The "Hobbit" an unexpected cost point (3 of 3)

Hello All,

By now you have had time to read over the pros and cons of the new Hobbit SBG game. Here are some things I have discovered since the last post-

The game is not doing as well as hoped (at least not in my local area.) The manager of my Local store told me that old time players of the original system have stopped playing with the new release. This is unfortunate as with only a few exceptions it is a better game than the original (LOTR SBG.) It feels more like a natural progression similar to the versions of LOTR that came out year after year until they got it right with the 2005 Mines of Moria box set that survived almost 7 years (longer than any version of 40K/Fantasy that I can remember) 

The other thing I learned after getting a chance to actually play Hobbit SBG is that it really is a fantastic game. None of the new rules added (or removed) were game breaking. The new Heroic actions are nifty and the game flows as well as it ever did. I wanted these brought up because they are important to the topic. 

When I started writing this I asked several people to give me their opinion of the new release. I heard a lot from one side or the other. Here is what I learned-  40K/Fantasy players (that I spoke with) tended to dislike the system or at best ignore it. Some of it is the skirmish like game play of Hobbit and some of it is a dislike of Hobbit taking away resources that could be used for more 40K and Fantasy stuff. Folks who played systems outside of GW (Warmachine, Infinity, Malifaux, etc.) tend to like it better as it is more in line with the kinds of games they prefer.  

I would like to share the following observations  from a good friend who was kind enough to write out his thoughts.

"While I haven't seen any vast, sweeping changes from the earlier edition, that's probably for the best.  The system is still very smooth allowing large forces to clash without the game bogging down, and yet units don't feel generic.  If anything, the changes to the rules have added just that little bit more variety to the feel of the units, and that variety in turn adds to the strategic considerations without slowing the pace of the game.  In addition, many powerful units have gotten just that little bit more powerful with the changes such as monsters getting an equivalent to the Thunderstomp in 8th Edition Fantasy, so even veteran players will need to retune their strategies.  Whether for a serious head to head challenge or just a quick, fun, casual game, this would easily be my first choice in fantasy games.  Warhammer Fantasy wishes it could be this good." - Warboss
-------------------------------------------------


So with the evidence on the table and the testimonials and opinions noted for posterity, what is the verdict? Is it worth getting into? Does it have value?

Well the short answer is perhaps. I know that comes across as Wishy Washy but in this case it fits. The Pros and cons almost balance out. 

Here is how I look at it: for the most part each point cancels out another on the opposite side. For instance the game plays well but is hindered by the high cost of the rule books. The system is strong and can stand against other games of its ilk (Warmachine, Infinity, Malifaux, Bolt-Action et.) but it suffers from a poor marketing strategy carried over from LOTR SBG (system left dangling in the wind for years and a bad reputation from long term players due to the way it was handled in White Dwarf and the website. The Hobbit and LOTR share a strong and popular brand name supported in books and movies going back decades, unfortunately GW ended up with the rights to the license. I cannot help but think that if a different company created this game it would have been better received.

For me the game has value- I have already invested a healthy chunk of change  in the original game and I feel that this one is better (despite the issues with the rule book discussed  previously) The money spent helps keep my local store alive and as long as I don't have to buy a new book every month it is no big deal in the long run. I am not condoning the price hike GW did on the miniatures (carried over to Dark Angels) This is out right robbery. I suggest that anyone who wants to get into the game should spend some money on the boxed set from their local game store then look to Ebay and online discount sellers to fill out your armies.

I hope you have enjoyed this series and I look forward to comments and discussions.

Till next time

RGH

The "Hobbit" an unexpected cost point (2 of 3)

Do we have value?

 

Hello All,

RGH Here with part two of my series on The Hobbit/LOTR and Value

Today I will be talking about the positive aspects of this game and game system (from my prospective.)  Feel free to disagree as everyone in entitled to be wrong from time to time. :)

Here we go...

