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Hello! I've been away from LotR/The Hobbit SBG for quite some time. I'm looking to start by getting two forces that I can drum up interest with at my Friendly but-not-so-local Gaming Store. What do you suggest as two flavorful starting armies? Let's say 500 points a piece and won't cause my wallet to burst into flames at the mere thought of buying them? Thanks in advance!

Two classic matchups would be Gondor/Minas Tirith versus Mordor, OR Rohan versus Isengard. Both have plastic troops aplenty (all over ebay for cheap), command models and recognizable heroes from the movies.

That does sound like a good place to start. Bummer, the Kingdoms of Men book is out of stock right now.

I personally find that a nice even spread for most armies is 4 troops, 2 cavalry, and then a sprinkling of elites and hero's depending on the theme you want. Gives you a nice selection of troops to play with.

Yeah, fixing up some ebay plastic models is the way to go. For 40 bucks, it is possible to get more than you bargained for.

Everyone knows Helm's Deep and thus Rohan v Isengard is a safe choice. From what I have experienced, outsiders all agree that Uruk-hai are awesome and so are cav. Do not forget to throw in Aragorn, Legolas, Eomer, and Gimli at some point to rope in those people who love characters.

These fine fellows here can assist you with list-building if you desire.

All good points, thanks for the help guys, let me do some thinking.

Uruk Hai are excellent models and paint up nicely with a simple paint job, so they are ideal. Rohan, of course, have horses so a bit more of a pain to paint, but the spectacle of Rohan vs Isengard is really going to draw people's attention IMHO

 Slinky wrote:
Uruk Hai are excellent models and paint up nicely with a simple paint job, so they are ideal. Rohan, of course, have horses so a bit more of a pain to paint, but the spectacle of Rohan vs Isengard is really going to draw people's attention IMHO

I like showing off rohan vs haradrim all mounted

 thekingofkings wrote:

 Slinky wrote:
Uruk Hai are excellent models and paint up nicely with a simple paint job, so they are ideal. Rohan, of course, have horses so a bit more of a pain to paint, but the spectacle of Rohan vs Isengard is really going to draw people's attention IMHO

I like showing off rohan vs haradrim all mounted

Especially when the Haradrim are all mounted in Oliphaunts.

I would recommend something like this:

Reclamation of Osgiliath "demo" armies.

Minas Tirith: 24 Warriors of Minas Tirith. 12 Rangers of Middle-Earth. 6 Knights of Minas Tirith. Minias Tirith Commanders. Boromir of the White Tower. Faramir and Damrod. Maybe some "special" stuff like Osgiliath Veterans.
Mordor: 24 Mordor Orcs. 12 Morannon Orcs. Mordor Orc Commanders. Morannon Orc Commanders. Gothmog. Nazgul on Fell-Beast. Mordor Troll. Maybe some special stuff like Mordor Uruk-Hai, Orc Trackers.
Terrain: 3 to 4 plastic Ruins of Osgiliath sets.



Battles in the Westfold "demo" armies.

Rohan: Theodred. Eomer, Rohan Captain foot and mounted. Rohan banner foot and mounted. Rohan Commanders. 12-18 Riders of Rohan. 12-24 Warriors of Rohan. The Three Hunters (Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas). Maybe some "special" stuff like 3 Rohan Royal Guard (ft and mtd), or 3 Outriders of Rohan.
Isengard: Uruk-Hai Commanders. 12-24 Uruk-Hai Scouts. 20 Uruk-Hai Warriors. 6-12 Warg Riders. Sharku, Lurtz, Ugluk, Mauhur. Perhaps some special stuff like Berserkers and Crossbowmen.