Elven army takes shape

After testing my home brewed rule adaptions for fighting larger battles in Middle Earth, it was time to bring the Elves up to atleast fighting strength. So far I've had to rely on John providing his Gondorians to put on decent sized games.

So first up is the last 2 companies to make up what has been affectionately named the 'Blue' command by club members. These are designated as heavy infantry.  I did use some spares from Oathmark to make standard bearer (still needs a standard added) and an extra spearman from a broken figure.

Next up was a company to add to the'Green' command. These were a mix of armoured and unarmored figures from the GW Galadhirim range. I do have enough figures left over to make up an archer company.

To lead the mounted component of the army I've used the Glorfindel model from GW. Not my favourite, but he does at least look heroic.

To further expand the force I can add 5 more infantry companies using some Oathmark figures. I also have another company of riders using Conquest Normans. I'm also repurposing some GW Reaver knight which can help bulk up the mounted arm until Oathmark produce some Elven cavalry.

Now I feel the need to switch periods for awhile as I need to start on some 28mm WW2 Germans.

Lord of the Rings Elven warriors

Well with my current enthusiasm for all things Tolkien. It was time to add some more Elves so I can fight some of the Battles of the first Age.

The figures are mainly plastic with a few metal mixed in. They were produced by GW based on the Peter Jackson films. Not quite how I imagine them, but I somehow have 40 of them to paint up. It will be enough to make a division, then I can start on the Oathmark figures for the second division.

I decided to go with a mix of blue and greys. I wanted a slightly uniform look them. The next 2 units are both of swordsmen. I have spare figures of Elrond and Gil-galed to act as leaders.

Gothmog and Elven Riders

With a follow up game this week I neefed an extra Orc captain to lead the 3rd battalion. A quick rummage in the spares and I came up with Gothmog. Its not my favourite model. I also don't like the GW/Peter Jackson version where Gothmog is an Orc and not a Black Troll. To keep him company I painted up another 3 Orcs.

With my Orc army nearing completion it was time to turn my intention to their Opponents. Now I already have some Gondorians and Rohirrim, but these are not suitable for the 1st Age, so Elves are needed.

My first submission is some Elven Riders.  The bodies are Conquest plastic Normans, the Cloaks are from Fireforge and the plumes are from Oathmark. I did use some greenstuff to make a chest plates for a couple of the riders. Next time I'll try to make them thinner, but not bad for a first attempt.

I've ordered another sprue to make a second company. I'll the need to paint up my mounted version of Glorfindel to lead them before starting on some infantry.

DR Battle Companies

On Thursday night I umpired the first game, running a few amendments to Dragon Rampant to allow larger games and make it easier for multiplayer games.

I made some adjustments to Command and Control, giving each command random activation points. This seemed to work well and helped the game flow. Another rule was limiting the number of rounds that missile units can fire.

The game involved a detachment of Elves linking up with some Men of Gondor after tracking an Orc raiding force.

The good guys had the following

Elf captain
2 companies of light foot - mixed weapons

Human captain
4 companies of heavy foot

Human captain
3 companies of light missile
1 company of rangers

Human captain
2 companies of Elite riders - controlled

The Orcish raiders were as follows

Orc captain
3 companies of warg riders
1 company of wolves

2x Orc captains each with
4 companies of heavy foot
2 companies of light missile

The game kicked off with the Gondorian heavy foot occupied a defencive position on a large hill. The Elves and knights moved to extend the right flank.

The Warg riders crossed the river looking to get behind the Gondorians. The Orc foot kept it simple and headed straight at the enemy.

With the Warg riders threatening the flank, The Gondorians recalled their cavalry and turned their archers to meet the threat. The first Orc battalion opened fire on the Gondorians before their heavy infantry charged  home. The first assaults were beaten off, but the Gondorians could ill afford the loses inflicted upon them. The Orcs must of had the whips of Sauron on their backs as their morale held. The Gondorians counter attacked, but were beaten back. Their captain was forced to join the fray to best back the Orcs.

