Download the original battle report from White Dwarf #265:
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The Game: [PDF Document 561 Kb]

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ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH!

Matt Hutson

Matt Hutson: Having already fought Rowland three times at this scenario he was starting to wise up to my little ploys. The trouble is, there is only really one way to play this scenario, and that's to gang up on the Fellowship and split them up in combat.

Therefore to win the game I would have to take full advantage of my numbers. Then, as the Fellowship move across the board, I would slowly tighten a ring around them until the opportunity arose where I could charge in with everyone at once. I knew that Rowland was expecting me to do this so his tactic will probably be to take me out piecemeal.

For this plan to work, I would need to get around the back of the Fellowship. One thing I had learned from the last game was that Goblins armed with bows are perfect for this role. With a bit of luck I might even kill a member of the Fellowship from their shooting. All of my really hard stuff, such as the Cave Troll, would start opposite the Fellowship making it impossible for Rowland to avoid them.

Combat would be where the game would be won or lost. This is where the Fellowship really excels as they can combine all their special skills, high Fight values and Might, making them extremely deadly. To beat them I would have to split them up and surround them. You just can't afford to give them too many attacks because if they roll a 6 you've had it because of their high Fight values. Therefore, I would need to take full advantage of my numbers and, hopefully, what little Might I had would nullify theirs.

It was also becoming apparent that Rowland was starting to get the hang of Gandalf's magic. With only the Captains with Will to resist this there wasn't much I could do about it apart from grin and bear it.

THERE WAS NO WAY I WAS GOING TO LOSE THIS TIME!

Rowland Cox

Rowland Cox: Famous last words, eh? After Matt's typical display of luck in killing Gimli in close combat, (and I thought fighting with your back to the wall was in character for a Dwarf!) and then adding insult to injury by slaying Legolas with Goblin archers, I had a score to settle that was for sure.

This scenario is all about protecting the Hobbits, especially from bow fire. I pledged that not a single Hobbit would perish this time, Matt enjoyed slaying them far too much. In order to do this I would create a defensive circle around them consisting of the toughest members of the Fellowship. Gimli, Gandalf, Aragorn, and Boromir would be able to stand between harm's way and the Hobbits. An oft overlooked spell in Gandalf's repertoire is Cast Light. This little gem offers Gandalf, and those in base contact, great protection from missile fire, and should be very useful for offering additional protection to the Hobbits. Legolas and Gandalf would provide ranged support in the form of bow fire and magic, concentrating on those pesky Goblin Archers. I then simply had to shuffle along at Hobbit speed in a closely packed group across the board, whilst taking on the Cave Troll and pals.

To effectively counter the numerical advantage that the Evil side has, I had to control the Fight phase. Combats should only happen when I want them to. This is tough to pull off, but essential for victory. I had a couple of tricks up my sleeve, or Gandalf's sleeve to be precise! Command is a great spell for luring out enemy models into position where they can be charged by your models. With good timing and a little patience I could draw out pockets of Goblins in a piecemeal fashion. I was looking forward to a showdown between the Fellowship and the Cave Troll, and I knew that Matt was more than happy to oblige.

With an over optimistic grin, that can only come from watching the The Fellowship of The Ring too many times (is such a thing possible?!), I knew I had it in the bag this time. Probably.

Next: Turns 1 to 5.