Something from the past...

Hello there!

Bet you weren't expecting a post on here? It has been a while and though I shan't be returning to the world of SBG anytime immediately. However, this is a little different.

More recently I went through some of my old fictional scenarios and rules for campaigns etc... Mostly as I was interested in making rules for scenarios, developing game concepts and to a certain extent developing ideas for campaigns. These campaign plot ideas I'd though up in 2011 or 2012 and developed bit by bit (but given I was early teens at the time, they had as many plot holes as a block of swiss cheese), naturally I'd been meaning at some point to write them up or share with some other people. But...that didn't happen.

So really, I'm sharing some funky ideas for campaigns in Middle-earth I've come up with. Compared to what they were initially they are soooooo much better, some creases have been smoothed out (particularly in the case of the background to the campaigns and some of the special rules).

These scenarios are designed to be played for the primary victory conditions, but points are awarded for achieving secondary victory conditions to encourage hard fought battles and that each objective is important in the grand scheme of things (5pts for primary and 2pts for a secondary). The scores and victories are tabulated at the end to see which player has the most points or most victories if the players are tied (when the players are within two points of each other).

PDF - Journey to Harad

This one is the funky one, Initially I had it as Glorfindel rescuing the elven companies, but that seemed a 'touch' unrealistic. Tbh the idea is a bit farfetched, but the thought of elves fighting a Mumakil was particularly tough to pass up on, although it was hard finding a storyline to fit all the companies on and get them in the right place.

This is perhaps a lot to take in, I do have a few more supplements on the way so brace yourselves! Hope you have enjoyed this small piece. Let me know if you have any comments and such :)

Until then

Fish

Face-off 2016 Final Théoden's Host Vs Rivendell

And finally the Face-off 2016 Final! The elves defeated the Serpent Horde from a heroic duel between the elven captain and Suladan, after a very close encounter with the Mordorians which also resulted in a heroic duel that the captain got the better of the orc from. The Rohirrim, meanwhile took a close, but deserved, victory over Moria in the first round from Erkenbrand's special rules, then a well fought victory over the Fiefdoms.

Rivendell Vs Théoden's Host (Domination)
Whoever claims more of the five objectives after one side is broken and a 1 or 2 is rolled on D6 (in end phase). Objectives are claimed by having more models within 3''/8cm when the game ends.


Setup

The elves fan out, and the Rohirrim concentrate on their left flank.

One of the elves gets caught in the bush and his brains are dashed
across the floor! The elves advance un-phased.

The Rohirrim stand off their adversaries, who simple charge them. 

Then both captain call a counter charge...

There is tremendous crash of steel as the sides clash, the elven captain
slices through two royal guards, who were looking at Erkenbrand stab
an elf in the face. Also another Rohan warrior falls to an elf spear.

Erkenbrand calls another charge allowing them to surround the elves,
and an elf is speared from three foot away.

Initially the elf captain took a deep leg cut from a throwing spear and
as he bent over to grab it Erkenbrand clove him in twain.
Another Rohan warrior gets speared too. 

Things are looking bleak for the elves, who have been broken,
but they stand fast hoping the battle will turn in their favour.

And so two more elves fall beneath either spear or sword of the Rohirrim.

Erkenbrand orders his guard to claim the remaining objectives.

While he fights fiercely with an elf, but knocks aside his shield
and drives his sword into the elven warriors gut.

The last elf stands, and fights a royal guard, although
neither has the better of the other.



Erkenbrand hastens to remove the faithful elf.



But his guard manages without...

And so the Rohirrim remove all the pesky elves from the field, and claim total victory!!

Théoden's Host = 10 + 5(breaking elves) + 3(killing elven captain) + 5(number of objectives claimed) = 23 
Rivendell = 4

This victory was far too easy for the Rohirrim. Their throwing spears really gave them the edge, allowing them to effectively roll-to-wound on a 4+, not only that but the initially killed elf really meant that the elves had to charge into the Rohan line in order to win the well or the number of objectives would be against them once either side was broken.

