Middle-Earth Army Lists for "Hordes of the Things"

1 x Hero general - Mablung or Beleg
1 x Hero - Beleg or Turin
3 x Blades - Elves with Axes
2 x Spears - Elves with Spears
3 x Shooters - Elves with bows

Stronghold: Elfhill by a river

Options: make the general one of the Blade elements (King Thingol)

The Sindar of Beleriand were well-equipped with armour and weapons made by the Dwarves. Thingol the King didn't trust the Noldor, and refused to let his soldiers fight alongside them. He himself didn't lead his armies, having several able captains to do the job for him. Menegroth was sacked by the Dwarves of Nogrod, who killed Thingol; the Dwarves with their loot were later ambushed by Beren's Laiquendi; the Kingdom was eventually destroyed by teh Noldor Elves of East Beleriand. Allies: Nandor, Laiquendi, Men (1st age Haleth). Enemies: Angband ('other armies'), Dwarves, Noldor (East Beleriand princedoms).

1 x Warband general - Orc chieftain and guards
3 x Beasts - wolves and the like
3 x Riders - Orcs mounted on wolves
10 x Hordes - Orcs

Stronghold: orc army-camp, or (for Sauron) a dark tower, or (for Glaurung) a cave entrance

Options: replace one horde element with a lurkers element (phantasms of Sauron, giant spiders, vampires, etc); replace 2 hordes and the general with either a magician general (Sauron the Sorceror) or a Behemoth general (Glaurung the dragon-worm).

Allies (warband general only): Easterlings (1st Age). Enemies: Nandor, Sindar, Laiquendi, Noldor (1st Age Princedoms), Dwarves, Men (1st age Haleth or 1st Age other Dunedian).

1 x Hero general - Feanor or Fingolfin
2 x Heroes - sons of Feanor or Fingolfin
6 x Blades - Elves with swords

Stronghold: fortified camp

Options: (Fingolfin only) may replace 1 Hero with 2 Blades

The Noldor brought very few horses with them to Middle-Earth, and seemingly did not use bows for warfare other than from horseback. Their infantry are described as fleet armoured swordsmen. The contingent led by Fingolfin was more numerous than that led by Feanor. Allies: Noldor (pre Princedoms). Enemies: Angband (and the Balrogs).

1 x Hero general - Prince (or King) and guards
1 x Hero - other Princes of the same house
4 x Blades - Noldor with swords
2 x Riders - Noldor horse-archers
2 x Shooters - Sindar with bows

Stronghold: Castle

Options: either replace 2 blades with (Hithlum) 2 spears (Dunedain men), or (East Beleriand) 2 more riders, or (Nargothrond) 1 more shooter and 2 lurkers (Elves in ambush)

The Noldor soon organised themselves into various princedoms, ruling over Sindar already established in the area, and raising horses to mount horse archers. Allies: Gondolin, Noldor (1st Age Princedoms), Dwarves, Men (1st age other Dunedain or Easterlings). Enemies: Sindar, Noldor (1st Age Princedoms), Angband (Balrogs or others).

1 x Hero general - Gil-galad
1 x Hero - Elrond half-Elven (or Elendil)
1 x Blades - Noldor with swords
2 x Riders - Noldor horse-archers
3 x Shooters - Sindar with bows (or men with longbows)
2 x Blades - Sindar with axes

Stronghold: Castle

Options: replace 1 rider and 1 blade with 2 spears (Numenorean men)

During the 2nd Age the number of Noldor left in Middle-Earth was reduced, so the Sindarin component of their forces would have been more heavily emphasized. Allies: Dwarves, Numenor, Woodelves (Lorien and/or Mirkwood). Enemies: Mordor ('others'), Orcs.

1 x Spear general - King Turgon and guards
2 x Heroes - Tuor and Ecthelion
3 x Spears - Noldor and Sindar phalanx
2 x Shooters - Sindar archers
2 x Fliers - giant eagles

Stronghold: Walled city

The Sindar of Gondolin were more integrated into Noldorin society than in the other Noldor princedoms. Many Noldor used the spear like some Sindar did, and fought in armoured phalanxes. Allies: none. Enemies: Angband (and the Balrogs).

