This week sees the return of the Middle-earth team’s semi-regular Faction Focus series. These articles each introduce a different faction for the Strategy Battle Game and look at some of its key Heroes and Warriors. You can also check out some army lists to give you an idea of how the faction might look on the tabletop.
In today’s instalment, the team’s resident rules goblin Dan Entwisle escorts us through the Black Gate, as we venture into Mordor,* where the shadows lie… Dan: Mordor is a dark and terrible land, synonymous with all things evil in Middle-earth. It’s no surprise that the Dark Lord Sauron chose this place to gather his strength, for he has ruled it with an iron grip for more than an age.
Despite his defeat during the Last Alliance of Men and Elves, Sauron’s spirit endured, and Mordor has been rebuilt over the centuries into a stronghold that is all but inviolable to the dwindled armies of the Free Peoples.#
So, you want to have dominion over the Free Peoples of Middle-earth? Then the lands of the Dark Lord are definitely the place to start. Mordor has access to some of the most nefarious creatures in all of the lands, with the likes of the Nazgûl, Orcs, towering Trolls, and Evil Men, such as the Mouth of Sauron, at your disposal.
A Mordor force often includes a horde of low-cost Orc Warriors or a shieldwall of brutally strong Morannon Orcs – both make a great backbone for your army. Once you have the core of your force established, you can add a swathe of specialised Warriors and dread Heroes, with each bringing their own benefits.
Heroes
The armies of Mordor bring several formidable Heroes to bear against their enemies, but we’re going to focus on three of their most powerful – the Witch-king of Angmar, Gothmog, Lieutenant of Sauron, and Shagrat, Captain of Cirith Ungol.
The Witch-king of Angmar dominates the table with Magical Powers such as Transfix, Instill Fear, and Black Dart. With access to a whopping 20 Will points, the lord of the Nazgûl provides plenty of sorcerous support while ensuring he doesn't succumb to the Will of Evil special rule.
You can improve his mastery of magic by outfitting him with the Crown of Morgul, allowing the Witch-king to re-roll one dice when Casting or Resisting Magical Powers. The Crown also boosts his Attacks to 3, making him a deadly threat in close combat.
If you want to maximise his influence, consider mounting him upon a Fell Beast, and watch as your opponents scramble to protect their Heroes from your winged lord of the Nazgûl.**
Gothmog is frequently seen at the head of the Army of Gothmog Legendary Legion – a powerful yet thematic formation representing the core of his force. This mutated Orc general’s Master of Battle special rule allows him to counter nearby enemy Heroic Actions for free, which – combined with 3 Might of his own – gives you an overwhelming Might point advantage.
To get the most out of his two unique special rules, be sure to include plenty of Mordor Orcs in your force. The combination of re-rolling To Wound rolls and Hatred (Man) enables you to quickly cut down the majority of Good forces – especially the likes of Rohan or Gondor.
Shagrat is everything you could dream of when it comes to a savage brawler. With a Fight value 5, Strength 5, and 3 Attacks, he can tear his way through just about anything. When charging with the Shield of Cirith Ungol, Shagrat knocks other Man-sized models to the ground, making him a serious threat to even the mightiest of Heroes – especially when paired with Heroic Strike. Additionally, Blood and Glory will reward Shagrat for hunting down enemy Heroes – whenever he kills one, he regains a point of Might!
Warriors
Orc Warriors often make up the largest part of your force as, for a low points investment, you can quickly swarm a foe.
Outnumbering your opponent enables the Mordor army bonus to be active for as long as possible – the +1 bonus to their Courage helps combat their low Courage value, as well as boosting their damage by re-rolling 1s To Wound when making Strikes.
Morannon Orcs are stronger and better equipped than their Mordor Orc cousins. With a Strength of 4 and heavy armour, they’re not only better at taking hits, but they can also dish them out. This does come at a price, however, as they cost more points than standard Orc Warriors. Consider mixing the two together to provide you with both punching power and overwhelming numbers.
Finally, we have the Evil Men corrupted by Sauron – the Black Númenóreans. Their Fight value of 4 allows them to go toe-to-toe with other elite warriors such as Citadel Guard, Rangers of Gondor, or Rohan Royal Guard. Black Númenóreans also cause Terror, meaning your opponents have to take Courage tests to be able to charge them. Combined with the Harbinger of Evil special rule provided by a nearby Ringwraith, this makes Black Númenóreans very tough to shift. They’re excellent options for holding key locations and controlling the battlefield.
Tactics
Overwhelming an opponent with sheer weight of numbers is often a go-to strategy for Mordor armies. With access to low-cost troops, you can swamp your opponent’s forces with a tide of Orcs. This helps you to wrap around the flanks of the opposing army, picking off spear-armed support models and trapping their troops against your main battleline.
Another way that a Mordor force can overpower an opponent is by using Magical Powers such as Compel and Instill Fear. Alongside your Terror-causing models, these abilities let you pick apart isolated elements of your opponent’s force with the full strength of your army. Be wary of being Broken, though, as your low-Courage warriors will struggle to keep their nerve without the likes of a Ringwraith or Shaman nearby to steel their resolve.
Here are two example 700-point Mordor army lists. The first is a great option to start your collection with. It’s focused around a large block of Morannon Orcs, with Gothmog at its head. By removing the Warg Riders, you could easily transform this force into the Army of Gothmog Legendary Legion.
The second list sees the deadly duo of the Witch-king and Shagrat leading a smaller force containing a selection of elite troops, whose combat prowess more than make up for their fewer numbers.
Thanks, Dan. If you plan to serve the Great Eye, kickstart your collection with the (black) heart of any Mordor horde – a set or two of Mordor Orcs and their Commanders – and you’ll be razing the cities of Men in no time.
* On horseback, we presume. After all, one does not simply walk into Mordor!
** It would take a whole article to dive into more detail about the Witch-king. Thankfully, Dan did that for us some time ago – check out this in-depth look at the lord of the Nazgûl.