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So as i have read army lists and tactical discussions about Gondor, I have noticed a lot of resistance to The Grey Company as a formation. I hope this will be enlightening read and it will be the first of many tactical articles I hope to write about Gondor's formations in War of the Ring.
To start let's take a look at the statline, an above average fight, for a man, an elven shooting value, and an above average strength. The defense is perhaps their biggest downside being only 5, but I will delve more into that later. Their courage is that of the average Gondor fighter but with Halbarad, the formation swells to (basic) elven courage. So their stats are quite simply, ok, I'll be honest they are better than average but that's about all one can say about their stats, above average, or a solid B-.
However their special rules are quite good. They move through all difficult terrain like open ground, they will never be driven back because of shooting, and they will continue to fight until the last man is slain thanks to indomitable. The Valor of Forgotten Arnor makes the Grey Company stike at the same time as cavalry! This is incredibly attractive as they will strike before the mindless rabble of other infantry and can attack cavalry with full attacks before they take the abuse. Including Legolas in your army? The Grey Company now strikes at the same time as monsters. Watch as they butcher masses of cavalry even when charged.
Finally it is worth mentioning the best 50 points one can spend if they include the Grey Company in their list, the Banner of the King.
For 50 points you increase the entire formations fight by 1. Not too shabby considering this gives them a fight equivalent to an elf, and bumps the command companies fight to 6. This is also a very easy way to provide your force with the Army Banner rule. Herioc Advance can be a game changer. All formations within 12" of the army banner with a banner in the unit, can now move first? Doesn't seem like much but it means only 1 point of might spent as opposed to several, and in War of the Ring might is precious. The best part of the Banner of the King, is that if Aragorn, the mightiest hero available to Gondor, then he gains the Inspiring Leader (Master) rule with an unlimited range. This takes our relatively low, if an Arnor formation, and average courage and swells it to an impressive 6. Terror checks and panic checks have a much higher success rate. Don't forget that Aragorn's fight value is also affected by the banner.
Enough rabbling about the banner, one other point about the Grey Company's profile I would like to make is that they are equipped with longbows. This gives them an effective 36" elven range and at shoot 3+ makes them quite deadly.
Using the Grey Company in games can be a bit more of a challenge. I usually place them in defensible terrain to make up for their mediocre defense. Even in poor defensible terrain this bumps their defense up considerably to 7 or even 8 which makes them much more formitable in close combat. You will be amazed at how much punishment the Grey Company can take while in defensible terrain, but unlike other warriors, they can dish out tons of damage, not only in shooting phase, but with their str, and fight of 4, 5 or 6, and if Aragorn's in the formation, then 8 fight value with a +2 to their hit rolls. Don't be afraid to use Aragorn's epic journey as well. Suddenly your opponent has to handle a 245pt formation with a 200 pt epic hero that just appeared in his back line, a great support to your heavy cavalry if you can have them keep up. It is expensive with precious might but can turn a game around.
I am a huge fan of the Grey Company, any questions feel free to Pm me, comments go ahead and post them. I hope you have enjoyed this first tactical article, let me know if their is an interest and i'll delve deeper into more of Gondor's formations.
For the TLDR people: Use the Grey Company, it'll change your life.
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