the battle for middle earth campaign rules (v2)

8/13/2019 The Battle for Middle Earth Campaign Rules (V2)

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Foreword

The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game is

enables players to re-tell their favourite

moments from the Epic trilogy in miniature

form, whether it is upon the walls of Helms

Deep or upon the plains of the Pelennor. The

sourcebooks provide a number of scenarios

that when linked create short mini-campaigns.

However it is missing a simple campaign

system that gives players the control of

multiple armies based on their miniatures

collection. To fill the void I present this

Campaign System. The rules are in plain form

so are perfect for beginners and experiencedplayers alike. Whether you want to keep

faithful to Tolkiens lore or instead focus on

what if scenariosthis system can be used in

whatever way you prefer. The Battle for

Middle Earth is about to begin!

Design Notes

The rules are inspired by the Mighty Empire

rules system and also the Middle Earth in

Flames publication. My aim was to create a

simple campaign system to be fought over by

two or more opponents, directing multiple

armies around a map of Middle Earth. As a

result this set of rules will add greater meaning

to your LOTR SBG experience; every battle

won or lost has meaning, even perhaps the fate

of an inspired warrior could tip the balance

between good and evil!

The rules place value in claiming areas of

strategic value around the map and fighting forvarious lands to secure resources for their side

whilst weakening the enemy. Players can

reinforce their preferred strongholds and push

for dominance on key areas of the map pitting

multiple forces against one another. Included

are special rules and random events to keep

players on their toes and battlefield modifiers.

Most importantly players can tailor the

campaign towards their miniature collections

and write a new history for Middle Earth.


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Contents page

Campaign Rules 4

Campaign Layout 4

Campaign Story 4

Campaign Objectives 4

Strategic Points 5

Armies 5

Stationed Garrison 5

Campaign Turn 6

Initiative Roll 6

Turn Actions 6

Event Phase 6

Gather Resources 7

Move Armies 7

Scouting Roll 7

Forced March 8

Capturing a Strategic Point 8

Splitting Armies 8

Distribute Resources 8

Reinforcing Armies 8

Creating New Armies 9

Building Outposts 9

Destroying Strategic Points / Outposts 9

Resolving Battles 10

Selecting Forces 10

Reinforcements 10

Battlefield Setup 10

Battlefield Objectives 11

Determining Losses 11

Battle Aftermath 12

Defeated Armies 12

Death of Named Heroes 12

Special Rules 12

Faction Bonuses 12

Wild Creatures 13

Turn Sheet 14

Map 15

This document is completely unofficial and in no way endorsed by Games Workshop Limited. Lord of the Rings

Warhammer, White Dwarf, the White Dwarf logo, and all associated marks, names, races, race insignia, characters,

locations, illustrations and images from the Lord of the Rings world are either , TM and/or Copyright GamesWorkshop Ltd 2000-2011, variably registered in the UK and other countries around the world. Used without permission.

No challenge to their status intended. All Rights Reserved to their respective owners.


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Campaign Rules

Campaign Layout

Your campaign system can be focused around

a small region of Harad, the realm of Gondor

or even the whole of Middle Earth itself!

Players may choose what they will be fighting

over based on their miniature collections,

terrain available and time constraints. A hex-

based map built using the Mighty Empire tiles

is the ideal choice for this system and I highly

recommend them. There is also a map featured

in White Dwarf 336 should players prefer. A

campaign map is also provided at the end of

this booklet. Failing this there is always the

good old fashioned pen and paper route.

Armies should be represented as well; painted

markers, pennants/banners, single Strategy

Battle Game miniatures or using collections of

10mm miniaturesits up to you.

Campaign StoryThe campaign story is important and should be

given some thought. The suggested period is

the War of the Ring at the end of Third Age

given the hive of documented activity however

you can choose any setting during any period

of Middle Earths long history. All events have

consequences and are linked in some way so

players can pick and choose what and when

and where they would like to fight over.Perhaps the involvement of the Rohirrim in the

Battle of the Pelennor Fields would have been

different if their own conflicts had turned ill.

