THE SHOOT PHASE

Gimli and Boromir's high Defence value makes them very difficult to Wound with Strength 2 Orc bows (to Wound Gimli, you need 6s followed by 5s). The Hobbits make a much better target, as they have low Defence values.

During this confrontation, the Moria Goblins'have concentrated their bow fire on Gandalf. The Moria Goblins managed to Wound the wizard and force Gandalf to use a valuable point of Fate.

Well, there is just one thing to remember about shooting: your enemies cannot shoot you if they are dead.

In other words, if you have priority, it's normally a good idea to target enemy archers and try to take them out before they can shoot. Another good reason to aim at archers is that they normally have a lower Defence value than close-combat troops armed with shields, which makes it easier for you to score a Wound if you hit. In any case, always try to keep an eye on the Wound chart and select softer targets. This tactic is particularly important if your bows have Strength 2 (ie, you're not an Elf!), in which case it's better not to shoot at anything with a Defence of 5 or more, because you will need to roll at least a 6 to Wound.

Some bows have Strength 3, which makes them far more efficient than Strength 2 ones, especially when coupled with Elf archers and their great shooting value of 3+. Lethal!

Crossbows are also very powerful (Strength 4!), but the fact that you cannot move and shoot with them means that once more you have to think one turn ahead and position your crossbowmen where you think the enemy is going to be in the next turn. They are also useful in covering a part of the battlefield, sending to the enemy the clear message: "If you come this way, prepare to be shot a lot!"

Of course, even the lowliest Moria Goblin has a chance of wounding the mightiest of Heroes with his bow (and without risking his neck in hand-to-hand combat!). It is true that your chances of scoring a Wound against models with very high Defences are not too good, but remember that all things can be deadly in great numbers (as the death of Boromir showed all too clearly).

Volley Fire is another useful tactic, especially if you are fighting defensively. The volley allows you to bombard enemies that are in cover or otherwise out of sight of your archers, as long as one of your models can point out where to shoot. Normally this barrage gives you a tactical advantage, forcing the enemy to try and do something against your archers. As usual, if both players have bows, the best thing is to target your volleys at the enemy bowmen – the first player to establish superior firepower will dictate how the rest of the game will develop.

One last thing – always keep your objective in mind for each scenario. Sometimes you can get a bit too carried away with your shooting, and that will slow you down long enough for the enemy to beat you to the victory conditions. If you are shooting, you can move only at half speed, and that might cost you dearly. Sometimes it's better just to forget your bows and rush towards your objective (especially if you hit only on a 5+).

Next: The Fight Phase & Weapons
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