I'm new to this game, and wondered what version is the best to play first? I'm a girl but love playing thinking games, so which one would u suggest to play? Thanx x

do you mean SBG or WoTR?

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

Yes sorry

And which Army would be good to start with?

SBG requires less models s soi is probably better to start with. As for which army, do you prefer Good, or Evil. And then what type of stlye do you prefer eg large horde, smaller elites, high defence etc...

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

Personally, I find WotR more fun (but I like big battles). That being said, because SBG needs so few models, it can be a good place to start. Either way, get the Mines of Moria box (The Fellowship, 24 Goblins, a Cave Troll, some scenery, dice, measuring sticks and SBG rules, whilst saving a fair bit of money) - you can play SBG easily,a nd it's a good start for WotR because you have a character for each of the good races and you have a starting Moria army for evil.

Regarding what to play, look at army lists (I.E. What can be taken in each army) and decide which list has the mst models that you like - play that one.

I have a few friends who play War of the ring, but before I play them I wanna scrub up as much as possible, they have a Mordor and Elven army so I wanted something different, I fancy an evil army, but not sure which way to go, any suggestions?

I would recommend Angmar, because it is my favourite but you may struggle.

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

They are really so different of game styles that it's hard to compare. Many people that really like one system don't care much for the other, while others (myself included) enjoy both but for such different reasons. The great thing is the models are shared between them so at least you're not throwing away money in that manner.

When you watch the movies or (hopefully) read the books what part are you trying to recreate in a game? Are you most excited with the Fellowship style actions such as Moria, Amon Hen, etc. or are you looking forward to recreating the big battles of Helms Deep and Minas Tirith?

Smaller scale actions is where SBG is best. You can play larger armies but generally a 500pt game is typical and 750pt is "large" for many SBG games. SBG also has a lot of fantastic scenarios in the various journey books that cover most major and minor events in the books and films. It is a mature rule set now with very few gaps. Some of the more recent profiles have developed a little stat creep and some older armies could use a refresh, but for the most part I think it's a good system and is probably my favorite war game.

WotR covers the large armies. 500pt and 750pt games are "warm ups" and you will quickly find 1500 may be closer to your normal play level once you get things going. We are now playing 1 on 1 games in the 2000 - 2500 point range more regularly and have played a few larger games with up to three players per side. It still has a decent Middle Earth flavor but magic (which was always powerful but subtle in Tolkien's work) is a bit over-the-top in the rule set. It has a few loop holes and abuses available but any new rule set does. If you're playing with friends you probably don't need to worry but if you play competitively it can be rough. I think when GW eventually does a v2 of the rules it could be a very good game (though I doubt they'll ever do much about the Magic spam...GW likes that stuff).

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Wait ye the finish! The fight is not yours.
Beowulf

http://TacticsInMiniature.com

Hilarious name...

I'd suggest SBG, it doesn't require as many models to start. You might consider Harad. Mostly cheap troops with low defense, but they have some powerful elites, like corsairs and mahud, and of course the Mumak. Or if you want more solid warriors you could go with Easterlings, which are more heavily armoured. They finally have some good heroes, like Amdur and the Dragon Knight, and Khamul the ringwraith. The only irritating thing about Easterlings is even though you can use their spears as pikes, there are only 4 spears in a box of 20. I have a lot of useless Easterling swords laying around...
Then there are goblins, trolls, spiders and wargs...

And orcs, uruk-hai, Dunledings, dragons, bats etc...

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

There are many evil armies to choose from ( At SBG)... I would recommend to you to pick the one you like more... For example the one that was your favourite in the films or the books...

I would say if you are near a GW (as you haven't put a location can't suggest one) then go in and ask for a game of each, see which you prefer and then ask other players there which armies they prefer and why then see which one suits you, either as you like the tactics or even the looks (this is why i have Uruk Scouts, i like them alot).

'FireKnife'

I like the look of the fallen realms army, the colours look really good, I love the red, and love the look of the mummuk, would enjoy painting that but what is the army like strength wise, would it stand a chance fighting say Mordor as one of my friends has that army or the dwarves as another friend has that army? x

I have 3 friends who play and they have a Mordor Dwarf and Elven Army! So that's why I think an evil army will be best, so honestly asking u guys, which evil army would u pick other than Mordor? Give me the pro's and Cons to each army if you can, and the best way to play said army, I havent bought one yet but really wanna start collecting, I love painting but obviously want an army to compete with the guys and maybe surprise them too. Thanx x

Do you want them in WOTR or SBg, if it' sfor SBG, they are not one list, Easterlings, Khand, Harad, Umbar, Far Hrad etc.. they would have to ally.

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

Harad and Corsair armies are really mass armies that can rely on numbers but also backed up by some very strong models. For the Dwarves it could be a struggle but they can be beat with good tactics.

'FireKnife'

They play war of the ring mainly! Sometimes play SBG but mainly WOTR so I guess the best army for WOTR please x

Thanx everyone for your replies, really appreciate it. Any help is great

I f your playing Fallen Realm, use a wraith or two (Khamul is a good 1st choice) another ES hero eg Suladan, Dalamyr etc. A Mumak is powerful. And Arbalesters are less points than normal corsairs with shields or bows, so a formation or 2 with Captains (and maybe the Betrayer) would be good. Easterlings make a good core, and Harad Raiders and Morgul Knights for cavalry. Khandish with 2-handed wepons are good i large formations (if you have the money) and Half Trolls rea nice too. If you want Hard infantry, give them all bows.

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