1 x Hero general (with amazon bodyguard if the widow Haleth)
2 x Blades - axemen
6 x Warband - other warriors
2 x Lurkers - Druedain, some with poisoned blowguns

Stronghold: Pallisaded village

The Haleth were a more scattered people than the other Dunedain, and not as warlike, but fought with great courage when called to. Some were axemen, and even women could be found fighting on occasion. Druedain were a distinctive ethnic element who were extremely skilled forest fighters. Allies: Sindar. Enemies: Angband ('others').

1 x Hero general
7 x Spears
2 x Shooters - archers
2 x Hordes - camp-followers and slaves

Stronghold: Pallisaded village

Options: Dunedain - replace hordes with another spear

Most men of the 1st age in Beleriand fought in a shieldwall formation with spears, or occasionally axes. Allies: Noldor (Princedoms) if Dunedain; Angband ('others'), Men (1st Age Easterlings) if Easterlings. Enemies: Angband ('others') if Dunedain; Noldor (Princedoms), Men (1st Age Easterlings) if Easterlings.

1 x Knight general - in chariot
2 x Knights - nobles in chariots
3 x Riders - cavalry
4 x Shooters - foot bowmen
4 x Hordes - wainriders

Stronghold: wagon-laagered camp

Charioteers charged into shieldwalls rather than skirmished, so are classified as Knights rather than Riders. Archery however was heavily emphasised. Allies: Mordor ('others'), Easterlings ('others'). Enemies: Easterlings ('others'), Gondor (any), Northmen, Dale.

1 x Blade general
4 x Blades - axemen
1 x Riders - cavalry
12 x Hordes - migrant hordes

Stronghold: wagon-laagered camp

These migrating tribes were poorly equipped and lacked mounted warriors, but their numbers made them quite dangerous. Allies: Orcs. Enemies: Gondor (Stewards).

1 x Rider general - in chariot
5 x Riders - cavalry
2 x Shooters - foot bowmen
2 x Blades - axemen
4 x Hordes - levy

Stronghold: wagon-laagered camp

Options: replace 4 riders with Blades, and camp with a pallisaded town

Some Easterling tribes provided competent foot armed with axes, others were typical steppe-style horse archers. Allies: Dwarves, Mordor ('others'), Easterlings ('others'). Enemies: Gondor (late), Easterlings ('others').

1 x Blade general - with bodyguard of large goblins with axes
3 x Riders - goblins on wolves
3 x Beasts - giant wolves
10 x Hordes - Goblin warriors

Stronghold: mountain cave entrance

Options: replace 2 beasts with a Behemoth - a troop of large trolls

Allies: Khazad, Wargs, Easterlings (Balchoth, 'others'). Enemies: Khazad, Woodsmen, Gondor (late), Rohan, Dale, Shire.

Goblin guards fought with axes in ranks, pushing back shieldwalls, and are thus classed as Blades rather than Warband. Bats are ignored, since they did nothing to contribute to battles other than provide a small degree of shade from the sun. Allies: Dwarves, Orcs. Enemies: Woodelves (Mirkwood, Lorien), Noldor (2nd Age), Gondor (Stewards), Woodsmen, Dale, Rohan, Shire.

1 x Beast general - large white wolf chieftain
11 x Beasts - giant wolves

Stronghold: craggy wooded den

Options: replace up to 3 beasts with riders - wolves carrying goblins to assist with arson and breaking into buildings, etc.

Allies: Goblins. Enemies: Woodsmen, Easterlings ('others').

Giant wolves speaking their own language were know as 'the Hounds of Sauron' and were numerous enough to count as full-fledged armies. A Beast general is technically illegal under the present rules for some unfathomable reason.

1 x Flyer general - the Witch-King
2 x Artillery - catapults and other seige engines
2 x Blades - Uruk-hai
2 x Blades - Easterlings with axes
1 x Warband - half-trolls
6 x Hordes - Orcs

Stronghold: conquered city with broken bridge (Osgiliath)

Allies: Haradrim. Enemies: Gondor (Late). If Haradrim allies are not used, delete 3 Hordes, the Warband, 1 of each Blade, and 1 Artillery, and add the following: 2 x Riders - Haradrim cavalry, 1 x Behemoth - Haradrim Mumakil, 2 x Spears - Haradrim infantry.

