Cob Wargaming
Balin's Tomb
"My cousin, Balin, would give us a royal welcome."
It was not to be for Gimli and the gang. This royal welcome would involve a host of goblins and much to Boromir's disgust a Cave Troll! So roll out the red carpet for our second battle report in our Lord of the Rings series, because this is Balin's Tomb!
The Scenario
As with Weathertop we played this scenario straight from from the Fellowship rulebook. In this scenario the fellowship are trying to get from a gateway on one side of the board to another on the opposite side of the board 48" away. In the middle of the board there is a raised platform that surrounds the tomb of Balin, around this and scattered all over the playing area are broken walls, rubble and bits of ruins. There are also another two entrances on either side. The Good side start in one entrance and the Evil force is split into three equal groups split between the other three entrances. This is very different to the film but it provides a more interesting challenge than just having them stand in a room and fight.
Good
The Good side was simply the fellowship (Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Aragorn, Boromir, Gandalf, Legolas and Gimli). None of the company can take Elven cloaks because this takes place before they arrive in Lothlorien and they are given them by Galadriel.
Evil
The Evil side consisted of a Horde of 36 Moria Goblins, 12 with bows, 12 with spears and 12 with swords and shields. these were split into 3 groups and each group was led by a Moria Goblin captain. There was also one Cave Troll that could be put into any group.
Deployment
The Fellowship deployed first in the southern gate. they deployed in two lines with the 'softer' targets hidden behind those with higher defences in case the Goblin force had some uncharacteristically accurate archers.
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Evil deployed with the archers at the nothern gate and split the spearmen and the shields equally between the other groups. The Cave Troll set up in the western gate on the side with Gandalf and Legolas protecting the Hobbits.
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As a special rule the groups of Goblin arrive in different turns, in the first turn the Evil player can only move one group, in the second turn two groups and from the third turn onwards all three groups. Also the Goblins crooked limbs let them move over the broken walls, debris and other bits of scenery without hindrance.
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Objectives
The Good player wins if 5 of the fellowship (including Frodo) make it off the opposite board edge. Evil side wins if they kill Frodo or 5 members of the Fellowship.
Turn One
As always with Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game the good player takes the first priority. The very first thing the Good side did was move away from the Cave Troll! They made a direct line for the East Gate with the intention of doing as much damage as possible to that group of Goblins before the other groups could arrive and make a mess of things. Gandalf look the opportunity to use Cast Light, this power would last until Gandalf ran out of Will points and meant that any Goblin that dared to shoot at the wizard or anyone stood behind him would need to roll a 6 to hit. The Evil side chose to activate the Goblins in the East Gate first. There was no shooting or combats because everybody had moved their full distance.
Turn Two
In the second turn the Evil took priority and activated the group at the West Gate containing the Cave Troll, naturally they ran straight towards the Fellowship. The other group did something similar except the archers that took up position to fire off a few shots. The Good side made towards the cover behind some ruined steps. Gandalf cast Terrifying Aura, just like Cast Light this power lasts until he runs out of Will and it means that any Evil foe will have to pass a courage test to engage him in combat. The Goblins fired off some shots at Boromir but did not trouble him. Legolas got his kill count off the ground by shooting a Goblin from the West gate. Aragorn however failed to hit anything. Once again there was no combat phase.
Turn Three
The Evil side had priority for the third turn. They now had full control over all three groups and after moving were almost into combat with the Good side. In the Good sides movement phase the fellowship took up defensive positions on the ruined stairs with Frodo well protected by the other Hobbits. Legolas and Gandalf took elevated positions to try and keep them out of trouble and to also allow them to pick off enemies from above. Aragorn, Boromir and Gimli headed out to attempt to keep the Goblins at a safe distance. In the shooting phase the only Goblins that could shoot all missed, this attracted the attention of Legolas who shot one of the bowmen that were heading towards the plinth of Balin's Tomb.
Turn Four
Good won the priority roll for turn four. Boromir and Aragorn rush into combat with Boromir charging into as many Goblins as possible so he can use the Horn of Gondor. This forces the enemy to pass a courage test before they get to roll to win the fight. If they fail the courage test then they lose the combat and Boromir gets to strike wounds against them. Gandalf failed to cast Sorcerous Blast. The Evil side continued their advance with the dreaded Cave Troll looming ever closer. Legolas manage to hit three times with his Elven bow but failed to kill anything. The Goblins shoot Pippin but fail to cause any wounds on the Hobbit. They also shoot into the combat containing Boromir but did not cause any damage to either side. The first Combat Phase of the match went very well for the Good side with Boromir wining his fight and killing a Goblin. Aragorn also won his fight and killed a Goblin he then opted to used his free point of might to kill a second Goblin.
