4 armies for UK doubles tournament

[Dr Grant]

Hi guys

So this morning I got a ticket to the UK doubles tournament in June. We need 2 good 500 point forces and 2 evil 500 point forces. We’re basically just going for a weekend of fun and the chance to play some different opponents rather than any great hopes of glory. We’ve decided to go for a 500 point Moria and a 500 point Isengard list for our evil forces and 2 Rohan forces for our Good lists. I’ve presented the first draft of each below and would genuinely welcome feedback/criticism on any of the 4 lists. I have time to paint up new figures and can afford to buy a few bits and bobs here and there if you’d recommend making any big changes. Please note that each 500 point force has to stand as an individual army and abide by all the army selection rules. During the tournament the 2 armies will be fighting side by side so when thinking about force composition we will be fighting with the full 1000 point Good or Evil armies during each game.

Rohan 1

Warband 1
Leader - Theoden, armoured horse, heavy armour, shield - 95
6 Royal Guard, horses, throwing spears - 108

Warband 2
Erkenbrand, horse - 75
4 Redshield Riders of Rohan (3 bows) - 56
2 Redshield Riders of Rohan with throwing spears - 32

Warband 3
Hama - 50
4 warriors of Rohan with throwing spears - 32
4 warriors of Rohan with bows - 28
3 warriors of Rohan with shields - 21

497 points - 26 models

The main issue I have here is obviously the inclusion of Theoden. I know he’s not good value for his points but A) I love the model and have it painted and B) I really want to create a themed force representing the Ride of the Rohirrim throughout The Two Towers and Return of the King so almost feel duty-bound to include him. Fluff-wise I certainly can’t justify including the (vastly superior) Eorl the young.


Rohan 2

Warband 1
Leader - Eomer, Knight of the Pelennor, armoured horse - 130
7 Riders of Rohan (4 bows) - 91
4 Riders of Rohan with throwing spears - 60
Rider of Rohan with Banner - 38

Warband 2
Grimbold - 55
4 Helmingas warriors of Rohan with throwing spears - 36
3 Helmingas warriors of Rohan with bows - 24
4 Helmingas warriors of Rohan with shields - 32
Helminga warrior of Rohan with banner - 32

498 points - 26 models


Moria

Warband 1
Leader - Durburz - 60
6 Goblins with spears (6x5) - 30
5 goblins with shields - (5x5) - 25
Cave Troll, troll chain - 85

Warband 2
Shaman - 45
10 goblins with bows - (10x5) - 50
Drum - 100

Warband 3
Shaman - 45
6 goblins with shields - (6x5) - 30
6 Goblins with spears - (6x5) - 30

500 points - 39 models

Should I upgrade a shaman to Groblog? I’d only need to lose the troll chain and a goblin and his Fury boost is really cool. However, I’m largely interested in having a fun, themed army and I reckon most people would frown upon Groblog and Durburz in a 500 point list no?

Is the archer warband a good idea? I’ve put them together to get volley fire which won’t make a drastic change to their dismal shoot value but could really help with the range increase.

Isengard

Warband 1
Leader - Saruman - 170
5 Uruk Hai warriors with shields - (5x10) - 50
6 Uruk Hai warriors with pikes - (6x10) - 60
Warrior with banner - 34

Warband 2
Lurtz - 60
6 scouts with bows - (6x9) - 54
5 scouts with shields - (5x9) - 45

Warband 3
Grima - 25

498 points - 26 models


My main options here with my model collection would be to swap the scout warband for Sharku and some Warg Riders, thoughts?

I’m also debating swapping Lurtz for Mauhir and upgrading the scouts to Marauders, the extra 2” movement could well come in handy in getting the charge against Gondor, Rohan, elves etc.

As I said, any feedback will be greatly appreciated, I’ve got a ton of figures to paint between now and then and I’m not the fastest painter so I might well start a painting blog for some support!

Also, is anyone else going?

Cheers guys

[Jobu]

IMHO you need to have larger numbers, goblins will outnumber you pretty bad, like 2.5:1 with a horde, so will most evil. You will face a lot of harad so be prepared to take on shooting and shoot for the best possible deployment to stay away from it. No F6 but that is hard to come by in a rohan list.

For rohan I would take something like this if you want to stick with cavalry:

Warband 1 8/12
Éowyn, Shield Maiden of Rohan with Horse; Armour; Shield;
5 Westfold Redshield
3 Westfold Redshield (can't shoot)
----
Warband 2 12/12
Grimbold of Grimslade
6 Rohan Outrider
6 Rohan Royal Guard
----
Warband 3 11/12
Erkenbrand, Captain of Rohan with Horse;
5 Rohan Royal Guard
6 Helmingas with Throwing spears; Shield;
----
6 might 500pts 35 models. Still pretty themed, just revolves around the lieutenants rather than leaders.

You could swap out a couple of royal guard for more helmingas. If you don't have outriders then drop them and get regular warriors with bows, get as many TW as you can.

Warband 1 12/12
Éowyn, Shield Maiden of Rohan with Horse; Armour; Shield;
2 Westfold Redshield (can't shoot)
6 Rohan Royal Guard
4 Warrior of Rohan with Bow;
----
Warband 2 9/12
Grimbold of Grimslade
3 Westfold Redshield
6 Helmingas with Throwing spears; Shield;
----
Warband 3 12/12
Erkenbrand, Captain of Rohan with Horse;
1 Westfold Redshield (can't shoot)
3 Rohan Royal Guard
4 Warrior of Rohan with Bow;
1 Helmingas with Throwing spears; Shield;
3 Helmingas with Shield;
----
6 might 36 models 500 points, 11 bows(3 mobile)+7 TW, so max out at 18 shots.


More helms deepy version with theoden

Warband 1 12/12
Théoden, King of Rohan with Heavy armour; Shield;
4 Rohan Outrider
8 Rohan Royal Guard
----
Warband 2 12/12
Háma, Captain of Rohan
4 Rohan Outrider
8 Helmingas with Throwing spears; Shield;
----
Warband 3 12/12
Grimbold of Grimslade
4 Rohan Outrider
4 Rohan Royal Guard
2 Helmingas with Throwing spears; Shield;
2 Helmingas with Shield;

7 might, 39 models, 500pts.

For the evil, I will not comment on the isenguard list since I have never played it and do not like isenguard anyway.
You will see a lot of groblog, durburz, shaman combo's for moria armies. Just think of it as an army forced together during the great goblin dwarf wars. Archery is hit or miss, most times you will start too close to volley.

[Peregrin]

Nice suggestions for the Rohirim.
I'm seriously looking at this as I have a lot of these figures for my WotR army and we're just starting to look at the SBG rules as well.