Professional Documents
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Masterclass
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Report
Issue 1
Autumn 2014
A Middle-Earth fanzine by the fans - for the fans
Cavalry Tactica
The trickiest troops in
the game explained
EDITORIAL
SBG
Welcome to the first ever issue
of SBG, the result of a long-
mooted collaboration to create a
A Middle-Earth fanzine by the fans - for the fans
magazine for The Hobbit: Strategy
Battle Game that began in January
2014 and finishes here, at the
Issue 1 end of all things, with the Editors
Autumn 2014 letter in September.
We hope that you enjoy reading SBG as much as we have enjoyed creating
it. This has been a remarkable and unexpected journey on which we
have learnt an incredible amount and we now feel fully prepared to start
working on Issue 2 - after a few weeks break of course!
Enjoy the issue,
Damian & Tom
CONTENTS
Hobby Blog 2
Discover what the SBG team have been up to during the production
3
of this issue
Painting Masterclass - White Horses 3
6
The Drs Corner 10
Dr Grant discusses why he, like many other wargamers, feels the need
to hide his favourite hobby from the judging eyes of society
Our resident tacticians James and Jamie explain how to make the
most of your cavalry and how to stop them in their tracks
Re-enact the dramatic chase as Azog and his Hunter Orcs attempt to
run down Thorins Company on the slopes of the Misty Mountains in
14
this brand new scenario
We explain how you can support future issues of SBG and win a box
of Rivendell Knights in the process!
38
2014 Issue 1 SBG 1
HOBBY BLOG
A brief look into what the SBG team have been up to during the production of this issue
Damian: Ive had great fun lately converting more
Grim Hammers into Warriors of Erebor and bolstering
the numbers of my Army of Thror (North Star spears
from eBay, axes from eBobs Weapon pack and Warriors
of Erebor shields made the perfect wargear). Next, Im
planning to treat myself to painting up Thror and Thrain
to lead them - I cant wait to get them on the table!
PAINTING
MASTERCLASS
White Horses
1. Decide where you
want your model
to be situated on
its base. Glue some
gravel, rocks, sand etc.
Shadow & Flame is a collaboration
1
in place and secure
between avid Middle-Earth enthusiasts
the model to base.
Kev Lawrence (Shadow) and Dave
Fredericks (Flame). They have been
2. Prime the model
refining their respective crafts since 2001,
black.The undercoat
providing the highest quality custom
colour is, of course, down
paint jobs, conversions, and scratch
to individual preference,
sculpts for all of your wargaming needs.
2
but I work from black on
Shadow has painted on commission for
every model.
two years, during which time he has
painted hundreds of miniatures for clients, 3. Basecoat the horses
while Flames conversion experience and mane and tail with VGC
commission services go back nine years, Khaki. 4. Make a mix of
with his first scratch sculpts dating back to VGC Leather Brown and
2007. In this article, Kev talks us through water at a ratio of 1 drop
his techniques for painting white horses, a of paint to 10 drops of
common nightmare for hobbyists. 3 water and wash this over
the mane and tail. This
Head over to www.shadowandflame.co.uk will produce a yellowy
for a view of their galleries, products, and look. When measuring the
services and receive a quote to sculpt and drops, dip a Fine Detail
paint your custom piece of Middle-Earth! Brush deep into your
Like Shadow & Flame on Facebook at water jar and then allow
www.facebook.com/ShadowandFlame 4 individual drops of water
to drop onto your pallet.
PAINTS REQUIRED 5.
Basecoat
Vallejo Model Color (VMC): Burnt Cad, Red
all of the
Vallejo Game Color (VGC): Khaki, Leather Brown, Beasty
horses fur
Brown, Cold Grey, Stonewall Grey, Charred Brown, Dead
with VGC
White, Bone White, Earth
Cold Grey.
Games Workshop (GW): Abbadon Black, Shining Gold,
5
Chainmail, Seraphim Sepia
Army Painter: Strong Tone
2014 Issue 1 SBG 3
White Horses - Painting Masterclass
10 12 13
horses teeth.
14. Make a mix of VGC Dead White and water in the ratio of
1 drop of paint to 6 drops of water and highlight the horses
fur again using the same method as before, brushing towards
the area you want the fur to be lightest (see Step 8). The
paint can be stippled onto the sides of the horses neck;
stippling is where you tap the point of your brush against the
model to achieve a dotted effect. Ensure that you knock any
blobs of watered down paint off the end of your brush before
attempting this, otherwise the paint will run everywhere. This
stage can be repeated as many times as you like until you are
happy with the lightness of the horses fur. The more you
repeat this stage, the whiter your horse will be.
14/15
although again I have opted to paint the highlight on with a
Fine Detail brush.
Want to improve
specific aspects
of your painting?
Write to us at
SBGmagazine@
gmail.com with
suggestions for
future Painting
Masterclass topics.
OMS TOP 10
UNDER-COSTED WARRIORS
Tom Harrison is a regular on the UK tournament scene, winning
two events on his way to finishing 2nd in the Great British Hobbit
League in 2013. In this article, Tom takes a close look at the maths
behind the game to discover the Top 10 under-costed Warriors in
the whole of the The Hobbit: Strategy Battle Game!
O
ne of the most not only due to under-pointed models but also due to the high levels
commonly discussed of synergy that can be achieved between specific models. However,
topics within The Hobbit: for now Id like to concentrate solely on the point values assigned to
Strategy Battle Game community models by Games Workshop and more specifically, those point values
revolves around which models which are, on paper, too low.
are the most under-pointed or
over-pointed based on their This brings us round to the question of how does one determine
profiles. Generally, competitive the point value of a model? For this edition of SBG, Ill be looking at
tournament players will be drawn Warriors (excluding Warriors with multiple Wounds, as their point
towards under-costed models values do not follow the same rules as those with single Wounds), as
when army list building, just as these are the easiest to assess. One of the fantastic things about The
Gollum is drawn towards The Hobbit: Strategy Battle Game is that the system for determining the
One Ring it is something that is point value assigned to each model is so simple (theoretically at least):
done without conscious thought, each additional profile statistic/basic piece of equipment/Special Rule
although those not compelled by given to a basic Warrior costs one point. One can use a generic Man
this kind of army list building may profile such as a standard Warrior of Rohan as a benchmark and then
see it as being somewhat sneaky determine how much every model should, in theory, cost.
(or cheesy).
Here is a quick summary of the basis for the point values I used
Generally, players will be more when conducting my research (all relative to a Warrior of Rohan):
successful when they choose
models that are cheaper than
they should be relative to when +1 Fight/Strength/Defence/Attack/Courage 1 point
they select models that are too +1 Shoot value (e.g. 3+ versus 4+) 1 point*
expensive; the latter are often +1 of movement (on foot) 1 point
shunned in tournament play Regular item of equipment 1 point
despite having redeeming qualities Strength 3 Bow/ Throwing Weapon/ Crossbow 2 points
Thoden being an obvious Elven Cloak 5 points
example. Obviously, fluff and Special Rule (unless mimicking an Elven Cloak) 1 point
theme play a large part in many Spells (e.g. Spectre, Wood Elf Sentinel) 5 points
gamers armies (as they should) Horse (based on a Knight of Minas Tirith) 5 points
yet there is something satisfying Warg (based on a Warg Rider) 6 points
(to some at least) about finding
the most broken army list. Of * Only counted if the model can be armed with a ranged weapon
course, such lists are broken A little arbitrary perhaps; given the same weight as an Elven Cloak
The Top 10
1 Woses Warrior 9 points too cheap
2 Wood Elf Warrior 5 points too cheap
= Mirkwood Ranger
4 Watcher of Krna 4 points too cheap
= Guard of the Galadhrim Court
= High Elf Warrior/Galadhrim Warrior
7 Hobbit Archer 3 points too cheap
Hobbit Archers have the
= Rohan Outrider
ability to strike fear into the
= Clansman of Lamedon
opposition in spite of their small
10 Black Nmenorean 2 points too cheap
size. Despite being as cheap as
= Uruk-hai Berserker
a Moria Goblin, their ranged
= Abrakhn Merchant Guard
prowess is superb and, being
= Knight of Dol Amroth (on foot)
so cheap, they can be fielded
= Dwarf Ranger (without bow)
in great numbers. If only the
= Khazd Guard
hobbits in the Fellowship could
= Shirriff
carry a bow
= Rivendell Knight
The champions of the under- The elves of Middle-Earth, whilst Rohan Outriders are similar in
pointed models are Woses fairly pointed relative to one point value to their Warrior of
Warriors. They have an Elven another, far outstrip the world of Rohan cousins, yet point-for-point
Cloak and the Woodland Creature men in terms of value per point they are far superior. Being able
Special Rule. In addition to this, (clearly, GBHL Jamie was onto to use a friendly Heros Stand
they all have spears, poisoned something with his tournament Fast! regardless of range makes
blowpipes (hitting on a 3+) and winning Woses Warrior and them an excellent choice when
add +1 to their dice when rolling Wood Elf alliance). With their deciding which models should
To Wound against Orcs, Uruk-hai high Courage, impressive Shoot hold objectives. In addition, their
and Goblins in close combat. At value, the Woodland Creature high Courage and an improved
least they can only move 5 No, Special Rule and a selection of Shoot value make these troops
wait, the Free Peoples FAQ comes other Special Rules, elves are an obvious choice for any army of
to their rescue and helps to make formidable opponents and are Rohan.