1 x Knight general - Nazgul or the Mouth of Sauron
1 x Behemoth - troop of large Trolls
1 x Flyer - Nazgul
2 x Blades - Uruk-hai or Easterlings with axes
2 x Spears - other subject men
8 x Hordes - Orcs

Stronghold: volcano

Options: replace the Kn general with Blade general (non-Nazgul leader), the behemoth with 2 beasts (wolves), the flyer with a rider (goblins on wolves) and the volcano with a black castle. If before the late third age, the flyer must always be replaced by a Knight (other Nazgul on horses).

Allied contingents drawn from this list must use the above options rather than the main list. Nazgul on horseback are classified as a Knight rather than a Rider due to the morale effect on enemy foot that caused them to flee precipitedly. Allies: Haradrim, Easterlings (Wainriders and/or 'others'). Enemies: Woodelves (Mirkwood, Lorien), Noldor (2nd Age), Haradrim, Gondor (any), Dale, Rohan.

1 x Rider general - Chieftain and followers
2 x Riders - cavalry with scimitars
2 x Behemoths - Mumakil
2 x Spears - Haradrim spearmen
1 x Warband - Far-Haradrim desert warriors
2 x Shooters - archers

Stronghold: walled Arabic city

Desert warriors are classified as Warband, since they are described as being like half-trolls. Allies: Haradrim, Easterlings (Wainriders and/or 'others'). Enemies: Numenor, Gondor (any), Haradrim, Mordor ('others').

1 x Hero general
1 x Blades - Guards
4 x Spears - Numenorean spearmen
1 x Riders - native horse archers
4 x Shooters - longbow cohorts

Stronghold: walled city

Options: regrade Guards as Spears

Axes are attested, hance the option for Blades, but not actually described being used in combat unlike spears and bows, so only limited numbers are allowed. Allies: Noldor (2nd Age). Enemies: Numenor, Haradrim, Easterlings (any non-1st Age), Mordor ('others'), Dunlendings.

1 x Riders general - chieftain and followers
1 x Riders - others on light ponies
9 x Warband - hillmen warriors
2 x Lurkers - scouts and ambushers

Stronghold: pallisade village

Options: move general's function to one of the warband elements, or regrade general as Knight

The Knight general represents a pretender to the Rohan throne. Allies: Dunlendings, Haradrim (only if a pretender general), Angmar, Orthanc. Enemies: Numenor, Mordor ('others'), Dunlendings, Orcs, Arnor, Gondor (Kings).

1 x Riders general - chieftain and followers
7 x Warband - hillmen warriors
3 x Shooters - archers
2 x Lurkers - scouts and ambushers

Stronghold: forest village

Options: regrade general as Behemoth and omit one warband

The Behemoth represents men of Beorn's line who could shape-change into huge bears. Allies: Northmen, Woodelves (Mirkwood), Dale. Enemies: Mordor ('others'), Orcs.

1 x Knight general - chieftain and retinue
5 x Knights - noble warriors
2 x Riders - horse archers
4 x Spears - footmen

Stronghold: pallisade town

Options: regrade general as a Hero, and lose a Spears element

Allies: Northmen, Woodsmen, Gondor (Kings). Enemies: Mordor ('others'), Easterlings (any non-1st Age).

1 x Hero general - King or Prince
2 x Knights - Gondorian heavy cavalry or Northmen nobles
1 x Riders - other auxiliary horse
3 x Shooters - archers
4 x Spears - footmen

Stronghold: walled city

Allies: Northmen, Dunlendings, Haradrim, Easterlings ('others'), Noldor ('2nd Age'). Enemies: Mordor ('others'), Easterlings (any non-1st Age), Haradrim, Dunlendings, Gondor (Kings).

1 x Knight general - the Steward
1 x Hero - Steward's Heir or Thorongil (Aragorn in disguise)
2 x Knights - other Gondorian knights
4 x Spears - Guardsmen and men-at-arms
1 x Blades - Axemen, etc
2 x Shooters - militia bowmen

Stronghold: walled city

Options: Replace Blades with another Spears

Allies: Rohan. Enemies: Mordor ('others'), Easterlings (any non-1st Age), Haradrim.

