Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Fantasy Adventures => Topic started by: armchairgeneral on December 24, 2024, 12:14:47 PM
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I was looking at the War of the Rohirrim set in my local Warhammer shop in Chester this morning. The figures and buildings looked impressive from an initial once over.
Any one got the set or seen the film?
https://www.warhammer.com/en-GB/shop/war-of-the-rohirrim-battle-of-edoras-eng-2024?queryID=8c861ddf13f6299654121d7442141ca3
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wait, so that's been rebranded as Warhammer now and not Middle Earth Strategy Game?
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wait, so that's been rebranded as Warhammer now and not Middle Earth Strategy Game?
Nope, it hasn't.
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I have seen the film and have bought the War Of Rohirrim Starter set.
The film is an Japanese anime style story set in Rohan 180 years before LOTR.
It is the story of Helm Hammerhand and his three children fighting hill tribes with allies.
I enjoyed it but there are several things which Tolkien purists will criticize.
The War of Rohirrim boxed set is the new starter set for LOTR, not Warhammer. It contains two small armies, rules and scenery.
Note that the box clearly says:-
The Lord of the Rings.
The War of the Rohirrim.
Battle of Edoras.
They are not using Middle Earth Strategy Game in the new marketing.
I have not opened the parcel yet (tomorrow is Xmas) but from YouTube reviews the set looks awesome.
There are 24 newly tooled Rohan infantry, 24 new tooled Hillmen, two evil heroes foot & mounted, two good heroes foot & mounted and two Rohan houses.
Plus there is the new LOTR rulebook, scenario book, a playmat, dice and ruler.
I will update more tomorrow.
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wait, so that's been rebranded as Warhammer now and not Middle Earth Strategy Game?
Apologies for the confusion. I used the term Warhammer as I understand it to be the new name for Games Workshop. I have removed it from my original post now.
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I checked out the box set at the local store. It's nicely detailed, but woof...it is 100% modern GW. A crap ton of pieces. It is as far from a 'beginner friendly' starter as you could get.
Nothing a seasoned modeler couldn't do (though I'm rapidly approaching the point of 'can't be bothered' with 8-10 piece infantry models myself), but it was very surprising to me to see how tiny/delicate/numerous the pieces were for what is ideally a starter box to get someone into the game.
The building kit is still the highlight of the box.
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Houses look nice.
Figures don't do it for me at all, I'm afraid, too much in the blocky render style a lot of modern GW stuff suffers from. Painting sharp highlights on cloth doesn't help, either.
Maybe that makes them in the style if the film, but I haven't seen it so don't know.
The printed materials look the high production standard I'd expect from GW. I wonder how the rules are different from the MESBG, as that was widely regarded as a solid set.
Don't think I'm the target audience for this, really.
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The new Dunlendings look great - the faces are amazing - but I probably won't be getting the game. My Pelennor Fields box set has had the plastic wrap off and the innards looked at and that is it. ::)
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I wondered about it, but £140 is a lot of Oathmark!
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It's a lot of Victrix...a lot of Gripping Beast...a lot of Frostgrave...a lot of Fireforge...a lot of Wargames Atlantic...it's a lot of things :D
What I don't get - and maybe someone can enlighten me...is that I thought they had just relaunched the whole MESBG thing a year or two ago. Is this a new version of the game or just a starter set linked to the anime?
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I think this is a soft relaunch to coincide with the new film.
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Movie is coming to Prime on 27 December, apparently. Free to Amazon. So looking forward to watching it, at home!
I’ve heard the kit is not at all like the earlier MESBG ones with the level of complexity in the minis. Not necessarily bad, just … different.
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I have heard the MESBG licence runs out in 2025 so I've been wondering if this wave of minis hasn't been to both tie in with the film and to show that GW / WH are still engaging with the licence. Apart from a few extra characters and a snow troll I don't think they've shown anything else off.
Presumably if the licence is renewed they have some more stuff in the wings. I'd like to see some new Rivendell Elves to replace or add to those from the Last Alliance box. I don't play the game but have been flicking through the rules a bit recently.
I'd be interested to hear what the new minis kits are like, have watched some vids and some say they are fiddly and others say they are great so am not sure.
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At lunchtime on Christmas day, I unpacked the parcel and lifted out the box. It was bigger and heavier than I had expected.
I lifted the lid which is a very close fit, like opening an airlock. Inside was full to the brim with sprues – two hero sprues, four warrior sprues and four scenery sprues and a ruler. Beneath the sprues was a large full colour picture like the box cover. Beneath that were two black envelopes, one with the scenario guide and build instructions, the other a fold out playmat. Underneath that is a full-size hardcover rules book. Everything oozes quality.
This afternoon, I built a sprue of Rohan warriors. This took a long time. Much longer than any other plastic 28mm infantry set.
