Choosing a 300 point Army

rumtap · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2015 3:04 am

Hi All,

This is a generic question about choosing small armies (300 points for example) and doesn't relate to any specific army.

When picking a small force (but not an all hero force) do you prefer to;

a) Pick a high point character leading a single warband of troops
b) Pick a couple of low point captains to try max out 2 warbands of troops for as many models on the table you can get,
c) Pick a mid range hero and a captain to lead two rougly half full warbands
d) something else?

I'm interested to see what people do and why.

LordoftheBrownRing · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2015 4:31 am

At 400 pts or less I have rules for what armies I use. Never elites really. Never large heroes.

If you're a good player your numbers will always find a way to put you in an advantageous position.

I start with the army choice then two small leaders then fit in as many troops as possible.

Goblins
Hunter Orcs
Possibly Erebor with Thorin and Balin(Thorin or heroes like general Shagrat are by far the highest I'll choose)
Rohan with Eowyn and many riders etc

Etc

The numbers game. My favorite would prob be hunter orcs with generic 3 ATTACK captains goblins or morannons.

Never elves and never a hero that's like 150+pts

Badner · **Joined:** Wed Jan 14, 2015 1:04 pm **Posts:** 296

I think that I would go for an army with a hero for about 100 points, because I don't know how to deal with a big hero when I only have captains. I like to play with big heroes, simply because of the feeling not because of the fun.

I would take something like:

Bolg BOFA
12 Hunterorcs

I don't what I would do against big heroes with only captains and numbers.

LordoftheBrownRing, what do you do when you have to play against such big heroes like Durin or Bolg?

LordoftheBrownRing · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2015 9:21 am

Badner wrote:

I think that I would go for an army with a hero for about 100 points, because I don't know how to deal with a big hero when I only have captains. I like to play with big heroes, simply because of the feeling not because of the fun.

I would take something like:

Bolg BOFA
12 Hunterorcs

I don't what I would do against big heroes with only captains and numbers.

LordoftheBrownRing, what do you do when you have to play against such big heroes like Durin or Bolg?

Kill all of their troops, ignore the hero, and watch them break.

Badner · **Joined:** Wed Jan 14, 2015 1:04 pm **Posts:** 296

How do you ignore a big hero?

Coenus Scaldingus · **Joined:** Sat Aug 17, 2013 9:14 am **Posts:** 1121

To be fair, there are no hard and fast rules as it very much depends on the specific army.

A High Elf list would give you two cheap heroes and a few warriors for each to lead, so you may just as well get one warband and add a big hero (or Elladan and Elrohir). Hobbits don't have big heroes (although Bullroarer Took is a bit taller than the others...), so that's probably Merry, Pip, Paladin, 3 full warbands, Lobelia and Farmer+dogs.

But alright, for armies with more options, I'd say numbers are the main priority. In larger games, strategic positioning can allow you to create a bottleneck so that your three warband only face part of the outnumbering enemy force, but here you will have 1 warband against 3, quickly surrounding all your guys and killing them. Armies relying on shooting should also get high numbers, so at least get a few good shots in. Depending on the scenarios, big heroes are probably not ideal most of the time - but it's true that relatively few things will be able to counter them at this level. Same with monsters, who without big heroes to stop them, could wreck enemy 'armies' - but failing that, they'll run once the tiny accompanying army is destroyed. Although proper wizards will likely not be present, Mordor armies may well have a budget Wraith, Angmar has cheap Barrow-wights and Isengard could have Sharkey in their ranks...

rumtap · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2015 11:12 am

Thanks all. My limited experience was telling me that numbers are what matters. Does anyone have a different opinion? I'm interested to hear the other side of the story.

SouthernDunedain · **Posted:** Tue Apr 07, 2015 5:22 pm

At that low points cost you have a few options.

1.) Cheap un-named/ named heroes (no more than 70pts) and lots of cheap troops. Goblins, Mordor, Hunter orcs, even basic harad.

2.) All Hero. Dwalin, Tauriel, Boromir of Gondor on horse for example. At such low points, there aren't going to be many powerhouses (unless you face a fellow all hero army) so by picking 3 big guns, you stand a good chance of killing the enemy before they kill you.

