Would like to get back into LOTR...

[Comrade Wraith]

....but games workshop doesn't seem to want to be of any help in any way:
1.The prices have doubled since I last played (£12 for 24 now 12 for £13.50!)
2.The focus now seems to be on their new game of "Warhammer of the rings"
3.There are as good as no articles on their site

Never mind! I'm still determined to play the skirmish level system. To this end, point 1 will be solved with ebay and point 2 is annoying, but can largely be ignored.

What I would like is for you lovely folks, if you would, to point me towards some decent fan made articles and such to get me back into the spirit of the startegy battle game if possible. It seems very difficult to find anything which isn't WOTR now, and I just want to be able to see some other hobbyists's experiences and input into the game, or does this simply not exist anymore?

It's a shame, I remember really enjoying the skirmish level system and the white dwarf articles (which will be my fallback should this fall through) and general spirit of the thing. But I can't find anything from games workshop to get me back into it except for a catalogue boxes of half the miniatures I used to buy.

Anyway, I'd really be grateful to see blogs, communities, articles etc if they exist. Thanks.

[Magos Saphentos]

2 communities that might help you get back in the spirit of things are:
http://www.thelastalliance.com/
http://www.one-ring.co.uk/
Hope that helps

[Comrade Wraith]

That's precisely the kind of thing I'm looking for! Brilliant, thanks.

[Spider-pope]

....but games workshop doesn't seem to want to be of any help in any way:
1.The prices have doubled since I last played (£12 for 24 now 12 for £13.50!)

Tell me about it, it was something of a surprise when i went shopping for some Wood Elves.

2.The focus now seems to be on their new game of "Warhammer of the rings"

Not anymore. GW have reversed their stance, expect the skirmish game to be more heavily supported with War of the Ring (unfortunately) being sidelined into an expansion role.

3.There are as good as no articles on their site

Can't disagree there. But if you are looking for inspiration there are several LOTR plogs down in the Fantasy Plog section that are well worth a look.

Never mind! I'm still determined to play the skirmish level system. To this end, point 1 will be solved with ebay and point 2 is annoying, but can largely be ignored.

Alas, if i still lived on the Wirral i would have been able to commute to sunny North Wales to provide you with an opponent. As it is i'm stuck in Liverpool, in much the same position as yourself as interest here in LOTR is somewhat lacking to say the least.

[Optimus Anakin]

I was thinking of going back, but GW has priced me out now. I guess it's like a Mercedez Benz. They are not ment to be sold to the common market only a select few. I guess GW is like that now. Not for the common gamer but with people with money.

Another reason I will not get back to LotR, is I was about to buy all the books, but if I read correctly, 10-12 or so pages are all the same in ALL 4 books, why bother then?

[Peregrin]

You only need them if you want to build that particular army, or you really want the extra scenarios.
A friend of mine has Easterling and Dwarf armies, and I have Elf and Isengard forces.
He picked up the Fallen Realms and I picked up Free Peoples, and we share when necessary.
(I also picked up the 'Men' book as I have mostly Rohirim and Minas Tirith models).

[Greendragon]

I've just picked up Fallen Realms for fun, but in the end decided I REALLY want a Dwarf army. They just look so badass!

[Peregrin]

They really are nice.
I've got both of the 'good' army books and a buddy of mine has me covered for my small Isengard force (Fallen Realms book).
I'm tempted to pick up Moria/Angmar just to encourage a friend who's got Goblins and spider models but hasn't jumped into the game yet.