them even better [Ed: As if they often seen gracing the top tables
needed it]. at tournaments.
within an army). Whilst the own Special Rules? I have already effective combinations within an
Clansmen of Lamedon clearly talked about Watchers of Krna army list is an important part of
get a lot for their points, having and the potential to take 50% the game.
Courage 5 and a two-handed bows but there are many other
weapon are probably not the examples. The new Piercing Strike As for some critical analysis of
best use of those points if rule has made low Defence the test that I have carried out
they dropped to Courage 3 yet models armed with axes too well, its far from fool-proof.
had Strength 5, 2 Attacks, and cheap for no real loss, they gain Whilst the simple point costs that
an axe instead of a two-handed on average an extra 2 Strength I have used are a good foundation,
there are many inconsistencies
in the sourcebooks and there is
Many people would argue that no guarantee that the statistics
and Special Rules I have discussed
finding the most cost-effective above are actually worth the
combinations within an army list is values I have assigned to them
should each Special Rule be
an important part of the game worth the same for example?
Also, some of the Warrior-related
upgrades (e.g. Wood Elf Warrior
weapon (theoretically exactly the this means that Corsair Reavers, to Mirkwood Guard) cost more
same point cost) they would be who using my above template are than 1 point despite granting a
far more feared. Obviously, some actually fairly costed, are often bonus that is worth only 1 point
common sense has to come in at thought of as being broken. (according to the simple metric
some point the fictitious stat- applied in this article at least).
line above is clearly overpowered. It also works the other way; I believe that in the examples
Equally, nobody would take Woses whilst Mirkwood Rangers are where the different statistics/
Warriors if they were 9 points cheap in relative terms, they are equipment/Special Rules for a
more expensive. still expensive in real terms and, Warrior act together to create
given the choice, many players something worth more than the
There is also synergy that comes would rather not pay for the separate entities, some additional
from the equipment or Special Elven Cloak upgrade. Expensive consideration is required to
Rules that accompany a stat-line. Warriors limit your numbers, create a happy medium.
Elves can carry Strength 3 missile which in turn has a knock-on
weapons to accompany their effect on your Break Point, So to some sort of conclusion!
fine shooting prowess, whilst especially when there are no Whilst it is clear that some
Watchers of Krna arguably enjoy cheap Heroes to call on in their models are not fairly costed, it is
even greater synergy: they have army list. Complexities such as certainly less black and white than
a good Shoot value in addition this are extremely difficult to the Top 10 models determined by
to having Poisoned Arrows and, quantify in point values, especially the simple method used in this
critically, sit within a faction that is as the synergies required to win article make out. A multitude of
able to bring up to 50% bows. one scenario may not necessarily factors need to be considered
work for another. In addition, when assigning a point value to
In light of these observations, if if we took this almost holistic a model, yet doing so you would
we actually take a step back from approach, an appropriate points be overcomplicating what is a
this formulaic view of determining value would vary depending on beautifully simple system. So,
point values and instead try to the size of game in question those are my Top 10 under-costed
assign them to models based on but perhaps Im getting ahead of Warriors, what are yours?
gut feeling, it does get rather myself; should models even be
tricky. How do you assign a point costed based on their possible Let Tom know your thoughts
value to a single model when it interactions with others? I think and opinions by writing to us at:
can be placed with other models/ that many people would argue
sit within an army list with its that finding the most cost- SBGmagazine@gmail.com
M
y first realisation that There is no denying the clear first time (a formative event in
our wonderful hobby and permanent impact that this any teens life), she gazed across
was something to event had on me; I learnt very the shelves of Wood Elves and
be concealed came early on that wargaming was Vampire Counts and remarked,
sometime in 1994. I was sitting something to be ashamed of and rather despairingly, Oh, you paint
on the bus to school, reading hidden, certainly not embraced those funny little figures do you?
the amazing Gathering of Might and publicised. I maintained this Suffice to say, the mood was
battle report in White Dwarf issue opinion throughout my school somewhat ruined by my funny
181. For anyone who hasnt been years, playing Warhammer at little figures.
playing long enough to remember the weekends with an entirely
bat-reps from 20 years ago [Copy different set of friends to those When I went to university in
Ed: or for anybody who wasnt even I went to school with (who, of 2002 my paints and models stayed
born that long ago], this was a course, may have been secret at home, I would still periodically
huge game of Warhammer with wargamers themselves) and I was play some games with my old
wargaming buddies but its safe to
I learnt very early on that wargaming was say that, as so many do, I fell out
of touch with the hobby around
something to be ashamed of and hidden, the age of 20. Sure, Id pick up
certainly not embraced and publicised the odd White Dwarf, army book
about 10,000 points per side able to avoid any more chewing
which, at the time, was completely gum based disasters. The lesson
unprecedented in White Dwarf. As was clear, if you wanted to survive
I sat there naively (as an 11 year- at school then your wargaming
old I didnt realise the danger I tendencies should be hidden, dark
was in), I found my copy of White and deep in the vaults, not to be
Dwarf ripped from my hands used unless at the uttermost end
by the Sixth Formers (17/18 of need.
year-olds for our international
readers). After repeated cries Upon entering my late teens I
of loser, nerd, and saddo, my encountered a new problem -
magazine was eventually returned girls. I had no doubt that my dirty
to me with a large blob of secret was something to keep
chewing gum stuck between the hidden for, at the very least, the
pages of the glamour shot of the first few tentative steps of any
Orc and Goblin army. I tried my relationship. My first experience
best to remove it but the gum of this was around the age of 17
pulled some of the ink off, forever when, upon enticing a particular The poor little 11 year-old
ruining the image. young lady to my room for the never stood a chance, bless...
So, after a trip back to my family know I play and, whilst few comments about how great
parents house to root through I endure some good-natured the weekend had been. I felt safe
my old figure boxes (the original ribbing about it, I never get any in the knowledge that if I wrote
The Fellowship of the Ring starter sense that the hobby is anything comments on photos that I wasnt
set, the Ambush at Amon Hen box to be ashamed of. Suffice to say tagged in, and that were not
set, the nine members of the I was teased relentlessly about it uploaded by me, said comments
Fellowship of the Ring (metal by my best men at my wedding wouldnt show up on my friends
of course), and odd bits like the (Damian spent a large part of Facebook Newsfeed.
Mouth of Sauron - it was a gold his teenage years alone in his
mine!), I dived back into the bedroom holding something small
hobby with gusto, scouring eBay, and repellent to womenhe Except they do.
TACTICA
with
GBHL
James
and
Jamie
Jamie Giblin and James Clark run the incredibly
popular GBHL Podcast YouTube channel. With
C AVA L RY
James as a relatively new player and Jamie as a
seasoned pro, they offer excellent counterpoints
about the various tactics available to players. In
this issue, James discusses how to make the most
of cavalry, whilst Jamie reveals the most devious
ways to stop a cavalry charge in its tracks!