The Core system

• The core system for Hobbit/LOTR is simple and easy to learn. (The system is perfect as a War Game teaching tool. I find 40K and Fantasy can  intimidate new players with all of the rules and things that need to be remembered for full turn)
• The Hobbit/LOTR system plays fast compared to it's sister systems.
• It allows for game play that simulates its source material far better than 40K or Fantasy. (Aragorn is a Badass in the movie and the book so this is reflected in his rules and point cost. can 40K or fantasy  say similar, about their own heroes, with regularity?)
• The stat lines are easy to read and cover everything you need without a lot of needless redundancy. (Example: Defense score vs. Toughness + Armor (40K & Fantasy) + cover (40K) + Invulnerable save (40K) + Ward save (Fantasy) + Regeneration (Fantasy)  PONDEROUS.
• The system handles most situations with a simple D6 roll (This may seem over simplified but it speeds up game play.)

   
The Figure Range

• The Figure range for LOTR/Hobbit is 28mm standard non heroic scale. As such it does not match the scale of 40K and Fantasy. There are some exceptions (later releases) that are closer to 28mm heroic. It is sometimes difficult to use LOTR/Hobbit figures for conversions especially for 40K or Fantasy as the models and weapons are generally too small.
• Since 2001 figures in the Range have been cut above most other companies product in quality. Despite  GW's best efforts this continues to be mostly true. (I'm looking at you three hunters!)
• Almost the entire range for LOTR has been produced (from both books and films) allowing a collector to build almost any list from all the major time periods covered in produced works with the exception for the first age- Which may one day come out as well. (I would love a "Fall of Gondolin" source book)
• Troops are some of the easiest to put together and come in a variety of poses. I have been known to knock out 2 boxes (of 24) in an evening. There is little of this multi-part business where you have to select a head, arms, legs and torso then assign it some Bling to make it really stand out. LOTR troops tend to be 1 and 2 piece kits. Many prefer the former but since I despise assembly to the point of laziness I like the quick turn around.

   
 

Source Material

• The source material for this game is EVERYWHERE! Libraries, Internet, book stores, and Movies. There is so much information out there that LOTR books tend to be smaller than their counterparts making them easier to transport. 
• If you want to know the fluff Read the book or watch the movies (live action or animated) ether will give you enough understanding to play some fantastic story based games. There is tons of stuff out there just waiting to be read.
• The level of detail in Tolkien's works is staggering. invented languages, flushed out creation myths, truly evil villains, and a cool story where a man rises from a man of the woods to become king of the most powerful country in the setting. (just plain Awesomeness.)

All of the above shows value: an easy system to learn, A large high quality model range, and extensive background material, but is it enough to offset the high cost? 

In the last installment I intend to compare the two from several angles including input from several folks who's opinions I value.

Till next time.

RGH

Dark Angles- New Land Speeder

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha.... Oh wait, they're serious?

Till next time

RGH

New Video

Merry Christmas 

Hello All,

Check out the latest from the creative team of the NOVA Open.

Enjoy,

RGH

Originally posted on Whiskey and 40K

The "Hobbit" an unexpected cost point (1 of 3)

 

Hello all,

I am back with an article that ties in the last two posts to the RGH. This is Part one of three.

Hobbit/LOTR and Value

The goal is to write out my thoughts and impressions of the new Hobbit release and LOTR in general and whether or not it is worth the increased cost. This is not a bash on Hobbit/LOTR (I feel the system is better than almost any other GW offering) merely a stream of thought weighing the good and bad for the new edition and whether or not it's worth getting into both as a veteran or a new player.  Let’s get started.

I will start with the cons as this is like shooting fish in a barrel.

