Ok. First post for a while! Now, I have recently been tied up in the wonderful world on model railroading, but after having a serious think about it, I've realised that the cost is just too great for what I'll get out of it. So, I went back to my good old Legions Of Middle Earth and started work on an army which would re-kindle the flame.

I started out with what I thought would just be a fairly enjoyable army to play with, but now it seems I have created one of my more competitive army lists to date!

It is essentially a representation of the forces of the Pass of Cirith Ungol and Minas Morgul. It includes all the elements of an army that I want:
- A hero that can rip his way through anything
- A great leader
- Hard-hitting cavalry
- A solid number of elites
- Fast moving units
- Strength 4 warriors
- Great defence

So without further ado, I give you my army worthy of Mordor!!

110 - Shagrat, War Leader of Cirith Ungol
135 - Gothmog, Lieutenant of Morgul
40 - Mordor Orc Drummer
80 - 4x Morgul Knights
64 - 8x Morannon Orcs w/ Shield
72 - 8x Morannon Orcs w/ Spear, Shield
54 - 6x Black Numenoreans
54 - 6x Mordor Uruk-Hai w/ 2h Weapon
50 - 10x Orc Trackers
48 - 8x Mordor Orcs w/ Shield
48 - 8x Mordor Orcs w Spear
45 - 3x Spectres

Points: 800
Warriors: 64
Break Point: 32 Casualties
Might: 6*
Will: 6
Fate: 7
Bows: (0/7),(10/40),(0/17)
Cavalry: 4x + Drummer Effect
Cost: $400 NZ approx. - (incl. new paints)

So, The general army deployment and battle plan goes as follows:

- The force is set-up in two blocks

1st Block: Gothmog is the leader of this block along with the help of the drummer (no leading potential at all really). Included in this section is Gothmog, Drummer and all 16 Morannon Orcs. This block is the heavy-hitting infantry element of my force as all warrriors are S4. Set up in a basic shieldwall formation, they advance quickly towards the enemy (Drummer) then descimate weak groups of warriors or swiftly take out small bands. If they are faced with a more numerous or skillful block of infantry (or cavalry), then the warriors may be reliant on Gothmog, but he should help to give me the upper edge (especially agianst cavalry where I believe that his Master of Battle rule really excels ).

2nd Block: Shagrat leads this block alone which can be potentially dangerous if the army is reduced below half numbers (C4 won't go too far). It includes all remaining warriors including the Black Numenoreans, Orc Warriors, Mordor Uruk- Hai, Morgul Knights and Spectres. All infantry are set up in a shieldwall (with orcs with spear supporting Black Numenoreans, and Mordor Uruk-Hai lining up behind orcs with shields). The Morgul Knights and Spectres hang back whilst advancing to give maximum coverage. The Morgul Knights can break-off at any time to charge for an objective or utterly destroy a small group of enemy warriors (yes, of course with only four of them! - They are just that good!). Once lines meet the spectres will start to attempt to 'pull people off' from the main line to allow the Knights to charge them without risk of being counter charged (their Terror rule should help them here too), if not the Knights will attempt to flank the enemy or pick fights around the fringes of the battle. Shagrat will wade in fearlessly causing as must damage and disruption as possible throughout the enemy's ranks. The Mordor Uruk-Hai cannot support the orcs in front of them but instead act as a backup once the orc dies. If by the time the enemy is breaking apart slightly, Orc warriors are still left, they will double team with the Uruks to help them win the fight before their brute-ish cousins smash them to pieces with their 2h weapons.

If Gothmogs formation is still alive and kicking they should come across to Shagrats block and try to flank or charge into the rear of the enemy. - Completely destroying them.

i feel the Spectures are a little out of place. Maybe more Morgul Knights as 4 cavalry don't do that much.

Ok, fair comment Jaws. I thought that the fact that it was a partially Minas Morgul list would justify the spectres presence in the army. However, after a quick run-through of the included models they don't make as much sense now. So perhaps remove the spectres?