Campaign Objectives

The campaign objective should be decided

next and can be chosen by the participants

from the list below. Choose one that best

reflects the struggle both forces would likely

fight over. Alternatively create your own.

Make sure all players understand the endgame

before beginning the campaign.

After 20 Campaign Turns the side whocontrols the most Strategic Pointsis the

winner.

The campaign continues until one sideholds _______of the Strategic Pointsat

which point they are victorious.

The campaign lasts until one playermanages to accumulate ____________

Resource Points at which point players

gather all their strength and fight one last

battle. The force with fewer points mayset up within a Strategic Point and so a

Siege Battle will ensue. Victory goes to

the side that kills or routs all the

opposing force.

After 20 Campaign Turns the playerwhose faction controls the most

Resource Points(including value of

Army and Strategic Points) is victorious.

Note for this purpose Strategic Points

count as 200 resource points each.

The campaign continues until one sideis destroyed!


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Strategic Points

Strategic Points are places of great importance

on the campaign map. They may be an outpost

on the border of Harad or perhaps a great city

of Gondor. Such places generate wealth

through trade, bounties and other means (see

Gathering Resources) and provide

commanders with the means to recruit new

soldiers (see Distributing Resources).

Strategic Points begin as permanent features.

There should be approximately one Strategic

Point for every eight hexes, depending on the

region and surrounding area within which the

campaign is set. The key to success is inincreasing the resources at your disposal by

winning battles, conquering territory and

holding on to these Strategic Points.

Each player begins with 2 Strategic Points

(can be more if both players agree).

Armies

Each faction begins the game with two

Armies, each made up of 600 points.

Armies begin on or next to their Strategic

Point tiles.

Armies can be created and/or reinforced at

Strategic Points (see Distributing Resources).

A single army can split or two or more can

merge to create a larger force during theMove Armies phase.

An Army must be made up of at least 200

points to be an effective fighting force - there

is no limit to how large an army may be. If an

army is reduced to below 200 points it cannot

engage enemy forces and if attacked will

always retreat one tile.

If an army is reduced to below 100 points it is

destroyed.

Players must make it known if any of their

armies are all mounted this is for

movement purposes (see Forced March).

Players should make note of each of their

Armies and the total points within each,including names heroes.

Every time an Army is engaged, players may

select a force from the Armys points total.

Stationed Garrison

Each of the main Strategic Points in Middle

Earth will have a small occupying forcepermanently based there to defend the local

population, although their numbers will

fluctuate from time to time as reserves are

bolstered in times of prosperity and fall in

times of strife.

If a battle takes place at a Strategic Point

consult the following table to determine the

size of the Stationed Garrison.

The Stationed Garrison may be used in

addition to an Army present on the tile. If

there is no Army present then the defendingplayer can only use the Stationed Garrison.

Stationed Garrisons may not be used as

reinforcements for battles adjacent to a

Strategic Point tile; they are permanently

stationed at their garrison.

Ignore casualties suffered by Stationed

Garrisons, they are assumed to be replaced.

Note named heroes cannot be chosen fromStationed Garrisons.

D6 Stationed Garrison1 100 points

2 120 points

3 140 points

4 160 points

5 180 points

6 200 points


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Campaign Turn

Initiative Roll

At the start of every Campaign Turn each

player rolls a dice. Compare results to

determine the order in which players will take

their Turn Actions (much like a Priority Roll).

The player that rolls highest goes first. Any

ties are re-rolled.

Turn Actions

Once Initiative has been determined, players

get to take their Turn Actions in the following

order:

i) Event Phaseii) Gather Resourcesiii) Move Armiesiv) Distribute Resources

All players take their Turn Actions beforeResolving Battles. Once every player has

taken their actions and any table-top battles

have been fought, a new Campaign Turn

begins with another Initiative Roll.

Event Phase

All players must roll a dice on the Event Chart

below starting with the player who rolledhighest in the Initiative Roll. Apply the effects

immediately.

These events take effect immediately and last

until the end of the Campaign Turn.

