“Rohirrim! To the king!” – Éomer, the Battle for Helm’s Deep (The Lord of the Rings™: The Two Towers movie)
Éomer, Marshal of the Riddermark, is set to receive a stunning new miniature this weekend, in a multi-part plastic kit that caters for every build, from sword or throwing spear in hand to helmeted or bare-headed options. Having King Théoden’s mighty nephew in your collection is one thing, but knowing how to use him in battle is quite another. To help out, here are our top 3 tips for using Rohan’s most loyal son to his full potential.
1) Charge, Charge, and Charge Again!
Like every mounted Hero, Éomer is at his best while on the front foot – or hoof! Don’t be afraid to spend a Might point to declare a Heroic Move – or to counter one should your opponent attempt to thwart your charge when you win Priority – as Éomer can smash through almost anything in his path. If he’s facing stiff opposition, his ability to declare a Heroic Strike and/or Heroic Strength will give him a significant edge in almost any situation, enabling you to make the most of his Charge.
2) Pick a Fight!
More specifically, when you get the opportunity to Charge, pick a fight that you’re not only confident you can win, but are confident you can kill all of Éomer’s opponent’s in. This will ensure that you can get the most from declaring a Heroic Combat, as Éomer will be able to break a hole through the enemy line. From there, he can immediately sweep into any choice target (such as an Orc Shaman, Banner-bearer or even just a cluster of spear- or pike-armed models) behind it.
3) Bring a Friend!
If you’re concerned that such aggressive tactics will drain Éomer’s Might too swiftly, consider including Gamling to accompany him. After all, Gamling’s Royal Standard of Rohan can restore a Might point to one Rohan Hero that has depleted their store each turn! Similarly, Éowyn will make for a handy addition to your army. Not only is she a skilled fighter, but should she fall in battle, a grief-stricken Éomer will gain a bonus to all his rolls To Wound, making him an even more fearsome adversary for your opponent to handle.
We can’t guarantee that by using these tactics you’ll be able to pull off the double Mûmak kill with a single spear-throw like Éomer did in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King™ movie, but you’ll certainly be on the right track!
If you’d like to read some more in-depth advice of the mighty Marshal of the Riddermark, make sure you grab a copy of White Dwarf issue 454 for Jay Clare’s masterful tactics article. And don’t forget, you’ll be able to pre-order Éomer’s amazing new miniature on Saturday.