Rohan charges, Mirkwood fires, and Dol Guldur smashes through: three new boxes to get into Middle-earth
Middle-earth is back in the spotlight with three new Battlehosts aimed at anyone who wants to start a collection or expand a force they already have at home.
Rohan, Dol Guldur, and Mirkwood represent three very different ways of fighting a battle, and each box brings together a strong number of miniatures around recognisable characters from the films.
Rohan: the riders’ strength
The Rohan Battlehost is led by Théoden, who can be fielded on foot or mounted on his noble steed.
The box includes six Riders of Rohan and 24 Warriors of Rohan, forming a force that combines mobility, cavalry, and infantry equipped with spears, bows, and hand weapons.
It is probably one of the most recognisable options for anyone who wants to recreate the classic image of the Rohirrim charging into battle.
Mirkwood: elegance among the trees
The people of Mirkwood are represented by Legolas and Tauriel, accompanied by a large number of Elven troops.
The Battlehost contains 20 Palace Guards and another 20 Mirkwood Rangers, mixing warriors who excel in melee with troops that can harass the enemy from range.
It is an especially appealing option for anyone who enjoys armies with a more refined look and wants to bring the woodland atmosphere of The Hobbit to the table.
Dol Guldur: when subtlety is no longer needed
On the side of Evil we find Bolg, accompanied by a force of Hunter Orcs and Fell Wargs.
The Orc leader can fight on foot or mounted on his snarling Fell Warg, while six more Fell Wargs carry Hunter Orcs and the box adds 24 Hunter Orcs on foot.
Against Rohan’s mobility or Mirkwood’s stealth, Dol Guldur goes for something much more direct: advance, strike, and trust that brute force will be enough.
A gateway into Middle-earth
The three boxes are designed as starting points for new players, but they can also help expand existing collections.
On top of that, each Battlehost will come with free rules to download, and there will be an update to the Quickstart Rules Guide, making it easier for new players to get started.
For anyone who has always wanted to try Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game, this kind of release is especially interesting: you will not need to build an army unit by unit before you can start imagining your own scenes from Middle-earth.
Our take
These Battlehosts are good news for anyone who wants to enjoy Middle-earth as a miniature universe without overcomplicating their first steps. The three options also have enough personality that choosing an army is an aesthetic and narrative decision too.
If you are thinking about starting, the most sensible question might be which scene you want to put on the table: a Rohirrim charge, a defence among the trees of Mirkwood, or a host of Orcs pouring out of Dol Guldur?
The new Battlehosts will be available to pre-order soon.
