Dacians vs Early Imperial Roman Cavalry: 28mm Matchup
By Victrix Limited 28mm miniatures | Published: 2026-11-03
Category: 比較分析
Compare the Dacian warrior set and Early Imperial Roman Cavalry for 28mm Dacian Wars games. See the trade-offs in size, weapons, and painting before you buy.
Quick answer
Choose the Dacians if you want a large, characterful infantry force with the feared falx and plenty of archers; choose Early Imperial Roman Cavalry if you want a smaller, highly detailed mounted unit with campaign gear and multiple head and arm options. For most Dacian Wars games, the Dacians give you more table presence per purchase, while the Roman cavalry gives you a faster, more customizable elite unit.
Why the Dacian set changes your army size
The Dacians set contains 60 high-quality 28mm miniatures, which is enough to form several infantry units or a solid core for a Dacian Wars force. The main warrior type carries a spear and shield, with sword or knife as a secondary weapon, and the set also includes a significant number of archers. The falx—a two-handed scythe-like weapon—is the piece that gives the force its reputation against Roman troops. If you want a army that feels like a mass of warriors rather than a small elite, this is the set to start with.
What the Roman cavalry set gives you instead
Early Imperial Roman Cavalry is a 16-miniature set of mounted figures, which makes it a much smaller purchase in terms of figure count. The figures are armed with gladius, javelins, and spears, and the set includes both chainmail and scale armour variants plus multiple head and arm options. Javelin cases, water bottles, and bedrolls are also included, which helps you build a campaign look rather than a parade-ground unit. The trade-off is clear: you get fewer figures, but each one is more detailed and more customizable.
The real trade-off: mass versus mounted detail
The Dacians offer quantity and a mix of troop types—spearmen, archers, and falx-armed warriors—so you can build a varied infantry force from one box. The Roman cavalry offers a single mounted unit with high detail and options, but you will need multiple boxes to field a large cavalry force. Neither set is 'better' in isolation; the choice depends on whether your collection needs a broad infantry core or a small, striking mounted contingent. For Dacian Wars wargaming, many players will want both eventually, but starting with the Dacians gives you more immediate gameplay options.
Trade-offs to weigh before you buy
- Figure count vs. detail: Dacians give you 60 figures with simpler individual detail; Roman Cavalry gives you 16 figures with high detail and multiple build options. Choose Dacians for mass and value, Roman Cavalry for a small showcase unit. If you are building a new army from scratch, start with Dacians to get units on the table quickly.
- Weapon mix vs. mounted mobility: Dacians include spearmen, archers, and falx-armed warriors, offering a range of infantry roles. Roman Cavalry includes gladius, javelins, and spears on mounted figures, offering speed and flexibility but fewer total models. Dacians suit defensive or mixed infantry tactics; Roman Cavalry suits flanking and pursuit in Dacian Wars scenarios.
- Painting and assembly time: The Roman Cavalry set includes multiple head and arm options and campaign accessories, which adds assembly and painting time per figure. The Dacians set has a larger number of figures but fewer build options per figure, so the total time may be higher for the Dacians if you paint every model. If you want a quick painting project, the Roman Cavalry is a smaller commitment; if you enjoy batch-painting infantry, the Dacians are more efficient per unit.
Key facts at a glance
- Early Imperial Roman Cavalry: 16 highly detailed 28mm miniatures, including chainmail and scale armour variants plus multiple head and arm options. You can build a visually varied cavalry unit with campaign gear, but the small figure count means you will need several sets for a full mounted force.
Early Imperial Roman Cavalry - Dacians: 60 high-quality 28mm miniatures, including spearmen, archers, and falx-armed warriors. One set gives you enough figures for multiple infantry units, making it a strong starting point for a Dacian Wars army.
Dacians
Which set fits your collection?
Best for
- Players building a Dacian Wars army who need a large infantry core with falx and archers
- Wargamers who want a varied, characterful force with plenty of models for the money
Not for
- Collectors who prefer a small, highly detailed mounted unit with multiple build options
- Players who specifically need Roman auxiliary cavalry tactics and do not want infantry