Turn Five
The Evil side claimed back priority in the fifth turn and hurtled head long into combat. The Goblins heading from the West Gate were making good progress as they clambered over all of the walls and obstacles without hindrance, so much so that they were leaving the Cave Troll behind. In the Good movement phase Gandalf starts by failing to cast Sorcerous Blast again. The Hobbits decide that they are better off moving out from behind the cover so that they do not get surrounded by the approaching enemy forces. Gandalf goes with them, his aged limbs managing to jump down off the edge of the ruins. Legolas edged to the side ready to follow after he had launched another volley of arrows. The Goblin shooting is once again utterly hopeless but is punished as Legolas manages to kill both of the Archers from the East Gate that are targeting the Hobbits. In the Combat Phase, Gimli won his first fight but did not hurt his opponent, Boromir kills some more Goblins and Aragorn uses his free Might point to win his fight and then kill a Goblin.
Turn Six
Priority changed hands again, this time the Good side taking the Initiative. Aragorn and Boromir both charged the Goblin Captain determined to kill it before it could do any damage. Gimli charged a Goblin in the hope that he could finally prove his worth. Gandalf failed to cast Sorcerous blast for the third time. The Evil side continued its inevitable advance with the archers from the North Gate forming a wall in front of the planned route of the Fellowship. The Cave Troll changed direction fearful that its prey would escape. Legolas fails to kill anything with his shooting and the Goblins miss Gandalf thanks to his bright light. Combat Phase. Gimli was clearly overwhelmed by his surroundings because once again he failed to kill a lowly Goblin. The Goblin Captain uses its might to win the fight but Aragorns free point cancels it out, both of the heroes cause enough wounds to kill the captain outright.
Turn Seven
The Good side managed to keep priority and straight away Aragorn, Boromir and Gimli all teamed up to take out the final Goblin that was left from the East Gate. It was no surprise when for the fourth straight turn, Gandalf failed to cast Sorcerous Blast. Legolas decided that the Goblins were too close fo comfort and luckily he rolled a six for his Jump Test and was able to join the main group. The Evil swarm started to gather and it looked like they would soon have the Fellowship surrounded. In the Shooting Phase Legolas had moved his full six inches and so could not shoot this turn. The forces of Evil decided it best to shoot into the combat with the outnumbered Goblin. They fired four shots but the only hit was on their own kind which just managed not to kill it. Predictably in the Combat Phase the lone Goblin was cut to pieces, hopefully this could spark up Gimli's bloodlust. With that Goblin killed the first group of Goblins had been completely wiped out but the Fellowship had not suffered from any damage and was still completely unscathed, for now at least.
Turn Eight
The Good side won Priority for the third turn in a row. Feeling confident from all the success Boromir charged headlong into the group of Evil warriors arriving from the West Gate, Gimli also moved in to support in an effort to prove himself. Gandalf finally cast Sorcerous Blast on the Goblins that were trying to sneak round from the back. He knocked back a single Goblin a measly two inches and failed to hurt it but at least it meant that it would not be able to fight for a couple of turns. The rest of the group huddled together for protection. The Evil side moved further to encircle the very vulnerable looking Hobbits. In the Shooting Phase Legolas expertly picked off another Goblin archer. The Evil side finally succeeded in doing some damage, the Goblin archers causing a single wound to Pippin but he passed his Fate roll. In the Combat Phase Boromir blew the Horn of Gondor and the cowardly Goblins failed their courage test but he only managed to kill one Goblin as punishment.
Turn Nine
Evil won priority breaking the streak of the Good side. Finally the Cave Troll trundled into combat with Boromir. Some sneaky Goblins cut his support by charging Gimli. However they failed their Courage test to charge Gandalf. They completed their Movement Phase by tightening the circle around the Good side. In the Good sides turn Gandalf, relived not to be in combat, cast Immobilise on the Cave Troll but he had to use a point of Might to do so, hopefully this would ensure Boromir's survival. Aragorn charged the Goblin next to Gimli, it seemed important to take them out before their numbers became overwhelming. The Hobbits headed for the corner where only a few Goblins could get to them instead of being surrounded, Legolas headed over to help defend them. In the Shooting Phase 5 Goblins opened fire at Legolas but once again caused no damage, the arrows had proved to be really ineffective so far in this scenario. The prince of the Wood Elves fired another 3 arrows back but did not inflict any casualties. The Combat Phase started with a bit of a surprise as a single Goblin managed to beat Aragorn in a fight but did not do any damage. Boromir beat the Immobilised Cave Troll but on his vital to wound rolls he rolled triple 1! To round off a poor turn for the Good side, Gimli had to use a point of might to to win his combat against the gaggle of Moria Goblins otherwise he would of been suffering double hits and once again he failed to cause any damage.
