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Ok, so with the Hobbit coming out in less than a week and my FLGS running a LoTR campaign in the new year, I figured it'd probably be a perfect time to start a LoTR army. I've played through the Hobbit intro game, and I like the way the game plays, it's a nice change from 40K and WHFB every now and again. However, getting down to the campaign each night it's on will be a pain and if it's going to cost me a fair bit of money to get an army together, I don't think it's worth it.

Anyway I've decided to start a Rohan army, because, well, they're cool. But I'm not sure how much, moneywise, I'd have to spend to get an army together. The points value of the games will be at 250, although I think this may escalate as the campaign goes on (but I can always back out then if need be), so I was wondering how cheap (or expensive!) it'd be to get together a 250pt Rohan Army? I was kinda fixated on having Eomer as my leader (I am presuming, here, that you need a leader in your army) because I like him and you can actually buy him once, without having to get him foot + mounted, if you take my meaning.

So, how many points does Eomer cost and how much would I have to spend, moneywise, to get this up to 250. I was kinda thinking of starting with the Eomer (mounted) model and a box of Riders of Rohan. How much would this come out to be in points values? And is it actually a good place to start?

Thanks in advance!

First of all in such smal games named heros are never worth it. Secondly you are better of with a generc captain of sorts. I assume you have the correct sourcebook and such? If so list what you intend to equip your men with and we will be more inclided to aid

I'm afraid I don't have any LoTR things like that.

The reason is I want to know if it is worth starting yet. If I can get together a nice 250pts army cheaply and in time for the campaign, then I'll go for it and buy everything I need. If not, then I won't buy anything at all. I want to avoid situations like getting the rulebook and then finding out buying a 250pt army will set me back £100 or something.

As for equipment, as I've said, I've got no books for it, but from conversations at my FLGS I understand that Rohan get throwing weapons? From the sounds of things, they sound pretty good, so I reckon I'll go for them...

Are you guys limited to only GW models for your campaign?

If not, there are some very nice historicals you could use for a Rohan force that may end up being cheaper than GW figures.

For example, the Gripping Beast plastic Saxon Thegns or Viking Hirdmen give you 44 plastic infantry (for 32 bucks) that would work well.

Conquest has a set of plastic Norman Knights that with a shield swap would work well (15 troops for 32 bucks). Lots of great looking metal mounted figures as well (some of the Gripping beast ones are REALLY nice).

Jake

CptJake wrote:
Are you guys limited to only GW models for your campaign?

Yes, I'm afraid so, which I'm aware will up the price a bit!

Edited: Didn't mean to break the rules...


Bummer you can't use saxon troops, honestly I think they look a lot better...

Good luck!

Stating point costs per unit is not allowed by forum rules if memory serves me correct Yes its worth starting, and a 250 will not break the bank so to speak

Sorry.

 Trondheim wrote:
Stating point costs per unit is not allowed by forum rules if memory serves me correct Yes its worth starting, and a 250 will not break the bank so to speak

Yes but something like:

Ork Warboss (90 pts)
Power Klaw, Eavy Armour

Is legal, otherwise the Amry List section would all be against the rules.

Still, you say it won't break the bank, which is good, so thanks for that! Any idea how many models it'd take? Painting is a factor as well.

Its allowed for the total cost of a unit after x upgrades. But not baseline cost of troop type X or Y.
As regarding models I am unsure, since i do not have the book near me at this moment. Painting at this level will be a rather short proses I imagine

Now buying from GW, this will cost around £80 I reckon including sourcebook.

Now if you hit eBay.......I would half the amount especially when it comes to eomer!

I think you will need the sourcebook for any army you play as well as the hobbit rule book. One of my hesitations at this point.

 Shrapnelsmile wrote:
I think you will need the sourcebook for any army you play as well as the hobbit rule book. One of my hesitations at this point.

Not necessarily, I'l admit I never got a sourcebook, as my FLGS never got them in...

Here's what I'd do for a Rohan army, using calvary because they are cheap, awesome, and efficient.

Here's a 275 point force:

Eomer - Horse, Shield, and Throwing Spears or Bow (I'm a fan of throwing spears for the charging turn) = 95

Riders of Rohan X 12 - 4 w/ Throwing Spears (Due to WYSIWYG) = 180

To cut it down to 250:

Captain of Rohan - Heavy Armor, Shield, Horse, Throwing Spears =70

Riders of Rohan X 12 - 4 w/ Throwing Spears (Due to WYSIWYG) = 180

Now, you'll need to have a foot model for each rider, in case they get dismounted (which happens a LOT).

Total purchase:

1 Eomer (foot and mounted) OR 1 Captain of Rohan (foot and mounted) (though you could probably use whichever as both, depending on which model you like more)
2 Boxes of Riders of Rohan
1 Box of Warriors of Rohan

That comes to $105 - $110 (with Eomer instead of Captain) (USD) or 63.4 - 66.6 (with Eomer instead of Captain) (GBP)

That's direct GW prices, so with some good ebaying, you might be able to cut that in half!

Choosing to start a Rohan army has immediatly put you on the back foot. They're just not competitive right now. You're expensive and weak and lack spear support or cheap archery.

Almost required is Grimbold! He upgrades all of your foot rohan lads to str 4! Thats the difference in wound uruk-hai on 5s instead of 6s.

Eomer's awesome but he's waaay to expensive for 250pts. Riders of Rohan are also expensive and are not a great choice in anything other than mobile support. They'll shoot their way across the table and then get behind your opponents shield wall to hopefully pull off spear support.

Look at Grimbold + infantry with rider support. This is a numbers game. The more bodies the better!

Thanks for the input guys.

@ Dr What: Wow, really great info there, thanks a lot. But them getting de-horsed kinda sucks, that means I'll have to buy a lot more models than I thought. I was kinda thinking to go with some infantry anyway, just to have a mix.

@Lordcal: I'm not looking for a competitive army, just looking to have some fun playing and participating in this, and hopefully, future campaigns.

It’s worth looking on E-bay. As the where in one of the starter sets there are plenty of Riders of Rohan models out there and as such they tend to go for a song.