Overall Hero Kills
Erkenbrand = 12 (16)
Elven captain = 9 (15) or 19 (27) inc. play-offs
Suladan = 9 (11)
Duinhur = 8 (8)
Shagrat = 3 (3)
Goblin captain = 3 (3)
Goblin Shaman = 2 (2)

There are some clear candidates for the person of the tournament, Sadly Suladan won't be taking it this time, as despite the number of kills he was too easily neutralised by other forces in the last two scenarios. Erkenbrand fought well in his three scenarios, getting a reasonable amount of kills, however a decent portion of his sides kills were from his bodyguard. The elf captain, however, has played a key role in the elven successes, destroying the dwarves in the play-offs, killing Shagrat and Suladan in the first round and the semis with many other kills along the way, although the final was  a poor showing from the elven force, he still earns himself the Elf of the Tournament award for carrying his warband to the final battle.

So this concludes the Face-off 2016, albeit 5 months later than intended. I have done some other things over the Easter break, and they will be put up in due course :)

Until then

Fish

Face-off 2016 play-offs

Play-offs

This, as mentioned, will be three battles between three forces under three scenarios, the overall loser will be eliminated and the remaining two will progress to the knockout stages.

The loser is determined by:

• Number of victories
• Number of draws
• Number of major victories/or major losses
• Points obtained against points conceded
• A heroic duel between the contesting forces heroes (I personally would like this to happen)

With that out of the way. To the battles!!
 
Rivendell Vs Moria (Reconnoitre)

Setup

Both sides split off into two directions. The goblin archers fire a volley
towards the elven captain, who takes an arrow to the
right arm, yet it doesn't phase the elf lord.

The elves arrive at the wall first, but the goblins
mount their assault carefully.

And two sneaky goblins vault the wall, slitting the throat of the
defending elf as they pass!

This allows more of the goblins to pass over, but the elves are not
without hope, as the captain cuts down one of the attacking goblins.

One of the goblins evades through elf lines, with more on their way,
still the captain re-assumes them as he slices and
cleaves the two goblins nearby.

By the house the elves have successfully held off the goblin attack.

And elf prowess shows, as yet another goblin
succumbs to the elven blades.

Another goblin manoeuvres through the elf lines,
so two elves are sent to even the scores.

The goblins strike back, stabbing an elf blocking two from certain escape.

And while the Elven captain finally brings down the shaman,
the goblin captain kills another elf.

So the goblins are reduced below 25% and the game ends! This gives Moria the victory:

Moria = 10 + 5(breaking elves) + 5(models evading) = 20
Rivendell = 4 + 5(breaking goblins) + 3(killing shaman) + 2(models evading) = 14


Erebor Vs Rivendell (A Clash of Piquets)

Given the elves lost the previous encounter, they need to win to stand a chance of progressing.

Setup.

The forces more closer to the well and they increase in number,
more arrive on the field as they march.

The sides rush at each other, the elves getting the upper hand initially.

The last of each side have entered the field as they clash again.

This time the dwarf captain squishes an elf, another falls swiftly
beside him, the elf captain takes a nasty cut on the thigh.

But returns the favour to the dwarf, removing the leg from under him.

Both leaders go all out for the victory, killing upon either side.

But the dwarves are broken first, so the game ends:

Rivendell = 10 + 5(breaking dwarves) = 15
Erebor = 4

Moria Vs Erebor (The High Ground)

Moria already have a victory, so a draw ensures progression, whereas the dwarves need a very distinct victory to stand a chance of progressing.

Setup



Both sides approach the contested hill.

And split into two sections.

A fierce melee occurs.

Leaving three bloody goblins and a dwarf on the ground.

The goblins want more, and charge with the fury of the Shaman!

And three dwarves keel over from the red-eyed goblins.

Which leaves the dwarves to be swarmed by the many goblins.

But the dwarf captain provides a small lifeline of goblin corpses.

The dwarves hold out as more goblins fall. But one dwarf succumbs,
leaving the dwarf force broken!

