I recently acquired the Harad book and noticed the section on Mumakil Upgrades mentions Rappelling Lines and that models may dismount the Mumak under certain conditions. My question is whether they may return to the howdah after dismounting? I don't see in the rules where this is addressed so I assume that once they go down to the ground, there they will stay.

Correct, there are no official rules for climbing back up the rappelling lines. A house rule for climbing back up might be fun

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The Southern Fiefdoms: http://www.one-ring.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=21928

So would hijacking a Mumak.

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Like^^

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That still only counts as one!

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The Southern Fiefdoms: http://www.one-ring.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=21928

Hmm, that could be interesting. If some Corsair Arbalesters climbed up, they're have 6 defence, plus an in the way roll and a crossbow to return fire. Now that would pretty powerful.

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I am 99% sure only Harad, Mahud, and Half Trolls can be in the Howda.
...and you might just be saying, "If they could, or house-ruled into the Howda".

I have been wrong before, it will happen again.

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I'd think a house rule would limit any return to the hodwah to those originally deployed there. Or at a very minimum limit it to the troop types allowed to be deployed there in the first place.

House rule could play something like

Climbing a Rapelling Line
During the Move phase a model can move into base contact with the Mumak. On the roll of a 5+ the model grabs hold of one of the ropes dangling from the Howdah. The model is now assumed to be swinging in mid air and so cannot be charged. The model may not shoot, throw weapons or use magic such is the difficulty in climbing a line on a moving beast! If the Mumak moves, then the model swinging from the ropes will do also, however it must remain in the same position on the base relative to where it started.

During each Fight Phase in which the model is swinging it takes 1 hit (due to the effects of rope burn/smashing into the Mumaks side etc). Roll a dice, this is the Strength of the hit, for instance a dice roll of 1 would reflect a Strength 1 hit, a roll of 2 a Strength 2 hit and so on. If the Mumak remains were it is in the Move phase the dice roll is reduced by -1 (with 1 being the lowest hit).

The model may attempt to climb to the Howdah in the next Movement phase. Consult the chart below (Might may be used to influence the roll)

1: The model loses its grasp and falls to the dirt. It takes 3" falling damage and must also test on the Thrown Rider chart to see how it ends the turn.
2-3: The model is too terrified to climb but equally so to jump. It remains where it is this turn.
3-5: The model climbs to the top, falling flat on Howdah, relieved to have made the ascent. Treat the model as 'knocked to the ground' in the ensuing Fight Phase.
6: The model springs into the Howdah. The model may shoot, throw weapons and cast magic but may not move any further this turn.



What do you guys reckon? Have I missed anything?

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The Southern Fiefdoms: http://www.one-ring.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=21928

Looks like fun. You could also use the rules from WHH The Legends of the High Seas for swinging on ropes from ship to ship. D6 of 1 you fall ,2-5 swing down 2d6(you can miss the other ship) and 6 you swing down 2D6 and move. It is possible to swing into combat. If the swinging model swings 6 inches and wins it knocks the defender down. They could just climb down as well with the normal D6 rule.

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"the same as a duck you must be made of wood"

In regards to die results mentioned above, I feel as though 1 should be "fatal fall -- stepped on by Mumak after falling" to give it a bit more excitement.

I like the idea of swinging into combat although it is probably a lot harder to time a swing from a moving Elephant than from a line on a mast. Only thing is it could open up a can of worms when it comes to swinging from a Mumak onto Fortress Walls 6" away etc. That would have been a sight



I see your point, I almost set it as 'remove the model as a casualty' but it would be pretty unfair if a hero (out of Might points) failed the roll! There is a chance that the model falls the ground and avoids the path of the Mumak. Instead 3" of falling damage will leave the model with cuts and bruises, possibly finishing them off if they are on their last wound. I've added ''If the model falls, he must also test on the Thrown Rider chart to see how they end the turn."

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The Southern Fiefdoms: http://www.one-ring.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=21928

In one game an ape jumped from a cliff into the rigging of a ship. Then swung down toward the helmsman but missed the distance and landed on the rail by the ship captain.The captain won the combat but failed to wound. The ape failed the by the edge roll and fell into the water and rolled a one on the swim test. You should have seen Doug's face. I think you should give it a try. It will be fun.

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"the same as a duck you must be made of wood"