This is my first game of War of the Ring. As I was trying to explain the game to a friend I thought I’d also make a mini battle report. We both kept it fairly simple and took 800 points of troops. I used Rohan, my opponent had Isengard. Both armies are mine, i wrote out two lists (he hasn't got the book) and gave him the option of either army. I didn’t want to take magic or many named characters.
Here are the lists;
The Muster of Rohan
Erkenbrand, Lord of the Westfold …….. 75
6 companies Riders of Rohan (banner bearer, Erkenbrand here) …215
3 companies of Riders of Rohan (captain, banner bearer) … 175
3 companies of Riders of Rohan (captain) …. 140
3 companies of Militia (captain) … 110
2 companies of Bowmen …….. 40
2 companies of Bowmen …….. 40
Total= 795
Forces of Isengard
4 companies of Uruk-hai Warriors (captain, banner bearer)…. 225
3 companies of Uruk-hai Phalanx (captain, banner bearer)…. 190
3 companies of Uruk-hai scouts …… 90
4 companies of Warg Riders ….80
1 company of Berserkers … 110
1 Isengard Troll …. 100
Total = 795
Daylight Raids
During Thengel's reign, Saruman declared himself Lord of Isengard. Saruman has secretly made alliances with the Dunlendings and has built an army of Orcs, including a particularly strong kind known as the Uruk-hai which could withstand sunlight. The Uruk-hai have begun to raid Rohan, though the Rohirrim do not realize at first that they have come from Isengard.
Orcs from Mordor in Sauron's service have also started to cross the Anduin to steal horses - especially black ones to be used as steeds for the Nazgul.
Saruman has employed an agent to weaken King Theoden and thereby leave Rohan open to attack. His Uruk-hai have become bolder with their success, and destroy all in their path. Without any orders from King Theoden, his son Theodred has now assumed command of Rohan's forces and organised the defenses.
For military purposes, Rohan is divided into the the West-mark and the East-mark. The Rivers Entwash and Snowbourn form the boundary between the two. There are three Marshals of the Mark commanding Rohan's military forces. The First Marshal commands the Muster of Edoras and the surrounding lands including Harrowdale. The Second Marshal commands either the East-mark or the West-mark, depending on where the threat is the greatest. The Third Marshal commands the remaining region.
Theodred has entrusted Erkenbrand to defend Rohan against the threat from Isengard. As Lord of the Westfold, Erkenbrand is the highest ranking lord in western Rohan. He lives in the Hornburg of Helm's Deep, across the Gap of Rohan from Isengard. As the threat of attack from Saruman increases, Erkenbrand musters his horse lords and prepares for the daylight raids.
Objective
The watch tower contains a huge bonfire that’s lit to warn a nearby Rohan hamlet of any imminent danger. If the forces of Isenagrd can gain control of the tower they prevent the Rohirrim mustering an organised defence.
In games terms, whoever controls the watch tower at the end of turn 6 is declared the winner. To control the tower you must have a company within 3” of the tower (disordered companies don’t count) If both sides achieve their objective, it’s a draw.
Terrain
The game is played on a regular 6ftx4ft table. In the centre of the board is a watch tower (the objective) Either side of the tower are rohan buildings, representing the outskirts of a small hamlet. There’s a smattering of hills, four total. A small woodlands, and some nearby ruins.
We decided;
- ruins were impassable
- woods = capacity 3, defence +2
- watch tower = capacity 4, defence +2
- barn = capacity 1, defence +1
- rohan thatched house = capacity 2, defence +2
Deployment
I win the roll. I decide I’ll make him deploy first, but he’ll also have the priority in turn 1.
His two big uruk-hai units go near the watch tower, with a troll to back them up. Berserkers also near the tower. Scouts behind the woods (they move through without penalty) Looks like his warg riders will attempt to flank my army.
My bowmen formations occupy both hills. The militia will stay back and try and survive so they can contest the tower if he occupies it. (cavalry can’t go in buildings) Erkenbrand’s formation opposite the troll (they pass terror automatically) Then rider formations where I can fit them in.
Turn 1 (Isengard has priority)
Movement
Most formations move up. The Uruk-hai warband moves “At the Double!” (passes his roll to do this)
The berserkers move behind the uruk pikes, to shield themselves from possible bow fire. Warg riders attempt to hide behind the barn.
Reacting to his movement, I put all my riders just beyond 8” from his infantry, so he can’t charge me.
Shooting
He has no shooting (the troll can throw rocks/spear, but it’s range 6”)
In the centre of the battlefield two formations of riders load their bows and fire at the uruk-hai warband. (19 shots) The uruk-hai form a shield wall, deflecting most of the arrows, only two uruk-hai fall.
On the hill behind the riders a formation of archers fire at the uruk pikes. Three uruk pikes fall.
My archers near the barn manoeuvre so they have line of sight to the warg riders. Riders aid them with missile fire. The archers manage to drop one warg riders (2 hits) Then with an amazing display of dexterity eight out of nine arrows from the riders strike true, that takes down another four wargs. Under the hail of arrows the wargs are driven back 2”.
Charge
Only Erkenbrand’s formation charges. I roll a 6 for the charge, it’s an unstoppable charge.
Fight
Erkenbrand calls an Epic Duel (he rolls two dice) The uruk-hai captain has the same fight value, I get a +1 bonus. I get 2 and 5. He gets a 4. I win by 2. The results are Erkenbrand slashes through the unit to get to the uruk captain (killing 2), cuts the captains head off, then kills another 2 uruk-hai.
The charging Riders of Rohan have 33 attacks. In a brutal hack and slash melee they take down another 5 uruk-hai. Some of the uruk-hai manage to pull riders off their horses (2 wounds, which 1 dead rider)
The uruk-hai shrink back from their foe, their shield wall buckling. They are now disordered. (they pass their courage test, so no more uruk-hai fall)
My summary so far ....... A good start for my Rohan force, those cavalry charges are devastating.
I was reading through this on Warseer and had to click everyone of the links to look at all the pics. Then I come over here and its all laid out ><
I like the rules system, it ran smoother than warhammer