INTRODUCTION
Since the release of our The Fellowship of The Ring edition of The Lord of The Rings Strategy Battle Game the web community of players has gone from strength to strength. Perhaps the most influential fan site for The Lord of The Rings is Theonering.net. If something involving either J.R.R Tolkien or Peter Jackson's The Lord of The Rings films is happening somewhere in the world then you can guarantee that this website, run by volunteers, will cover it!

The Gaming Havens section of the site has a large area devoted to The Lord of The Rings Strategy Battle Game. The area contains articles on painting, modelling, Games Workshop events and interviews. Stephen Grant from the One Ring recently wrote a scenario that centres around the mighty Rohan hero Gamling and, after writing the scenario, was lucky enough to interview Bruce Hopkins who played Gamling in The Two Towers about the scenario and our Strategy Battle Game. Here's what he had to say:

Stephen: In the scenario, "The Butchers of Isengard", Gamling is leading a group of Rohirrim against the best troops Isengard has to offer. Do you think he would have been up to the challenge?

Bruce: Absolutely! Although we are slightly outnumbered, we are on horseback and have spears, so we can take out the enemy from a distance, utilising our speed and ability to work with the horses. Also, I have experience on my side.

Stephen: Gamling has been at the King's side for so many years. What do you think he would've been feeling commanding such a large force on his own while hunting down the Uruks in the deadly mountain passes?

Bruce: Gamling is doing this for his King and his people. After watching and being powerless as Théoden came under the spell of Saruman, via Wormtongue, this is yet another opportunity for Gamling to avenge the evil that was wrought upon the Rohirrim. Gamling will protect and command his men as though each were his son.

Stephen: In this scenario, cavalry has the obvious tactical advantage but the Berserkers are better fighters. If you were Gamling (and you are!), how would you go about assailing the Uruk-hai in this scenario?

Bruce: I would encircle the enemy so that they must face all directions and fight separately. If we cannot fully encircle them we will form two opposite flanks of attack, again splitting their unit. Once we are within throwing distance of the Uruk-hai, one out of every three Rohan will unleash his spear. This will hopefully take out at least six of the Uruk-hai and create a panic into which the next eight Riders will charge, using the advantage of the spear's length to inflict more damage, before retreating back to rejoin their unit.

We would repeat this pattern until the Uruk-hai numbers were depleted and they were weakened for a full on charge of the entire Rohan unit.

The Riders of Rohan charge through the ranks of Uruk-hai.

Stephen: So you've seen some of the Games Workshop product line for The Lord of The Rings. What is your opinion of the game from what you've seen so far?

Bruce: It's great, and should allow any diehard fan to get involved in recreating either battles from the story or their own battle scenes. Of course my kids and I love the fact that Gamling is featured. It was such a joy to be involved in the filming and this allows the experience to continue.

Stephen: Any chance we may eventually see you on the convention circuit or even at a Games Day event for Games Workshop?

Bruce: Yes, I am about to travel to Holland and the UK for two conventions on the 26th & 27th of April and the 3rd & 4th of May 2004. This will be my first experience of what I have been told is mayhem!

I am also going to the Ring*Con, Germany in November, as well as The Best of Both Worlds in Australia in September sometime.

And yes, I would love to come to a Games Day event if the timing is right.

Stephen: At the TheOneRing.net Oscar party, Flinch gave you a painted Gamling figure from the Games Workshop product line. So tell us, what place of honour does he hold in your home?

Bruce: He is standing proudly on a shelf in the living room, guarding us in the event of an intruder! My kids were so buzzed to see it.

Thanks Bruce for taking the time out from your rehearsals to talk with us, and our continued thanks to Rebecca Kirkland at Oracle Productions for making this all possible!

Now, how will Gamling and his Rohirrim Guard fend off the overwhelming force of the Uruk-hai? That's up to you!

Previous: The Butchers of Isengard Scenario

Related Articles:
The Wrath of Rohan | Defence of The Westfold