can anchor one side of your battlefield. In Black Powder rules, buildings provide hard cover for infantry, making them difficult to dislodge. A unit of British infantry garrisoning Hougoumont can hold off a much larger French force, which is exactly what happened historically. This makes the scenery pack not just a visual upgrade but a tactical element that changes how both players approach the game.

Customer reviews give this set a solid 4.4-star rating, with buyers praising the ease of assembly once they figure out the instructions. The main complaint is that the building identification in the instructions can be confusing — there are multiple structures in the Hougoumont complex, and telling which piece goes where takes some patience. My advice is to dry-fit everything before gluing, and reference historical maps or images of the actual farmstead to understand the layout.

Historical Significance of Hougoumont

The defense of Hougoumont consumed enormous French resources throughout the battle. Wellington famously said that the success of the battle turned on the closing of the gates at Hougoumont. Having this terrain piece on your table not only looks impressive but creates historically accurate gameplay conditions. The French player must decide whether to commit forces to taking the farmhouse or bypass it and risk being shot at from the flank. It is the same dilemma Napoleon’s commanders faced on the day.

Assembly and Table Setup

The MDF construction means this scenery pack goes together with standard wood glue or PVA. The pieces are laser-cut for precision, so the fit is generally tight and clean. I recommend painting the individual components before final assembly — it is much easier to get a brush into corners when the walls are flat on your workbench. Once assembled, the Hougoumont model becomes a centerpiece terrain feature that elevates the look of any Waterloo battlefield.

10. Warlord Epic Battles Waterloo: Plancenoit Scenery Pack

The Plancenoit Scenery Pack rounds out our list with a terrain piece that represents the scene of some of the fiercest fighting during the Battle of Waterloo. The Prussian capture of Plancenoit village threatened Napoleon’s right flank and helped seal the fate of the French army. This set includes a laser-cut model of the church at Plancenoit, complete with outer cemetery walls and gravestones.

Manufactured by Sarissa Precision for Warlord Games, the laser-cut components are clean and precise. The church model captures the essential architecture of a rural French church, and the cemetery walls and gravestones add atmospheric detail that makes your battlefield feel lived-in and authentic. In gameplay terms, the church provides a strong defensive position, while the cemetery walls offer partial cover for troops fighting in and around the village.

At 4.2 stars from 11 reviews, this is the most niche product in the Epic Battles Waterloo line. It is not something you need to start playing — but if you want to build a historically accurate Waterloo battlefield that includes all three major action areas (Hougoumont, La Haye Sainte, and Plancenoit), this set completes the picture. The low stock availability is worth noting, so if you see it available, I would recommend grabbing it sooner rather than later.

The Battle for Plancenoit

The fighting around Plancenoit was brutal and decisive. As the Prussians pushed through the village, they forced Napoleon to divert his Young Guard and then his Old Guard to the defense of his flank. This weakened the French center at exactly the moment Wellington was preparing his own counter-attack. Having the Plancenoit church on your eastern table edge creates a secondary objective that draws French resources away from the main battle, just as it did in history.

Display and Diorama Potential

Beyond gameplay, the Plancenoit church makes a fantastic display piece. The laser-cut detail rewards careful painting, and the church surrounded by its cemetery walls creates a visually striking centerpiece. I have seen dioramas where builders combined the Hougoumont and Plancenoit scenery packs on a full-sized Waterloo table, and the result was genuinely impressive. If you enjoy the modeling and painting side of the hobby as much as the gaming, this set offers a satisfying build project.

Buying Guide: Choosing the Right Epic Battles Waterloo Set

With 10 different sets available, picking the right one can feel overwhelming. I have broken down the key decision points to help you choose based on your experience level, budget, and what kind of army you want to build.