3.) Hobbits - You can get a stupid amount of hobbits in 300pts. They have been top table at the last 2 350pt events hosted by the GBHL. Lots of bows, lots of stones, lots of axes.

4.) Take whatever the hell you want

Sometimes I just feel like using models which have been gathering dust for years. They're not competitive but who cares, you dont have to win every game.

5.) One last one - All mounted bow army cavalry. Rivendell Knights and to a certain extent Riders of Rohan work well at low points costs because they can kite round the edge of the board taking pot shots at people. Not very fun to play with or against though.

artlessmammet · **Joined:** Mon Dec 01, 2014 10:58 am **Posts:** 26

I like maxing out on big units like Trolls and heroes, and filling gaps with elite troops.

But you already knew what I was going to say

Isilduhrr · **Posted:** Wed Apr 08, 2015 4:14 pm

When choosing a force at a points level that low, I go entirely for theme. I've made a list of forces for just about every army that all revolve around fluff, but are still playable, all at 350 points. I only play at a points level like that against family members, so I make it a point to make the lists fun to use as well. I could post theme here if people are interested?

Badner · **Joined:** Wed Jan 14, 2015 1:04 pm **Posts:** 296

I am interested in your armies.

LordoftheBrownRing · **Posted:** Wed Apr 08, 2015 6:50 pm

Badner wrote:

How do you ignore a big hero?

Just feed him some troops and keep him from getting any really good damage in.

alexanjason · **Joined:** Mon Mar 30, 2015 6:06 pm **Posts:** 29

I'd like to see those lists Isiduhrr. Bet they are pretty cool

Damian · **Joined:** Mon Apr 02, 2012 10:59 pm **Posts:** 246

A quick note on the big heroes:

At the last two 350 point events we ran at Titans (both GBHL events with 30+ players) an all-hero army came 4th.
Last year it was: Gandalf, Legolas, Gimli
This year it was: Dragon with Fly and Breath Fire

Galanur · **Joined:** Fri Feb 24, 2012 11:28 am **Posts:** 1389

Last 300pts game I had

Warband 1
The undying
10 black numenorians

Warband 2
Castellan of Dol Guldur
- morgul blade

Warband 3
Castellan of Dol Guldur
- morgul blade

Its a pain list knowing that or you got time to take castellans by themselves and takes alot time, The undying goes the same way as well...
Best combination still would be the dwimmerlaik on this 1,
total: 300

Why black numenorians? Terror + the -1 to courage from the undying

Frêrin · **Joined:** Tue Apr 08, 2014 1:50 pm **Posts:** 272

artlessmammet wrote:

I like maxing out on big units like Trolls and heroes, and filling gaps with elite troops.

I wouldn't fill the gaps because you will be broken more easily. If I take a small model count army I'd go for 3 models (unbreakable) or a maximum of 5 (broken if only one model left).

I'd really suggest trying an all hero force at this low points. In my opinion they are really fun to play and strong, too.

I guess all bows is also very strong at this points (mirkwood rangers, Rohan, rivendell knights, grey company).

So why not both

Legolas
Elladan and Elrohir heavy armour, elvenbows
King's Hunter (Rohan bowhero)

Galanur · **Joined:** Fri Feb 24, 2012 11:28 am **Posts:** 1389

gwaihir + 2 eagles its 305pts :P

Or Radagast on eagle + 1 eagle = 300pts

rumtap · **Posted:** Sun Apr 12, 2015 12:33 pm

all hero can be fun but I'm looking at armies made up with regular troops as well.

My next comp requires minimum 5 regular troops.

I'm thinking moria

Durburz, a shaman, 23 goblins and a troll is 300 points. So I'll have weight of numbers, fury, a 3 might leader and hurl.

Should be fun

Badner · **Joined:** Wed Jan 14, 2015 1:04 pm **Posts:** 296

I will probably play a 250 Pts. game on Saturday and I will eitheer bring a moria or an Erebor army. Which one would you take?

Durbuz, a Shaman, 22 Goblins and a warg marauder

or

Thorin with Orcist and shield, Alfrid and 12 warriors of Erebor.

Flying minis are not allowed as well as a miniature with more than 150 pts.

With army one, I have numbers, with army, I have might and high defence.

rumtap · **Posted:** Thu Apr 16, 2015 3:06 am

moria, take the numbers

Choosing a 300 point Army

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