James: Perhaps the best way to situations across an entire for standard armies generally
understand how to use cavalry is battle line (and therefore stop contains a healthy potion of
to first understand its weaknesses. opponents from easily counter- infantry: two ranks lined up with a
I can remember the conversations charging and swamping them). shield wall supported by a second
I read when first theorising an Once cavalry models are rank of spears. This essentially
all-mounted army on The One outnumbered, they effectively turn negates the extra Attack cavalry
Ring forum nearly two years ago. into expensive infantry models. gain when charging; charging such
Through all of those threads one However, its not just the bases a line can often result in up to
key point kept cropping up: when that are against them in excess of four infantry dice
a cavalry force loses Priority from these two ranks facing off
the turn immediately after it The meta (i.e. the common against each cavalry models two.
has charged into enemy ranks, build for armies based on what Clearly, it is not ideal when youre
it is easily swamped by enemy is perceived to be competitive) paying upwards of five points
infantry. This is a huge problem
as it robs the mounted models of
all their previous bonuses, often
leaving them to become the white
elephants of the battlefield.
for bonuses that are so easily prevent losing the battle before want to do in your eagerness to
countered - the most brittle of it has even begun... Are you in engage is to finish your movement
glass hammers. So what can a range of enemy bows? Do you within range of the infantry youre
cavalry general do in the face of have bows of your own? What gunning for. Should they then
such reckless hate? terrain provides enough cover charge you (either on that turn,
to get you about the battlefield or the next if they win Priority)
My first piece of advice concerns safely obscured? What part of you will likely have wasted all
your approach play. Despite the the enemy line or formation are those extra points on an ability
effectiveness of bows decreasing you making your target priority? that youre not getting to use.
following the release of The Galloping through the open plains Sounds straightforward? It is
but theres more: even moving Youre now in position and to wrestle away your advantages,
within 12 of an infantry battle you have just won Priority leaving your cavalry contingent
line can be a risky business if the for the next turn. Great! surrounded and overwhelmed.
enemy is yet to move on that Surely, the chance for glory
turn. All it takes is for them to is yours and there is nothing In the situation where you are
move within 6 of you and win your opponent can do about in range of your enemy and he
Priority the next turn and again, it.Youre guaranteed to get is not in range of you, you want
that glorious charge becomes a those charge bonuses youve to lose Priority. Thats right, lose
pipe dream as your riders are been setting yourself up for. Priority! The reason for this
dragged from their mounts into However, this is only a good is simple. When charging with
the mud. Mastering how and situation if you match or cavalry in The Hobbit: Strategy
when to position your cavalry outnumber your enemy in Battle Game, you need to be able
for the charge is crucial.You have the area of your aggression. to pick your fights; charging into
to move into range ideally when Should they outnumber you, enemies only when you have
you have lost Priority as your you will find yourself counter- a clear advantage in order to
opponent has already shown charged and swamped, placing maximise your potential to deal
his hand by this point and you the advantage back into the a blow to your opponents army
can react accordingly. This takes hands of Mr Infantry Line.Your early in the battle. To do this,
practice and patience but is an opponent can now pick where you need to be able to gang up
important piece of the jigsaw if they want to throw extra on their models and hit around
youre to make your cavalry work. bodies (and thus extra dice) the flanks of their battle line
(in order to remove any spear
supporting models), and generally
guarantee that you are rolling
more dice than your opponent in
the Fight. If you win, you will be
rolling double strikes against (now
Prone) enemy models, giving you
a pretty decent chance of taking
them out. Why is this essential in and, this time, you want to win
the first round of combats? The Priority! Should you lose Priority, SBGs Best Cavalry #2
reason is because, typically, your you must call a Heroic Move.
opponent is going to outnumber Having Heroes with Might in Rivendell Knights
you and the first charge is your range of your charging cavalry With bows, lances, shields,
chance to swing those odds back models is absolutely essential Fight 5 and a 3+ Shoot value
in your favour. A really good for this reason. Of course, you (coupled with a100% bow
way of maximising this initial are now in a position to be limit), they are a magnificent
momentum is to get your beefy counter-charged by any surplus addition to any Good army
hero (think omer, Knight of the enemy models (hopefully thinned
Pelennor!) into combat with a by your initial charge!), but
single enemy, preferably helped at least you have your charge
by a friendly model or two (space bonuses and your models will be
permitting). By calling a Heroic positioned how you want them.
Combat from this position, you Unfortunately, your opponent is
are all but guaranteed to slingshot likely to recognise the danger at
these deadly models into more this point and will almost certainly
Fights, helping you to deal out the call a Heroic Move of their own,
maximum damage early on. placing you firmly into the hands
of those cruel six-faced Gods.
However, a successful first Surely everything is now down
charge is no reason to become to luck in the form of a roll-off?
complacent. The Priority roll On the contrary, this is where
following on from the initial you earn your Masters degree in
charge is a pivotal moment cavalry tactics
Jamie: Have you ever found to risk losing their expensive two or three dice against their
yourself on the wrong end of troops to bow fire. The best part two to win the fight. If you cant
a cavalry charge? Been bowled about shooting is that you have take spears in your army list,
over as lances rip through your a chance of hitting the horse; then try to find multi-Attack
warriors? Well, I have and Ive horses tend to be Defence 4 models such as Iron Guard or
become used to it happening. As which means that even Strength Feral Uruk-hai, as theyll give
many of you may know my regular
opponent is Mr Rooohaaan!
himself, James Clark, so I have had The key to beating cavalry is
a lot of practice in playing against
cavalry. The key to beating cavalry
quite simple...kill the horse
is quite simple... kill the horse. But
first, lets take a brief look at the 2 bows will be killing them on the you those 2 Attacks, matching a
strengths of cavalry models: roll of a 5+. Once dismounted, charging cavalry model regardless
a cavalry model becomes an of whether or not they have
Large charge range incredibly expensive infantry support. Finally, if you dont
model at this point you dont have spears, pikes, or any multi-
Extra Attack when charging
need to worry about it as much. Attack infantry (Im looking at
Double strikes with Knock you Rohan!), make sure that you
to the Ground Special Rule Terrain: Even before you try have a banner handy to give you
+1 when rolling To Wound to shoot the enemys cavalry that all-important re-roll which
with a lance models, you should look to set acts as a second attack. Failing
yourself up, whenever possible, in that, Shield; you just need to
These are the key strengths of a favourable position i.e. within survive that first charge, then you
cavalry and the chances are that difficult terrain (such as woods can take your revenge once the
you will have to take at least or rocky outcrops) or behind charge has been stalled.
one charge from your opponent a defendable position such as a
before you can take them down. fence or hedge. The major benefit
If your opponent knows what to being in difficult terrain is that SBGs Best Anti-Cavalry #3
hes doing [Copy Ed: just hope he cavalry can only move a quarter
hasnt read James article!], hell of their movement distance
Other Cavalry
charge you when hes lost Priority and do not gain their charge Cavalry only receive their
so that you cant counter-charge bonuses, giving you the upper bonuses against enemy
with your cavalry (if you have any) hand. Similarly, being behind a infantry models. Charging
or with your infantry (to bring defendable terrain feature means a cavalry model with one
your weight of numbers to bear). that your opponent has to take of your own negates all of
In The Way rolls when rolling To your opponents advantages
So, what tactics can every army Wound - this can seriously soften
employ to try to defeat cavalry the impact of charging cavalry.
before they reach you?
So the cavalry have made it and
Shooting: Shooting is the most charged your line. What should
basic way of dealing with cavalry. you do next?