Understanding Epic Scale

The single most common question from new players is about scale. Warlord Epic Battles miniatures are approximately 13-15mm tall, which is smaller than the 1/72 scale that some retailers list. This is not a defect — it is intentional. The smaller scale allows you to field realistic-sized Napoleonic armies on a standard 6×4 foot gaming table. If you are coming from 28mm games like Warhammer, expect the figures to be significantly smaller but the battles to feel much larger.

The Epic Battles system uses multi-figure bases rather than individual figures. A single base might hold 8 to 12 figures, and you maneuver the base as a single unit. This speeds up gameplay considerably compared to moving individual figures, and it means a starter set with 1,000 figures translates to roughly 100-120 maneuver elements — a reasonable number for an afternoon game.

Starter Set vs Individual Brigade Sets

Your first purchase should be a starter set, not an individual brigade. The starter sets — French Army, British Army, or Second Edition — include the rulebook, dice, terrain, and enough figures for a complete army. Individual brigade sets assume you already have the rules and basic gaming accessories. The starter sets also provide better value per figure than the brigade boxes, so you save money by starting big.

If you are brand new to historical wargaming and want to learn the rules with a manageable number of figures, start with the Waterloo Second Edition Starter Set. It gives you both British and French forces, the full rulebook, and a gentler introduction to the game system. If you already know you want to play Epic scale with massive armies, go straight to either the French Army Starter Set or the British Army Starter Set.

Choosing Your Army: French, British, or Prussian

The French army is the best choice for players who enjoy offensive gameplay. With 6 cavalry types, massive infantry blocks, and strong artillery, the French can dictate the pace of battle. Their Voltigeurs provide excellent skirmish capability, and the Imperial Guard expansion gives you elite troops that can anchor your battle line. If you like being the aggressor, play French.

The British army suits players who prefer a defensive approach. Wellington’s famous reverse-slope tactics translate well to the tabletop — set up a strong defensive position, let the French come to you, and counter-attack at the right moment. The 95th Rifles are the best skirmishers in the game, and the Scots Greys provide devastating heavy cavalry for counter-charges. If you enjoy tactical patience and timing your strikes, play British.

The Prussians are ideal if you want to play as part of an Allied team or if you love the idea of arriving as reinforcements to save the day. Prussian infantry is solid and their aggressive doctrine means they fight well on the advance. The Jagers give you a capable skirmish screen. Most Prussian players field their army alongside a British ally in historically accurate scenarios.

What You Need Beyond the Box

Every set in the Epic Battles Waterloo line requires assembly and painting. Here is what you need that does not come in any box. Plastic cement or super glue for assembly. A pair of sharp plastic cutters or sprue nippers for removing figures from sprues. A craft knife for cleaning mold lines. Spray primer for preparing figures for paint. Acrylic paints and brushes in various sizes. A pair of tweezers for handling small parts at Epic scale.

For gaming, you need a table (6×4 feet is ideal for Epic Battles), some felt or cloth for a gaming mat, measuring tape or rulers, and an opponent. The starter sets include dice, but you may want extra D6 dice for larger games. Movement trays are optional since the Epic Battles system uses its own basing approach, but some players like to add magnetic sheeting to the bottom of their bases for transport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

The best Warlord Epic Battles Waterloo sets deliver something that few other tabletop wargaming systems can match: the ability to field historically accurate Napoleonic armies at a price that will not break the bank. The French and British Army Starter Sets are the standout products, each offering nearly 1,000 miniatures with rulebooks, terrain, and accessories in a single box. The Second Edition Starter Set remains the best entry point for complete beginners who want to learn the rules before committing to a full army.

For 2026, my top recommendation is the Bonaparte’s French Army Starter Set for its incredible cavalry variety and massive figure count. If you prefer a defensive playstyle, Wellington’s British Army Starter Set offers equally impressive value. Either way, you are getting one of the best values in historical wargaming — a complete army, rules, and terrain for a fraction of what other systems charge. Pick a side, build your army, and refight one of the most famous battles in military history on your own tabletop.