Hey folks,

Me and some friends are planning to build up some armies for playing The Hobbit. I'm thinking about playing with Minas Tirith and was looking for any advice or feedback on the following list?:



I'm pretty confident the list is legal, but beyond that I really don't know much about what I'm doing. All feedback would be appreciated!

Its a good starting place. 40 models is reasonable for 600pts. As you play you'll get a sense of what you like.

That said, I'm not a fan of banners for cavalry. 3" isn't very far and with their larger bases cavalry tend to have to spread out. Minas Tirith can struggle against S4 and F4 (especially together as with Uruk-Hai). Rangers and Citadel Guard help with F4, so it can make sense to have them in a position to support your F3 troops rather than in separate warbands/formations.

What are your friends playing? If you're going to be playing against the same armies pretty frequently it can make sense to evaluate options on that basis.

Thanks for the response.

I'm not entirely sure why the banner is there, to be honest. I guess I could drop it and bring some more models - what would you recommend for the 25 points?

My friends will be bringing Eastern Kingdoms (Khandish), Rohan and Moria. In truth, I won't be playing with these guys all that much - we all live in different countries and have started an annual gaming weekend. For the most part, the games I play will be at my local store and I have absolutely no idea what kind of armies I'll be coming up against.

I agree, it looks good. Faramir with the upgrades you have for him, is great with the knights for the points he costs. Just make sure you avoid any magic and strong heroes they have as he is not that strong. Still this force is good and not difficult to play and when you outnumber with that high defence it will make it really hard for your opponent to kill you.

You have enough models so I would still take the banner, but on foot and that will make it hard for you opponent to win many combats.

If you can make all your rangers carry spears as they are so much better with spears than without.

Thanks for the advice!

I've started building and painting the WoMT and haven't yet decided what to do with the extra points. I can pop a banner into the infantry for sure - I have to admit I put it into the army list without actually reading what it did! - but I can't also put spears on all the Rangers.

I think I'm happier having the Rangers all equipped with spears than having a banner on the table and will have a think about what else I can fit in once I've done that.

I did want to check, though - I know in WHFB there was a mission which revolved around an army score which was based on your banners and General being alive. Is there any scenario where I'm going to particularly struggle if I don't have any banners?

Agreed, move the banner to a different warband and equip those rangers with spears and stick them behind a shield wall

There is one scenario (I think just one) in the current standard list of scenarios where you get victory points for a banner. Some new scenarios are being used at the Hobbit GT at the end of February and 2 of those have victory points for banners. Whether they will become standard scenarios we don’t know yet.

I do not like scenarios that use the banner for victory points as some lists do not get the option to take them. The goblins for example have a drum instead which is a banner but does not count towards victory points.

Still if you can take a banner then do as it can be easy victory points.

Also, if you have the points, osgiliath veterans for faramirs warband would be helpful.

Is it worth dropping models to upgrade to Osgiliath Veterans, spears on the Rangers and retaining the banner?

The issue with Veterans in Faramir's warband is that as he's mounted, I expect him to be moving around with the Knights. They're not likely to be close enough to him to benefit from the bonus to their Fight value, presumably?

I'd say it's not worth dropping the model count just to squeeze the osgiliath veterans in. In 600+ point games feel free to add more elite troops, but at 600 I wouldn't want to go below 40 models. It's more important to have shield walls of 6 warriors supported by a back rank of rangers (as they contribute fight 4) That way you can also max out on the bow limit, to soften up oncoming enemy warbands.

_________________
Over the field rang his clear voice calling: "Death! Ride, ride to ruin and the world's ending!"

Couple of quick snaps. I had been planning on spending ages painting these guys and layering them up really carefully, but I ended up just getting the silvers done rather quickly last night.

So far have pretty much done the silver and the faces - will start on leather, other metals and wood this evening, then I think it's just the cloth, the black shields and basing to do.

Have really enjoyed painting these guys. It's a nice change from Space Marines!

The reason to use osgiliath vets is to get the fight 4. It would more beneficial to equip the rangers with spears. As far as the banner goes. That is going to be personal preference. I always field a banner. Some people never field banners.

Ok, so how about this:

Remove the banner from the Knights.

Add a bow to Faramir.
Add spears to the six Rangers.
Add one extra Knight of Minas Tirith with shield.

Gives me an extra 3+ bow and a total of 45 models on the table.

What these guys said to you cool but you will find it hard to kill nazguls and monsters. It would be a pro upgrade to add more citadel archers in it. They have bodyguard and something like elven longbows, so that they can effectively kill units with terror. I am playing for a long time with MT and I found these as lifesaver units. I don't know what is going on with your bow limit though.

_________________
Conversation/Ideas over painting etc, can check here:
http://www.one-ring.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=29455

I'm a fan of citadel guard. If you have the points, they are a great alternative to rangers.

While I use Rangers more often than Citadel Guard Archers, if you are playing regularly against D5 or D7 armies like dwarves or Moria swarms, the Citadel Guard are more useful than Rangers.

Banners are invaluable. Do not drop it. Worth the points every time. On foot with a shield should make him harder to kill and he'll also influence more of your army.

_________________
12th GBHL 2013.
13th GBHL 2014
9th GBHL 2015


Mid Sussex Wargamers