Hey guys,

I am getting ready to meet some new opponents at the LGS for a game or two and I'm trying to put together a decent list. It's been a while since I've had anyone to play except for some scenarios with my son, and so I am a little out of practice with LoME-style gaming. Here's what I've got so far:

Angmar
Buhrdur, Troll Chieftain (110)
Cave Troll with chain (85)
8x Orc Warriors with shields (48)
8x Orc Warriors with spears (48)
5x Orc Warriors with Orc bows (30)
4x Orc Warriors with 2-handed weapons (24)
Orc Warrior with banner (30)
6x Wild Wargs (48)

The Nazgul
Ringwraith with Dark Steed, +1 Might and +1 Will (75)

--------------------
498 points, 35 models, 4 might

The plan would be to use the archers to guard the base objective, if there is one; if not they can move forward with the throng. The Wild Wargs would be used to take out enemy archers/artillery or perhaps swing around one of the enemy's flanks. The remainder of the Orcs will advance en masse and I will use the Cave Troll to shield Buhrdur from incoming missile fire. The Nazgul has a horse to provide added range to his threat bubble and would remain behind the shield wall for protection.

This list is based off of the one in the Ruin of Arnor sourcebook, but I swapped the Ringwraith for the Warg Chieftain in the original list.

Let me know what you think...

_________________
Respectfully,
Jonathan

Do what is right, love mercy, and walk humbly

Battle Companies

I'd try and fit a shade in the list, they are hella useful and would complement the banner excellently, i suggest removing the cave troll as you already have burdhur and you don't want anyone steal his kills in contest of chamions.

The sourcebook lists are pretty useless, unfortunately. 35 models is pretty low, even high elves will beat that. I'd drop the second cave troll, because he will not suit your stated purpose (shielding Buhrdur) any better than orcs...you get in-the-ways no matter how much of the model is obscured, and more orcs can cover more angles. If you really want a big screen, take a bat swarm instead (assuming you can ally one in...not sure about that), and lots more orcs. The bat swarm will allow Buhrdur to take on any Good hero without too much worry.

Personally I think Angmar only hits its stride in the 700+ point range. Below that the heroes are either too expensive (100+ points for Buhrdur or a shade) or too generic (orc captains) or pricey but specific (barrow wight). You can max your model count with orcs, but they're just orcs. Other similar lists have more flexibility in the 500 point range, eg goblins get elites (prowlers) and lower-cost heavy hitters (spiders); Mordor gets Morannons; and both get some nice cheap heroes.

So one option might be to build a Mordor list at 500 points that can ally later with Angmar to include Buhrdur or the shade at a higher point level.

I had considered the shade, as I feel it could really help the Orcs in combat, but the points cost is just too steep at this points level.

I hadn't really thought about the model count being low. I have primarily played Good armies in the past so 30-40 models at 500 points didn't seem like a big deal, but I guess when your mainstay troops are Orcs you need to maximize things. I'm not trying to build a tournament list...just something that will be fun and marginally competitive.

So, taking your advice into account here is the list, 2.0:

Angmar
Buhrdur, Troll Chieftain (110)
9x Orc Warriors with shields (54)
9x Orc Warriors with spears (54)
8x Orc Warriors with Orc bows (48)
5x Orc Warriors with 2-handed weapons (30)
Orc Warrior with banner (30)
8x Wild Wargs (64)

The Nazgul
Ringwraith with Dark Steed, +1 Might and +1 Will (75)

Moria
Bat Swarm (35)
--------------------
500 points, 43 models, 4 might

Look better?

_________________
Respectfully,
Jonathan

Do what is right, love mercy, and walk humbly

Battle Companies

If your allying in from moria then why not make your spearmen goblins? Their cheaper and their lower fight value isn't important if all their doing is supporting. A general tip for using Burdhur is to remember his 4+throw stone. Also your orc warrior with banner and ringwraith's combined cost is only 15pts off of the dark marshall, which can do the same job as both but better. Also give your wraith a fate point.

Oh yeah, you also need a moria hero to lead the bat swarm

Yep, need a hero for the bat, and SMB makes a good point about the dark marshall, so dropping banner and bats let's you take the dark marshall and a couple more orcs or wargs. It's not ultra competitive but it should be fun.

Angmar can't actually get orc captains whafrog.

_________________
"I am the Flying Spagetti Monster. Thou shall have no other monsters before me"
-FSM.

Oops, right...it's even worse

Actually, for 75 points you can ally the mouth of saruon in from barad dur, who would be better than the wraith. Howabout this:

Burdhur 110pts
Shade 100pts
Mouth of sauron on dark steed 75pts
36 orcs (11 shield, 1 nothing, 12 spear, 12 bow) 215pts

39 models, 12 bows, 4 might
You'd be on the same model range as most good armies but you have a shade so they will be losing more fights than you.