Hi!
I'm very new to the game and currently getting my Rohan together so I can really start to learn the game. They aren't the area.y I would really like to focus on, it's just what I have to hand.

I like the idea of making a Dale force but wonder of its viability. How would you recommend building it at 500 or 750pts, add allies?

Any help would be great !

Dale is viable, but lacks specialized units. However, it has great archery and fight 4, making them a beast. However, I recommend allying with heavier units to form a frontline, so Erebor would be the best ally. Dale for strong archery, dwarves for lethal cqc.

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By all that you hold dear on this good Earth,
I bid you stand, men of the West!

I would agree that Dale is a viable army. I would not have you holding your breath for them to be more than mid to low tier though. They don't have a very expansive roster or very flexible heroes. Their army bonus is pretty useful to be sure but they only historical ally then can take is the Army of Thror. I would definitely consider let the bonus go for Mirkwood or Misty Mountains allies depending on the points level. But at 500pts you could get two warbands of Dale (4 of each weapon set) led by Girion with a Great Bow and a captain with 150pts to spare. I would recommend adding in Young Balin or a captain and dwarven spearmen and grim hammers to round of the list.

Girion w/ great bow
4 warriors with shield
4 warriors with long bow
4 warriors with shield and spear

Captain w/ shield
4 warriors with shield
4 warriors with long bow
4 warriors with shield and spear

Young Balin
5 warriors with spear and shield
3 warriors with shield
2 grim hammers

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

Agreed. That list should work niceley. Don't have the Hobbit book, though, what is the army bonus?

_________________
By all that you hold dear on this good Earth,
I bid you stand, men of the West!

Thanks for the help guys, i really like what you're suggesting. I love the models and like the way this sounds like it'll play. I like the sound of Thror and Thrain so may see if i can squeeze them in at some point.

For the young heroes can you use the models from the escape from goblin town box?

The present army bonus for Dale is 3+ shoot value rather than 4+ which is nice but not awesome.

I think that in a larger point game mixing in the royals from Erebor and more of their infantry will be a must since Dale does not have infantry or heroes to match Isengard or Elves. The windlance might be worth thinking about as well at higher points. I would also think the Goblin Town models would work fine for the younger versions of the dwarves. Maybe just paint Balin with a browner beard and it ought to look fine.

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

Wow. You have a high opinion of Balin. Anyways... I know my dwarf army will feature artillery, ever since I fought that Balrog... Windlances are good as well, plus bows... You will make it. Just get the infantry.

_________________
By all that you hold dear on this good Earth,
I bid you stand, men of the West!

My bad. Misunderstood. Paint the Balin model, not the goblin. Got it. Oops.

_________________
By all that you hold dear on this good Earth,
I bid you stand, men of the West!