1 x Hero general - Aragorn and/or Gandalf
1 x Knights - of Dol Amroth
2 x Spears - Guardsmen
1 x Hero - Eomer
3 x Knights - other Riders of Rohan
1 x Blades - Axemen, etc
1 x Shooters - militia bowmen

Stronghold: walled city

Options: Dismount Knights of Dol Amroth as Spears, replace Blades and shooters with a Sneakers - Frodo with the Ring and a Lurkers - Rangers of Ithilien, replace 2 other Riders of Rohan Knights with Flyers - giant eagles, and dismount the last Riders of Rohan Knights as Spears

Allies: Rohan. Enemies: Mordor (any), Easterlings (any non-1st Age), Haradrim. If Rohan allies are used, Eomer and the other 3 Rohan elements should be replaced with another Gondorian Knight element, 2 more Spears, and another Hero (Faramir, etc).

1 x Hero general - King or Prince
1 x Knights - other heavy cavalry
1 x Riders - other horsemen
2 x Shooters - archers
6 x Spears - footmen

Stronghold: walled city

Options: Swap general from the Hero to the Knights element

This list does not cover the final battle against Angmar (which would be a Gondorian force with Noldor allies). Allies: Arnor. Enemies: Rhudaur, Angmar.

1 x Knights general - Prince
1 x Knights - heavy cavalry
2 x Riders - other horsemen
2 x Shooters - archers
4 x Warbands - Dunlending warriors
2 x Spears - footmen

Stronghold: castle

Allies: Angmar, Dunlendings. Enemies: Arnor.

1 x Hero general - the Witch-King
2 x Beasts - wolves and other fell creatures
1 x Riders - goblins on wolves
1 x Behemoths - Trolls and Ettens
3 x Warbands - Dunlending warriors
4 x Hordes - Orcs

Stronghold: frozen city

The Witch-king didn't use offensive magic in combat, rather he rode a horse and fought mounted with great effect on opposing notable characters, hence the Hero rating. Allies: Rhudaur. Enemies: Arnor, Gondor (Kings).

1 x Knight general - the King and household knights
1 x Hero - Prince and his household knights
2 x Riders - horse archers
7 x Knights - Riders of Rohan

Stronghold: great hall or walled valley

Options: replace both Riders with 1 Blade (swordsmen) and 2 Hordes (elderly and young mlitia) and one Knights with a Shooters (archers on foot). May also replace 4 more Knights with 2 Behemoths (Ents)

The King isn't rated as a hero, based on Theoden (who was killed by being trapped by his own horse), but rather the King's heir (like Theodred or Eomer). Allies: Gondor (Stewards). Enemies: Dunlendings, Orthanc.

1 x Hero general
4 x Spears - spearmen
6 x Shooters - archers

Stronghold: town (can be on a lake)

The hero is inspired by Bard's example. Allies: Woodsmen, Woodelves (Mirkwood), Dwarves. Enemies: Orcs, Easterlings ('others'), Mordor ('others').

1 x Blade general - with human and half-orc axemen
2 x Blades - Uruk-hai
1 x Riders - Dunlendings
2 x Riders - Orcs on wolves
2 x Warbands - Dunlendings
1 x Sneakers - orcs with blasting fire
5 x Hordes - Orcs

Stronghold: tall wizard's tower

Options: replace Sneakers and one Hordes with 2 Spears (pikemen)

Saruman didn't command in the field, so should only be depicted, if at all, atop the Stronghold. Allies: Dunlendings. Enemies: Rohan.

1 x Cleric general - Frodo and Sam
1 x Hero - Merry and Pippin
3 x Lurkers - Hobbits hiding in hedgerows, etc
5 x Shooters - Hobbits with bows, etc
4 x Hordes - Hobbit reinforcements summoned by Merry's magical horn

Stronghold: village burrowed into a hillside

Frodo, the commander, is classified as a cleric since he refused to fight on ethical grounds, was impervious to Saruman's magical wiles and also carried Galadriel's vial which had anti-magical properties as demonstrated in Cirith Ungol. Merry and Pippin were heroic enough to count as a real Hero (Merry killed the Witch-king after all) even if they are a touch under-sized - they also rode ponies, which means they can qualify as a mounted element! As the Shire was so small, this list has had to take some liberties of scale. For the only other recorded battle in the Shire, when the Bullroarer defeated a goblin-raiding band, make the general a rider (the Bullroarer and his kinsmen on ponies), swap the Hero for two elements of spears (Hobbit 'Beaters and Bounders' - ie gate guards), and add another lurker. Allies: none. Enemies: Orcs (for Bullroarer).