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(I posted this on the blog thread but got no response, so I'll try here instead.)

Introduction

Despite having more painting projects than I think any sane man would ever decide to undertake, I have decided to put my WH40k stuff on the backburner. Why? Well I'm waiting until the new box set comes out because I would hate to buy a massive rule book if the starter set has some awesome models that I would have to buy anyway. So, I'll wait and jump back into WH40k in September.

That left me with an important question: "What to do in the meantime?" I could have gone to my Dwarfs in fantasy but I'm just not inspired. I nearly started Warmachine (and still might) but then I was cleaning my "man cave" and found a box full of the first 20 issues of the old Lord of the Rings magazine complete with models. My decision was made. I love the films, enjoy the books and I'm getting more and more hyped for The Hobbit in December.

First things first, I know nothing of the game. I skip those parts of White Dwarf that cover LOTR and the only models I own are the ones that came with the mags (which were bought for me). Still everyone needs to start somewhere and these magazines (from reading the first couple) look like a perfect start and provide me with a plan for learning and tackling the hobby (which appears to be vastly under represented on these forums). Each edition of the magazine contains a section of rules, a battle to play which explains the rules, a painting guide for the models and a terain building article. So, that's how I'm going to tackle the hobby. Each week I will learn the rules, fight the battle as prescribed (with a willing assitant), paint the models (which I will upload once I get a better camera than my phone even though my painting is a poor standard) and make the terrain from two magazines. In ten weeks I'll either jump back to WH40k, buy more lotr magazines on ebay or just jump both feet into the hobby. So, join me as I travel through middle earth (not unlike Bilbo and the Dwarves) and offer advice, support or criticism. (Hopefully, more of the first two)

Week One

So how did I do on the first week? Erm, here's how I got on:
Ed 1 - Fight twelve goblins vs Aragorn (check), Paint twelve goblins (check), no terrain to build.
Battle thoughts: The battle was a fun introduction. The set up was a 2 x 2 board with Aragorn at one end and the goblins split four each on each other edge. Goblins would win if Aragorn died. Aragorn would win if he killed all Goblins or moved off the opposite edge.

We had very basic rules were Aragorn had a better bow than the goblins (four had bows) and he was better in combat (he rolled three die and picked highest while goblins rolled one, any ties were given to Aragorn). This is my first confusion. I understand movement phase, shooting but not combat. The way we played was that if I managed to get four goblins into combat I would roll four die in combat on my turn and Aragorn rolled three but in my opponents turn Aragorn would pick one Goblin and roll three vs one. Is that right? My opponent won priority every turn! So he fought one Goblin (usually killing him) then my three would fight back against him (he won again killing them off), then my next four would wander into the grinder and the bows (which set up on the opposite edge) did nothing. Yep, Aragorn won without me inflicting a wound.

Ed 2 - Fight twelve goblins vs Alliance - four men and eight elves, four with bows (check), Paint the alliance (fail), build some ruins (fail)
Battle thoughts: This was much more fun. 3 x 3 board, alliance win if they kill goblins, goblins win if one gets off other table edge. My dice rolling was monumentally good. I actually killed all the men and the four elves with glaives while only three goblins went down. I won when one of the nine remaining goblins wandered off the opposite edge. Again the bows on both sides killed nothing. (Played comabt in same way as above).

Painting was an epic fail after I flew through the goblins in two hours I had no time (between gym, rugby and a monstrous hangover) to paint the alliance. I barely had enough time to cut them from their sprues for the battle! Still I'm hoping to catch up this week because Ed 3 is painting Frodo. There's time to made up there I'm sure. Haven't looked at four yet.

As I said earlier, I'd love your feedback on my plans and what you think of them. I'll update next week how I got on with 3 & 4.

This seems like a amusing tread, and welcome to the glorious hobby of LOTR

Combat is very simple in this game. Roll a dice for each attack you have. The highest roller wins. In the case of a tie the person with the highest Fight value wins. The winner then rolls a dice for each attack in an attempt to cause a wound. Compare Str vs Defense value to see the roll needed.

Can I gain clarity on fights? For example, in our game Aragorn would be attacked by four goblins at a time. This would result in four goblin attacks vs three. However, when good had priority we played that Aragorn could pick and win forcing the goblin back an inch (usually killing him too). Then when it was Evil's turn it would be three goblins vs Aragorn's three attacks and he'd usually win again. Correct? I know Aragorn is meant to be tough but he just rolled through my gobbos like they weren't even there!

Ok, 4 Goblins charge Aragorn.

Each goblin rolls for its attack (4 attacks total), Aragorn rolls his 3.

If at least 1 goblin attack roll is higher than one of Aragorn's, then the Goblins win. Aragorn backs up and the 4 goblins get to roll to wound.

If the highest roll for each side is a tie, then Aragorn auto-wins because he's got a higher fight value.

If Aragorn's dice win, then he gets to allocate the dice to the goblins and try to wound them.

Yeah, Aragorn really is that tough. He is the best good character in the game from a fighting point of view. Only Boromir of the White Tower can compete with him and he still has a limited amount of Might, Aragorn gets a free might point a turn.

The only real way to beat Aragorn is either with lots of shooting or a couple minor heroes buring their might points just to get some wounds on him.

Damn, I still have hundreds of those mags somewhere. Shall have to dig them out.

Glad to see people still getting into LOTR, I shall have to think about picking some minis up.

Yeah Aragorn really shreds the living crap out of hordes of enemies. I'm completely nuts about Gondor and constantly either use him or Boromir because of his high might. It's very good to hear your back into the hobby because with the new Hobbit films (they released a statement saying there will be 3 films!) coming out there will be plenty of interest. From my part, I've always kept strong with it - you can check my blog thread (much like you, I didn't receive much replies) - http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/452152.page

Hope to see some of your work soon
Drum

I really enjoy the LOTR skirmish. If you're interested in some alternate miniatures in the right scale, check out Red Box Games, a small miniatures producer that does some gorgeous sculpts.

http://red-box-games.com/