With the Elves pouring fire into the flanks, things seemed to be going well as an Orc company broke. However 2 of the Gondorian heavy infantry companies collapsed under the pressure. Led by their captain the Orcs surged forward again. This time a Hero of Gondor stepped out and slew the Orc captain in personal combat. The morale of the Orc battalion was shattered, but so 2 was the Gondorians as the last of their heavy infantry faltered.

The Elves on the flank were becoming cut off as the second Orc battalion moved forward into the gap. With only missile troops remaining and their knights negated by the warg riders. The good guys ceded the field.

Overall the amendments seemed to hold up well. Positive comments from the players. I'll tinker with a couple of things before a second trial game next week.

Dragon Rampant at the Club

On Thursday night at the club, some of my recent additions to my Orc army got there first run out as part of a 4 player game  each with 50 points. I was partnered with Mitch and we had a veritable horde of Orcs led by Nazgul. We also had a few trolls to add a bit of muscle. George and John had an alliance of Men, Elves and Dwarves to face us.

The game came down to Mitch getting his forces moving against George who couldn't roll above a 3 in every combat. This saw his Elves and Dwarves pummelled. On my flank, the Orcs seemed to spend all day sitting in the woods. The poor Troll attacked on its own and was made into a pin cushion. Late in the night I eventually attacked with some mixed results. But enough damage was done to claim victory for the Orcs.

Now back to painting more Orcs before I can start on some Men and Elves.

Dragon Rampant re-basing

With a large game of Dragon Rampant due at the club on Thursday. 4 players 100points a side. Orcs and Goblins against the Men of the West. Now I've recently completed my Mordor host, but not to 100 points. I needed more orcs. This was an issue as my painting mojo seems to have deserted me. Then I remembered I had some old plastic GW figures that were painted may years ago. So I dug them out to see what I had.

Now these guys would need re basing to match in with the newer figures. So to work I went over the weekend and here they are. 3 units of Moria Goblins, some Uruks, Bezerkers, The Goblin king and Saruman.

So with the addition of 4 Cave Trolls, 1 to add to Sarumans unit and that should give me enough for 100 points.

Now I can begin to put together the army for Thursday might from the available troops.

The Witch King - elite foot
Nazgul - elite foot
Fell beast - greater warbeast
Dragon - greater warbeast
Wolves - lesser warbeast
2x Uruks - Heavy foot
4x Orcs - belicose foot
Orc archers - light missile
Goblin archers - light missile
Goblin archers - scouts
2x Goblins - light foot
2x Trolls - heavy foot
Warg riders - heavy riders

Looking forward to the game already.

Orcs and Wolves

As I mentioned in my last post I've got a few extra figures to add to the army. Is at up is some wolves. I picked these up at the York show from Warbases. Nice little figures and perfect to use as lesser war beasts.

I also had a spare Nazgul figure to paint up. This means if I wish to field all nine I have the option to use the fell beast or not. Like the rest if the Nazgul, he's all black.

I also completed an additional 5 orcs that I had spare. The idea is to add these to the orcs I had painted up a few years ago. This would give me 2 extra units of Bellicose foot.

I now just need to finish the bases on some lesser orc scouts then I can start on the last 2 units of orcs to bring the army to completion.

The time of the Orc is at hand

Well it's another unit of orcs to add to my force for Dragon Rampant. This time it's some plastic figures designated as Morannon orcs. These are more heavily armoured than the rest of the orcs and will be used as heavy foot with the offensive trait. I kept with the army colour scheme and added some eyes to some of the shields. Quite happy how they turned out.

With this unit I have a very workable force. I do have 2 more units of warriors to add with some wights and lesser orc scouts. Then there are 2 more units of orc warriors already painted, just a shame they are in more mixed colours.

Not a bad force in little over a months work. The only outlay was for the trolls and Morannon orcs, approx £25. Now just need to finish the last few units and back to some historical.