High Price buy in

Here we go. The Hobbit SBG (I feel insulted calling it “The Hobbit, an unexpected journey strategy battle game.” It’s like saying  “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb” every time you reference the movie. Just stupid.) is currently the most expensive game system GW has. Both the box set and Rule Book  cost more than their 40K and Fantasy equivalents. I spoke of this in an earlier post so will not go into it again. What I do want to know is: Who is this game aimed at? The system is easy to learn and game play is quick so it looks like the standard GW target market of 12+ is about right. On the other hand the Price of 205.00 US just to get started (more on this below) seems to point at an older crowd with disposable income. As if anyone in this economy really has disposable income.  If you were a part of the previous incarnation (LOTR-SBG) then the costs are not so bad as you just need the main rule book and whatever “Forces” Books you have figures for (at 28.00 a pop even this can get pricey.) But if you are just starting out that is a lot of outlay for a new game as most companies will sell you enough to play the complete game for around half of that. A great example of this is Warmachine and Hordes that have two player starter boxes with a Mini Rule book and full stat cards (With point values) for all the figures included for under 100.00 US.  If looking at cost alone I would have to say the game fails at this level.

Need both sets to get point costs of figures from box set

 I want to take a look at some of the follies GW made with this release. First and foremost the decision to not include profiles in the small rulebook but include them in the full size one.  I know the profiles for the box set are at the back of the starter book, but no point values are given. For this you have to purchase the 85.00 full size rule book as the contents  of the starter box are new and not found in any of the forces books. This really feels like extortion as GW holds the ability to play point match games (The most common type)  hostage till I pony up the cash for the big book. Normally this would not be such a problem in a GW product as point values are not normally found in starter sets (or even the full sized rulebooks), but as the president was set with all previous editions since 2001 (there were 4 if keeping count) not including the point values for units in the starter set is quite noticeable.

The fact that the point values are found in the full size book supports the idea that GW is a company controlled by greed.  There is a definite “Scheme” feeling going on here. More than likely GW will put out a new forces book that will cover all of this (And make that section of the MRB obsolete) so that folks that stuck it out without buying the big book  can get the stats. This book will almost certainly include a bunch of new stuff that will encourage folks that did buy the Big book also want this one as well (there is that Scheme feeling again)

Hobby Section

 

The Hobby section at the back of the big rulebook is weak. Classic staples from the past are missing or diminished. Examples include conversions and a few painting guides to get you started. As far as I can tell the conversion section is just gone. This could be because the LOTR and Hobbit lines are virtually complete so there is less need to convert something up for game play. It could also have something to do with  GW wanting to focus on the “new” painting system (You too can  paint like a pro in just 4 easy lessons.) In actuality we are back to greed. Recently GW moved  into the 21^st century (only 11 years after everyone else) and started releasing  digital products for the iPad (One platform to rule them all.)  This would be great except for one major issue. GW is charging as much or more for the digital products then for any physical equivalent. How does this relate to the current topic? I will tell you. Last week a painting guide for the Hobbit came out and GW is charging 25.00 dollars for it. It’s 150 pages so that may be the reason for the high price but honestly how many pages does it take to learn how to paint goblins and Dwarves? Since I don’t Have an iPad I cannot say if it is worth 25.00 but my “from the hip” reaction is no.

Limited sustainability

Straight and to the point: what happens when the last movie is done? At best the game is looking at 3 years of any real support before it is back to what LOTR was before December 2012. More than likely the game will get support in fits and starts with the occasional figure release and every once in a while a new book, but if GW follows previous  tactics it may be years between books once the Movies are done. The Mordor Book (Summer 2008)  was the last LOTR SBG book to come out until the Forces books (January 2012) came out. A time frame of over 40 months. They released WOTR or “War of the ring” (Why?) in 2009 but it is a different game not an upgrade of the SBG. Since this system is constantly teetering on the edge of oblivion sustainability must be considered a factor of value. 

