Dave: I love the scene in Balin's Tomb, when the Goblins attack the Fellowship. It's the first time we see the Fellowship in action, and the goblins look great, especially when they bring out a cave troll! I love horde armies, so naturally, I'm writing my “Fantasy Legendary Legion” as a Moria army.The Battle in Balin's Tomb
Army Composition:
* Moria Blackshield Captain
* Moria Goblin Captain (Bow, Shield)
* Moria Goblin Warriors (Bow, Shield, Spear)
* Moria Blackshields (Spear)
* Moria Goblin Drum
* Cave Troll with Hammer and Troll Chain
Additional Rules:
A Battle in Balin's Tomb must have at least one Moria Blackshield Captain who is your leader. This model counted as being a Hero of Valour and gains one additional Might,Will and Fate point. Additionally, this model may use Heroic Strike as if it was listed under it's Heroic Actions.
A Battle in Balin's Tomb force must include one, and only one, Cave Troll. This Cave Troll must be armed with a Hand and a Half Hammer and a Troll Chain. Additionally, this model is treated as a Minor Hero, with 2 Might, and 1 Will and Fate. You may also use Heroic Strength.
A Battle in Balin's Tomb force must contain atleast one Moria Goblin Drum.
Special Rules
“We cannot get out. They are coming.”
Friendly Moria Goblin models involved in a fight where their opponent is trapped receive a bonus of +1 to their Fight value.
“Drums in the Deep.”
The range of the drum is increased to the whole battlefield as long as it remains stationary during the movement phase.
So this is my pretty basic idea for a Moria Legendary Legion. Whilst you can't take any named characters, or even Shamans for that matter, you must take atleast one Blackshield Captain, who gains an additional M,W and F, and a rule allowing him to use Heroic Strike, making him pretty potent in combat (by Goblin standards!).
What you lack in the way of Goblin Prowlers, or Marauders, you make up for with a Battelfield-wide buff to your Goblin Drum, a permanent banner effect and a +1/-1 courage to you and your opponent respectively is no joke!
Finally, you must take a Cave Troll (it is a pretty iconic part of the scene, after all!), but he gains some M,W and F, aswell as Heroic Strength, making him a very nice bit of punch in the army!
Since you can't take the more expensive heroes, this list will be the epitome of Goblin Horde, just make sure you can keep your Drum alive since the courage buff will be very important when you break!
Steve: Being an Isenguard player, there’s one legion and one hero I certainly hope to see elevated even if just a little in the next supplement - Lurtz. We got a nice part Uruk Scouts based legion in Ugluk’s legendary legion back in War in Rohan, so this legion idea may well sound similar in a few regards. Obviously a large component of this will be the Boromir slayer himself - Lurtz and in the wider MESBG game he’s honestly a little underwhelming despite the tenacity and brutality he shows in the films.Lurtz's Scouts
Army Composition:
* Lurtz
* Ugluk
* Mauhur
* Vrasku
* Uruk-Hai Scout Captain (Uruk Bow, Shield, Two-Handed Weapon)
* Uruk-Hai Drummer
* Uruk-Hai Scout (Uruk Bow, Shield)
At a first glance, not a whole lot of options available other than being relatively hero heavy (all of which being scout related), one thing to change it up however will be some special rules. As I said before, one thing this force showed in the films more than anything was it’s tenacity and determination to complete their goal - this shown more so through their leader.
Additional Rules:
Lurtz’s Scouts must always include Lurtz. Lurtz is always the army leader.
Special Rules:
“You do not know Pain, you do not know Fear!”
Friendly Isenguard models do not start to take courage tests for being Broken until at least 66% of the force’s models have been removed as casualties.
Make Haste to Isenguard
Friendly models gain the Woodland Creature special rule.
Uruk Tenacity
Lurtz gains the Oblivious to Pain special rule. Lurtz’s Stand Fast! Range is increased to 12”.
“Find them!”
When in base contact with an objective marker and making a courage check, friendly models in this may roll 3D6 and choose the two highest results.
At a first glance, not a whole lot of options available other than being relatively hero heavy (all of which being scout related), one thing to change it up however will be some special rules. As I said before, one thing this force showed in the films more than anything was it’s tenacity and determination to complete their goal - this shown more so through their leader.
Friendly Isenguard models do not start to take courage tests for being Broken until at least 66% of the force’s models have been removed as casualties.
