I recall from lotr sbg that you could not afford spear support to someone whose base was larger than your own. The idea being that you cant reach around them. However, I did not see this mentioned in the current rules. Is that an additional spear change? Can they now support anyone regardless of weapon or size? That is what I understand from the spear section of the rules manual.

Yes base size no longer matters nor do two-handed weapons. However, pikes may no longer double up on a spear only other pikes.

_________________
"Draw your sword with a heavy heart, but swing it with a heavy hand"

Yup, feel free to support your Mumaks, Balrogs and Smaugs with Goblin spearmen - totally legit!

_________________
Finished 2nd in the 2014 GBHL. My Wife's so proud

Free SBG fanzine: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=29569

Mind blown!

Lol. How a 1.5" spear can support a 12" Smaug I'll never know!!!!

Yes, they streamlined some of the rules like this with the Hobbit edition. I'm still not sure I like all the new additions, but they're the official rules.

_________________
Gondor: 2339pts
Rohan: 1318pts
Dwarves: 2482pts
Elves: 1091pts
Mordor: 2305pts
Isengard: 1762pts
Moria: 1463pts
Evil Men: 381pts

The only answer(and a bs one) I can come up with.....

Imagine the figures as we own them as in plastic static poses. BUT, on the table in the game they are in action.

Imagine the goblin touching Smaugs base as the goblin hopping onto his wing and poking his spear at the guy in front as the wing swings towards the enemy hahaha.

Lol theres my Devlan Mud for the week.

http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/cla ... 0314222441

_________________
BLACKHAWK 2010 2013 2015 DYNASTY

I think that this rule is the result of some overlooking by the writers. It would not be the only one they made in the first hobbit: hunter orcs with switched Strenght and Fight, Thrain with two-handed axe (when it's cleary wielding a big hammer) and Thror without even the option for a shield (despite the fact that he actually has one).

Also, I think that sometimes the rules seem to take things for granted.
Personally, I don't like this rule. Even by thinking "they are in movement" it just doesn't have any sense. A Balrog is so big, for example, that would totally block any movement behind him and even hinder spears. The goblin has no way of supporting it.
I once read "consider the goblin as moving between the balrog's legs to attack". Aside the fact that it would be a very suicidal goblin who would probably be trampled, that would mean that the goblin actually moved across the Balrog base and attacked directly, exposing himself (itself?).
And, on the other hand, why a big monster could only be supported by one spear? There's even space for two at least.

I know the rule and I'm not trying to change the way others play. I just don't like it.