Changes to the hobby?

Theodred · **Posted:** Fri May 04, 2012 1:46 pm

Hi everyone,

I'm not really a beginner - I used to be an enthusiast when the LotR range was first released prior to the FotR film and remained with the hobby up until around the time of the new supplements (i.e. Shadow & Flame, etc). I've actually been a member on this forum since it was founded & was a moderator on HoME (for those of you that remember it) and I painted a lot of the miniatures for GW Kensington during their summer campaigns.

My question is how has the hobby changed in the last couple of years? I've noticed the miniature range has gotten a lot smaller, regimental movement trays are now available, there are a lot more supplements and non-film miniatures, etc.

Any big changes to the nature of the game? Have there been major revisions to the rules since the RotK rule book was released (the last version I am up to date with)? Why are so many miniatures no longer available? Is this a sign that the LotR range is to be eventually discontinued? I've kept up with the painting (and have been using this forum to trade) but haven't been in a GW store or their website in years so I'm really interested in coming back to the hobby properly.

Thanks.

Theodred.

cal585 · **Posted:** Fri May 04, 2012 2:17 pm

Wow, RotK. You make me feel young. I only joined the hobby when the RotK book came out. Sorry if anything I say comes across as condescending/basic, but I don't know how much you know so will try and explain briefly assuming little to no knowledge of recent events.

The miniature range hasn't decreased as such. It's just that GW is moving all their metal kits to their new resin finecast, and they don't stock metal blisters in store any more, though these can mostly be ordered. A few outdated single minis have been discontinued but most are still available and they've recently released things like The Great Beast of Gorgoroth and the Watcher in the Water earlier this year. They seem to have turned aside from the path of the movies a long time ago, and even the books to some extent, creating new things for their take on Tolkien's world. Some are to peoples' tastes, others aren't, it seems to be a purely personal thing. Nothing seems completely unTolkien though.

The regimental move trays are for War of the Ring, GW's large scale adaption of the SBG. You buys companies of models (8 for infantry or 2 for cavalry), put them in a formation and fight a battle. It's a good way to play large game like Helms Deep (or so I've heard). It looked like WotR was the new LotR game for a while, but it's moved back into a supplement status to SBG. Recently they released Warbands, which basically redo the army lists and change the rules so that you must take warbands of 1 hero and 0-12 warriors, making the game a lot more hero focused. I haven't got any of the warbands books (playing still with the hardcover rulebook), so don't know much more.

There have been a few tweaks to rules such as volleyfire (I think?) and other small things. 33% bow limit for forces. One of the bigger changes is that models that fail courage tests are removed from the board as casualties instead of retreating towards the edge and Will can be used to pass Courage tests. I don't think any new mechanics or anything have come out, mainly refining and changes of existing rules to enhance the game. The current hardcover rulebook is the successor of the RotK rulebook and is often called the One Rulebook as it was GW's combination of existing rules and fixes for the game. It's been used for a while and is a pretty good system.

As to the longevity of the line - GW renewed their licence not long ago for a couple more years and they're expected to produce a major release for The Hobbit at the end of the year. It shouldn't be going anywhere soon (as long as GW's price hikes leave hobbyists in the game).

whafrog · **Posted:** Fri May 04, 2012 3:04 pm

I like the new war band rules. I didn't think I would, but I prefer them. The armies are quicker to build, and the new scenarios have gotten rid of that "long march to the middle" problem.

Theodred · **Posted:** Fri May 04, 2012 6:36 pm

Wow, that's quite a big change. I'd completely forgotten about The Hobbit - they'll probably release a complete new range for that! Especially the "Battle of the 5 Armies"! I hope they allow integration with the current range! I think this is a really good time to get back into the hobby.

As for the rules, I remember "volley fire" and the 1/3 archers rule but this regimental form of playing and the new "courage tests" seem a bit harder to grasp. At GW, do people still play with regular rules or is are the warband rules the new standard format? I also noticed that in a couple of fairly recent White Dwarf magazines that there were no articles on LotR - does WD no longer cover it in every issue?

One last question, I went online to order a WoMT box set - have they halved the no. of miniatures that come in them? It's now 12...I remember it being 24(?)

Bartelomeus · **Posted:** Fri May 04, 2012 7:25 pm

Theodred wrote:

One last question, I went online to order a WoMT box set - have they halved the no. of miniatures that come in them? It's now 12...I remember it being 24(?)

True, due to the warband rules where you can put up to 12 warriors in a warband.
Good to see another player who started before FotR return to the hobby.

Theodred · **Posted:** Fri May 04, 2012 8:10 pm

Ah, I understand. But what's the current standard format of play at local GW stores? If I turn up having re-read my RotK rule book, am I going to be in for a shock? Are warbands part of the standard format?

whafrog · **Posted:** Fri May 04, 2012 9:24 pm

GW does tend to promote whatever it the latest, so I think war bands are the only option. From the reactions I've seen, most people like them. Read this excellent thread to get a sense of how the game has changed:

http://www.thelastalliance.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4723

As for RotK, I think you'd be better off getting the One Ring rulebook first. If you have any use for goblins, a troll, or a plastic fellowship, the Mines of Moria is a better bet. The rule book in that is the same as the One Ring book (down to the page), it just doesn't have as many profiles. But since the profiles have changed somewhat, and are all covered in the new books, MoM plus the new books should give you everything you need.

Theodred · **Posted:** Fri May 04, 2012 10:51 pm

Thanks! @whafrog

I think I will get the MoM box (a lot of miniatures for an additional ~£15!).

I noticed that in a couple of fairly recent White Dwarf magazines that there were no articles on LotR - does WD no longer cover it in every issue?

whafrog · **Posted:** Sat May 05, 2012 1:16 am

No, WD coverage is sporadic at best. I imagine that will change, at least while the Hobbit movies are on people's minds.

Draugluin · **Posted:** Sat May 05, 2012 5:23 pm

The regimental mvoement trays are only used in WotR, which is not at all the same as SBG, so they aren't used at all unless you want to try a bigger battle. The new warbands are pretty nice, they make standard deployment easier, even though my friends don't like it so we don't use it if we're at one of their houses. It's incredibly useful having all the profiles for one faction in a single book and can easily be adapted to standard 1 hero + lots of warriors play if you prefer.

Changes to the hobby?

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