Army of the dead

Beowulf03809 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 23, 2013 5:34 pm

I'm really disappointed that GW gave AotD any equipment options at all TBH. I personally believe the spirit of the book and the film was best represented in the original version and created a very interesting and unique force. Wargear options just take some of that uniqueness away while closing a blind eye to the theme from the books and films. Bows really go way beyond how spirits are portrayed in Tolkien's work. No offense intended here to the people here that like the idea of wargear and bows for AotD from a game perspective. I believe LotR based games should put the focus on theme more than a level playing field for all armies. You don't need every option to be balanced and competitive.

Movement should also set them apart. Slightly faster movement (both foot and mounted versions) and the ability to move through any terrain or obstacle or gap with little to no movement penalty.

The ability for Aragorn to lead them and a generic Captain so you can field a decent force would also be very useful and thematic tweaks.

Bilbo · **Posted:** Mon Sep 23, 2013 7:30 pm

Personally I felt that without equipment, spears and horses particularly that they were un-competitive and frankly un-effective. The new gear has given them a new lease of life and turned them into a viable force again. Under the old rules they always seemed to be backed up by spear or pike support from the fiefdoms when I have played against them, which I found boring and effectively a crutch to make them viable in game terms.

Beowulf03809 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 24, 2013 1:14 pm

Good point on the spears, though there are some other forces that do not have their own access to spears.

I would say though that if the choice is between allowing them to get spears themselves or have non-AotD models supporting them with spears, I would prefer the native spears themselves hands down. I don't think any one else would want to get that close that they can support them.

I still can't come to grips with ranged fire for them though. Altered mobility would be a much more preferable option IMO if there seem to be problems getting them in close under enemy ranged fire.

Bilbo · **Posted:** Wed Sep 25, 2013 12:55 am

Quote:

I would say though that if the choice is between allowing them to get spears themselves or have non-AotD models supporting them with spears, I would prefer the native spears themselves hands down. I don't think any one else would want to get that close that they can support them.

I have to say that I feel the same, I just can't see regular good mortals associating with undead. In the way that the King of the Dead's stand fast can only effect warriors of the Dead I feel that no one but Aragorn should be able to issue heroic actions that they can participate in.

Leonardis · **Joined:** Wed Oct 05, 2011 4:06 pm **Posts:** 891

I love the idea of a generic captain...
Hopefully iut club will introduce house rules as I am looking at two knight of dol Amroth leading my other army of the dead warbands... That just seems wrong!
But there is a tendency to play raw at our club.

I will try for this captain as the first house rule!

SD - what also you think?

JamesR · **Posted:** Sat Oct 12, 2013 3:22 pm

Leonardis wrote:

I love the idea of a generic captain...
Hopefully iut club will introduce house rules as I am looking at two knight of dol Amroth leading my other army of the dead warbands... That just seems wrong!
But there is a tendency to play raw at our club.

I will try for this captain as the first house rule!

SD - what also you think?

Does your club allow proxy? Then you could at least field an appropriate model to lead them even if it's a Dol Amroth Capt profile

Leonardis · **Joined:** Wed Oct 05, 2011 4:06 pm **Posts:** 891

Now that's a while different question!

pokyha · **Posted:** Thu Oct 24, 2013 2:10 am

Here is a question I have referring to the rider of the dead, how much defence does the horse have?

If it is only 3 that is under powered.

Ukfreddybear · **Posted:** Fri Oct 25, 2013 9:39 am

I use a captain of the dead with my AotD. Its the only way I can thematically field a large number of them since warband ruling came into play. I don't think it too far of a stretch of the imagination to think the King of the Dead had some command support.

Bilbo · **Posted:** Fri Oct 25, 2013 2:12 pm

pokyha wrote:

Here is a question I have referring to the rider of the dead, how much defence does the horse have?

If it is only 3 that is under powered.

Horses have a defence of 4. Its in the main rule book, but not apparently the Kings of Men Supplement!

Bilbo · **Posted:** Fri Oct 25, 2013 2:15 pm

ukfreddybear wrote:

I use a captain of the dead with my AotD. Its the only way I can thematically field a large number of them since warband ruling came into play. I don't think it too far of a stretch of the imagination to think the King of the Dead had some command support.

I never understood why we didn't get one, particularly when G.W. were really scouring the appendices for any named heroes or troop types!

Army of the dead

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