They don't have time to flee, as the goblins force
them to fight for their lives.

Two goblins and the same number dwarves are
cut down, leaving the goblins broken too!

The goblin captain has had enough, but the shaman calls
the goblins to arms and they charge again.

All who remain.

Two goblins flee as the dwarves hold their ground, and the dwarf
captain lobs the head of the nearest goblin, leaving
the hill claimed by the dwarves!

So the dwarves have got a close victory:

Erebor = 10 + 5(breaking goblins) + 3(number of dwarves on hill) = 18
Moria = 4 + 5(breaking dwarves) + 2(number of goblins on hill) = 11

So the final tallying's:

Rivendell (1 minor victory and loss) - pts = 29/24    (1st)
Moria (1 minor victory and loss) - pts = 31/32          (2nd)
Erebor (1 minor victory and loss) - pts = 22/26        (3rd)

Kills by Heroes
Elven Captain = 10 (12)
Dwarf Captain = 7 (7)
Goblin Captain = 5 (5)
Goblin Shaman = 0 (0)

So Erebor despite some late heroics, will not progress. Therefore Rivendell go through as 1st place and Moria 2nd place.

This makes the next battles as follows: 

The Easterlings Vs The Serpent Horde (A Clash Of Piquets)

Rivendell Vs Cirth Ungol (To The Death!)

Isengard Raiders Vs The Fiefdoms (Seize The Prize)

Moria Vs Théoden's Host (Contest Of Champions)

Merry Christmas!!!

Fish

Face-off 2016 teams and analysis

Face-off time!

This time there is an extra team and three more battles than normal. Moria have re-entered along with the Fiefdoms, while the last winners (Tower of Ecthelion) are absent.

The force composition rules are similar to last time:

• Must include one hero
• Must be no more than 150pts
• The force must not include more than 15 models, that are non-heroes (such that each side represents a warband not an army)

Here are the teams:

Cirth Ungol

The same force as last time around. The banner will hopefully be used to win more of the combats, meanwhile Shagrat is a solid hero that should be able to fight against most of the enemy heroes.



The Serpent horde

Again this force is the same as last time around, Suladan leads half a dozen infantry from horseback. The Serpent lord will provide the main threat and killing power while his guards go off and secure objectives.

Erebor

The dwarf captain with shield leads the side again, however the number of dwarf warriors has been changed to 9, three of them have shields. The main aim here is to use the two-handed axes to be able to kill better armoured enemy warriors.

Théoden's host

Erkenbrand gets another go at leading the Rohan forces, last time they left despite clearing the field of Haradrim. They must have done something right so the same force will be used here again. His supporting cast are 4 royal guard and 5 warriors with throwing weapons.

 

The Fiefdoms

After the debut success of this force, there are no changes. Duinhur is in command, and is supported by 6 knights of Dol Amroth and 4 clansmen of Lamedon.

Isengard raiders

Lurtz is the leader of the pack here, providing a stalwart melee and ranged capabilities, while the ten warriors have higher strength values that will be utilised to break down higher defence enemies.



The Easterlings

These Easterlings actually managed to get into the final battle last time around, so this force remains unchanged. They'll utilise the high defence warriors to phalanx their way to an ambitious third place.

Moria

The goblins have gone for a different approach, the captain and his 13 warriors will be attacking everything. Failing this the shaman will add some of his furious magic to help them along the way. This force could either flabbergast or flop in my opinion.

Rivendell

The heavily armoured elven captain leads the 7 heavily armoured elf warriors, 5 of whom have shields. This forces has the advantage for very long battles where courage values become important.

More of the same as last time apparently is the theme. Each force seems to be very well rounded, and no clear side stands out as being a favourite. Although the fiefdoms and the Serpent horde may edge the odds in both of their favours.

As mentioned previously the scenarios used for each of the first three battles are:

Rivendell Vs Moria (Reconnoitre)

Erebor Vs Rivendell (A Clash of Piquets)

Moria Vs Erebor (The High Ground)

And these three shall become two that'll go into the knockout stages.

Until then

Fish