Hello there. I've been eager to play through some of the older sourcebooks and scenarios and have chosen A Shadow in the East for something a bit different.
Scenario 1: The Fall of Amon Barad
The first scenario "The Fall of Amon Barad" involves an attack by Khamul and his Easterlings leading an attack on the Tower of Amon Barad in Ithilen before the start of the War of the Ring. Khamul has killed the tower's commander and it is the duty of the young lieutenant, Cirion, to lead the defence.
As the rules for sentries are no longer in the hobbit rulebook and due to limited space there have been some changes. The game simply now lasts 12 turns, the player with the most models within 6" of the tower's fire at the end of the game wins. Cirion and the warriors of Minas Tirith start in and around the tower with the rangers spread out in the surrounding area. The Easterlings move on in the first turn split into two groups across opposite board edges, Khamul can enter the game on any turn he chooses appearing within the tower. Also, just because I had them painted the Easterlings get 6 Fell Wargs to help them!
Turn 1
The game started with the Easterlings moving on in two groups. The eastern archers aimed with their bows in order to get some sneak shots off on the unsuspecting rangers but their shots went wide.
Turn 2
Priority goes to the evil side who use this to surround the ranger before they can react. Cirion realising something is not right moves out of the tower. The surprise attack doesn't go to plan as only a single ranger is lost in return for an Easterling and a warg.
Turn 3
With the alarm raised, priority is taken by the good side. The rangers bravely attempt to hold up the atackers. The Easterlings pile in to avoid the bow fire of the tower's archers. In combat Cirion rolls a double one in his duel and has to use a fate point to avoid taking a wound. Two more rangers fall with one Easterling also being slain.
Turn 4
A heroic move is called by Cirion to retain the initiative. The few rangers left are surrounded once again and the Easterling shield block starts to advance on the tower. The defenders, seeing them as the bigger threat group to one side in preparation. Again, luck is not with Cirion as he wins his duel this time but rolls a double one to wound! Luckily the spearman backing him manages to skewer a warg.
Turn 5
Priority goes to the good side. Cirion leaves his comrade to deal with the remaing warg whilst he heads to flank the advancing shield block. The tower defenders seeing his bold move also charge out to meet the attackers. On the other side, the Easterling archers and wargs rush to so as not to be left out of the fight. Khamul reveals himself in the tower and wastes no time in sapping the will of Cirion before charging and slaying a ranger.
Turn 6
Halfway through the game and priority remains with the good side. Both sides clash in melee, with a ranger managing to fend off Khamul and a warg falling to the lone Gondorian spearman.
Turn 7
The evil side snatch priority this time and move up towards the tower. A ranger is killed on the good side whilst the Easterlings lose another warg. Cirion uses a point of might to kill another Easterling in an attempt to tip the balance.
Turn 8
Khamul calls a heroic move and transfixes Cirion before he can cause any more damage. Combat is swift with only a warg being killed this round.(Sorry, blurry photo!)
Turn 9
The fighting is swift again but bloody. Two Easterlings are killed in return for three Gondorians.
Turn 10
Khamul has to use another point of might in a heroic move to keep the advantage however the wraith is unsuccessful in transfixing Cirion. Each side lose another man in the gruelling battle.
Turn 11
The good side take priority (again...). Cirion uses his last point of might to kill another Easterling as the game is almost at an end.
Turn 12
The last game round and priority goes back to the evil side. Khamul charges Cirion to face off, seeing as the Easterlings have run out of options. Both leaders fight well but the advantage goes to the Wraith who almost kills Cirion, leaving him on a single wound.
Conclusion
With more models within the Tower, the good side take a clear victory leaving Khamul to dissappear and plot revenge.This was a good game, maybe not entirely balanced but still fun enough.
Keep any eye on this thread as I will be providing updates! The next sencario from the sourcebook is Pursuit through Ithilien.