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There is a campaign starting up later this month at the GW near me for LOTR. I know absolutely nothing about the game but admire the models. I figure this is as good a time as any to get started. I'm looking for advice for a good starting point. Initially the battles are going to be 250 points. I'm assuming that is a low point level. My thoughts are to just pick up the Mines of Moria box and build a goblin force around what comes with it. If I go that route I'll have a good jump start on models and also have the mini rulebook. What other books/models should I consider investing in initially?

Other forces that interest me would be building a force of hobbits, or Mirkwood elves. This is simply based on preference from reading the novels, without any knowledge of how well they might be on the table.

I don't recommend hobbits because the infantry are all metal.

Wood Elves can be done, they are really cool to play.

Now, the mines of moria set comes with the mini rulebook (it doesn't contain all of the statlines for models, that's what the new sourcebooks are for) and 205 points of Moria goodness.

You can pick one of those up on ebay for about $8 though.

Now, with the new LOTR rules, your force must be organised into warbands. Each warband must have a hero to lead it and may take up to 12 units in that warband. The entire army may have up to 33% of its models equipped with bows. Bows are useful.

Now I'll break Moria and Elves down.

Moria (one of my preferred armies) -

Sourcebook - http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?catId=cat750031a&prodId=prod1460079a

Basic Troops - Goblins, you can never have enough. A cave troll or two does a lot of heavy hitting for you.

Moria Goblin captains are some of the best (partly because they're cheap) in the game. Shamans can cast fury, which revives a dead goblin within range on a 6. This is very useful for a horde list. Durburz is another good hero.

I don't recommend Balrogs, Cave Drakes, or Dragons for most games. They just aren't fun for most battles.

Wood Elves -

Sourcebook - http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/catalog/productDetail.jsp?catId=cat750014a&prodId=prod1460061a

Your basic troops would be wood elves, which have the highest fight value in game (you auto-win a combat in the event of a tie), but that isn't overly important in most cases.
Wood Elves can be kitted with elven cloaks, which stealth you from bow fire (there is a range on this). I like to run them with blades and throwing knives (you get to throw a knife (you could shoot a guy, then charge his buddy) before you charge into combat)

For leaders, I like Legolas and Haldir, the captains are quite good too.

Sentinels have their purposes in some cases, but I've never seen them.

A banner can be quite helpful (reroll a die to win a combat), but don't overdo it, they can get costly.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also, where in New York?

Yeah, go Elves or else you will be making warbands bit by bit with pewter blisters.

Alas tis the same for -any- Haradrim infantry deviating from Warriors.

Thanks for the breakdown Dr. What. After looking over a few of the sourcebooks tonight I think I'm going to go with a Moria force. The Mines of Moria box set is a really good deal, and it'll give me a good base to build my force around, plus the extra Fellowship models to paint. My plan to get started will be to use all of the goblins and the troll in the Moria box, and add a couple captains and a shaman. I think that should put me at or around the 250 mark I need to start the campaign. I think I might grab a warg marauder, mainly because I think it looks cool.

Dr. What wrote:
Also, where in New York?

I'm actually located in the Saint Louis area.

You could always paint up the base of an elf differently, then designate him as a captain.

Why did I say New York? I must be going insane....

Easterlings are your friends. No metal models, and a easy way to buold a effective force.

helium42 wrote:Thanks for the breakdown Dr. What. After looking over a few of the sourcebooks tonight I think I'm going to go with a Moria force. The Mines of Moria box set is a really good deal, and it'll give me a good base to build my force around, plus the extra Fellowship models to paint. My plan to get started will be to use all of the goblins and the troll in the Moria box, and add a couple captains and a shaman. I think that should put me at or around the 250 mark I need to start the campaign. I think I might grab a warg marauder, mainly because I think it looks cool.

Good man, get yourself the command set and Durburz too and you'll have plenty to kick butt with, would also be worth picking up another 2 dozen goblins from ebay too.

Trondheim wrote:Easterlings are your friends. No metal models, and a easy way to buold a effective force.

Could see this coming a mile off

@ Scottie : How could that possible be done? Also Isengard works well. That is if you enjoy painting Uruks

I may just do exactly that. Order warriors *Since I've room for yet -more- archers* and put the banners raiders get across their backs.