I have played the game a couple of times and I looking to build an Elven Army. Here is what I have come up with so far, please let me know what you think.

Rivendell/Lothlorien Army List 600 Points

Heroes- Might 12/Will 7/Fate 8 335 Points

Elladan & Elrohir 150
(add Elf Bows)

Legolas 105
(add Armour & Elven Cloak)

Haldir 80
(add Armour & Elf Bow)


Warriors-
Elven Spearmen 220 (11 pts.)
(add Heavy Armour/Spear/Shield) x20

Wood Elf Bowmen 45 (9 pts.)
(add Elven Bows & Elven Blades) x5

This should prolly be in the 'Army Help' forum,
330 is a bit much too much to spend on heroes, even for Elves, in a 600 point game -consider who you're willing to drop (simply dropping Haldir could improve this dramatically). Also, your list is not LOME-legal. You'd have to go with a list like this:

Rivendell-
Elladan/Elrohir w/ Heavy Armor
Thranduil's Halls-
Legolas
WE w/ Elven Blade -9
WE w/ Elven Blade and Throwing Dagger -1
WE w/ WE Spear -11
WE w/ Elf Bow -10
34 models, 9 Might

All of your bows can't come from one army list - only 33% of a force can contain bows (in the list you posed 100% of the WEs, I'm assuming from the 'Lothlorien' army list, had bows).

_________________
[SBG] Profile Locations:
http://www.terrainguild.com/thelastalli ... f=9&t=1069

If you want good heroes you kind of have to decide which faction you want and stick mostly with that at lower point levels. Elf heroes are expensive and each ally has to be led by one. If you want Rivendell, the Twins are probably good enough, though Arwen can make a fine addition. If you want "east of the Misty Mountains", you could mix Legolas and Rumil or Haldir for a decent mix of WE and Galadhrim.

I am looking at the Throwing Knives option. Are these weapons effective at wounding other models?

Is it worth having having higher Defense or is it better to have lots of guys with solid offensive abilities?

Here is what I am thinking:

Rivendell-
Elladan/Elrohir w/ Heavy Armor 150

Erestor 75

Thranduil's Halls-

Legolas 90

WE w/ Throwing Dagger x11 (9) 99
WE w/ WE Spear x12 (8) 96
WE w/ Elf Bow x10 (9) 90
37 models, 12 Might

Again too many heroes. Realize that your opponent can field up to 75 models between 500 and 1000 points. At 600 points goblins and orcs can easily hit that, and still have room for a troll or two. With elves you will usually be outnumbered, but you don't want to be *that* outnumbered.

Throwing weapons are great, they have the same chance to wound as an elf bow or normal warrior.

For your other question, either will work. One great thing about this game is there are many different winning strategies, so use whatever flavor appeals to you.

If you want to center your army around wood elves Legolas is a good hero. You might consider dropping the other heroes and take Thranduil, or ally in Galadriel (the Lady version in Fall of the Necromancer). A couple of Sentinel models would be very useful as well. Then round it out with more warriors.