Dr Grant wrote:
A shaman is always my second Isengard hero choice after Vrasku. Channel Fury in turn 1 and throw 2 Will at it. Every now and again you'll get that double 1/2 and turn your shaman into a glorified spearman but most of the time it'll come off and it becomes a complete game-changer.
Everyone gets excited about the 5+ save but the real bonus is the auto-pass courage tests, as soon as you get broken that's absolutely invaluable and has won me countless games.
My Isengard list won 3 GBHL tournaments last year (and placed highly in a bunch of others) and Fury was a MAJOR part of those victories - one of the best and most overpowered spells in the game.
In addition to what he said, I figured Id just add a few things.
1-Ive used fury dozens and dozens of times casting the 1 might 2 will first turn. The only time I ever remember failing was when I did 1 will the first turn(for a change to try and use the Shaman's transfix later) and then second turn another will. I failed both. So use two the first time. But honestly, by the percentages I only failed like 3% of the time.....
In addition the 5+ save is wonderful, but the fearless bonus is invaluable. I took down a Mordor troll with ferals in one turn.....the first turn he got to combat against my guys because I had like 5 ferals charge and trap him with fury. It was against a good opponent and he immediately targeted my shaman to get rid of fury because he knew how valuable it was. Be careful against wraiths. They sap your will youre screwed.
Think about the math. Even if you only have one warband of Uruks....you save 33% of your wounds, so you save 4 automatically. Then when the 4 are left, you save 1 automatically.
So if you use berserkers, or ferals, youre saving minimum 60-75 points a game. And thats the bare minimum. If you go all Isengard youll like save twice your points with fury.