Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Considering getting into LoTR, but I am having trouble picking an army, I know I'm probably getting Good guys.
It's either Dwarves or Elves.
Which is better for a starting out army, and which one is built up quicker for less $$$.
I'm also maybe considering Gondor Minas Tirith or maybe even Bad Isengard.

Please help!

Also, what is needed to get a good starting army?

Elves probably are cheaper and easier for you.

Decide whether you want High or Wood Elves.

Wood Elves are definitely more shooty than High Elves. High Elves rely heavily on heavily armoured warriors. Wood Elves are the chaps and chappesses in Lothlorien and Mirkwood, High Elves are primarily 2nd Age but also Grey Havens and Rivendell.

The Wood Elves I feel are a lot more flexible.

You should get a set of Wood Elf Warriors, Galadhrim Warriors and Galadhrim Knights - all are plastic. You can field two warbands - one unarmoured Wood Elves and one Galadhrim one (you'll need 6 of the Galadhrim Warriors to represent Knights who have had their horses killed). This goes for a Lothlorien army - instead, you may want to field just pure Wood Elf warriors if you are going to play Mirkwood, but that's a bit fragile. Though that's a fluff reason, field Galadhrim in your Mirkwood army if you don't care about the fluff.

To lead them, you may want Haldir and a few Captains should you want a Lothlorien Army. You could go with Legolas and some captains for Mirkwood.

Have fun with the game!