Assuming that you have taken
your allotted 33% bow limit, Spears, pikes and banners: If
you can put pressure on your your army has access to them,
opponent by firing all of your take pikes or spears. Its a
ranged weapons at the enemy fundamental part of army building
cavalry. After a round of shooting, and will help to even out the fight
your opponent will usually for you against charging cavalry.
become wary and defensive with If you have a spear or pike wall
their cavalry, as they wont want awaiting them, youll be getting
If you win the Fight: Kill the charge in again.You need a Hero
mounts! You will usually kill of your own in range to counter SBGs Best Anti-Cavalry #2
horses on the roll of a 5+, whilst this and bring the chances of a
their riders will commonly second successful charge down to Fell Beasts
require a 6. If you have the choice, a 50:50 roll-off. Their high point cost keeps
strike the mount - that way you them from the top spot
remove the chance of that model If you win the roll-off: Life is a but they negate cavalry
charging again - unless, of course, little bit better.You can pick and charge bonuses and if they
the rider also dies on a 5+, in choose your fights and most charge and win the Fight
which case strike him instead as of the cavalry models will be then all cavalry models are
youll get rid of the whole model reduced to having their basic 1 automatically dismounted.
that way. Attack; make sure you have spear Then the Hurling begins...
or pike support to give you more
Have a Hero ready to call a dice in each Fight.
Heroic Move: As mentioned
earlier, cavalry models receive If you lose the roll-off: Its bad,
their biggest bonuses when but its not as bad as last turn.
charging, so if you can rob them Youll get the opportunity to
of this then they essentially counter-charge with your cavalry
become expensive infantry or your foot troops.You should
models. Typically, when a group be able to bring more models
of cavalry charge, it will be into combat (and therefore have
supported by a nearby Hero who more dice) than your opponent
is ready to call a Heroic Move in in the Fights, although if you lose
the following turn; the specific aim them you will be knocked over so
of this is to allow the cavalry to remember to Shield if you can.
cavalry. Spells like Sorcerous Blast, only stick around if they pass a be that guy? It doesnt take skill
Natures Wrath, Tremor, and Panic Courage Test. Natures Wrath is to use a Shade, so wheres the
Steed all have the ability to give a my personal favourite as you can challenge?
cavalry general nightmares. Why? hit multiple cavalry models with
All of these spells knock cavalry a single cast, whilst not requiring The list of ideas that I have
over! When knocked over, horses your opponents models to be explored in this article is not an
will automatically run away; wargs in a nice straight line as you do exhaustive one; these are just
are slightly more durable but will with Tremor or Sorcerous Blast. some of the methods that you
Just make sure that there are no can use to help in battles against
models within the spells bubble cavalry. To summarise:
SBGs Best Anti-Cavalry #1 that are able to resist it and youll
soon see the tears rolling down Set-up in favourable terrain
Thranduil James...ahemyour opponents Use your ranged firepower
face. to shoot enemy mounts
Hes not as powerful as a
Fell Beast but he costs a lot Monsters: He did the mash. He Have a Hero ready to
less. He can make all nearby did the monster mash. [Copy Ed: counter potential cavalry
troops cause Terror (to Ive already warned you about music charges with Heroic Moves
prevent charges), auto-cast quotes] Monsters can Hurl If you win Fights against
a Natures Wrath thats hard enemy models when they win a cavalry, elect to strike the
to resist, and upgrade Wood Fight, so throw these unlucky mount
Elves to a 2+ Shoot value. All foes through enemy cavalry
of this makes him the perfect models (its like ten-pin bowling!) Depending on your force, youll
anti-cavalry weapon in order to make them all fall find that these different methods
over! Unlike Magical Powers, this will yield varying degrees of
cannot even be resisted by your success, but if you stick to the
opponent. Such fun. fundamentals that I have explained
above, then you wont go far
Take a Shade: [Copy Ed: Oh wrong.
come on now, at least be consistent!
No reference to a whiter SHADE
of pale?!]Take a Shade, the To hear more
-1 modifier applied to your from James and
opponents dice rolls to win Fights Jamie, subscribe
will mean that you beat most to their YouTube
things in combat on the roll of a channel. Search
6, even if you have the lower Fight GBHL Podcast
value. But do you really want to
Damian OByrne recreates the flight of Thorins Company into the trees as shown in
the epic climax of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in this brand new scenario.
After escaping Goblin Town, Bilbo has been reunited with the dwarves but there is no time for a
rest. Azog has caught up with the Company and races down the slopes of the Misty Mountains,
determined to tear the dwarves to pieces.
Layout
Participants
This battle takes place on a 4x4 board. The gaming area represents the
Good Models:
forested slopes of the Misty Mountains, so the board should be covered
with trees and rocky outcrops. In addition, place six evenly spaced,
Thorin Oakenshield
clearly identifiable trees 6 away from the South board edge. These are
(with Orcrist and the
the six Objective Trees that the dwarves are trying to reach.
Oakenshield), Dwalin, Balin,
Ori, Dori, Nori, in, Glin,
Starting Positions
Balin, Dwalin, Bifur, Bofur,
Bombur, Bilbo Baggins (with
The Good player places his models no more than 12 away from the
Sting and The One Ring),
North table edge.
Gandalf the Grey
The Evil force is not deployed at the start of the game. Instead, move
Evil models:
all of the Evil models onto the board from the North table edge as
Reinforcements at the end of the Evil Movement phase in Turn 1.
Azog on the White Warg,
Fimbul on Fell Warg, 12
The Good side has Priority in the first turn.
Hunter Orcs on Fell Wargs,
6 Fell Wargs
Neither side can be Broken in this scenario.
Objectives
bottom of the tree. Might cannot be used to modify
The Good Player wins if he is able to get 8 or more the climb roll and Bombur must re-roll a successful
of his models, including Thorin and Bilbo, into any of climb roll as normal. A Good model who falls from
the Objective Trees by the end of Turn 15. The Evil a tree may stand up and attempt to climb the tree
player wins if he prevents this. again in the next turn, assuming hes still alive
BATTLE
Our mission is simple: get eight
members of Thorins Company
into the trees before they can
be run down by their Fell Warg-
mounted enemies. Our first
concern was whether we would
have enough of a head start. Of
course, being able to deploy up
to 12 from the Northern board
REPORT
edge before the arrival of Azog
and his followers is clearly going
to be important in our bid for
freedom.
S
them. Ruthlessly, we scoured
o now youve read the new Out of the Frying The Hobbit: Strategy Battle Game
Pan scenario, its time to see it in action; can rulebook to select the most
James Clark and Kieran Streets company of combat-handy dwarves these
dwarves will be forced to
dwarves escape to the safety of the trees or will Tom make a valiant rearguard that is
Harrisons ruthless Hunter Orcs ride them down? (hopefully) capable of holding
Theres only only one way to find out! up our orcish adversaries. We
selected Dwalin and Glin
James & Kieran: Our journey from without a thought (they are
the cold, bleak North of England to combat beasts!), but the two
the warmer, sun-struck climates of additional (sacrificial) dwarves
the South reached its conclusion with proved to be much harder to
our arrival at Damians Twickenham choose. In the end, we opted
flat [Ed: I miss that flat - sniff]. We for Nori thanks to his Weapon
were welcomed with an invigorating Master Special Rule (making him
brew a Northman would be proud Burly) and for Bifur, who gains a
of and details of the brand new free Heroic Action when Battle
scenario written for this fantastic new Damaged (i.e. reduced to a single
magazine. Wound).
The Good Force - James and Kieran need to get eight of the Company, including Thorin and Bilbo, to
safety in the trees to secure a victory
understand James dialect], with Bilbo putting on The magical powers. My best bet is to stay far enough
One Ring as and when it is necessary. They will be away from him in order to avoid those pesky
accompanied by Balin, as his ability to use Will points Immobilise spells or (worse) a Sorcerous Blast that
to potentially steal Priority may prove vital when could dismount my leader. Easier said than done...