Bad Track record for Product support

GW has mishandled this license for years.  From the decision to make LOTR into the third main line game along with 40K and Fantasy all the way through the pricing decisions discussed above. Along the way support has been more like the changing tide than an intelligible business plan. Sometimes they shower us with support then, for seemingly no good reason, it dries up to a trickle.  Support for LOTR SBG was pretty good from 2001 – 2006 with new books coming out regularly and new miniatures several times a year. As mentioned above it could not last and  by 2009 the SBG was pretty much dead. WOTR came out in 2009 and as mentioned above is a totally different game that happens to use the same figures. So there it sat with only the occasional lip service of a WD article or a figure or two till the “Forces” Books came out this last January (2012.) seeing this makes me wonder what they will try this time around. Have they learned anything from their past or will they rush forward to repeat their mistakes. 

Well at this point my fingers are getting tire so I will stop. Next time I will look at the positive aspects of the new product line to see if they even out...

Till next time

RGH

An Army Worthy Of Mordor

Hello All,

With the release of HSBG (Hobbit Strategy Battle Game) I have decided to stat out my Isengard army. I have a lot crap for this army and once I had it all out on the table I felt like I just had to see what I could build out of it. First I will go over what I have then what I made. (this is all stuff I already have and NOT stuff I am planning to buy from GW!)

Here we Go...

Uruk-hai

Warriors with Crossbows- 15
Warriors with Pikes- 66
Warriors with Sword and Shield- 75
Warriors with no upgrades (from Demo teams) 48
Warriors with Banners- 5
Scouts with Bows- 38
Scout with sword and shield- 23
Scout with no upgrades- 23
Berserkers- 25

Orcs 

Warg Riders with spears- 9
Warg Riders with bows- 9
Warg Riders with shields- 8
Warrior with bow- 28
Warrior with shield- 54
Warrior with two handed weapon- 26
Warrior with spear- 45
Warrior with banner- 3

Characters

Saruman- 1
Grima- 1
Lurtz- 1
Ugluk- 1
Sharku- 1
Uruk-hai Shaman- 2
Uruk-hai Captain- 7
Orc Captain- 5
Orc Warg Captain- 1

Trolls

Isengard Troll- 2 (one could be a captain)

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First we have a list using the Hobbit/LOTR SBG it comes in a around 3700 points but I added Goblin allies to make a cool 4K points. I was not able to use all of my figures due to the construction rules laid out back in January. I was able to get round half of them. :)

Unlimited Pts - Isengard Roster - Isengard 4K  with Goblins

1 Saruman, 469 pts
   1 Saruman (Staff; Hand Weapon; Staff of Power; Voice of Command; Palantir; Immobilise; Terrifying Aura; Command; Sorcerous Blast)
   1 Isengard Troll (Hand Weapon; Spear; Armour; Shield; Terror; Throw Stones)
   1 Isengard Troll (Hand Weapon; Armour; Shield; Terror; Throw Stones)
   4 Uruk-hai Scout (Hand Weapon; Armour; Shield)
   4 Uruk-hai Scout (Hand Weapon; Orc Bow; Armour)
   2 Uruk-hai Scout (Hand Weapon; Armour)

1 Grima, 25 pts
   1 Grima Wormtongue (Hand Weapon; A Traitor Within; Wormtongue)
1 Lurtz, 164 pts
   1 Lurtz (Hand Weapon; Orc Bow; Armour; Shield)
   4 Uruk-hai Scout (Hand Weapon; Orc Bow; Armour)
   4 Uruk-hai Scout (Hand Weapon; Armour; Shield)
   4 Uruk-hai Scout (Hand Weapon; Armour)
1 Ugluk, 164 pts
   1 Ugluk (Hand Weapon; Heavy Armour; Head Taker)
   4 Uruk-hai Scout (Hand Weapon; Orc Bow; Armour)
   4 Uruk-hai Scout (Hand Weapon; Armour; Shield)
   4 Uruk-hai Scout (Hand Weapon; Armour)
1 Sharku, 219 pts
   1 Sharku (Hand Weapon; Armour)
      1 Warg
   4 Warg Rider (Hand Weapon; Throwing Weapons; Armour; Shield)
      4 Warg
   4 Warg Rider (Hand Weapon; Orc Bow; Armour)
      4 Warg
   4 Warg Rider (Hand Weapon; Armour; Shield)
      4 Warg

