My list of figures GW
should make is as follows:
- High Elf plastic infantry (swordmen, spearmen, archers)
- Númenorean plastic infantry (same as above), possibly also cavalry and definitely a command pack
- High Elf plastic cavalry
- Plastic Hobbits
- Plastic Dunlendings
- Plastic Khand warriors
- A better plastic Ent
- Dwarven miners
- Anarion and possibly some of Isildur's sons
- Alatar & Pallando (the blue wizards)
- Celembrimbor & Eregion ring smiths
- Armoured Cirdan & Grey Havens guard/Falas nobles/Mithlond marines
-
Fëanor, Fingolfin, Elu Thingol, Beren & Lúthien, Huan hound, Sauron Gorthaur in werewolf form and a number of other key Silmarillion characters, mainly elves. Oh, did I mention Fëanor?
- A few Silmarillion elite units, mainly elven guards, rangers and possibly mounted Noldor archers. No doubt some Gondolin units must be made in metal/finecast, and perhaps some bitz packs to convert plastic High Elf and Galadhrim infantry, or human auxilliary units in the service of Noldor realms. Bitz to convert Gothmog, lord of Balrogs, would also be relevant.
The plastic 2nd age and 3rd age stuff are self-explaining, but why the others, and why so few?
First of all, a load of miniatures will be released following
the Hobbit premiere for both elves, dwarves, goblins, northmen and shadier Dol Guldur stuff (in effect probably to a high degree consisting of Silmarillion monsters á la werewolves and vampires). This will cover a lot of possible gaps and make available even more units and characters to an already substantial range.
Secondly, I think GW will be able to make a pretty much complete Lotr miniature range by producing my suggestions and possibly a few more things I have forgotten to mention above (such as Orodreth and Amroth). By releasing the dwarf miners and a few Silmarillion dwarf characters GW will have a full dwarf range. The characters I can think of straight off are Telchar, the petty dwarves and that king which stabbed the big dragon in the gut at Nirnaeth Arnoediad and was awarded by being crushed beneath the dragon's corpse. Possibly also a cast of the seven fathers of the dwarves and maybe even some fallen dwarves for the evil side might be relevant. For a Second Age range it would mainly be necessary to make Anarion, some High Elf and Númenorean units as well as a few ring smiths of Eregion, because this is Lord of the
rings after all. The blue wizards would be a clever way to sell some more, since there are people who will want a full wizard conclave of five. They could also be used for Easterling or Southron armies.
Third, a Silmarillion range should be produced if legally possible!
This would not need to be large, since most of the figures needed for the soldiers will already be available after
the Hobbit releases. There is a wealth of orc, goblin and troll miniatures, there will be a horde of dragon and other monster models, there is already a Balrog, the dwarves can be used straight off as they are and human forces could mainly be built by using Dunlending, Rohirrim or Dale/Esgaroth miniatures. We already have an eagle miniature and an Ent (although a replacement for the current plastic is frankly necessary). Sauron will be fine for his standard evil Maia form, when not a wolf or some Annatar bound to wreck the Second Age. Haradrim, men of Khand and Easterlings could also come in handy, as would Rangers of Middle-Earth. The human auxilliaries of Noldor realms might call for a conversion pack to incorporate some armour of elven style with existing human figures, but otherwise there is no reason why a clever choice of Third Age Men would not suit the First Age.
If you think on it, most of the non-elven ranges are already present for some Beleriand bloodbaths.
The necessary releases would include a few units, mainly for the elves, and a load of heroes such as Melkor Morgoth Bauglir, Fëanor and Fingolfin and some of their descendants, a few other elf characters such as Beleg Cuthalion, Elwë (Elu Thingol) and Melian, Eöl and Maeglin, Echtelion of the Fountain and a few other Fall of Gondolin favourites (but not Glorfindel, since we've already got him), Beren & Lúthien, Huan, Thuringwethil, Carcharoth, Turin Turambar, Tuor, Eärendil and Elwing. For the War of Wrath Finarfin and Eönwe could be produced, possibly along with Ingwë and some finecast or metal Vanyar elves, or a conversion kit for existing Galadhrim and High Elf units.
If GW are feeling adventurous they could maybe release Ungoliant (or: use Shelob) and some Valinor stuff, but that wouldn't be necessary. The important bit would be to release the key characters, add a few elite and special units for good measure, throw in a few conversion kits and make Fëanor easily capable of killing Balrogs who are stupid enough to attack him on their own.
{ PORTAL }
Print view
Top
"Leave Sauron to me."