trying to get away or prevent the enemy cavalry
from charging. Balin will be partnered with Bombur, Killing eight dwarves is going to be really tough
who we are hoping can restore some of Balins as I only have two Heroes at my disposal; Im
valuable Will so we can do this every turn! Everyone expecting the relative lack of Might to hurt me as
else will make up the middle ground but, ultimately, the game goes on. Fimbul the Hunter will attempt
most of the dwarves will need to make it to the to kill off the easier targets (in, Ori etc.) whilst
trees unharmed. Let the chase begin! Azog charges around, looking to deal out as
much damage as possible with the help of Heroic
Tom: Im really Combats. Reinforcements will be a help, however
looking forward they will become less effective as the game goes
to recreating the on since they will always arrive from the Northern
memorable climax board edge. I will try my best to isolate some of
to The Hobbit: An the dwarves and trap them in order to slow their
Unexpected Journey. Im progress towards the trees. Getting the charge
hoping that this great with the Hunter Orcs on Fell Wargs will be really
scene from the film important as it should be much easier to kill the
will look as visually dwarves when they are rolling around on the
stunning on the table- floor - this will have the added bonus of slowing
top as it did on the big them down significantly (always keep the scenario
screen. objectives in mind!). Not only will this help in
terms of how many reinforcements I can get into
So, onto my pre-battle thoughts: first and foremost, the dwarves, but it should also help me to whittle
Im looking forward to killing some dwarves! I down their (frankly ridiculous) stores of Might. The
know its easier to kill the weaker members of the major issue with this tactic is that I will likely have
Company, but it would be fitting if Azog the Defiler to expend Might on Heroic Moves, which I also
could take on his bitter enemy Thorin Oakenshield need to save for when fighting the tougher dwarves
(and bring him down, obviously!). When charging (Thorin, Dwalin, and Glin). Getting to Bilbo Baggins
on the White Warg, Azog is possibly the best Hero- will likely be tricky given that he can wear The One
killer in the game. However, Gandalf really scares me Ring, but I will try my best to take down the plucky
as hell be able to nullify Azog pretty easily with his young hobbit.
James and Kieran have a big fight on their The most important thing for Tom to ensure
hands in this scenario. It may well seem is that his models maintain their charge
like they have a huge Might and Fight value bonuses. The dwarves are likely to be packed
advantage but the Hunter Orcs on Fell Wargs together and will therefore find it hard to
will almost always be charging and their move a full 5 without getting in each others
Knock to the Ground Special Rule can easily way. By placing his Hunter Orcs on Fell Wargs
kill a dwarf in one Fight. Obviously, the most 4 behind the rearmost dwarves, Tom will
important thing is to protect Bilbo and Thorin, give James and Kieran a difficult choice; do
so they should probably be placed at the front they push forward and get charged further
of the force with several dwarves between up the board, or do they negate Toms charge
them and the pursuing orcs to discourage bonuses by running backwards and in doing so
Heroic Combats. The biggest threat to the split the Company and move away from the
Good force is Azog on his White Warg, if he objective? There is a turn limit on this game; if
gets the charge then he can easily best and kill Tom loses Priority, then rather than charging
any Good Heroes in a single round of combat. the dwarves, he shouldnt be afraid to move
Gandalfs magic is a good way to deal with him; his models slightly in front of them as this
Immobilise will frustrate Tom whilst the more both blocks their movement in the following
powerful Sorcerous Blast will automatically turn and prevents any potential Heroic
dismount Azog and rob him of his main Combats. Sacrificing a Hunter Orc to block
advantages (speed and cavalry bonuses). James the Companys movement is a perfectly viable
and Kierans main decision is whether to keep decision. Finally, Tom needs to make good
their best fighters (Dwalin, Glin, Nori) at the use of Azog, a born Hero killer who can ride
front to save them for the desperate fighting down most of the dwarves in a single round
around the trees or whether to deploy them of combat (realistically anyone but Thorin if he
at the back where their combat prowess will has charged on the White Warg). With this in
form a formidable rearguard. Either way, make mind, Tom needs to be ready to call a Heroic
no mistake about it, they will need to sacrifice Combat in order to catapult the Pale Orc into
some dwarves... another Fight!
The Evil Force - Casualties wont matter to Tom as he gets reinforcements throughout the game;
maximising Azogs devastating potential will be key to ensuring that the dwarves dont escape!
The Evil force surges onto the board as Thorin and his dwarves attempt to make good their escape
Thorin leads his dwarves in a desperate attempt to save Gandalf and Glin from Azog
also charged by a Hunter Orc riding a Fell Warg, get to join the combat. Azog then called a Heroic
which cancelled his Heroic Move and prevented the Combat, not because he planned to kill both his
rest of the Company from charging into Azog and adversaries, but because Tom realised that his
surrounding him. At the rear, Bifur, Nori, and Dwalin leader would, at the very least, get to fight before
were all charged by Fell Wargs, effectively pinning either Thorin or Doris Heroic Combat, therefore
the Company in place. in then charged to Noris preventing him from being attacked by all of the
aid, whilst Balin and Bombur ran forward towards dwarves at the same time. Everyone held their
the safety of the trees. The Company were beset breath for this unexpectedly vital roll-off so early
from all sides, but the Good players had hatched a on and Tom was relieved to see it go Evils way once
desperate plan. Bilbo put on The One Ring and again, meaning that the combat between Azog, Glin,
he, along with Bofur, Fili, and Dori, charged into and Gandalf would be resolved first. Glin rolled a
Kilis combat with the Fell Warg rider. Suddenly the 6 for his Heroic Strike giving his side the advantage
Good sides plan become clear - they would call a in the Fight. The Good players were confident about
Heroic Combat in both Bilbo and Thorins Fights. rolling a 6 in the Duel with their four combined
Thorin should easily be able to kill the single Hunter Attacks, but to their horror only managed to roll a
Orc on Fell Warg facing him and this would free the 4 highest! Thankfully in was within 3 so he was
way for Kili, Fili, Bofur, Dori, and himself to slingshot able to expend a point of Will to count as a banner,
into Azog following the second Heroic Combat. with the resulting re-roll giving Good an unassailable
Most importantly, Bilbo would also enter the Fight, 6! Azog wasnt trapped but Tom still eyed the dice
meaning that Azogs Fight value would be halved nervously as the Good players rolled To Wound.
thanks to The One Rings power - so even if the Pale Luckily for Tom, Glin and Gandalf only managed to
Orc called a Heroic Strike and got to Fight 10, he cause a single wound on Azog between them.
would still only count as Fight 5 (less than Glin!). If
the Good side could pull this off, Azog would almost Next, the Good players moved to Thorins Heroic
certainly go down in Turn 2! What a cracking start Combat - even without Glins Attacks, the
to the scenario this was shaping up to be. combination of Thorin, Dori, Fili, Kili, Bofur, and
Bilbo would surely be more than enough to kill Azog
In the Fight phase, Thorin and Dori both called with his halved Fight value. However, disaster struck
Heroic Combats (as expected) and Glin called a when Thorin rolled a 3 highest with his 3 Attacks
Heroic Strike against Azog, just in case Bilbo didnt and the charging Hunter Orc on Fell Warg rolled
28 SBG Issue 1 2014
Battle Report - Out of the Frying Pan
Whilst Gandalf and Thorin are pre-occupied with Azog, the Hunter Orcs attempt to outflank the dwarves
In the Fight phase, the Heroic Actions came thick both reached Fight 10 with their Heroic Strikes, so
and fast again: Glin and Azog both called a Heroic the result of this Fight would almost certainly come
Strike in their crucial Duel. Fili called a Heroic down to a 50:50 roll-off! The Good players were
Combat, clearly hoping that he and Dori could relieved to see a 6 with their Duel rolls, especially
dispatch the Fell Warg they were facing in order to when Azog could only manage a 5 highest. Without
move again and rescue poor Ori. Similarly, Dwalin hesitating, Tom used a point of Might to tie the
called a Heroic Combat to save in from the Fight, so we moved to a crucial roll-off that would
charging Fimbul who, sensing the Dwalin-shaped likely have a huge impact on the course of the game.
danger, called a Heroic Strike. The Good players There was a strange sense of inevitability as the dice
started with Fili and Dori fighting their Fell Warg; bounced across the table; Toms woop of joy and
from their five combined Attacks they only managed the ashen faces of James and Kieran were enough
to roll a 5 highest and (to absolutely nobodys to know what had happened - Evil had won and
surprise) Tom rolled a 6 with his single dice to Gandalf and Glin were both knocked Prone!
win the Duel! Gnashing their teeth in frustration,
the Good players had no choice but to burn When charging on the White Warg, Azog has four
Doris last Might point to ensure that their Heroic Attacks (doubled to eight chances of wounding
Combat was successful. Once theyd killed the Fell when he knocks down his enemies) and always
Warg, Dori charged one of the Fell Warg riders wounds Heroes on a 3+! Throwing the first six dice
attacking Ori, whilst Fili sprinted forwards to join at Gandalf, Azog managed to cause five wounds!
