GW LOTR, what is the deal?

[smokezombie]

Use that book as inspiration and eye candy only.
Get a copy of SAGA, that's what the rest of us cool kids are doing...

Was there a battle companies rules somewhere? A bit like Lord of the Mordheim. I seem to remember a good campaign in WD sometime in the last 10 years.

[Mo!]

Yeah you used to be able to download it for free on the gw website... not any more alas...

If you ask nicely I will offcourse email them to you 

[Doomhippie]

Now I have heard exactly two things about SAGA:

50% of the people hate the battle board and love the rest
50% love the battle board and think the rest is tedious.

I have never played it and thus cannot say anything else.

The GW system relies on heroes to make the difference. That's cool if you like story driven scenarios.

[NTM]

Although no longer on the GW website Battle Companies can be downloaded here;

http://www.lordsofmiddleearth.com/Battle%20Companies/Battle%20Companies.pdf

There's also a chap offering an updated version;

http://battlecompanies.wordpress.com/

[Gibby]

Cheers for those links, NTM! Most useful! I can get stuff painted up for Battle Companies I reckon!

[smokezombie]

Indeed. Good work NTM and thanks for the offer Mo. That's exactly what was needed 

[steharan]

Well I gotta say that I like Saga and LoTR SBG, I've not tried out the Saga LoTR mod yet but will at some point.

Thanks for the link NTM, most useful 

[jscottbowman]

Nice to see LOTR getting some interest again...

I hadn't realised LOTR content was here on LAF, doh!

I've had a couple of goes at SAGA... its was OK. I wouldnt say it grabbed me, but I didnt dislike it either, though I did find setting up the battleboard an odd mechanism for a tabletop miniatures game... might just take getting used to...

Given the choice I'd still play with the core LOTR rules. I do like the changes and updates in the New Hobbit rulebook, especially the new Monster brutal power attacks... More heroic action options too, more weapon effects, and spells can be channelled increasing their effects, at a cost of might.

I've recently been having a run through of the Fellowship of the Ring campaign series of games , see blog for more...
www.scottswargaming.blogspot.com
I also like the kinda dual nature of the game, the cinematic story telling aspect with heroes in small scenarios and also the larger battle scenarios ... whatever you fancy, and have time for in your gaming!

[Ray Earle]

Yep, much prefer the story telling element involved in the LoTR rings game. Heroes are heroes as they should be, after all it is fantasy. There should be some very nasty bad guys who the good guys strive to defeat.

I use the original battle rules before the War of the Ring books, sort of like a compilation of the first three film books. And probably the battle companies stuff now there's a link above. Thanks! 

[Vermis]

Welp, okay then. One of those cheap copies of the One Rulebook on ebay should do nicely.

[Slayer]

its funny cos we're using the LOTR rules for our viking as not a fan of SAGA (had a few games)

[Kitsune]

Welp, okay then. One of those cheap copies of the One Rulebook on ebay should do nicely.

I got mine for about a fiver all in and it seems to contain everything needed.

[Mason]

I have not actually played SAGA yet, so was not saying anything regarding the rules/systems, just telling smokezombie to pull his finger out as that is what we PLAN to do.

I had heard that the LotR system is similar to LotOW and that is seriously lacking in the close combat rules department, in my opinion.

I could be wrong about the similarities, though....all hearsay, never tried LotR.

[Malamute]

I had heard that the LotR system is similar to LotOW and that is seriously lacking in the close combat rules department, in my opinion.

I could be wrong about the similarities, though....all hearsay, never tried LotR.

Been playing it for a couple of weeks with Bibbles and De'Ath.

 There are quite a few add on rules which improve the combat (two handed weapons, shields, spears etc). We are yet to introduce characters and magic, which I am sure will add some fun.

All said it is basic, but seems to work pretty well.

[Gibby]

In fairness, I would say that SAGA's close combat is way more basic than the LotR rules' close combat as it stands now, with those extras mentioned by Malamute.