If a orc and an orc supporting with spear loose combat can they both fall down? Will both get to hop back up and make an attack? It is an interesting idea. Why strength 1?
Would it possibly better to say they have to make a courage test to get up and back stab? I think I will try it both ways. I like the bat shade too

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But none were more dangerous than the Great Willow: his heart was rotten, but his strength was green; and he was cunning,

That's a good idea. It's really just the 3+ shooting that bugs me (unless it's a hero).



I know Tolkien didn't mention them, which makes it a problem for Uruk-hai. One of the things I'm trying to balance is finding a way for people to use their existing models, but Uruks may get shafted on this one.

Thanks...was that you requesting to join? I saw "corncracker95" but no message saying who you were, so I figured it was a joke...the name sounds like a sexual euphemism...or I just have a dirty mind If you try again I'll approve it.

No, the spear support is not in the fight, I don't want to break those basic rules.



Thanks, the S1 is because they already have backstab and a bunch of other options, I didn't want it overpowered. But I haven't had a lot of time to playtest, so S2 could work, especially because since they're prone they'll be a lot more likely to die.

I think there should be a risk to try it. But if it works it should work well. I have not read every thing but I liked what I saw. Play testing will smooth out any ruff edges.


I always thought so too.I don't know where the crossbow reference is. It may be as obscure as the justification for plate armor. Or it might not exist at all. I have not seen it.

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But none were more dangerous than the Great Willow: his heart was rotten, but his strength was green; and he was cunning,

You definitely have a dirty mind ....And that was me, so I'll try again.

Thanks.

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Backlog reduction Oath Participant

So my friend and I are planning a little playtest-game this weekend with rohan and mordor. Should be interesting..... any points limit or scenario suggestions?

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Backlog reduction Oath Participant

An 500 points amtch would be oaky and a clssic scenario where they evil attack a rohan village should be good for testplaying...

Okay thanks. I should be able to take some photos and maybe make a battle report. We'll see what happens.

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Backlog reduction Oath Participant

Dwarf Rangers added...

Might I suggest giving all Dwarves (if not, then certainly Khazad Guard and Heroes) the "Chop!" special rule that the Merchant Guard of Abrakhan have? It's flavourful, and they deserve it a hell of a lot more than some tubby, made up Haradrim do...

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Gondor: 2339pts
Rohan: 1318pts
Dwarves: 2482pts
Elves: 1091pts
Mordor: 2305pts
Isengard: 1762pts
Moria: 1463pts
Evil Men: 381pts

I'm hesitant to gives Dwarves more, they're already quite balanced. Also, Dwarves were strong for their size, but not as strong as Men (though they still get S3 as far as combat goes). Gimli notably stayed out of the fray with the Dunlendings at Helm's Deep. So I don't know how it could be justified for warriors. They already get 2H weapons for free, and several heroes get an equivalent rule.

I don't actually mind the Abrakhan guard, it's a reasonable fit culturally.

Easterlings - what to do?

I'm gearing up to work on Harad and Easterlings, and after reading more about what Tolkien wrote, it doesn't seem the GW Easterlings fit Tolkien's Easterlings at all. The Khand warriors are decently represented, at least as far as models go (axemen, bowmen, horse bows and chariots), but the Variags are described more like the models used for Dunlendings. Lots of axes and beards.

Basically there is little support for a regimented phalanx-type force from "the east". However, it could work for Harad, as part of their elite force. It's important to note that Harad, like Gondor, was a Numenorian colony, with all the power and history that suggests. Harad was subjugated by Numenor and Gondor in turn; Gondor's realm included Umbar for many centuries. It was only after the Kin-strife civil war that it was permanently lost, and became the seat of Gondorian exiles, themselves more purely of Numenorian descent than the subsequent leaders of Gondor.

So we have undisciplined hordes of wild men from the east, and more disciplined warriors from Harad.

One of the primary goals of the By the Book rules is to preserve the use of existing models. Therefore, I'm thinking of shuffling things around: Easterlings would represent the tougher more disciplined Haradrim, some of whom would have Numenorian heritage options like Gondor. Existing paint schemes for Easterlings (scarlet) also fits with what Tolkien wrote about Harad. So we'd end up with:

Easterlings:
Khamul
Khand - existing models (including chariots), possibly also Harad Raiders to allow for more horse bows
Variags - armoured Dunlendings

Harad:
Umbar - current Easterling models as the core, unarmed bows and spear armed peasant levies (current Harad models), kataphracts and serpent guard, Corsairs, Mumak
Harad - existing Harad models, Mumak, no reassigned Easterlings. The inventions (like Watchers of Karna) can stand
Far Harad - as current (for models)

Can anyone think of objections to this plan? I'm not sure where else to put Easterlings...

This is great! I just started re-reading the books and am really enjoying them.

I agree about Peter Jackson's depiction of the Warriors of Minas Tirith... they seem utterly incompetent throughout the films, and I too was wondering "how the hell have these guys held Mordor at bay for so long?!" The defense of Minas Tirith was always particularly disheartening; I had always envisioned the WoMT as competent front-line troops who could more than hold their own against orcs, but lost out purely to numbers. I envisioned a siege scene more like the siege of Jerusalem at the end of Kingdom of Heaven rather than the nonsense in Return of the King. In my mind the WoMT would have inflicted enormous casualties on the assaulting orcs, easily attaining a 5 to 1 KD ratio (to use CoD terms...), but eventually they would be swamped with attackers and be forced to retreat etc.

They seem to be as tough as the Moria Goblins in the movies... which isn't saying much.

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Current Projects: Minas Tirith force; 36 WoMT, Officer, Standardbearer, Boromir, and 6 KoMT

Haven't seen the KoH movie, but yes, a 5:1 ratio would be more accurate. Trying to make that work with these rules would be impossible though since the power grade is pretty flat. It would require a whole new set of rules that probably would involve paperwork, not to mention all the Evil players would complain about how much more they have to spend to enjoy the hobby

You should definitely watch it... not only is it an excellent film but the siege scene at the end is amazing.

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Current Projects: Minas Tirith force; 36 WoMT, Officer, Standardbearer, Boromir, and 6 KoMT

Good film but The Warlord is more appropriate to skirmish games and a must see
http://charltonhestonforums.freeforums. ... d-t25.html
Link to part of tower storm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi7x6RDkcak&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=138nKtFtx7g

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

Bump.

I think we need some playtesting for this thing. Could people please hae a look at the rules and try and give the rules a go next time they play.

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Backlog reduction Oath Participant

This thread seem very intresting... Has it stopped?

No, I just haven't had time to get to the Fallen Realms yet. But I think I'm going to continue with what I outlined a couple messages up, unless someone has other ideas.