THE WARRIORS OF MORDOR -
MORDOR TROLLS

Whilst on the theme of Mordor Trolls, we should cover the Trolls of the non-Hero variety. They are more expensive than a Cave Troll, and rightly so. Better Fight value, Strength and Defence prove these monsters of the battlefield to be one of the deadliest weapons at Mordor's disposal. Individually capable of crushing any Good warrior sent against them, they present an almost insurmountable obstacle for Good Heroes too. By teaming one up with a Captain, you can both improve their chances of winning a fight (which brings three Strength 7 hits crashing down on your enemies' head!) and issue a heroic combat, letting this monster charge and fight again if it kills all its foes. This is simply the best way to get the most out of your Mordor Trolls, and at nearly 100 points each, you really need to get your points worth out of them.

LESSER WARRIORS OF THE DARK LORD

Orcs form the rank and file of the Mordor hordes. Armed with bows, shields or spears they are only 6 points each, and each one is a match for the warriors of Men. While they lack the defence of the Warriors of Minas Tirith, they can muster greater numbers and suitably cunning tactics can allow you to get the most out of these devious warriors.

The Mordor Uruk-hai, are the better cousins to the normal Mordor Orcs. Stronger and better in a fight, they are great for being the shock troops of your Mordor force. Not much needs saying about these deadly fighting machines. Their equipment is more limited than the White Hand Uruk-hai, but this is not always a bad thing. By limiting their wargear options, Mordor Uruk-hai tend to be cheaper in points than their Isengard cousins. Missing out on pikes and crossbows, they have the advantage of two-handed weapons as a free upgrade, dramatically increasing their chances of inflicting a wound if they win a fight. Use Uruk-hai boldly and you won't go far wrong, they are designed to be brutal and violent, so use them as your shock troops and take the battle to the enemy.

Warg Riders are most commonly associated with Isengard, however, there is nothing wrong (and a great deal right) with including these high speed warriors in your Mordor force. Tactically these are deadly additions to any Mordor army, and I will highlight their best uses below.

The Easterlings that flock to the Black Gates and give willing service to the armies of Mordor are basically equal in skill and armour to the defenders of Minas Tirith. Although they cannot be given bows, in all other respects they are the same. As such they are the perfect way to add some disciplined, well-armoured warriors to your army. Be careful when selecting these fine troops, their armour and courage comes at a price. By enlisting too many of them you can give away your chief advantage, that of outnumbering your foe.

Orcs of Mordor attack the Men of the West.

GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR MINIONS:
CUNNING PLOYS AND USEFUL TACTICS

Thanks to the new rule in The Return of The King, allowing you to shoot from behind friends, you can now create a superb defensive position by simply making two ranks of Orcs. The first armed with hand weapons and shields for a higher Defence, and the second with spears and bows. This way, your rear rank can fire at your enemy until you close on them for battle, then, spears in hand, they can lend an attack to your fighting rank. By keeping a small pocket of Mordor Uruk-hai on the wings of your formation you can sweep in with these Evil minions of the Dark Lord and begin to press the sides of your enemy's assault.

Warg Riders can be used in this fashion, pressuring the flanks of your enemy's advance. Their high speed coupled with the cavalry rules allows them to menace any infantry formation. When fighting against the forces of Rohan, or any other cavalry–inclined player, Warg Riders are at their most useful. Hold them back, and send them in to assist your own infantry when they are charged by enemy cavalry. By charging into the combat, the Good side's horsemen no longer gain the charging bonus, and your foot soldiers are not knocked to the floor if you lose. Mounting Heroes on Wargs gives them extra speed and flexibility, allowing them to bolster your line where it is at its weakest. Be aware, however, that Warg Riders make the most tempting targets for your enemy's bow fire, so keeping them behind more expendable troops until you need them is well worth it.

Lastly, with regards to Orcish warriors, banners should be mentioned. New to The Return of The King rules manual, these items can spell the difference between victory and defeat, and at only 25 points, they are well worth the investment. Re-rolling dice in combat, as any Moria Goblin player can testify to, is simply too good an opportunity to miss. A couple of banners in your main battle line will allow a whole host of warriors to benefit from its presence, so seriously consider taking a banner or two in your force. But if you do, make sure you keep it away from the combats. At –1 to the Bearer's fighting roles, he is likely to die easily, and the banner is too valuable to lose. Allow the Banner Bearer to lurk in the rear ranks of your formation, lending the banner's benefits, whilst not risking his own life (a very Orcish ploy!). By choosing a Warg Rider as your Banner Bearer you can increase his mobility too, letting him move quickly to wherever in your line needs his presence the most. Not taking a banner will allow you a bigger force, but be aware that if you choose not to include a banner, your enemy might well do so. Very frustrating!

Normal Orcs cannot usually outfight any other race in Middle-earth. Elves, Men and Dwarves are simply too well trained. The potential of Orcs to outnumber their foes, when used in conjunction with their special warrior types, is Mordor's main advantage. Even armed with a spear and a bow, an Orc still tends to be cheaper than a Warrior of Minas Tirith.

Bearing this in mind, play to their strengths. Hoard attacks of cheap expendable Orcs, supported by deadly high Strength Uruk-hai and Trolls. The armies of Mordor are simply no longer the armpit of Middle-earth; they are a tactically flexible and dangerous force. When bringing them to battle, do not be afraid to try new tactics and gambits. Experiment with some combinations of Heroes and Warriors and learn how you best like to use them. Always make sure you engage your enemies in combat, since your bow fire is too weak to stay at a distance. When choosing your fights make sure you are getting more of your warriors into combat than your enemy is. The smaller the part of his army he can use at one time, the less threat it is to you.

Next: Words of Warning.
Previous: Heroes of Mordor.