Turn Ten
The Evil side won a crucial priority roll but Aragorn decided to use a Heroic Move with his free point of Might. This allowed Gandalf to cast Immobilise on the Cave Troll again leaving the rest of the heroes to just ignore it. Gimli and Boromir both charged a brace of Goblins and Aragorn charged a group of 3 before they could get to the Hobbits. Gandalf, Legolas and the 4 Hobbits backed tightly into the Corner with Merry and Pippin guarding the barrier. In the Evil turn the Goblins surrounded Aragorn in an effort to cause some serious damage. A Goblin spearman went in to support the fight against the last Dwarf in Moria. In the Shooting Phase the only damage was done by Legolas who picked off another Archer. Boromir blew his Horn and the Goblins he was facing cowered in fear as he slew one of them. Gimli once again won his fight but could not kill anything, perhaps he just wanted to make friends! Aragorn beat back the six Goblins that he was facing and managed to kill one of them.
Turn Eleven
The Good side won priority as things started to look pretty hairy for the Fellowship. Once again the Cave Troll was Immobilised, this was important because the last thing they needed was for someone to take a blow from the enormous Spear or to get tangled in its chain. Gimli falls back to the main group and charges a couple of Goblins. Boromir also charges two goblins looking to pick them off and reduce the enemy coming from behind in case the Hobbits needed an escape plan. Aragorn dived in to help Merry but could not do anything for Sam. The Evil side finally managed to pass their Courage Tests to charge Gandalf with a Goblin captain leading the way. One Goblin took on Legolas to stop him shooting or helping out the wizard. Gimli got surrounded and Sam was charged by two spear armed Goblins, as was Aragorn. In the Combat phase Boromir's Horn was successful again but he only managed to kill a single Goblin. Gimli won his combat and finally managed to kill something. Gandalf however had a disaster, he rolled a 1 for his single attack and ended up losing 3 Wounds and only passed two Fate rolls. Next up Legolas also rolled a 1 in combat, twice, but the Goblin also rolled a 1. for his to wound roll he also rolled a double 1. These dice were promptly sacked! Aragorn killed another Goblin but Sam lost a Wound although he managed to recover it with a Fate point.
Turn Twelve
Evil won priority so once again Aragorn was forced to use a Heroic move so that Gandalf could cast Immobilise on the Cave Troll. Boromir reluctantly pulls away from the Cave Troll to assist Gandalf. Everyone else took on their previous opponents with Merry and Pippin defending the barrier against some of the Goblins from the North Gate that were trying to sneak over the ruins. Even Frodo joined in a Combat. The Goblins used their superior numbers to surround the Fellowship in what seemed to be a critical turn during the game. Every member of the Fellowship was now in a fight. In the Shooting phase some reckless Goblins fired into Aragorn's combat only hitting their own side but not doing any damage. The Combat Phase started with the mighty Peregrin Took taking on a Goblin captain and wounding him as it tried to clamber over the barrier, it did however pass its Fate roll. Aragorn rolled a triple 1 to win his fight but somehow did not take any damage from the attacks coming his way. Merry did not fare as well as his close friend but he did not take any wounds from the goblin as it stuck its blade into the wall. Big bad Sam won his fight again but could not finish off his opponent. for the second turn in a row Gandalf rolls a 1 in combat but thankfully only suffered one wound. Even Frodo was doing better than him as he stuck his glowing blade through the heart of a Goblin. Legolas has to use a point of Might to kill his Goblin but this left the Good side with a viable escape plan. Boromir blew his Horn again but the Goblins passed the required Courage Test but could not win the fight as Boromir causes two Wounds to the Goblin captain. Having witnessed the Hobbits heroics, Gimli set his beard straight and butchered two Goblins, completing a mostly positive turn for the Good side.
Turn Thirteen
The Good side won a crucial priority this turn and Gandalf once again froze the Cave Troll. Boromir dived into combat with another three Goblins as he was determined to make use of the Horn of Gondor. Every other member of the Fellowship got into combat, determined to fight on their terms and break through the Goblin line. The Evil side was only able to make use of a couple of spearmen to support a few combats and try to outnumber some of the heroes. In the Combat Phase Boromir blew the Horn and the Goblins were left quaking in their boots, he used two points of Might to kill two Goblins which opened up a nice little gap and leave some breathing room. Legolas wins his fight but fails to slay the lone Goblin. Aragorn easily kills two Goblins and Gimli uses a point of Might to kill another. Gandalf, Frodo and Sam gang up on a Goblin which nearly would of won if it were not for brave Samwise, Gandalf slays the unfortunate creature. Pippin loses his fight with the Captain that is looking to jump over the barrier, the Captain rolled a double six to win the fight but a double one to wound. Merry also loses his fight at the barrier but suffers no damage. This finished a positive turn for the Good side as they had managed to kill 6 Goblins without suffering any casualties of their own and also hold the barrier.
