So I’ll be honest; I never had any intentions of playing the LotR SBG. However my best friend got back into wargaming and had always been a massive fan. He managed to persuade me (
read: asked me once) to start and go to a tournament with him in November. I needed 300pts. I now have over 1500pts (
mostly donated by another friend) and am still expanding.
The army is currently themed around the Rivendell Guard, and based on the art in the 'Hobbit Chronicles: Art & Design' book (
below). I feel that that age has the most scope/potential, although I do really like the alternate timelines proposed in the Battle for Middle Earth 2 video game and what would have happened should Sauron have regained the One Ring.
Due to the sheer volume of models I needed to have painted in a short space of time I only went for a tabletop standard on these guys. That being said I’m quite satisfied with how they came out and they look good on the table. Whereas the metal heroes are lovely figures to paint, the plastics are less so. They definitely show their age; lacking a lot of detail and definition. The spearmen are old generation Finecast and absolutely terrible models; easily the worst material that I’ve ever worked with.
Gil-Galad, King of the ElvesElrond, Master of RivendellGlorfindel, Lord of the WestErestor, Chief Councilor of Elrond, Captain of RivendellArwen UndómielLegolad, Captain of the Rivendell Scouts (Legolas’ more loutish identical twin, says ‘bro’ a lot, loves to get smashed on mead)I wont post all the models to save on repetition. In total there are two Captains, two banners, 8 swordsmen, 8 spearmen and 8 archers. This totals two full warbands with some flexibility.
CaptainBanner BearerSpearmanSwordsmanArcherRivendell Knight Captain 1 Rivendell Knight Captain 2Rivendell Knight Banner 1Rivendell Knight Banner 2Rivendell Knights I’m already working to expand this army out:
- The Rivendell Guard will be receiving some reinforcements in the form of Elladan & Elrohir (classic sculpts), Estel (young Aragorn), Cirdan, a mounted Glorfindel (based on one of the armoured twins on horseback) and eight regular guys to act as dismounts for the Knights. Bilbo is also featured in the Throne of Skulls 2017 Rivendell army list, so I’m doing him as I feel I should paint at least one hobbit.
- As I already have most of the members I’m finishing off the White Council with Saruman the Wise, Gandalf the Grey, Radagast the Brown (based on the Sharky model), Galadriel and Celeborn.
- With Radagast and Bilbo opening up the option for a Radgast’s Alliance/Wanderers in the Wild contingent there will be a pair of Great Eagles making an appearance.
- After the awesome weekend at W.A.R. of the Ring 2017 in Reading my best friend and I are looking to do a lot more tournaments. Top of the list is Throne of Skulls 2018. I’ve already picked up some themed dice, counters and objective markers and am looking at a display board that will double up for Armies on Parade 2018 too.
- I’m currently working on some basic terrain pieces to make our games more thematic. The Ruins of Osgiliath set from GW is fantastic value and very versatile.