1 CrossBows, 197 pts
   1 Uruk-hai Captain (Hand Weapon; Orc Bow; Heavy Armour; Shield)
   12 Uruk-hai Warrior (Hand Weapon; Crossbow; Heavy Armour)
1 Berzerkers, 240 pts
   1 Uruk-hai Captain (Hand Weapon; Two-Handed Weapon; Heavy Armour)
   12 Uruk-hai Berserker (Two-Handed Weapon; Hand Weapon)
1 Pikes 1, 175 pts
   1 Uruk-hai Captain (Hand Weapon; Heavy Armour)
   12 Uruk-hai Warrior (Hand Weapon; Pike; Heavy Armour)
1 Pikes 2, 180 pts
   1 Uruk-hai Captain (Hand Weapon; Heavy Armour; Shield)
   12 Uruk-hai Warrior (Hand Weapon; Pike; Heavy Armour)
1 Sword and board 1, 180 pts
   1 Uruk-hai Captain (Hand Weapon; Heavy Armour; Shield)
   12 Uruk-hai Warrior (Hand Weapon; Heavy Armour; Shield)
1 Sword and board 2, 180 pts
   1 Uruk-hai Captain (Hand Weapon; Heavy Armour; Shield)
   12 Uruk-hai Warrior (Hand Weapon; Heavy Armour; Shield)
1 Sword and board 3, 175 pts
   1 Uruk-hai Captain (Hand Weapon; Heavy Armour)
   12 Uruk-hai Warrior (Hand Weapon; Heavy Armour; Shield)

1 Warg Riders, 214 pts
   1 Orc Captain (Hand Weapon; Armour)
      1 Warg
   4 Warg Rider (Hand Weapon; Throwing Weapons; Armour; Shield)
      4 Warg
   4 Warg Rider (Hand Weapon; Orc Bow; Armour)
      4 Warg
   4 Warg Rider (Hand Weapon; Armour; Shield)
      4 Warg
1 Orc Spears 1, 117 pts
   1 Orc Captain (Hand Weapon; Armour; Shield)
   12 Orc Warrior (Hand Weapon; Spear; Armour)
1 Orc Spears 2, 117 pts
   1 Orc Captain (Hand Weapon; Armour; Shield)
   12 Orc Warrior (Hand Weapon; Spear; Armour)
1 Orc Sword and board 1, 112 pts
   1 Orc Captain (Hand Weapon; Armour)
   12 Orc Warrior (Hand Weapon; Armour; Shield)
1 Orc Sword and board 2, 112 pts
   1 Orc Captain (Hand Weapon; Armour)
   12 Orc Warrior (Hand Weapon; Armour; Shield)
1 Orc Bows, 117 pts
   1 Orc Captain (Hand Weapon; Armour; Shield)
   12 Orc Warrior (Hand Weapon; Orc Bow; Armour)

1 Shaman 1, 235 pts
   1 Uruk-hai Shaman (Spear; Armour; Fury; Transfix)
   12 Uruk-hai Berserker (Two-Handed Weapon; Hand Weapon)
1 Shaman 2, 395 pts
   1 Uruk-hai Shaman (Spear; Armour; Fury; Transfix)
   3 Orc Warrior (Hand Weapon; Armour; Banner)
   1 Uruk-hai Demolition Team
      1 Uruk-hai Warrior (Hand Weapon; Heavy Armour)
      1 Uruk-hai Warrior (Hand Weapon; Heavy Armour)
      1 Uruk-hai Berserker (Two-Handed Weapon; Hand Weapon; Flaming Brand)
   5 Uruk-hai Warrior (Hand Weapon; Heavy Armour; Banner)

