I am in a tournament in November that is 600 pts and you bring both an evil force and a good force. I'm pretty much just a painter collector. I'm looking for some help in crafting a themed army of 600 pts for the good side and 600 pts for the evil side. They should be opposing forces and relatively easy for a begginer. I'm not super competitive--just looking to have fun and show off painting and scenery skills with display board. Right now I am considering a Dwarf and Goblin army, but would be open to listening to the more experienced army builders. Are these good choices for a beginner? Any help would be much appreciated.

Well what do you have?

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Namarie

I have everything in multiples. I am such a deep collector that I have two of the quite rare "Frodo Wearing the One Ring" bases. So if you had every miniature at your disposal for crafting two (one good and one evil) 600 pts armies, you're a beginner looking to have fun, then what would you create? I'm looking for simplicity in tactics or at least not very complicated rules to know and remember. Sky's the limit miniature/army wise.

Well as a beginner, I'd try and rule out Magic users (both you and your opponent) for your first game. For my first game, we ruled out Might and Fate as well, but it depends on how proficient you are with the rules.

If you like Dwarves and Goblins, as you've said, might I suggest this list for Dwarves?

Warband 1 12/12
Gimli, son of Glóin
4 Dwarf Ranger with Dwarf longbow; Throwing axes;
8 Khazâd Guard
----
Warband 2 12/12
Dwarf Captain with Throwing axes;
8 Dwarf Warrior with Shield;
4 Khazâd Guard
----
Warband 3 12/12
Dwarf Captain
8 Dwarf Ranger with Dwarf longbow;
2 Vault Warden
----

39 Units, 601pts, 33% bows.

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Namarie

Thank you Shieldmaiden! Looks very doable. As for eliminating magic, I am totally fine with that for my army. However, since its a tournament I won't be able to dictate that my opponents do the same. I'll have to ask the administrator if they let the one point slide, otherwise I may have to lose a soldier or a throwing axe somewhere. What would the strengths and strategy be for this army. Is it just balanced to handle most situations or would I want to get into combat relatively quickly? Any forseeable weaknesses or things I need to look out for? Thanks again for spending the time crafting this potential list.

I left out magic for any practice game you might have - your first practice will go a lot better if you don't overcomplicate things. As far as including the magic though, generally Dwarves don't have access to much, unless you want to ally in.

I tried to create an all around list for you - a decent attacking hero, plenty of might spread around, throwing axes, bows, Khazad Guard, and some Vault Wardens for defending objectives with your archers. I'm sure a more experienced Dwarf player will arrive soon to fine tune the army for you!

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Namarie

Leaving out magic is a good way to get the basics done. The only one that I took in my first army was elronds as Renew is a great way to keep your heroes around. Most of us are collectors with the occation ability to play. ~Brian

Here's an alternative list if you like playing with Elves:

Warband 1 12/12
Erestor
6 High Elf Warrior with Shield; Spear;
2 High Elf Warrior with Elven Blade;
4 High Elf Warrior with Elf Bow;
----
Warband 2 10/12
Arwen with Elven cloak;
6 High Elf Warrior with Shield; Spear;
4 High Elf Warrior with Elf Bow;
----
Warband 3 12/12
High Elf Captain with Shield;
6 High Elf Warrior with Shield; Spear;
2 High Elf Warrior with Elven Blade;
4 High Elf Warrior with Elf Bow;
----
37 units, 600pts, 33% bows

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Namarie

If I am going to use Arwen, I would put her with either all bows or on horse back because her being able to escape quick is needed ~Brian

Thanks for the alternative to the dwarves; I'm thinking I will stick with the dwarves though as it takes me longer to paint elves to the quality I desire. Anyone have any ideas on the Goblin list?

Gundabad Captain
5 Gundabads w/ Shield
5 Gundabads w/ Spear + shield
Gundabad Drum

Gundabad Captain
5 Gundabads w/ Shield
5 Gundabads w/ Spear + shield
2 prowlers w/ 2H wep

Ashrak
12 Goblins with Bows

Shade

This is 591pts. Keep as many goblins within 6" of the shade. Make sure Ashrak gets his fury up early. Deploy as close to the enemy as possible.

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12th GBHL 2013.
13th GBHL 2014
9th GBHL 2015


Mid Sussex Wargamers

normally most torurnament director are cool with you being one or two points over. Rule of thumb is 10 pts max over the list if it is for an expensive model that, other wise 4 to 6 points

Moria has so many new possibilities...but their strong suite is swarming. If you used only Captains and half spears, you could put 85 units on the table for 599 points---literally swamping your opponent's usual 39 models. Fighting Goblin swarms, I have not been able to kill enough of them to win the 'occupy' scenarios like Hold Ground. They are weak, but strength is in numbers. Just keep them massed together, because they will be devoured if broken up into bite sized pieces.

Not the most interesting for showing off painting, I grant you.

Druzhag with Batswarms are deadly. Add Ashrak and his Venom Spiders, and you can kill anything on the table. Groblog and a few Shamens can save 1/3 of your wounded goblins (statistically, anyway...). Don't care if you win? Consider Gullavhar: awesome model, way too expensive in points and cash...but a showpiece. A named Nazgul on Fell Beast makes quite the impression, and is more deadly. I can heartily recommend a Shade. Have you got the Armybuilder for Warbands SBG? Google it.
Here is a pure Moria 600 pointer with all the bells and tooters--even a Dweller to scare those elves. Still gets 52 units on the table.
Groblog
12 bows
Ashrak
5 Shield
5 spear
1 Dweller in the Dark
1 Venom Back Spider
Druzhag
3 shield
6 spear
2 plain
1 Batswarm
Shamen
6 shield
6 spear

Enjoy!

Thank you, given me lots of options to work with. I am working on paiting up the Dwarves and will be moving to Moria in October.