This is a guide to building a Moria Goblin wargames army using mainly Games Workshop Lord of the Rings figures. To keep things simple for myself I adapt the same rules - Fire and Fury - for use across whatever historical period or fantasy theme I am wargaming. So if you are looking for tips on GW's LOTR rules this is not the guide for you. However if you are interested in seeing some photos and maybe picking up the odd new idea this guide may hopefully be of some interest. (Last updated 05/01/08)

"BUILD ME AN ARMY WORTHY OF MORIA"

"They have five cave trolls!"

Rules - As I alluded to above I wargame using my own adapted version of the excellent Fire & Fury ACW (American Civil War) rules. Weird as this decision may appear I do this for two main reasons: firstly simplicity, allowing me to use the same basic mechanics across fantasy, ACW and Napoleonic to get an enjoyable game and secondly I am more interested in fighting 'Big Battalion' style battles such as the Pelennor Fields or Five Armies rather than skirmish actions.

Bases - The rules dictate the base change. So instead of the round GW (Games Workshop) bases most of my figures are on 20mm square plastic card bases. This allows units of figures to stand shoulder to shoulder better and to fit onto the movement trays (I both make my own and use GW's). The metal and plastic figures generally stick firmly to these bases with Superglue although for larger models such as the trolls a touch of pinning can be handy. You could also use figures based in this manner with adapted Warhammer Historical Rules if that appealed.

Painting - I use Vallejo Game Color acrylic paints and Javis sable brushes. (See: Vallejo Paint & Javis Brushes ). Vallejo are excellent value, compatible with other makes and highly pigmented coming in 17ml eye dropper design bottles usually retailing at £1.40 or less. I won't go into huge detail on painting here as I have written a seperate guide on the subject (See: Painting Toy Soldiers Guide ). However I will cover some specifics for this Moria Goblin Army.

Moria Goblins - Having based the figures I undercoated them Black (Vallejo Game Color #51). This was followed by two dry brushes of Gunmetal (#54) and Chainmail (#53). I then painted all flesh areas Dead Flesh (#35) and when dry applied a dilluted solution of Skin Wash (#93). The eyes were then picked out again in Dead Flesh (#35). The clothing was painted with Scar Red (#12) and highlighted with Gory Red (#11). The wooden weapons were painted Charred Brown (#45) and highlighted with Beasty Brown (#43). Spear points, arrow heads and swords were painted Gunmetal (#54) and the 'sharp' edges picked out with Chainmail (#53) followed by Silver (#52). Bases were painted Cayman Green (#67) and then Javis static was applied over a coat of watered down PVA glue. Once dry all units were sprayed Gloss and then Matt varnish.

Spearmen - These guys are the core of the army. I have three units of 24 with metal spearmen in the front ranks to represent the heavily armoured first line who will face the initial onslaught upon contact with the enemy. The movement trays are made of plastic card and are approx. 14cm x 9cm to give the troops a bit of space.

Swordsmen - I have two units of these chaps (would have been three but the warg riders came from the same sprues) and usually post them in front or behind the spearmen.

Bowmen - Again I have two units of these or four if I put them on 12 stand movement trays instead. They can fire direct or indirectly over other units. Ideal position on the battlefield is where they can hit the enemy but can't easily be engaged themselves - such as on a hill with spearmen to their front.

Warg Riders - These two units of 10 figures are simple conversions of Warhammer wolves ridden by Moria Goblin swordsmen. I added harnesses, bridles and saddles using GW's Greenstuff. The wargs are painted Black (#51) and dry brushed with Cold Grey (#50) and Stonewall Grey (#49). These troops add some mobility to the army and are usually stationed on each flank.

Cave Trolls - These four Games Workshop cave trolls add a bit of 'beef' to the Goblin army and can be used either as a heavy reserve or like elephants to go smashing into the opposition right from the start! I painted them Black (#51) to start with. The front skin areas then had Bonewhite (#34) applied with Dwarf Flesh (#41) mixed in for shading and Skull White (#1) added for highlights. The scaly areas were dry brushed Cold Grey (#50) and then Stonewall Grey (#49). The chains and weapons were done with Tinny Tin (#60) and Brassy Brass (#58). The eyes have been painted with a touch of Electric Blue (#23). The bases for these guys are 40mm square plastic card painted Cold Grey (#50) and textured with Gaugemaster fine granite ballast (see eBay railway hobby traders) and Javis static flock.

Big Cave Troll - He's the 'Daddy!" This excellent model is from the Sabretooth Hex Combat gaming system and I have co-opted him for my Moria Army as he looks great. I did not do much to him other than add a base and a few painting highlights such as the finger and toe nails. The Treebeard and Sauron models from this system are are worth seeking out too and come up regularly on eBay. I am making a Morgoth / Melkor figure out of the Sauron model who is a fair bit taller than the GW version.

Command - This group is made up of the excellent GW Drum set, shaman, Goblin King and a converted metal goblin with the army standard. A huge goblin 'champion' is also present who started life as the Great Goblin made by Prince August. All the banners were simply made from brass rod, paper clips, paper and cotton. I am going to add the mounted and dismounted Golfimbul figures to this group when painted.

Bodyguard  - I had some metal goblin swordsmen left over and decided to make an 'elite' unit of bodyguards. Their role in life is to be held in reserve to deliver the coup de grace or to cover the retreat depending on how the fortunes of war are going.

Skirmishers - Again I had some metal goblin archers left over and made these into skirmishers to be deployed as the eyes and ears of the army to probe and harrass the enemy.

Well that's about it - although maybe a couple of Balrogs, some White Wargs and a pair of Stone Giants (courtesy of Del Prado or Conte medieval figures) will be added in future to finish this army off. I hope you found it of some interest, if so keep an eye out for more LOTR army guides that I will post in the months to come.

I paint and sell both historical and LOTR figures which are listed in my eBay store so please take a look from time to time. (See: Handpainted Figures ). Additionally I also stock a variety of other Lord of the Rings items depending on availability and what I can turn up. (See: Lord of the Rings Items ).

I'll leave you with a list of Tolkien books that inspired me, may be handy and supplement the fantastic Peter Jackson trilogy. (nb - If you have not yet seen the extended DVD's you are missing a treat and lot of superb extra footage). Happy to answer any questions and if you want to contact me via eBay messages my user id is flagbearer101.

Recommended Books

Tolkien - LOTR / Hobbit / Silmarillion / Unfinished Tales / History of LOTR

Hildebrandt - The Tolkien Years

Brodie - LOTR Location Guide Book

Fonstad - The Atlas of Middle Earth

Day - The World of Tolkien

Harper Collins - Realms of Tolkien

Harper Collins - Tolkien's World

Day - Tolkien Illustrated Encyclopedia

Smith - LOTR Weapons & Warfare

Russell - The Art of LOTR

Fisher - LOTR Visual Companion

Hammond & Scull - Tolkien Artist & Illustrator

Carpenter - JRR Tolkien

Howe - Myth & Magic

Tyler - The Complete Tolkien Companion.

Footnote: My other eBay guides cover American Civil War Union & Confederate armies and collecting toy soldiers. See my galleries at drumandflag.com