I think the Perry twins did a great job overall with this release, and I think the rules make them a lot of fun to use in the skirmish system.
I've really warmed up to the wraith models; each tells a little story about what it once was and leaves no doubt that they are nazgul. That, and the Knight of Umbar is nails in a skirmish game, and the Betrayer makes me happy with its area affect poison rule.
I'm actually working on my Kardush right now, and I have to say this model is a lot of fun to paint, and the fire ball really doesn't look that bad. Plus, his skirmish rules allow him to replenish his Will store (at the cost of an orc) and generally make him annoying to get rid of. That, and if you remove him, he gives a wraith back D 6 Will. That, and he's not that much more expensive points wise than a regular shaman.
I really like the Abrakhan guard and the Golden King. The king has this gloating, almost obnoxious posture; he is your typical 'bad guy'; sends in his minions to fight for him and always scheming for a new angle. The guard are fun because they look like the stereotypical 'heavies' that protect their paymaster in any good movie or video game.
The Harad command is very nice; the Taskmaster looks like a miserable bastard who treats his troops as totally disposable and inflicts on the spot punishment. The standard is very impressive; interesting to note that the scorpion instead of serpent was used for the sculpted heraldry. The Hornblower . . . he's blowing the Hell out of that horn now isn't he? Plus, who doesn't like his skirmish army to be at +1 courage the entire game?
The Easterling Command is great, and the rules nicely flesh out an otherwise limited list to really give you the sense that these are indeed the most vicious and dedicated of Sauron's mannish servants. Also, the Fury and Blade Wrath spells I think are going to be seeing much use; think of that Dragon Knight striking at S 6. Yeah, and what's better: the enemy can't test to resist it!
The Black Guard, as primarily a Mordor player, makes me happy though. You know what they're there for, you know who they serve, and you can only hope they don't find you first. The drummer I feel has less utility in skirmish, because his rule only affect Uruks, instead of all orcish models like the Orc Drummer. The battle standard is amazing though; probably going to be my Banner of Barad-Dur at some point. The captain also has a lot of authority to his pose, showing that he leads from the front. That, and he's got all the benefits as a white hand Uruk captain with the added leadership bonus should the Dark Lord or one of his lieutenants make a showing.
Just my .02; and to be honest any more skirmish rules we get is a good release to my mind. And to be fair to good players, you DID get elf cavalry that moves freely through woods . . .
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I likes to smash . . . Goff Orks
12-11-2009, 03:53
Re: Mordor/Fallen Realms rules