1 Warband [mo], 210 pts
   1 Durbûrz, The Goblin King of Moria [mo] (Hand Weapon; Heavy Armour; Cave Dweller; Inspiring Presence)
   1 Moria Goblin Drum [mo] (Drums in the Deep; Moving the Drum; Destroying the Drum)
      2 Moria Goblin Drummers [mo] (Hand Weapon; Armour; Cave Dweller)
   10 Moria Goblin Warrior [mo] (Hand Weapon; Armour; Shield; Cave Dweller)
Total Roster Cost: 3997

Created with Army Builder® - Try it for free at http://www.wolflair.com

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Next we have a list made using War of the ring. it is pretty close to 4500 points and uses the collection above. (With a few fillers for the 8 man blocks) I added a cave Troll and Cave Drake to make a suitable 4500 point list.

4500 Pts - The Fortress of Isengard Army - An Army Fit for Mordor (Isenguard 4490 points)

1 Saruman the White Hand, 240 pts (Epic Challenge; Epic Channeling; Epic Ruination; Inspiring Leader; Overlord; Spells of Command; Spells of Ruin; Touched by Destiny; Voice of Saruman (Saruman))

1 Grima Wormtongue, 75 pts (Treacherous Snake)

2 Uruk-Hai Crossbow, 120 pts (Crossbows; Hand Weapons; Heavy armour)
   1 Uruk-hai Captain

5 Uruk-hai Phalanx, 260 pts (Heavy armour; Pikes; Banner Bearer )
   1 Uruk-hai Captain

4 Uruk-hai Phalanx, 190 pts (Heavy armour; Pikes)
   1 Uruk-hai Captain

5 Uruk-hai W/ Shield, 260 pts (Hand Weapons; Heavy armour; Shields; Banner Bearer )
   1 Uruk-hai Captain

5 Uruk-hai W/ Shield, 260 pts (Hand Weapons; Heavy armour; Shields; Banner Bearer )
   1 Uruk-hai Captain

6 Uruk-hai W/ Shield, 345 pts (Hand Weapons; Heavy armour; Shields; Banner Bearer )
   1 Uruk-hai Shaman (Spells of Ruin)
1 Lurtz, 175 pts (Assassin's Shot; Epic Rage; Epic Strike; Inspiring Leader; Mighty Blow; Pathfinders(All))

3 Uglúk's Raiders, 205 pts (Armour; Hand Weapons; Shields; Pathfinders(Woodland))
   1 Uglúk (Forward, You Maggot's!; Furious Charge)

5 Uruk-hai Scout w/bow, 260 pts (Armour; Bows; Hand Weapons; Banner Bearer ; Pathfinders(Woodland))
   1 Uruk-hai Captain

