I'm putting together a 500 point list based on the Army of the High King list, ideally I'd like to just use this list though I may be open to an Elvish alliance. So far I'm getting lots of options none of which really stand out

My three options so far are the following:

THE HORDE:
Isildur
16 Warriors with Shield
16 Warriors with Shield and Spear
16 Warriors with Bow

49 Models. 16 Shots. 3 Might.

Almost reaches the model limit with 33% bows allowing strong shooting options though it lacks any variety and will rely on a swarm approach which I'm not very familiar with.

THE HIGH KING:
Elendil with Shield
10 Shield
16 Spear and Shield
13 Bow

40 Models. 13 Shots. 3 Might plus free heroic combats.

Lack of might an issue though it does contain one of the strongest heroes in the game if I can keep him alive to get him into combat, never used Elendil but with practice he could be fun, maybe better used in a 700 point list though

AND FINALLY: THE PRINCE AND HIS CHAMPION

Isildur with Shield
Captain with Heavy Armour and Bow
12 Shield
15 Spear and Shield
13 Bow

42 Models. 13 Shots. 5 Might.

A more typical army for me, plenty of might to use, moderate numbers but it's still lacking that extra something. The ranged might could be useful for targeting specific threats and allows a more spread stand fast should I get broken.

So far I'm leaning towards the final choice, as I have no experience of using a pure horde, normally playing 500 points with 35-40 models with a good helping of variety.

Is it possible to create a fun, balanced list using Numenoreans?

As the Numenor list is so short changed in the variety stakes I'm a little stumped with what to go for. If anyone has any experience of a good list or fancies some meta-gaming to help me out I'm all ears

My primary aim is to get a list together to motivate my painting over the next couple of weeks, ending in a game or two with the list using basic LOME scenarios.

Thanks

The third looks like the most fun to play but I think the first one might be the best. Allying elves, rangers of arnor, and warriors of arnor can be added to spice things up a bit without ruining the theme.

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"War does not determine who is right, only who is left."
- Bertrand Russel

I agree.

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"There are few left in Middle Earth like Aragorn, son of Arathorn." - Gandalf, Many Meetings

You can´t ally them with Arnor, but Elves, sure why not... I think that Elves and Numenoreans compensate the lack of variety by each other...

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I am the Mouth of Sauron, here him speak'

Last time out I fielded an unorthodox Numenor - Lothlorien alliance with Haldir and Isildur, which was fun. This time I've now decided to go for the High King himself and I'll see how that goes. If anyone has any tips for how to use him successfully or any modelling tips for giving him a shield that would be great.

I think the army will be really expensive, with the spear and bow armed warriors.

But by combining the High elves archery, and the two handed weapons, with the skill and defence of the men of numenor it might be interesting.

Well with Elendil charge up to max two orcs/uruks/men/goblins what ever, so he can kill ´em and then call a heroic fight and charge next two...

assuming Elendil has spear support, he should be able to dispatch up to 3-4 enemies a turn this way... just keep him away from wraiths... and don´t send him to far ahead...cause no hero can whistand sheer weight of numbers

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I am the Mouth of Sauron, here him speak'

No hero? Hmm...

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"There are few left in Middle Earth like Aragorn, son of Arathorn." - Gandalf, Many Meetings

Name one if you please (trust me, not even the Balrog can).

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"War does not determine who is right, only who is left."
- Bertrand Russel

Well, how many "numbers" are we talking about?

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"There are few left in Middle Earth like Aragorn, son of Arathorn." - Gandalf, Many Meetings

A "sheer weight's" worth...

That's not very specific.

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"There are few left in Middle Earth like Aragorn, son of Arathorn." - Gandalf, Many Meetings

Fortunately I already have the models, apart from Elendil, thanks to some good deals on Ebay, so that's ok, I now just want to use them as they're such a rare force to see on the table.

I'm hoping to use Elendil's heroic combats to carve through and remove models like banners or extra spear support from other combats, I'm most worried about him being injured before getting to combat so any tips on shielding a lone hero from harm would be appreciated.

Well keep him behind the lines, so archers can´t shoot him, or even if they can then they have to make a lot of in the way rolls....

and again keep him away from Wraiths and Saruman if fielded

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I am the Mouth of Sauron, here him speak'

About the equivalent of the hero's points worth.

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"War does not determine who is right, only who is left."
- Bertrand Russel

I whistand all.

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THE GAME. You lost it.

Well, even sauron will out lose eventually although with lucky and smart Ring rolls, he will last very very long... (might only expanded on those ring rolls)

But now that Rumil is out, it is very possible for the good side to win against Sauron...

But it´s true that Sauron is a very powerful being in this game

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I am the Mouth of Sauron, here him speak'

He IS the Lord of the Ring..

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One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them, one ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them

Hmm... yes his special rule seems very devasting if combinied with sheer numbers.... very devasting indeed.

however has anyone actually played with him that knows about this?

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Eru was the one who on Arda is called Ilúvatar

-The silmarillion by J.R.R Tolkien, first line-

Yes, he could literally kill an infinite number of Hobbits.

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"There are few left in Middle Earth like Aragorn, son of Arathorn." - Gandalf, Many Meetings