Make Haste to Isenguard
Friendly models gain the Woodland Creature special rule.
Uruk Tenacity
Lurtz gains the Oblivious to Pain special rule. Lurtz’s Stand Fast! Range is increased to 12”.
“Find them!”
When in base contact with an objective marker and making a courage check, friendly models in this may roll 3D6 and choose the two highest results.
At a first glance, not a whole lot of options available other than being relatively hero heavy (all of which being scout related), one thing to change it up however will be some special rules. As I said before, one thing this force showed in the films more than anything was it’s tenacity and determination to complete their goal - this shown more so through their leader.
So a little bit of explanation about these: a lot of my thinking when designing this legion was revolving around the Uruks having a specific objective, one they were determined to accomplish and Lurtz was making sure of that. With that I decided to go with rules that would largely buff their average courage to reflect this ‘accomplish our goal or die trying’ mentality. The latter of the rules will however only work in certain scenarios, but plays into their objective heavy mindset of Saruman’s mission to them. Lastly, Lurtz did feel like he needed somewhat of a bonus especially given his climactic showdown with Aragorn where he kept going despite grievous wounds - with this in mind it felt appropriate to give him the Beserker and Feral special rule of ‘Oblivious to Pain’ giving him a nice little soft fate roll.
Will: So with my LL, although I am a keen advocate of a Cirith Ungol and pretty much anything evil. I have actually gone with a LL that I would like for good - one of the iconic scenes in The Two Towers and big point of Frodo's theatrical journey being the journey to Osgiliath and it's ongoing siege. One where Frodo would have a fateful encounter with a young Gondor Captain.
Defenders of Osgiliath
Army Composition:
* Faramir
* Madril
* Damrod
* Anborn
* Mablug
* Frodo Baggins
* Samwise Gamgee
* Smeagol/Gollum
* Minas Tirith Warriors (Bow, Spear, Shield)
* Ranger of Gondor (Spear)
* Osgiliath Veteran (Bow, Spear, Shield)
Additional Rules:
A Defenders of Osgiliath force must include Faramir and Frodo Baggins. Faramir is always the army leader.
A Defenders of Osgiliath force must include Faramir and Frodo Baggins. Faramir is always the army leader.
The force has a bow limit of 50%
Special rules:
Life as Forfeit
If Frodo is still alive and on the Battlefield your opponent cannot score VP's for slaying the Enemy leader as Faramir will happily give up his life so Frodo can destroy the One Ring.
Protect the Ringbearer
Faramir gets +1 to wound on ranged attacks when firing on Wraith models or their mounts.
Stay here Frodo
Whilst Frodo is alive and still on the Battlefield all Warrior models gain +1 Strength. Additionally all models within 6 inches of Frodo receive +1 courage.
Each turn Frodo must roll for Sauron's Will before the movement phase and before heroics are called whether he is wearing the ring or not.
If he fails, the force loses its bonuses for the remainder of the game. The first time this fails, Faramir May call a Heroic Move or Heroic Combat for free this turn.
Frodo gains no benefits from wearing the One Ring. If he does decide to wear it for some odd reason
the army loses its Bonuses for the remainder of the game.
It's your Sam
If Samwise Gamgee is within 3 inches of Frodo you may use his might as well as Frodo's to adjust the Sauron's Will role.
As you can see, this is a Protect Frodo heavy Legion. I love this scene in the movie and it is one that brings out Faramir as the great character he is and thematically as usual, Sam saving Frodo's backside.
Whilst writing this I realised I actually love this idea and I may just invest in making this army anyway! So most of these rules I've written, as well as lines from the film, I have written them with the scene in mind (and a little help from the other members of the blog). Now an obvious weakness here is siege weapons, bow shots etc towards Frodo. This could really hurt this legion's chances and buffs but keep him hidden and safe and you're golden.
Obviously I have included the two new amazing looking Ranger models. I have no way of knowing their rules but I imagine they won't be too OP to put in this legion. With the buff to warriors, this makes the Osgiliath Veterans extremely appealing troops as fighters and gives you some difficult decisions to make.
Life as Forfeit
If Frodo is still alive and on the Battlefield your opponent cannot score VP's for slaying the Enemy leader as Faramir will happily give up his life so Frodo can destroy the One Ring.
Protect the Ringbearer
Faramir gets +1 to wound on ranged attacks when firing on Wraith models or their mounts.
