Battle of the Five Armies Strategy Discussion

Me comments below, feel welcome to discuss,

> GOBLINS
> Led the Great Goblin Bolg, the Goblin nation is one of the most hated

and

> feared in Middle-earth. Goblin troops are numerous, and have a

fanatical

> hatred of all other races. This, and the fact that they have skilled
> leaders backed up by competent agents and mages, makes the Goblins
> formidable foes.
>

Looks like an okay military nation, 8 Comms, few but cool multis, incl.
Angulion
who looks cool but only one other Combat Mage.

> WARG RIDERS
> Wargs are great wolves ridden by goblins into battle. Warg Rider armies
> combine speed and shock tactics to great effect. The Warg Riders are

led

by
> the Necromancer, one of the most powerful individuals in Middle-earth.
> Surrounded by competent commanders and agents, the Necromancer can also
call
> upon the services of many lesser mages, and seems never to run short of
> mounts for his troops no matter how many are lost in battle.
>

The Necromancer and Conjure Mounts, what's wrong with this sentence ?
Dearth of Comms (4) may be this powerful Mage nation's achilles knee.

Me, basically a military player, would definately choose to play that in a
10 turns
limited game. I would seriously consider retiring Gollum, an A20/Stealth 50
char,
unless Gollum gained a 2nd skill as a special. (There are specials in the
game,
is there ?).

> ELVES
> The nation of the Wood-elves, led by their king Thranduil, is scattered

in

> mostly small settlements throughout Mirkwood. The Elven armies are not
> numerous, but due to constant skirmishing against encroaching enemies,
they
> are well-trained and well-led. The Elven armies are supported by
competent
> agents and powerful mages, who moreover have a Hidden base from which to
> operate.
>

Okay, I'm bias against Elves, I never admit to ever playing Noldo, so what
can I say ? But given the cream of elvish chars to choose from (so what if
many have choosen to cross ? a lot still haven't), they gave me these ???

Not one single super duper violent emmy, what has happened to the elven
nations ???

> DWARVES
> The Dwarven nation is centred on the Iron Hills, but renetly a daring
> expedition led by Thorin Oakenshield re-occupied their long-abandoned
halls
> under the Lonely Mountain. The Dwarves are blessed with some of the

most

> formidable warriors, pound for pound, to be found in all of

Middle-earth.

> Most Dwarves are trained warriors, burning with fiece hatred towards
goblins
> and wargs, so they are capable of sending a powerful, motivated and
well-led
> force against their foes. In matters other than military the Dwarves

are

> less skilled.
>

The One Ring, increase Stealth by 40, hmm, no comment.

Bilbo the Pick-Pocket & somewhat Burglar, an A20, no comment. Stealth 20 ?,
still no comment.

But but but what happened to Balin ???

Gloin a CA now ? Me wished he was still a C40. Got switched with Kili ?

Still, they have got the best SNAs of them all.

> NORTHMEN
> The Northmen nation is composed of both Lake-men and Dale-men. Their
> culture is similar since both are skilled merchants and builders. The
> Northmen aspire to control all trade within their area and to amass
wealth.
> Their numbers are not great, but they posses adequate and

well-provisioned

> armies led by the formidable warriors Bard I and Beorn. They also

possess

> deft agents with speed and cunning.
>

Aarrrgggghhhhh, what's the use of deft, speedy and cunning agents in a 10
turns limited game when 2 enemy nations have armies within marching range
of your pop ctrs ??? Err, Deft, Speedy & Cunning means A30s.

A challenge to play, I'm sure, I would choose All Out Glory, either die
gloriously
and maim your enemies and if you don't die, wow !

On the other hand, hey, with some elven help that build forties at 1/2 could
come useful.

b.e.

Me, basically a military player, would definately choose to play that in a
10 turns
limited game. I would seriously consider retiring Gollum, an A20/Stealth

50

char,
unless Gollum gained a 2nd skill as a special. (There are specials in the
game,
is there ?).

No, all start-ups are identical. It's an introductory scenario to the
game - but normal or more experienced players might well enjoy it. The
small teams is something that I am particularly interested in.

> > ELVES
> > The nation of the Wood-elves, led by their king Thranduil, is

scattered

in
> > mostly small settlements throughout Mirkwood. The Elven armies are

not

> > numerous, but due to constant skirmishing against encroaching enemies,
> they
> > are well-trained and well-led. The Elven armies are supported by
> competent
> > agents and powerful mages, who moreover have a Hidden base from which

to

> > operate.
> >
Okay, I'm bias against Elves, I never admit to ever playing Noldo, so what
can I say ? But given the cream of elvish chars to choose from (so what if
many have choosen to cross ? a lot still haven't), they gave me these ???

Not one single super duper violent emmy, what has happened to the elven
nations ???

I think you need to read the rules on this scenario - no Ems in the game at
all. Ie no Em orders at all.

> > DWARVES
The One Ring, increase Stealth by 40, hmm, no comment.

Bilbo the Pick-Pocket & somewhat Burglar, an A20, no comment. Stealth 20

?,

still no comment.

Do you mean that you don't think this is appropriate? Just say. :slight_smile: I am
looking for feedback here not veiled criticism.

But but but what happened to Balin ???

Only so many dwarves we could get in.

> > NORTHMEN
Aarrrgggghhhhh, what's the use of deft, speedy and cunning agents in a 10
turns limited game when 2 enemy nations have armies within marching range
of your pop ctrs ??? Err, Deft, Speedy & Cunning means A30s.

A challenge to play, I'm sure, I would choose All Out Glory, either die
gloriously and maim your enemies and if you don't die, wow !

On the other hand, hey, with some elven help that build forties at 1/2

could

come useful.

Try it and get back to us - we're not sure it works yet but prefer comments
after you have played the game. :slight_smile: We tried to get something that can
appeal to all sorts of players - we're not sure if we have the mix right yet
though. That's why it's a playtest.

Clint