Most figures have 7 or 8 parts. Helmets and faces are separate pieces. Arms attach at the elbow and the right arms are holding weapons. Left arms either hold a bow or a shield handle. Each figure is its own unique construction of body and legs. Only the shields are interchangeable. Everything else is unique to the figure.
To assemble, you must carefully check the instructions and cut the required parts by number. Only cut one figure at a time and collect the parts in a small tray. Do not assemble these in a carpeted room. The faces and helmets are tiny.
I wore reading glasses and used a LED round light with magnifier. Check every piece carefully and make sure you remove all sprue studs as many of them are on the mating part of the components. I used Tamiya sharp nosed plastic cutters and a swan Morten scalpel. Glue the parts together with liquid plastic glue. I used Revell Contacta applied with a brush.
The finished figures are stunning.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54225385927_d4935ccb11_k.jpg)
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Many thanks for your review and advice Mick, the built minis do look very nice. I assume the Hill Men are a similar style to the Rohan in terms of complexity / number of parts etc?
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I think so - I will build some of them tomorrow.
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Good luck mate and thanks again for sharing.
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Thanks for the mini review - they look amazing but separate faces doesn’t sound like my idea of fun! No doubt they will paint up beautifully.
I saw the movie in the cinema and really enjoyed it. Obviously not the genuine article but it felt more Tolkien than I expected.
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Great review - many thanks. How do they scale in with the original Rohan minis? Would you be able to show any comparison shots?
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Yesterday, I built 12 Hill Tribesmen. These are very dynamic figures. There are some options with shields, weapons and flaming brands. These are mostly 8 or 9 parts - two legs, front and back torso with head, face, two arms and a weapon. These are easier to assemble than the new Rohan warriors.
These could be used as fantasy barbarians and even for the early part of Braveheart.
The size of the figures is a match for the Lord of the Rings metals and the later plastics. They are a perfect match for the original metal Boromir and Aragorn.
I measure 28mm sole of foot to eye which is about 31mm to top of the head.
The new figures are bigger than the original 2002 plastic Rohan Warriors and 2002 Warriors of Gondor, but those to sets were always small compared with everything else.
Here are the Hill Tribesmen
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54228758347_72d5ef7b72_k.jpg)
I started a Rohan house yesterday and finished the build this morning. I think this kit is about five years old. It is amazing and great fun to build. You can create several different houses from the kit.
Here is the Rohan House
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54228758337_bd30f69876_k.jpg)
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They look much better than I expected built up and unpainted. I actually prefer this to the finished publicity shots.
But did you say they had separate faces...? W the actual F?
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This afternoon, I built a sprue of Rohan warriors. This took a long time. Much longer than any other plastic 28mm infantry set.
Wow, that sounds like a lot of work for those figs! They certainly turned out amazingly well, and I hope you enjoyed the process!
The original warriors of Reohirrim plastic models were all one piece, where only the ones with shields had a separate shield that you would fit on over a shield boss that was part of the one-piece figure... and to be honest, looking at the new figures they don't really look more dynamic or aesthetically pleasing tbh.
Honestly, I'm surprised at how much more complex the miniatures have become compared ot how similar they are to the original.
Thanks for sharing!
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The movie is available for rent/purchase on Prime today. Thought it was going to be free, but they’re going to milk it a bit longer, I guess. No way am I paying for it on top of my Prime lol
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It’s £19.99 for a pre-order with a non specified release date (pay today watch ummm sometime later) - is that free today in Amazons language? lol (it’s also very hard to find without specifically searching for it) and they wonder why people are cancelling their subs.
Andrew
BeneathALeadMountain
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It’s £19.99 for a pre-order with a non specified release date (pay today watch ummm sometime later) - is that free today in Amazons language? lol (it’s also very hard to find without specifically searching for it) and they wonder why people are cancelling their subs.
Andrew
BeneathALeadMountain
It was hard to find.
$25 Canadian. Didn’t even see it was watch later or not, I’m not paying.
Prime is one of four streaming services I have, and the buying side of Prime is very much used.
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This morning, I finished building the heroes for both armies. These are supplied both mounted and on foot.
These are awesome kits.
Good Heroes
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54232596655_c7594562b1_k.jpg)
Evil Heroes
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54232429694_3d0d31f732_k.jpg)
This afternoon, I started to colour them in.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54232422213_bcf9001965_k.jpg)
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Have to say I'm impressed by the evil ones - Targg is the spitting image of the cartoon.
Just checked on Amazon - it's out at the end of the month :o
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They look great Mick. Looking forward to seeing how they turn out.
Andrew
BeneathALeadMountain
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They look very good.
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Those do look really good - a major leap forward for the Middle Earth range. It makes the original Rohan look so dated!
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The figures do look amazing, not sure I'd be able to go for them, unless I sell off a load of other LotR figures! But what of the rulebook that you briefly mentioned - is it the same rules as the last MESBG or is it a different set entirely?