Turn Fourteen
This turn started with the Good side once again casting Immobilise on the Cave Troll, a tactic that was proving to be very effective. Aragorn took over the defensive duties from Merry and Pippin, the Good side keen not to lose anyone at this late stage in the game, especially now that the numbers were actually even. Everybody jumped into combat and once again the Evil side was left with nothing to do. Legolas failed to kill anything, proving that he is definitely more use with a bow. Once again the Horn of Gondor echoed through the cavernous halls of Moria and left the Goblins cowering in their boots, Boromir putting another two out of their misery. Gandalf's little gang of Hobbits beat another lone Goblin to death. Gimli loses his fight but his high Defense keeps him out of trouble. Merry and Pippin lose again but do not take any wounds. Aragorn has to use his free point of might to kill one of the Goblins attacking him, The Good player choosing to this instead of just causing a wound to the captain figuring that it was better to further reduce their numbers.
Turn Fifteen
The Evil side finally won a priority roll but Samwise, the tactical genius, called a Heroic move that affected the entire Fellowship. This allowed the Troll to be frozen yet again and also for Boromir to go to the rescue of Merry and Pippin. Another turn without any archery meant that we moved straight onto the Combat Phase. Legolas and Sam beat down a Goblin but Sam had to use a point of Might to kill it off. Boromir killed another Goblin before Merry and Pippin had even raised their daggers. Gimli once again lost his fight with a single Goblin, rolling a double one and tripping over his beard., he was very lucky to have so much armour. Aragorn uses a free point of Might to win and another point of Might to kill the other Goblin leaving him one on one with the Goblin captain.
Turn Sixteen
Evil side won priority and with Might points looking thin on the ground the Good side decided it was best to save them for any combats the Troll would be involved in. the evil player picked out the easiest looking target and charged the Cave Troll into combat with a so far utterly useless Gimli. What was left of the Goblins charged as many Heroes as they could. Having witnessed the dwarf struggle throughout the scenario Gandalf used 3 Will points to cast Immobilise on the Troll again, but this time it failed, Gandalf was clearly feeling his power drain away. In the Combat Phase Aragorn easily killed the Goblin Captain which killed off the last of the enemies which had journeyed from the North Gate. Boromir won his fight but despite his three attacks he let Pippin kill the last Goblin on the board. This left only the Cave Troll for the Evil side. As the great beast licked its filth ridden lips at the thought of eating a Dwarf it rolled poorly and Gimli actually won the fight and even cause a wound.
Turn Seventeen
The Cave Troll won priority and charged straight at the softest target in range, a defense 4 Legolas. Aragorn, Boromir and Gimli ran over to join in the melee. Gandalf was too busy shepherding the Hobbits to safety to cast Immobilise. Both sides had a Fight Value of 6 and of course both sides rolled the maximum of 6, so it went down to a 50/50 roll off which the Cave Troll won. It managed to cause a wound to both Boromir and Legolas.
Turn Eighteen
The Good side won priority and Gandalf cast Immobilise on the Cave Troll, using a point of Might in the process, but there was no way he could risk one of the Fellowship falling foul of the Troll, not after they had gotten this far. Naturally the Hobbits all ran away from danger and the same four heroes charged the Troll again. Paralysed by Gandalf the Troll did not stand a chance and Aragorn and Boromir cut the beast down.
Post Game
"Let them come. There is one Dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath."
The game ended with a major victory for the Fellowship of the Ring wiping out the Goblin horde without taking any casualties, although with Gandalf and Pippin down to one wound and no Fate points the outcome could have been very different. Gandalf was one of the key characters for the Good side, being able to keep the Cave Troll Immobilised and away from the fighting meant that other stronger heroes could wear down the Goblins numbers and also protect the Ringbearer, without his magic the battle would have been very different. Ultimately the Goblins were simply too weak to ever really break the Fellowship down, having only a Defense value of 4 means that most heroes will wound them on a 4+ unless they have shield. Also only having a Courage Value of 2 means that more often than not they are going to fail any Courage Tests, a single point higher would allow them to keep the Wizard busy.
Tactics wise it worked out well for the Good side, eliminating the Goblins from the East Gate early on meant that they mostly only had two sides to defend from sometimes three instead being surrounded and vulnerable. Man of the Match would have to go to Boromir who killed 16 Goblins on his own and kept countless others busy. Douchebag of the day would go to either Gimli, who lost more fights than you could shake a stick at, or the Goblin Captains who failed to make an impact at several critical points of the battle.
The final kill counts of the battle were:
Frodo-1
Sam-1
Merry-0
Pippin- 2
Gandalf- 2
Aragorn- 12
Boromir-16
Gimli-5
Legolas- 7 (6 with bow and 1 in combat)
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