the dwarves heading for the trees. Dwalin and Nori All was not lost - Gandalf still had 3 Wounds and 3
slaughtered the Fell Warg they were fighting in the Fate, along with 2 Might to boost his Fate rolls. Also,
second Heroic Combat. Dwalin, aware of Fimbuls with Narya allowing him to re-roll failed Fate rolls,
impending Heroic Strike, then ran into the Fell Warg Gandalf essentially had six chances of preventing his
fighting Ori, whilst Nori spotted a dwarf-shaped gap first three Wounds! We all watched on in wonder as
in the melee and hurtled after Fili. Kieran rolled 2, 1, 2, 4, 1, 1! With some spectacularly
bad rolling, Gandalf had only prevented one wound,
As it was the Good sides Priority, James and even with his re-rolls and because he had rolled 1s
Kieran split the combats such that Dwalin was up with two of those re-rolled dice he couldnt even
against one Fell Warg rider, leaving brothers Ori boost them with Might. With horror, the Good
and Dori to face the other. The Good side only players realised that Gandalf, their best weapon
managed to roll a 5 highest with Dwalins 3 Attacks against Azog, had died on Turn 3!
and the charging Hunter Orc on Fell Warg rolled
a double 6! Toms Fell Wargs were certainly firing
on all cylinders today! Knowing that Dwalin would
be knocked Prone (where he would face four
Attacks needing only 5s To Wound, re-rolling 1s for
Feinting), the Good players decided to use his last
point of Might to win the Fight. Fortunately, Dwalin
at least managed to kill both rider and mount this
time. Nearby, Ori and Dori could only manage a 3
highest with their four Attacks but James and Kieran
finally got some luck when Tom also fluffed his Duel
roll, handing victory to the dwarves. However, the
general dismal luck that had been hanging over the
forces of Good quickly returned as they then failed
to cause any wounds despite rolling four dice! At
the rear of the party, Bifur lost his Fight to the Fell
Warg but wasnt wounded, whilst Fimbul easily beat
in, knocking him to the ground and killing him!
We then reached what was clearly the main event of Azog claims
the turn, Azog vs. Gandalf and Glin! Glin and Azog his first victim!
Azog runs down Ori... ...and then Heroic Combats into Dwalin and Nori!
combat ability. Fili, Kili, and Bofur each charged a Further towards the trees, Fili lost his Fight to a Fell
Fell Warg and nearby Dori charged a Hunter Orc Warg but wasnt injured. Nearby, his brother Kili had
on Fell Warg. Balin was charged by both a Fell Warg to use his last remaining Might point to win his Fight
rider and a Fell Warg, whilst another mounted (and, perhaps more importantly, avoid being knocked
Hunter Orc charged into Kilis Fight. Far back down Prone), but was unable to kill the Hunter Orc
the table, Glin was clearly enraged about being charging into him. Bofur managed to kill the Hunter
wounded by Azog and charged into a Fell Warg rider, Orc he was fighting but once again a now rider-
killing its mount with a well-aimed throwing axe less Fell Warg passed its Courage Test to remain in
before being surrounded by two more Fell Wargs. the hunt (generating more groans from the Good
Fimbul charged Bifur once again and finally a Fell players - Tom was yet to fail a single Courage Test
Warg charged into Nori to give Azog some support with Fell Wargs who have a lowly Courage of 2!).
[Ed: As if he needed it].
Dori was clearly as angry as the Good players
At the start of the Fight phase, Nori used his last about this, as he killed both rider and mount in his
Might point to call a Heroic Strike; this certainly combat, therefore denying Tom the chance to pass
gave Tom pause for thought - if Nori rolled a 3+ yet another Courage Test [Ed: Little victories]. The
he would have a higher Fight value than Azog and if charging Hunter Orc on Fell Warg and Fell Warg
he could then win the Fight he would be wounding rolled a 6 against Balin, only for the experienced
the Pale Orc on a 4+. Two rolls of 4+ would kill dwarf to pop up with a 6 of his own with his single
Azog and swing the game again - stranger things Attack! Unfortunately for the Good side, he was
have happened, several of them in this battle! Glin, unable to kill either of his adversaries. Fimbul beat
who was now trapped by two Fell Wargs and a Bifur in combat but was only able to inflict two
dismounted Hunter Orc, gave the Good players a wounds. The Good players saved one of these
scare when he rolled a 4 highest using his 3 Attacks; with Bifurs only Fate point, therefore activating his
fortunately for them, Tom also fluffed his four dice Special Rule - Bifur would now be able to perform
rolls, so Glin won the Fight and slew both Fell a free Heroic Action every turn! Once again we
Wargs. Despite being far away from the bulk of came to Azogs Fight last, but James and Kieran were
the Company, Glin was still proving useful to the rather disappointed when Nori rolled miserably for
Good players having a powerful and angry dwarf his Heroic Strike the dwarf couldnt even match
attacking the rear of the enemy lines is never a bad Azogs base Fight value. Unsurprisingly, the hapless
thing! Nori was cut down mercilessly by the Pale Orc.
James and Kieran display their best fake smiles for the camera
Aftermath
Tom: Well, its safe to say that Azog is an absolute James & Kieran: Wow. That certainly was into the
beast! He had a hand in the death of seven of the fire - what a slaughter! The chase ended as Bifur
Company [Ed: IN SIX TURNS!!!] - including Gandalf and Bofur were ridden down by Fimbul and Azog
and Dwalin. After deployment, Kieran and James respectively. With only six models remaining, we
had left Gandalf exposed towards the end of their could no longer fulfil our objective, so, regretfully,
defensive line, so I decided that it was worth trying we had to reach across the table and give Tom an
to kill him off straight away (in an attempt to stop epic handshake. Well played Mr. Harrison and in
his magic early on). With the help of a couple particular, Azog! After seeing him in this scenario,
of roll-offs, this move swung things in my favour its hard to make the argument that he isnt the best
massively, as Azog was able to run amok for the Hero killer in the game [Ed:Tom or Azog?!].
rest of the game. The scenario was great fun and
looked fantastic, although its a shame really that the
dwarves didnt quite reach the trees in the end. I All I can say is that its a
think that part of this was due to some very poor
rolling on the dwarves part early on (especially
good job this isnt how things
Thorin!). played out in the film
Tom
Sadly, I couldnt get near Bilbo or Thorin, although it
didnt matter in the end. A special mention must go
to the Fell Wargs who were incredible throughout; Losing Gandalf before he could really use his
they passed every single Courage Test they had to magical abilities was not part of the plan and with
make (which was a huge help as it ensured that my Terrifying Aura being useless against a strong-rolling
army stayed right on top of the dwarves despite the Tom, we were in trouble early on. The worst part
loss of the Hunter Orcs riding them). They also had is that Gandalf originally started in a relatively safe
a surprising habit of popping up with a 6 in combat. position surrounded by the rest of the Company.
Well done to both James and Keiran for staying It then occurred to Kieran that our wizard could
upbeat in the face of some appalling luck! All I can move faster than the dwarves, so he instead placed
say is that its a good job this isnt how things played Gandalf on the flank so that he could move without
out in the film Anyway, Id highly recommend the dwarves slowing him down - what a mistake
playing this scenario - its really nice to take a break that turned out to be!
from points match games and jump into the films
and play out your favourite scenes.
