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Hi DD ... I've just started playing LoTr (SBG) and come across a problemo with when to take the courage test.

As far as I read things, each player takes a courage test at the beginning of their movement phase, if broken, etc, not both at the beginning of the game turn, before the move phase of both players?

Their are pro's & con's to this rule, one being if you lose the priority, the opposing player might charge your forces, thus keeping them on the table as they won't need to check their courage as their fighting in close hand-2-hand combat! Of course, if you win priority (which you don't really want too ... see this link from the GW website ... Core Tactics for The Lord of The Rings) you'll have to test your forces if broken, usually causing a rout and quick end to a game!

Anyway, any advice or pointers appreciated! ... Walts (aka "Balrog")

Well, first off al priority is very useful, and it depends on the courage value if you want it or not.
If you play elves, you don't mind taking tests, becouse you have 5 courage. But it's different with Orcs, as they have 2 courage. And most off them will run away. But if you have a good hero, like a Nazgul, then he (or whatever it is ) can keep your troops togheter with his standfast.

Oh, and you only have to take priority tests at your beginning of your movement phase.

I hope i helped you a little.

Hi Hasharii ... Thanks for the advice, and pointers on some baddies to help boost the courage test rolls!

It's like I thought, based on reading the full courage rule description. I'd only started playing LoTr (SBG) again after a 1 years lie time, so forgot the bulk of the advanced rules ... courage being one of those. Whilest playing a few weeks ago, I'd suggested to everyone that we focus on the basic rules to get the feel of the game, but one player suggested we try the courage in the middle of the game and thats when I got confused ... trying to play a game whilst reading the rules is not a good idea, especially when I was getting massacred! Lesson learned!!

Here's a link to our club photo's ... LoTr Battle - Prestwick Club

If you only read small segments of any rules, it's easy to see how to get confused, but now someone else has confirmed my thoughts, along with my mate for Weds game, then I'll pass on the info. Thanks again, Walts.

Well, what do you run? Orcs Goblins Easterlings Harad? For Goblins using the Goblin Drum is hilarious as it makes all enemy models have -1 courage, which is great when fighting men or similiar 3 courage factions, and great for your own forces, as it boosts them to courage 3. Tag that with the Goblin King in your centre and you can actually have a pretty solid core courage wise.

Hi RB ... Here's a list of my LoTr models ...

>>> LoTr Models

... Which I keep adding too. I love fielding my Harads ... their well painted and look the best, and all from eBay!

As I've never been big on playing courage much in the game, I've never really bothered much with troops which can help, but I'm looking on eBay even now! ... Thanks, Walts

Well, like I said, if you use the Goblin force that I described, you throw in some monsters for killiness and away you go. There isn't much you can do for your other factions as far as I am aware in ways of courage boosting, though aside from standfast there really isn't much you need in forces that are a majority courage 3. So you should be fine with the rest of your models.

Courage pretty much just speeds up the game/makes things that cause terror much more valuable as a distraction.

My favourite courage tactic is still the Goblin Drum/Dhurburz that I listed above, as since his courage 4 is boosted to 5, and any goblin within 12 inches of him can use his courage, you now have the staying power of Elves. Which is a great surprise to opponents who think that if they break your force they expect you to scamper like the dickens.

Nice tactics rB!!! ... I'll need to invest in some Goblin Drum/Dhurburz models and keep this in mind. I usually only field Goblins as volley fire troops, 20 plus models, which is pretty deadly! ... Walts

Wouldn't it be great if there was a good version of the goblin drum. Then gandalf's courage 7 would be 8. (the lowest result of 2d6 is 2, 2+8=10) That along with the white rider special rule...

goblet270 wrote:Wouldn't it be great if there was a good version of the goblin drum. Then gandalf's courage 7 would be 8. (the lowest result of 2d6 is 2, 2+8=10) That along with the white rider special rule...

In RotK edition of the rules, Uruk-hai Berserkers used to have Courage 8. It was hell.

Balrog wrote:Of course, if you win priority (which you don't really want too ... see this link from the GW website ... Core Tactics for The Lord of The Rings) you'll have to test your forces if broken, usually causing a rout and quick end to a game!

Here's a hint - GW doesn't know how to play their games. Sometimes it is good to not have Priority, but it depends on your playing style. If you're a defensive player, then yeah, lose Priority all you want, but I would prefer to be in control of the game, with my opponent reacting to what I do. Of course, even for this style you don't have to have Priority, but it's a suggestion