Stay here Frodo
Whilst Frodo is alive and still on the Battlefield all Warrior models gain +1 Strength. Additionally all models within 6 inches of Frodo receive +1 courage.
Each turn Frodo must roll for Sauron's Will before the movement phase and before heroics are called whether he is wearing the ring or not.
If he fails, the force loses its bonuses for the remainder of the game. The first time this fails, Faramir May call a Heroic Move or Heroic Combat for free this turn.
Frodo gains no benefits from wearing the One Ring. If he does decide to wear it for some odd reason
the army loses its Bonuses for the remainder of the game.
It's your Sam
If Samwise Gamgee is within 3 inches of Frodo you may use his might as well as Frodo's to adjust the Sauron's Will role.
As you can see, this is a Protect Frodo heavy Legion. I love this scene in the movie and it is one that brings out Faramir as the great character he is and thematically as usual, Sam saving Frodo's backside.
Whilst writing this I realised I actually love this idea and I may just invest in making this army anyway! So most of these rules I've written, as well as lines from the film, I have written them with the scene in mind (and a little help from the other members of the blog). Now an obvious weakness here is siege weapons, bow shots etc towards Frodo. This could really hurt this legion's chances and buffs but keep him hidden and safe and you're golden.
Obviously I have included the two new amazing looking Ranger models. I have no way of knowing their rules but I imagine they won't be too OP to put in this legion. With the buff to warriors, this makes the Osgiliath Veterans extremely appealing troops as fighters and gives you some difficult decisions to make.
Colm: Listen to this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DFYvwn_xLM. Is there any other argument needed for a Black Riders LL? I personally would love something for the Nine based around their chase of the hobbits from The Shire to Rivendell. The unit choices available to this legion would obviously be quite limited. There is always the possibility that the nine unique wraith profiles could be included, but my guess is that to reflect the nine at this period the profiles available would be generic Ringwraiths and the Witch King all riding horses.
The Black Riders
Army Composition:
Army Composition:
* The Witch-King of Angmar (Armoured Horse, Morgul Blade)
* Ringwraith (Horse)
Additional Rules:
A Black Riders force must always contain The With-King of Angmar.
All models in this force must start mounted
Special Rules:
"He has been stabbed by a Morgul Blade"
The Witch-King of Angmar may equip a Morgul Blade for no additional points cost.
"They are the Nazgûl, Ringwraiths, neither living or dead."
Special Rules:
"He has been stabbed by a Morgul Blade"
The Witch-King of Angmar may equip a Morgul Blade for no additional points cost.
"They are the Nazgûl, Ringwraiths, neither living or dead."
For one round, once per game the force may increase their Harbinger of Evil courage penalty to -2.
Additionally when casting Instil Fear and Channel it for no extra cost.
The terror of the hobbits upon hearing the keening wail of the riders is an excellent introduction to the riders and something that reflects how horrifying they are seems a natural rule to include. Maybe once a game their harbinger game reduces courage by 2, or if they cast instill fear it counts as channelled.
"Do not come between a Nazgul and his prey."
Once per game the controlling player may elect to automatically win a Priority roll - the use of this special rule must be declared before any dice are rolled for Priority.
Additionally, the force may also deploy as a single warband or individually. This is to be stated after the scenario has been chosen.
An obvious weakness of Ringwraiths is their Will of Evil special rule. If they get caught in a combat they don't want or cast one spell too many they can disappear very quickly. Something to counteract this would be cool and also a way to increase their power level. There are many ways to do this such as a free will point each turn for spell casting, or if in combat they only lose on a will point on a 5+, or they get will back for killing a hero . . . The possibilities are pretty much endless.
The terror of the hobbits upon hearing the keening wail of the riders is an excellent introduction to the riders and something that reflects how horrifying they are seems a natural rule to include, this was my thinking behind the "They are the Nazgûl, Ringwraiths, neither living or dead." special rule. This partnered up with "Do not come between a Nazgul and his prey." to reflect the nature of their chase and sudden moments of ambush such as the attack at Weathertop.
Current iterations on a Black Riders lists aren't very competitive and the above rules don't necessarily change that, but its something I dont think I could resist as they're some of the most iconic villains not just in Lord of the Rings, but literature/cinema in general.
Well, that's just a sample of some of the ideas which sprang to mind upon the announcement of Quest of the Ringbearer supplement. What ideas for Legendary Legions do you have? Drop us a comment and get the speculation rolling!
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