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I've not seen the book but I've seen comments on other forums that this is essentially a new edition of the game, comparable to the edition changes of Warhammer and 40K.
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I will be in UK for a few days so no more progress updates until circa 5th January.
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I've not seen the book but I've seen comments on other forums that this is essentially a new edition of the game, comparable to the edition changes of Warhammer and 40K.
That's incredibly annoying - I had hoped that, after getting a MESBG edition that worked and seemed to be the best version of the game, that GW might start acting like adults with this edition and just go with army expansions rather than a fundamental rulebook upheaval. Oh well. It was nice while it lasted but I can't afford to do a 'warhammer' and buy a new edition every few years.
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Here you get a short preview of what all has changed:
https://www.warhammer-community.com/en-gb/articles/2ifuwrwc/middle-earthtm-strategy-battle-game-key-changes-in-the-new-edition/
I am sure I have read an article at their page at which they write on how the new Arnor supplement is still for the old set of rules and won't be valid anymore for tournaments as soon as the new rules are out. I can't find it anymore though.They mentioned one can still have fun with the supplement nevertheless, basically asking people to still buy something which will be outdated within a couple of months lol
Back to the topic I have had a short look at the Dunlendings at my brothers place. For me it seems that their hands got tinier or is my brain just making that up? Nice thing that there are now some few leftover bits for kitbashing. I don't really like the 'Huh, we are wild hillmen and not capable to creaft straight spears or a good shield' approach, will see if I will just reuse some other spears to get replace the "branches".
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Yup - it's a whole new set of rules, not just an update. New profiles, a new characteristic added and new army lists. Instead of my old rulebook plus 2 army books, I'll need the new rulebook plus 3 army books - all at new, improved prices no doubt! lol
I think I'll be selling my collections in the New Year; can't see myself chasing the dragon again with Lotr - did it with Warhammer and 40K, never again.
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Yup - it's a whole new set of rules, not just an update. New profiles, a new characteristic added and new army lists. Instead of my old rulebook plus 2 army books, I'll need the new rulebook plus 3 army books - all at new, improved prices no doubt! lol
I think I'll be selling my collections in the New Year; can't see myself chasing the dragon again with Lotr - did it with Warhammer and 40K, never again.
It’s the GW way! So tiring… “chasing the dragon” lol
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You can still play with your collections using the old rule sets or any other skirmish rule set ;)
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You can still play with your collections using the old rule sets or any other skirmish rule set ;)
Tis true :D
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I'm playing with the "Big Blue Book" version and I'm perfectly happy to keep doing that. Most of us only play with one or two other people in any case!
The new models are nice, but I am not a fan of the complexity of the assembly. Assembly is my least favourite part of miniature wargames and I've always enjoyed that the LOTR models were mostly just "slot me in a base, maybe glue on a shield".
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These do look fantastic! Any word on the quality of the show?
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But did you say they had separate faces...? W the actual F?
I assume it increases the available variety... fiddly, but clever
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I assume it increases the available variety... fiddly, but clever
...and with oh so tiny magnets you could create an Aria Stark character wearing the face of whoever she chooses...! lol
I'm with the group who thinks that many pieces is madness! :D
Mike Demana
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...and with oh so tiny magnets you could create an Aria Stark character wearing the face of whoever she chooses...! lol
^__^
I'm with the group who thinks that many pieces is madness! :D
By Yan Lo's Beard!
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I came back from England on Friday.
Today I spent a few hours painting and here are the results.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54248926610_9cbb135e86_k.jpg)
Big picture here https://www.flickr.com/photos/31905569@N05/ (https://www.flickr.com/photos/31905569@N05/)
The Rohan figures are a pleasure to paint. They are designed in such a way that inks and washes really bring out the detail.
The Tribal Hillmen are dressed in rags and furs so it is quite difficult to sort out which clothing item is which.
I painted them with black cloth, brown leather and grey fur based on the box artwork.
I noticed that several figures have a sash, so I decided to use this as a faction colour element and painted it in a dark black & turquoise mix.
The evil heroes have black cloaks which I also highlighted with turquoise.
These still need highlighting and base decoration.
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Great result! The Rohan look far nicer than the Two Towers vintage ones, a real leap forward.
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They look great Mick! Always good to have squared away a whole starter box! Especially so quickly and neatly.
Still have to wait until January 13th and preorder for £19.99 to watch the film (for free on Christmas Day) accordingly.
I’d imagine GW aren’t super pleased about the Amazon release mess up - wonder what’s happened?
