The rulebook states that lurtz has defence 5 and a shield. I have always asumed that if a unit has a shield automatically included in its cost then the defence bonus is included in base stats. This makes sense for every unit I have seen except for lutrz. As he is armed with a bow, does this in some way mean that his shield bonus is not included in his base stats? If not then why does he have the same defence as a regular scout when most hero's are 1D above their unit type.

Because his profile also includes a bow he does not benefit of his shield's defense bonus, the only bonus in gives him is that he can use the shielding rule.

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"make me lunch... worthy of Mordor"

Really? Do you have any page references? I'm not saying you're wrong just that this is not something I have come across before which is worrying given the time I've played this.

Read the shield entry in the wargear section. No +1D if bow armed.

hithero is correct but I think that rule should be changed. I think the +1 defence should be allowed if the warrior hasn't used their bow in the shoot phase.

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They have a cave troll

OK I understand now. Is it possible for Lurtz to throw away his bow? A shield is far more useful than a bow for a hero.

No, not according to the rules, beside he threw away his shield The stats are developed to represent the character and not just to maximise his effectiveness.

That's actually how my group plays, it makes him much better, though he still dies alot against heros better than himself.

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"Leave Sauron to me."
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