Hi!
After playing alot of mordheim with my friends I found that I really like skirmish styled games, AS LONG as they contain elves!

So I'm thinking about getting into the hobbit/lotr sbg and need help with what to buy first So do you guys have any advice?

Also, can I in my army combine all the units in the Free Peoples-rulebook?

Happy newbie christmas

All "good" factions can be allied with one another as well as all evil faction can ally with themselves (thus you can't have evil and good allied). You would need heroes to lead each of the troops of the different faction as the warband rule requires 1 hero from that faction leading between 0-12 soldiers from their same faction. So for example you had Elrond, Haldir, Balin, and the Paladin Took you could make a list like this and it would be legal: (Keep in mind this is an example not necessarily how you would want to build an army to be competitive).

Edit: Even though they start out in different warbands you can reposition them so that spears from the High Elves can support the Galadhrim.

Elrond
- 8 High Elf with Spearmen and shield
- 4 High Elf with Bows

Haldir
- 4 Galadhrim with Shields
- 4 Galadhrim with Elven Blades
- 4 Wood Elves with Bow

Balin
- 4 Vault Warden Team

Paladin Took
- 6 hobbit Sheriffs
- 3 Hobbit Militia
- 3 hobbit archers

Hi and welcome to the forum.

First of all you need to buy the Free Peoples sourcebook, but I assume you already own a copy.
Then, it depends on your focus. If you prefer a competitive army, or simply an army that appeals to you. Additionally whether you prefer Wood Elves (Lothlorien, Mirkwood), or High Elves (Eregion, Rivendell).

Its all about what you want from your army, as in their strengths and weaknesses. There is just somethng psychologically intimidating about going against an Elven army because of their archery. They are the best marksmen and have the best (all-around) bows. My recommendation for starting your army is to focus on that. With the rules only 33% of your troops may carry a bow but if your force is tailored to it thats more than enough.
Of course you choose who to purchase but I'd recommend Legolas as your first hero (can't go wrong with him), he is the only hero who may shoot THREE times in one turn which is pretty spectacular. If you decide not to go with him Thranduil would be my next choice personally, because he has a 2+ shoot value ad can upgrade all your archers' shoot values as well. Also both their points costs are relatively low for Elves

So I'm thinking buying the wood elves pack and Thranduil as my first warband. Does that sound like a good start?

Also, is it enough to get the rulebook that comes with the escape from goblin town or is it necessary to get that big expensive hardback rulebook? :S

That is a good start, along with a command blister and some Sentinels. Just a warning though, wood elves are a bit tricky to play since they don't have armour. But they are very rewarding to learn. You just have to maximize your shooting, use of terrain, and picks fights with better odds.



All the elf profiles you'll care about are in the Free Peoples book, so the rule book in the goblin town set is enough (except that rulebook doesn't have point costs for any of the models in its own set... )

Someone must be selling the softcover after christmas