That would give me 45 extra points, from here I could do one of several things:

1. Use the 40 points to purchase an additional 2x Morgul Knights + Give Gothmog a shield.

OR

2. Remove all Morgul Knights which gives me 125 points. Get The Dark Marshal + Give Gothmog a shield.

OR

3. Remove all Trackers which gives me 95 points. Get Shelob + Give Gothmog a shield.

The Pros of each:

1. More substantial group of highly dangerous cavalry, No dramatic loss of numbers. Warriors: 63 - 3x Heroes
2. Three awesome heroes, Spell Caster. Warriors: 58 - 4x Heroes
3. Alot of fast moving units, Hero killer. Warriors: 52 - 4x Heroes

I'd go for option 1 and get the two more Morgul Knights, one so you have more cavalry, and two, so you don't waste the two extra models you'll get in the plastic set when it comes out in a month

And as a tiny nitpick, I'd rename the army list to be themed for "The Stairs of Cirith Ungol", since the Endless Stair is the stair under Moria that leads to Durin's Tower

Cheers,
Fenrir

As much as I'm tempted to vote for Shelob (fun hero that one), I don't know ridding yourself of bows is the best idea. I think out of your options, option 1 is the best. 2 extra knights could be useful and would make sense.

Mind you, I don't see that much wrong with having the spectres in the list in the first place. Depends where the army is themed I suppose. But they do have some potential for annoyance and line disruption. Have you considered Morgul Stalkers either? Though, that's probably just me thinking they're cool.

I'd say your list looks fairly decent, though you have a lot of variety. I wouldn't expect your trackers to survive too long at that points size, but they'll provide some cover for you to advance and be general hassle units. Hopefully you have enough warriors to hold the fighting while your specialists go to work, but I'm not sure how well your split tactics will work. Suppose trying it out will be the only way to know.

well split tactics work for me. The times i use my 1000pts evil alliance force i have my foot soilders march one side and my crossbows the other with my Cavalry charging down the middle.
(the only probblem is that is illigal becuase i have too many bows in the isenguard section just under 50%)

I understand why additional Morgul Knights could be helpful, but the other two options are simply just too exciting.

The idea of having Gothmog and Shagrat is awesome enough for me, but the thought of adding Shelob (which rounds the theme off quite nicely too) or even The Dark Marshal himself is just unbelievably insane!

The carnage that could be caused by that combo is unimaginable. I do however, see why the additional cavalry could be better. It doesn't effect my numbers greatly at all and a larger group of 'the best cavalry in the game' is also an excellent idea.

Still not sold though...

well is would say the morgul knights are the bestter on paper by far but i would be tempted to go for Shelob too for fluff....but dropping all of the trackers is a bit too much really.

Well yes, I suppose having no bows whatsoever would leave me a little weakened on the archery front.

I really do like the idea of Shelob though.

Decisions, decisions...

Can't say I blame you, Shelob is a particularly fun hero.
You could always spread it a bit more. Such as remove the spectres, 3 Uruks and 3 Mordor Orcs and add in Shelob. Though that would limit the use of your Uruks a little, and therefore your fighting line, but would allow you to keep your archers.

@ Jaws - That style battle tactics will work. But when you have seperate, independent fighting formations split up, you're going to have a bit of trouble getting your opponent to engage both parts seperately. Rohan has the speed to attack one part and so you'd need to stay together for support. Gondor/Dwarves/Elves all have more defensive styles (heavy armour, high def/slow mov., archery superiority) and will likely make you come to them and fight in formation, thus also negating the ability to split them and fight over 2 fronts.

Thank you for the suggestion Cal585, however I just don't like the thought of having Shagrat and 3x Mordor Uruk-Hai to 'represent' the entire Cirith Ungol portion of my force.

I've decide that I will definitely keep my Morgul Knights. The new plastic minis are my favourite! I cannot wait for them to come out and sit on NZ shelves! I also think that it is time to expand the Morgul Knight contingent (and the Black Numenorean one) and get a Black Numenorean Marshal on horse in there. - I think that this is time to say good-bye to alot of the Mordor Uruk-Hai, Shagrat and perhaps some of the Mordor Orcs to create the highly elite feeling of a 'fell morgul host.'

Any suggestions?