Like Lions They Fought
by Alan Sharif

Back in IPW #II (April '93), I reviewed 3W's Zulu War 1879. At that time
I stated that I could not imagine anyone producing a finer simulation on
this topic. Well, now those nice people at Command magazine have decided
to give it a try. Like most of their games, it's fast, glossy, easy and
not too long. But have they succceded in bettering the 3W gamc? Read
on....

Each game turn commences with a mutual reinforcement and replacement
phase. British reinforcemcnts enter at any one of their supply source
hexes. Zulus are placed on their home Kralls (villages) provided these
have not been burned by the British. The Zulu replacements are actually
their units involved or eliminated in combat two turns previously.
Therefore, if the British player does not destroy Kralls, the Zulu
player will continue to recycle his units throughout the game. Units
cannot return if their home Krall is destroyed. Also, oncc the Zulu
capital, Ulandi, is destroyed, only three Zulu units may reappear per
turn, regardless of how many Kraals remain standing. Lesson one: torch
those Kraals.

Zulu, and then British, movement follow. The number of stacks thc Zulu
player may move in a turn decreases as more and more Kraals are burned.
This is done by a British unit moving through them, or a Kraal is
automatically burned if in the zone of control of a British unit at
turns end. The less Zulu stacks that can move, the less they can
accomplish. lesson two: torch those Kraals.

During his movement phase, the British player may also build forts and,
after Ulandi is taken, attempt to capture the Zulu leader, Cetshwayo.
Movement factors are high for alI units except British supply columns.
to which their units trace supply. Zulus trace supply to the nearest
standing Kraal, which leads us nicely into lesson three...

There is only one combat phase and it follows movement. Combat is
mandatory bctween all adjacent units. Regardless of whose move
instigated the combat, the British player is the defender, the Zulu the
attacker.

Combat is resolved in a manner similar to 'A House Divided' where units
have hit numbers that a die roll has to equal or be less than. However,
Zulu units are only single step units whilst British are two step in
regulars. Also, Zulus have to undergo British fire before closing to
melee. Despite this, if thc Zulus have sufficient manpower, they can win
many battles. Also, if the Kraals still stand, those units eliminated
will be back in two turns (see lesson one). Units may retreat between
rounds of combat but may suffer losses by doing so. After combat
advances by the victor, he may instigate another round of combat
elsewhere.

A few other simple rules exist for neutral Zulu tribes, British
disasters (caused by losing a battle) and British forts intrinsic
garrisons.

Both this and the 3W game arc simple and quick playing. Thc 3W game has
great fog of war which 'Like Lions Thcy Fought' does not. However, only
this game is playable solo - and very enjoyably so. The XTR/Command game
is also a much better looking and more professional product. I'd
recommend this to any and all wargamers without hesitation.

Better than the 3W game? Different, very different. So let's call it a
draw, shall we?