3 Uruk-hai scout w/no upgrade, 140 pts (Armour; Hand Weapons; Pathfinders(Woodland))
   1 Uruk-hai Captain

1 Uruk-hai Berserker Warband, 110 pts (Two-handed Weapons; Berserk; Headlong Fury; Indomitable; Stalwart)

1 Uruk-hai Berserker Warband, 110 pts (Two-handed Weapons; Berserk; Headlong Fury; Indomitable; Stalwart)

1 Uruk-hai Berserker Warband, 110 pts (Two-handed Weapons; Berserk; Headlong Fury; Indomitable; Stalwart)

4 Sharku's Hunters, 175 pts (Hand Weapons; Thrown Weapons; Expert  Rider; Prowlers; Savage Onslaught)
   1 Sharku

5 Warg Rider w/Shield, 175 pts (Bows; Hand Weapons; Thrown Weapons; Prowlers; Skilled Riders)
   1 Orc Captain

5 Warg Rider w/Bow, 125 pts (Bows; Hand Weapons; Thrown Weapons; Prowlers; Skilled Riders)

4 Orc w/Bow, 110 pts (Hand Weapons; MobRule)
   1 Orc Captain

7 Orc w/Shield, 290 pts (Hand Weapons; Banner Bearer ; MobRule)
   1 Isengard Shaman (Spells of Ruin)
   1 Orc Captain

6 Orc w/Shield, 175 pts (Hand Weapons; Banner Bearer ; MobRule)
   1 Orc Captain

4 Orc w/2-hand Weapon, 145 pts (Hand Weapons; Banner Bearer ; MobRule)
   1 Orc Captain

1 Isengard Troll, 100 pts (Armour; Hand Weapons; Shields; Thrown Weapons; Hard to Kill!; Terror)

1 Isengard Troll, 100 pts (Armour; Hand Weapons; Shields; Thrown Weapons; Hard to Kill!; Terror)

1 Cave Drake [Mis], 160 pts (Hand Weapons; Gaping Maw; Terror; Very Hard to Kill!)

1 Cave Troll [Mis], 75 pts (Hand Weapons; Thrown Weapons; Hard to Kill!; Terror)

Composition Report:
Heroes: 4 (1 - 0)
Common: 12 (1 - 0)

Total Army Cost: 4490

Created with Army Builder® - Try it for free at http://www.wolflair.com

Well that was fun on a lazy Sunday afternoon. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. :)

Till next time

RGH

BTW: The Hobbit box set is over priced but really cool. I will have comments on this soon.

A bit of a complaint about over priced stuff

Why I might stop buying GW products (at least at retail price)

As this section title suggests I am seriously considering slowing or stopping my support for my local GW store. This is a direct result of price changes with items that  I considered the last of the appropriately priced items. I am talking about the troop boxes for Lord of the rings plastics. Not too long ago these boxes were sold for  around 25.00 and included 24 plastic miniatures. This was a good deal for a GW product (other companies can and often do better.) at the last price hike they jumped to 33.00 and that hurt a bit but what happened next took the cake.  recently I was in my local GW and was looking over the LOTR mini’s in anticipation of the new Hobbit release and noticed the troop boxes were smaller. They are now sold in groups of 12 to match the current unit construction rules. My first thought was ok so they have decided to make a cheaper set that allows for a unit in a  box just buy a leader and off you go (Very old school GW if you know what I mean.) Imagine my surprise when I turned the box over and saw the going price. 24.75!  This is the same price 24 of them were just a year ago. I’ve heard of inflation but this is ridiculous. BTW: the new Hobbit Orc hunters are 35.00 for just 12. Wow.

Another reason for stoppage is the New Hobbit stuff. All of the new stuff seems to be more expensive than the rest of the stuff from this company. Take the “Rules Manual”  (GW employees are not allowed to call it a rule book) is coming in at 85.00 (10.00 more than the 40K and Fantasy rules books) and is considerably smaller.  The Boxed game (special edition) is 125.00 as opposed to the 6^th ed “DV” special set that sold for 107.00 just a few months ago.  It goes on… The white council 75.00 for 4 miniatures (are they made of gold?) pretty much all of the Hobbit stuff is priced higher than LOTR stuff and most of it is Fail cast. I am pretty sure the LOTR stuff will soon be matching the Hobbit and have another price hike soon.

All this and I am hearing rumors that the new Hobbit system is being made “Kid friendly” taken as a whole it does not bode well for me.

GW stuff is already inflated (in all their systems) and as stated before other companies have proven that they can do it better. I feel like I am rapidly approaching my price point limit and GW does not seem to be close to stopping with unneeded price increases. Because of this I am seriously thinking of abandoning my local GW store and the website and just stick it out for a week or two longer and get stuff through a 3^rd party distributor as a big discount. I am also rapidly becoming a big fan of alternate miniatures from these “up and coming” (and well established) companies.

 I guess I will wait and see what the new Hobbit stuff is like before I decide.

http://wargamesfactory.com/    Sci Fi and Historical/Fantasy

http://dreamforge-games.com/   -Sci Fi

http://hitechminiatures.com/  -Sci Fi

http://www.manticgames.com/Shop-Home.html  -Sci Fi and Historical/Fantasy

http://privateerpress.com/   -Steam punk/ Fantasy

http://wyrd-games.net/  -Steam punk/ Fantasy

Till next time

RGH