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Post by nigel on Feb 11, 2005 18:10:08 GMT 1
Ents as elites only would work if it took two hits to eliminate them (slide a counter under them for the first hit) as suggested in the set of optional combat rules posted on bgg. I think it makes it simpler and makes the few units more valuable. It also keeps the number of new units to a minimum. I would rather they add a little something new in abilities as well for chrome. There were not that many Ents and Eagles to begin with as I read the books. I see W. Mulder suggests only 3 Ents in his Starting in the Shire Variant. He also suggests 3 units for the Deadman. He suggests they should be more powerful than the average elites. I think he is on the right track. I personally think going with fewer more powerful units is the way to go. However, this takes nothing away from the great work you have done. That's what makes this forum interesting. Hmm, you don't like the idea of an Ent 'Elite' being downgraded to a regular 'Hourn' but it's okay for a Troll to be downgraded to an orc? The 'men' are less odd, as it's a mounted rider -> foot soldier. I don't have a problem with this for Orcs/Trolls nor the Ents and I think adding extra rules makes the game more complicated for little gain (but just my opinion of course). If you play the same game over and over it's easy to add a ton of new stuff that all makes sense - but then a new person wants to learn and it's "huh!, the rulebook is 30 pages with a ton of 'exceptions'") But, for regular players extra rules/chrome should be fine. Nigel
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Post by nigel on Feb 11, 2005 18:19:42 GMT 1
Nigel, what's your rationale for the special use of the Devilry of Orthanc card against Fangorn? Seems to me this card represents Saruman's "special" attack against the Helm's Deep fortifications in the book, and I am not sure how this would apply to Ents. Well Saruman used his 'blasting fire' at Helms Deep to breach the outer curtain wall, but also it saw use at the attack of the Ents at Orthanc - I don't have the book to hand to type the quote but I recall the Hobbits talking (possibly to Gimli?) about the battle and that one of the Ents (Beechbone?) getting caught in a jet of fire and burning up, which then drove the other Ents into a frenzy - that sounds like 'Devilry of Orthanc' to me .... Hence my suggestion for extending the use of the card. Nigel
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Post by Dietrich on Feb 11, 2005 19:17:45 GMT 1
Nigel: Actually, I have a problem with downgrading a Troll to an Orc too, and treat them as a two hit unit rather than being downgraded. I understand your points but I guess we all have our pet peeves or preferences. I allow the SP to muster wargriders also as elites in addtion to trolls, which get a + 1 on the first round of field battles. Trolls get + 1 for the first round of a siege. I do the same for Isengard, ie the warg riders get the + 1 for the first round of field battles and Beserkers get + 1 for the first round of sieges. Isengard gets 4 leaders then to muster, Ugluk, Lurtz, Sharku and Mauhur. Just my view on how I like to play. I have enjoyed all of your comments and suggestions on this post.
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Post by Krieghund on Feb 12, 2005 21:31:30 GMT 1
Well Saruman used his 'blasting fire' at Helms Deep to breach the outer curtain wall, but also it saw use at the attack of the Ents at Orthanc - I don't have the book to hand to type the quote but I recall the Hobbits talking (possibly to Gimli?) about the battle and that one of the Ents (Beechbone?) getting caught in a jet of fire and burning up, which then drove the other Ents into a frenzy - that sounds like 'Devilry of Orthanc' to me .... Hence my suggestion for extending the use of the card. Nigel Hmmm, you are right about the Beechbone episode, but since that happened when the Ents were storming Orthanc it will probably already be handled by the card as it is, since the card can be played "if an Isengard unit is in the battle and the defending Army is in a Stronghold." In the case of an assault on Orthanc by Ents (or anyone else), both conditions would be satisfied. I'm just trying to cut down on the number of rules and cards exceptions to remember.
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