Post by djarv on Feb 3, 2005 9:02:07 GMT 1
I coupled the Late Minions strateg with a DEW line/Lorien/Minis Tirith three-pronged thrust.
The FP was limited to four die for an incredibly long time while I built up an Easterling army just outside of Dale, a Sauron force from Dol Guldur to Dimrill Dale (joined by an Isengard Elite mustered in North Dunland, and two 10 unit Sauron armies in North and South Ithilien. A smaller Southron force hung about West Harondor.
I hadn't attacked or crossed any borders (limiting his activations and political advances), and I had killed Gandalf during the second turn. Strider was still hanging with the fellowship, which unfortunately was making pretty good progress.
But still... things were looking good. Four die per turn for the FP were severely curtailing his options.
And then it happened... he rolled NO Will of the West die, and I rolled two Musters. Time to bring in the Witch King and Saruman. I did so, and within a turn or two was besieging Woodlands, Lorien, and Minas Tirith.
I also had one Sauron support army in the Druadan Forest, and the Southrons threatening Pelagir. Things were looking good for the bad boys!
And then... I drew Grond. But he had Strider (unpromoted) and Boromir in Minis Tirith with one leader and five units. I was uncomfortable with my lack of Elites in my Sauron army (only one) but I decided that if I could kill Strider, he would never see more than five die. I decided the first assault should not use Grond, just to see if I could do a little damage. Bad news! Lost four units, and he played Grey Company to get a second elite in. I did no damage.
Used an army move to reinforce the besieging army up to full strength. And now I decided to throw Grond against the gates of Minas Tirith!
DISASTER! He had saved all the right cards.
I got hammered, he killed the entire force (including the Witch King), and my game was in shambles.
I finallly took Lorien, and that force moved up to take Rivendell. The Dale force took Woodlands, but the siege against Erebor petered out against the hardy Dwarves. Both of those sieges were long and costly. If I had not lost Minas Tirith, I would have had 8 points in Strongholds (MT, Lorien, Woodlands, Rivendell) and probably easing pickings to both hold Dale and gain Pelagir for the win. As it was, Frodo entered Mordor with a mere 1 damage, and dunked the ring with only 8 corruption.
Of course, if I had won the Minas Tirith siege, he would have accelerated the Fellowship moves, but I believe I would have still held the edge.
I thoght the Late Minions strategy worked great; I just had poor execution against Minas Tirith; I should have jprobably gone after the other strongholds first as they both had other good targets after their successful siege. Plus I could have prepared a better card hand for Minas Tirith as well as placing a couple more Elites in that battle.
I couldn't believe how tough a force of five units (two Elites) along with a Leader and a couple of Companions could be. Bah. If the Witch King couldn't storm one paltry Stronghold, then he deserved to die.
The FP was limited to four die for an incredibly long time while I built up an Easterling army just outside of Dale, a Sauron force from Dol Guldur to Dimrill Dale (joined by an Isengard Elite mustered in North Dunland, and two 10 unit Sauron armies in North and South Ithilien. A smaller Southron force hung about West Harondor.
I hadn't attacked or crossed any borders (limiting his activations and political advances), and I had killed Gandalf during the second turn. Strider was still hanging with the fellowship, which unfortunately was making pretty good progress.
But still... things were looking good. Four die per turn for the FP were severely curtailing his options.
And then it happened... he rolled NO Will of the West die, and I rolled two Musters. Time to bring in the Witch King and Saruman. I did so, and within a turn or two was besieging Woodlands, Lorien, and Minas Tirith.
I also had one Sauron support army in the Druadan Forest, and the Southrons threatening Pelagir. Things were looking good for the bad boys!
And then... I drew Grond. But he had Strider (unpromoted) and Boromir in Minis Tirith with one leader and five units. I was uncomfortable with my lack of Elites in my Sauron army (only one) but I decided that if I could kill Strider, he would never see more than five die. I decided the first assault should not use Grond, just to see if I could do a little damage. Bad news! Lost four units, and he played Grey Company to get a second elite in. I did no damage.
Used an army move to reinforce the besieging army up to full strength. And now I decided to throw Grond against the gates of Minas Tirith!
DISASTER! He had saved all the right cards.
I got hammered, he killed the entire force (including the Witch King), and my game was in shambles.I finallly took Lorien, and that force moved up to take Rivendell. The Dale force took Woodlands, but the siege against Erebor petered out against the hardy Dwarves. Both of those sieges were long and costly. If I had not lost Minas Tirith, I would have had 8 points in Strongholds (MT, Lorien, Woodlands, Rivendell) and probably easing pickings to both hold Dale and gain Pelagir for the win. As it was, Frodo entered Mordor with a mere 1 damage, and dunked the ring with only 8 corruption.
Of course, if I had won the Minas Tirith siege, he would have accelerated the Fellowship moves, but I believe I would have still held the edge.
I thoght the Late Minions strategy worked great; I just had poor execution against Minas Tirith; I should have jprobably gone after the other strongholds first as they both had other good targets after their successful siege. Plus I could have prepared a better card hand for Minas Tirith as well as placing a couple more Elites in that battle.
I couldn't believe how tough a force of five units (two Elites) along with a Leader and a couple of Companions could be. Bah. If the Witch King couldn't storm one paltry Stronghold, then he deserved to die.