We were then unlucky to lose two roll-offs for his last two Might
Hapless Hero
Heroic Moves early in the game. Had either of these just to win that
gone our way we could have moved Gandalf away Fight, Thorin failed
from Azog and used either his Immobilise spell (to to cause the two
delay the Pale Orc), or his powerful Sorcerous Blast wounds that were
to knock several Hunter Orcs from the saddle in required and was
order to slow them down significantly. duly punished when
Toms Fell Warg
passed its Courage
Test - completely
Its hard to make the scuppering our
argument that Azog isnt the golden opportunity
to take down the
best Hero killer in the game enemy leader. After
James & Kieran that, it was one
disaster after the
other, the standout
Thorin (pictured here moment being when
Despite losing the roll-offs, we still had an in happier times) was Gandalf failed five
unexpected plan that got Tom sweating: Bilbo would nothing short of abysmal of six Fate rolls
put on The One Ring and then Heroic Combat him throughout the game, (three of which
(and others) into the Azog vs. Gandalf/Glin fight being out-killed by were with the roll
in order to halve Azogs Fight value and therefore almost every member of of a 1 meaning they
swing that combat massively in our favour. All the Company. He almost couldnt be passed
Thorin needed to do(!) was kill the Fell Warg rider certainly cost the Good using his remaining
he was facing and wed have had Azog in a position players victory with his Might!); with that
where we could easily have taken him down in that failed Heroic Combat. our best hope of
single round of combat. However, after burning Poor form Thorin... keeping Azog at bay
was lost.
C n
ORMa of the Match After losing Gandalf so early on, it was always going
to be an uphill struggle but we kept ploughing away
and were successful in pushing the dwarves towards
the trees. Our initial plan to leave a rearguard
was sound and we were only a turn or two away
from reaching the trees when the game ended.
The problem we faced as the game went on was
the sheer killing ability of Azog as he rode down
Hero after Hero. We really needed Gandalf to delay
him with magic. We cant blame everything on luck
though; Tom made excellent use of his models to
keep the dwarves under constant pressure and
made very good calls with his Heroic Actions.
Outside Opinion Dori, Fili, Bilbo and possibly Kili and Bofur. With
Bilbos presence guaranteeing that Azog had a lower
Damian: Well that was Fight value, the enemy leader would surely have
certainly interesting! Having been killed with ease. As it was, the chance was lost
play-tested this scenario and Azog went on to dominate the game!
several times, it has always
ended on Turn 14 or 15 with It was great to see some unexpected but very
some desperate fighting shrewd tactical decisions on both sides too. Whilst
around the trees. Seeing the primary objective is to save Bilbo, the Good
the scenario transformed players correctly realised that he could in fact
into an intense, violent bloodbath in the middle be their best weapon against Azog in combat -
of the board was an unexpected journey indeed! guaranteeing them the win in a Duel in a way that
Congratulations must go to Tom who played a Heroic Strike never could. This was a great plan by
fantastic game and demonstrated just how powerful the Good players and it was a shame that it didnt
Azog can be by singlehandedly killing six members come off for them. It was great to imagine Bilbo
of the Company in only four rounds of combat! bravely charging directly towards Azog just like at
the climax of the film - very cinematic! On Toms
Whilst James and Kieran made a huge mistake early part, his best decision was to call a Heroic Combat
on by placing Gandalf on the edge of the Company, with Azog in Turn 2 when he was fighting Glin and
theres no doubt that bad luck plagued the Good Gandalf. Bear in mind that Glin had already called
players throughout the game. In the heat of battle, a Heroic Strike so a less experienced player would
its easy to think the dice have turned against you have called a Heroic Strike with Azog to counter
and blame bad luck, whilst in reality these things this. However, Tom correctly realised that if he didnt
generally average out over the course of a game. call a Heroic Combat then by the time they got to
However I think its fair to say that this was one of
those games where this wasnt the case! Its only I began to feel quite sorry
when you read back over the report that you see
how many absolutely vital roll-offs and combats for the Good players who
went completely Toms way: (1) winning the Heroic had clearly done something
Move roll-off in Turns 2 and 3, (2) winning the
Heroic Combat roll-off in Turn 2, (3) the Hunter to anger the Dice Gods!
Orc on Fell Warg drawing all three of Thorins Might Damian
in Turn 3 and then surviving to scupper his Heroic
Combat, (4) winning the game-changing roll-off in Azogs Fight he would likely be facing Bilbo and the
the tied Fight between Azog and Glin/Gandalf in rest of the Heroic Combatting dwarves, so having
Turn 3, (5) Kierans frankly appalling Fate rolls for a higher Fight value wouldnt matter. It is rare that
Gandalf, (6) Nori and Ori both fluffing their Heroic you see a player call a Heroic Combat when there
Strike when they had an opportunity to beat Azog, is little chance of them winning the Fight, but Tom
(7) Tom not failing a single Courage Test for a Fell realised that Azogs only chance of surviving was to
Warg that had lost its Hunter Orc rider, (8) the lose the Fight first and thus save himself from being
Company having to use at least four points of Might trapped by Glins Attacks too. Making calls like this
(often with 3 Attack Heroes!) just to beat Toms Fell is truly the sign of a great player and is one of the
Wargs who kept rolling 6s - Im sure the list could things that gives the game such great tactical depth.
go on! It was quite tough to watch and I began
to feel quite sorry for the Good players who had All in all the game was great fun and it was
clearly done something to anger the Dice Gods! encouraging to see all three players immediately
start to talk about playing it again and the things
The most important of these misfortunes was they would change tactically. I have no doubt that,
clearly Thorins failed Heroic Combat in Turn 2 and were they to play the scenario again, James and
its hard to explain quite how game-changing that Kieran would keep Gandalf much safer, making
was. Had Thorin done what was expected of him, things much harder for Tom and Azog. Who knows,
Azog would have found himself trapped by Thorin, maybe one day theyll get their chance for revenge!
DIARY
just why you should get involved in upcoming
events in 2014 and beyond!
Name: The Scouring of Stirlingshire It goes without saying that attending Great British Hobbit
Date: Sat 22nd - Sun 23rd November 2014 League events will prove to be great fun but, speaking
Location: Common Ground Games, Stirling, from experience, the best thing about the Great British
FK8 1JR Hobbit League is that it provides the opportunity to forge
Entrance fee: 20 new friendships with people you would otherwise never
Details: 800 points, 2 armies, 6 games have been fortunate enough to meet.
Name: TBA (GBHL Season Finale) If you have never attended a tournament, whether it be a
Date: Sat 6th - Sun 7th December 2014 Great British Hobbit League event in the UK or one that
Location: The North-West Gaming Centre, is closer to home (for our international readers), I would
Stockport, SK2 6PT thoroughly recommend making the effort to attend. Once
Entrance fee: TBA youve done it once, youll want to attend more and more
Details: TBA I assure you!
MANSFIELD
Slayer Gaming
15th-16th February
1 Army
500 points
6 rulebook scenarios
Some of the winners from the weekend (left to right): Tournament Organiser Tom Robinson awarding Jamie
Giblin 1st place; Ed Ball - 2nd place; Charles Simms - 3rd place; Damian OByrne - Best Painted Army
spent the next three hours laughing and chatting Award in his first ever tournament. Damian OByrne
about our favourite hobby over a sly pint or two. won Best Painted Army for his Desolation of Smaug
These evening socials are always a great part of any themed all-Hero army. After a late surge up the
event and really help to solidify the camaraderie and rankings, Charles Simms took Third place with his
friendships in what is a relatively small wargaming bow-heavy Harad force and Ed claimed Second place
community. with his horde of Hobbits backed up by Malbeth.
Ultimately it was Jamie who managed to fight off all
Slayer Gamings near-endless supply of tea (delivered opposition with his infamous Tournament Winning
to your table!) soon put paid to any Sunday morning Wood Elves consisting of Legolas and Rmil leading
tiredness and the gaming got underway again. Day two Warbands of Wood Elf Warriors backed up by a
2 saw the players battle through Lords Of Battle, few Guard of the Galadhrim Court allied with Ghn-
Reconnoitre, and The High Ground; it wasnt too buri-Ghn and nine Woses Warriors. Big congrats to
long before the potential winners began to emerge. Jamie on a much deserved first win of 2014!
By the end of game five, Owen and Tom were still
in contention but Jamie Giblin and Ed Ball had both With proceedings at an end, everyone thanked
moved up the rankings to put themselves into Tom and the rest of the team at Slayer Gaming for
contention; going into the final round, any one of putting on a fantastic tournament. The whole event
them could end up being crowned as champion... ran smoothly, the venue was excellent, the staff
were friendly and helpful, and everyone seemed
After an intense hour and a half of battling, the last to have had six great games. Slayer Gaming will be
few dice rolled to a stop and everyone gathered hosting more The Hobbit: Strategy Battle Game events
for the awards ceremony. It was great to see a new throughout the year so be sure to check The Great
player, Billy Garland, receive the Most Sporting British Hobbit Leagues Facebook page for details.