Andrew
BeneathALeadMountain
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The new Rohirrim look rather nice; I have a great love for the old plastics of which I have painted and converted many dozens, but when comparing them side by side it does feel like the new ones are as good as I remember the old ones being, and the old ones have aged.. fine, but not quite like wine. Certainly not bad models, but they have their limitations as (bar the shields) one-piece models. I do wish GW had made more use of the benefits of multipart figures however, and made arms, weapons and heads more easily interchangeable. Pleasantly surprised there has apparently not been a major increase in size in the models however, and they are nicely compatible with the existing range.
Wildmen I like more as a novelty, have long wanted them to exist in plastic, but now I wish the design (no doubt based on the movie) was closer to the previous few metal models. Those had this characteristic cloth also seen on dark age Welsh etcetera, which I thought was a nice nod to the historical inspiration for them (tribes driven back by the Anglo-Saxon Rohirrim, with even some Celtic influences in their language or so I've been told), and it gave them some character too. Plus, they used to be able to have straight weapons (though admittedly the metal ones could be a bit bendy too lol ). They're a bit more bland barbarians now, just like the evil heroes feel rather blandly evil. Still, I am considering getting some one day, to convert with Rohirrim parts or historical dark age gear (well, those are basically the same thing!) and civilize them a little.
The movie I have yet to see, and it might say enough that even with a great interest in Middle-earth, and friends who are similar, I have yet to hear anyone who has seen it, or has had an interest in seeing it in fact. The trailer did not look promising, with surprisingly rough animation, and unnecessary references to the beloved LotR trilogy it stands little chance of comparing favourably to. IMDB average of 6.4, and most common ratings of 7 or 6, do not inspire confidence either! (People giving a 1 can safely be ignored, but a multitude giving just a 6 is never a good sign...)
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@ Coenus Scaldingus
The film is worth watching.
It is an Anime story in Middle Earth rather than a J.R.R. Tolkien story.
It does tie into LOTR through the scenery and costumes and some of the characters.
There are several events which could make good wargame scenarios.
It motivated me to buy and build the GW War of the Rohirrim boxed set and I will probably buy more GW LOTR stuff this year.
I would put it as position 6 in a list of favourite 7 LOTR & Hobbit films.
I feel it was better story than Battle of the Five Armies, which is too long and the last hour looks like a computer game.
Edit. Found this on-line which shows what I mean.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54255029452_8e2dce7e29_h.jpg)
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I have now completed half of the warriors and one house.
I will leave these for about two weeks and then touch up mistakes, and finish with matt varnish and tufts.
Rohan Warriors
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54257016100_36b47e057e_k.jpg)
Hillmen
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54255700782_f8568c4207_k.jpg)
I will post the 8 hero figures when they are finished to the same stage.
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They’re looking quite good already! I’m looking forward to seeing the rest as you complete them.
I’m semi-tempted by this release. On the positives, the figures look good when completed, and including the house is a nice touch. On the other hand, I don’t love assembling current GW plastics that have high part counts, and I’m not convinced that I need the new version of the rules. And the price is well outside my usual comfort zone …
(I think I just convinced myself to enjoy War of the Rohirrim vicariously, through posts by people who took the plunge. It’s not like I need a new project!)
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The movie I have yet to see, and it might say enough that even with a great interest in Middle-earth, and friends who are similar, I have yet to hear anyone who has seen it, or has had an interest in seeing it in fact. The trailer did not look promising, with surprisingly rough animation, and unnecessary references to the beloved LotR trilogy it stands little chance of comparing favourably to. IMDB average of 6.4, and most common ratings of 7 or 6, do not inspire confidence either! (People giving a 1 can safely be ignored, but a multitude giving just a 6 is never a good sign...)
I went with my brothers and friends and we set our expectations low due to the Amazone series. It was a positive surprise. I enjoyed the whole film and only two or three times I got taken out of scene by something odd which I would have done differently. Otherwise we enjoyed the film. Afterwards we discussed some plot holes which however have not disturbed me while watching it, only later when thinking more about it. There are for sure things which could have done in a better way but in retroperspective it's the same with the LotR films.
At the Hobbit films I couldn't enjoy many scenes due to me having read a lot of the lore. Knowing that something is wrong ruins it in many cases. At this setting here there has hardly been any lore given (given that they were also not allowed to use the few bits which have been given resulting in one some odd Gondor references) which made it easier to just enjoy the story.
The trailers are done badly I have to say, less would have been more here. All in all I can recommend to watch it. Give it a try :)
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I have finished the heroes in the boxed set. These are fantastic models with insane detail.
Here are Harlech and Hama, the sons of Helm Hammerhand.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54259141057_51740beb19_k.jpg)
Here is General Targg and Wulf, leader of the Hillmen.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54260256748_54f9ec0c78_k.jpg)
These will be left for a couple of weeks before corrections, matt varnish and tufts.
I still have 12 Rohan Warriors and 12 Hillmen Warriors and a Rohan House to build.
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Here is the finished War of the Rohirrim Set
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54726874925_8178b21772_b.jpg)
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Very nice.