On Sunday 2nd March 2014, 22 gamers Being a one day event, the tournament had a packed
descended on The Dorset Arms pub in East schedule, with four scenarios to be played. There
Grinstead for the third tournament of the 2014 were some interesting armies including Kieran
season. After four intense games, who would Streets Angmar army (with four trolls!), Craig
emerge triumphant? We sent Tom Harrison Spooners Tom Bombadil and High Elf Lords, and
to find out... Leonardis Wose horde led by Treebeard. These
more unusual army builds lined up alongside some
The first weekend in March brought with it the third tried and tested lists - Jamie Giblin was in search
Great British Hobbit League tournament of the year. of back-to-back tournament victories with his
The tournaments have been coming so thick and Tournament Winning Wose-Elves.
fast this year that many players who had grand ideas
about bringing newly painted armies to each event
(myself included) have been forced to scale down Perhaps the largest attraction of
their plans. This is not a complaint (far from it) - the
more time spent playing our wonderful hobby with
this one-day event was the fact that
like-minded players, the better. it was based in a pub!
Perhaps the largest attraction of this one-day event
was the fact that it was based in a pub! Thats right, The first scenario, Wargonation, was a custom
a far cry from some scout hut with no heating scenario created by the organisers - hats off to Joe
However, this did mean that tickets were limited to for the original idea. With Wild Wargs spawning
22 as only so many 4x4 gaming boards and Middle- left, right, and centre (literally), this certainly was an
Earth enthusiasts can fit inside the pubs upstairs action-packed scenario and great fun to boot.
function room. Amazingly, such was the demand for
tickets, the event sold out within a week - a great After the slaughter of hundreds of wargs across
sign for the League and this hobby in general. Well all of the tables, we moved swiftly on to the
done to organisers Sam Page and Joe Horsfall on secondscenario of the day, Hold Ground. This
what was clearly a sterling advertising campaign. scenario lends itself to scenic boards as armies can
turn up on any board edge and therefore have to
navigate/fight their way to the centre. The boards
at East Grinstead did not disappoint in providing
a tactical challenge - they were fantastic, each one
unique and full of character.
Some of the winners from the weekend (left to right): Tournament Organiser Sam Page awarding Jamie
Giblin 1st place; James Clark - 2nd place; Mark Boyland - Best Army; Craig Harrison - Wooden Spoon!
Following the Hold Ground scenario, the group of Goodchild with a Harad & Umbar themed army; his
now hungry wargamers made their way downstairs second strong showing at East Grinstead following
to enjoy a pub lunch. It was nice to catch up with his Second place last year. James Clark managed to
fellow enthusiasts and friends - once youve been to clinch Second place for his all-mounted Rohan. As
a tournament or two, youll soon become very good for first place, would it go to Jamie Giblin or Ed Ball?
friends with other members of the community. Everybody expected Ed to take victory as his all-
hero army (Aragorn, Elronds sons and Glorfindel all
After being fed and watered, we returned upstairs on horseback) should easily have outpaced Jamies
to get stuck into Lords Of Battle. With victory all-infantry list. However, the High Elf Lords clearly
points awarded for every wound inflicted, this led did not want to get their hands dirty and refused
to some desperate fighting as everybody threw to pick up the prize despite multiple attempts. This
their armies into combat - with the exception of allowed Jamies army to swarm around them and
all-mounted Rohan (no prizes for guessing who ultimately take victory. Take a dwarf along next time
had brought this army...) who cant be blamed for to do your digging Ed! So, congratulations to Jamie
spending the entire game avoiding James Baldwins for winning a second tournament on the trot.
superbly painted Goblin King and Tom the Troll!
With that, everybody said their goodbyes after a
The final scenario of the day was Seize the Prize. thoroughly enjoyable day - well done to Sam and Joe
This is the first time that this new Desolation of for putting on a fabulous tournament. Bring on the
Smaug scenario has featured in a Great British next Great British Hobbit League event!
Hobbit League tournament so this was new
territory even for experienced gamers. It had now
become clear that it was a two-horse race for the
tournament between Jamie Giblin and Ed Ball, who
were paired together on the Top Table. However,
the loser of that battle would be pipped to second
place by the winner of the game on Table 2 between
James Clark and (surprise package) Tom Seccombe.
After all the prizes had been seized, the final scores
were totted up so that the actual prizes could
be awarded. Best Army went to Mark Boyland
and his beautifully converted dwarves including
Thorin, Dwalin and Balin all mounted on ponies.
Rick Fryers picked up Most Sporting Opponent for East Grinstead always
which he gained the rather ironic prize of Alfrid - a has a wide variety of
lovely touch.Third place went to local gamer Keith boards to play over
On Sunday 23rd March 2014, over 30 gamers The event was organised by Damian Grantham
arrived at Titans Wargames Club for the 2013 and Chris Young of Titans Wargames Club; the club
Great British Hobbit League season finale! usually runs two large The Hobbit: Strategy Battle
With the winner of the League hanging in the Game tournaments every year with a themed rules-
balance, it was sure to be an exciting event. pack. Shadow & Sorcery was based on the White
Regular tournament-goer Tom Harrison was Councils attack on the Necromancer in Dol Guldur.
right in the middle of the action! There were 5 scenarios, including To The Death,
Domination and a modified version of Reconnoitre.
A record-breaking 32 players made their way
to what (at the time) became the largest ever
independent Great British Hobbit League
tournament. This 350 point event was rather unique
Low points cost tournaments are great
in that the results would be counted towards both for new players as only a handful of
the 2013 and 2014 Great British Hobbit League. models are required
This, coupled with the array of fantastic prizes that
were on offer (including individual models from the
Barrels out of Bond set), meant there was definitely There were also two custom scenarios based
an incentive to do well at this one-day event. upon the Dol Guldur theme. First was the Spawn
of Ungoliant, a scenario in which each side must
Low points cost tournaments are great for new attempt to slay a giant spider (with a custom
players as only a handful of models are required; profile) that is deployed in the centre of the board.
they also pose challenges for veteran tournament Tournament Organiser Damian did a great job of
attendees as it makes building an army list that little painting up some toy spiders he found on eBay
bit trickier. to ensure every gaming table had its own spider.
Shelob ambushes hobbits in the depths of Erebor! The Uruk-hai attack a Lothlrien and Gondor alliance
Left to right: Damian OByrne is awarded 1st place by Tournament Organiser Damian Grantham; James
Baldwin wins Best Army for his Goblin Town army; Damians army faces off against Sam Pages Hunter Orcs
For each of the scenarios named above, a single In the end, after a superb day of gaming, Damian
unnamed Hero in a players force could carry OByrne and his Feral Uruk-hai/Berserker army
a magic ring which granted them access to a emerged victorious after beating Ed Balls Hobbit
randomly selected spell during each game. horde in the final scenario. The First place trophy
was a replica key to the Mirkwood Gaol, a very cool
The final scenario was Lords Of Battle with a twist: prize! Callum Edens took Second place with his
in addition to their 350 point army, players could Mordor force including Shelob, and David Simpson
add a sorcerer to their ranks! Good players could took a well-deserved Third place with members of
choose between Gandalf the Grey and Radagast the the Fellowship of the Ring that his young daughters
Brown, whilst Evil players would select either the had helped to paint up. Best Army was won by James
Necromancer (using Saruman the Whites profile) or Baldwin with his beautifully painted Goblin Town
the Witch King of Angmar. This scenario was meant army. Most Sporting Opponent went to local player
to represent the White Councils final attack on Dol Tom Lee.
Guldur and it made for an interesting finish to the
event, especially since players were not allowed to The tournament was superb and ensured that a
reveal their choice of sorcerer until the start of the great season finished on a high. Well done to all
final round of games. those involved!
Everyone gathers for a photo at the end of the day to celebrate another fantastic Titans tournament!
Ed Ball seems very pleased to Mik presents Tom Harrison Damian snatches 3rd place by
claim 1st place with his 2nd place trophy the tiniest of margins!