D6 Event Effect1 Heavy Storm Driving rain and gale-force winds hinder all in their travels across this

land. Pick a tile with an enemy army located there. They may notMove Armies or Attack during this Campaign Turn. Any armiesmoving into the tile will be unable to move further that turn.

2 Local Flooding Flash flooding has devastated the area destroying crops and buildings.Choose an enemy Strategic Point. They may not Gather or DistributeResources at this location during the Campaign Turn.

3 Pathfinder Scouts are hired to assist friendly forces through difficult terrain. All

friendly armies receive +1 to their Scouting and Forced March rollsduring this Campaign Turn.

4 Subsistence Shortfall Enemy forces begin to suffer as supplies run short. D6 x 20 resourcepoints are deducted from an enemy army of your choice. Note: this

effect can apply to an enemy army located anywhere on the map.

5 Raids Friendly forces have carried out successful raids against enemysettlements. D12 x 20 resource points are added to your treasury.

6 Financial Turmoil War takes its toll on the enemy, blighting the land leading to famine

and unrest amongst the population. As a consequence all enemy

resources generated from Strategic Points this Campaign Turn arehalved.


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Gather Resources

Certain tiles on the map are identified as being

Strategic Points. When your faction controls

one of these points it has the potential to

generate resources that you can later spend tocreate or reinforce armies.

Roll a dice for each Strategic Point you

control and add D3 x 100 resource points to

your treasury.

If one or more enemy armies are located on a

tile adjacent to your Strategic Point, resources

collected from there are halved.

Note the effects of the Event Phase can affectthe total resources collected.

Move Armies

Moving an army involves two thingsfirst a

Scouting roll, then a Forced March roll. If an

army fails either of these rolls, it stays where it

is and can move no further that Campaign

Turn.

There are a few other things that can restrict an

armys movement:

If an army moves into a tile occupied by a

friendly army, they may continue their move

as normal. Alternatively if the controlling

player wishes it can merge the two armies

(even after moving four spaces). Neither army

will then be able to move any further that turn.

If an army moves into a tile adjacent to one

occupied by an enemy army, it can continue its

move away. If it remains, it becomes engaged.

When engaged the opposing army will not be

able to move for the remainder of the turn.

When two opposing armies are located in

neighbouring tiles, no armies from any faction

can pass through however they may finish

their movement on an adjacent tile. They may

then be used as reinforcements if a battleensues.

Scouting Roll

To represent the problems of moving armies

over difficult terrain, an army needs to pass a

Scouting roll before it can move into an

adjacent tile.

To do this, first check what type of terrain you

want your army to cross. Consult the type of

terrain on the Scouting chart and roll a dice.

If the roll is passed the army has found safe

passage and may move into the new tile. If the

roll is failed the army can move no further this

turn.

If a tile has a river running through it and there

is no visible crossing, a roll of 5+ is required

in order to proceed.

Failing the roll, the army can proceed to cross

in the next turn without the need for a

Scouting Roll. Treat the river as Flatland (it

is assumed they build/scavenge rafts).

If there is a crossing point on a river tile

clearly shown then always treatit as Flatland

for the purposes of crossing.

Scouting Chart

Terrain Type D6 Roll

Flatland Automatic

Forest/Marsh 3+

Mountain 4+


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Forced March

To represent the exhausting effects

manoeuvring an army can have, you will need

to make a Forced March roll for each space

moved.

The Forced March chart tells you the number

you need in order to successfully move into

the next hex. As indicated on the chart, you

must make a roll for each successive space

you wish to move to.

If a Forced March roll is failed the army

remains where it is and can advance no further

that Campaign Turn.

An army cannot move more than four spaces

in a single Campaign Turn.

If the army is made up of allmounted

(100%) units then add +1 to all Forced March

rolls.

Capturing a Strategic Point

In order to capture a Strategic Point, an Army

has to move into the hex and end the current

turns movementthere. The player then places

one of his Territory Markers to show that he

retains control of the hex even if his army

moves away in a later turn.

If a players armymoves into a space next to a

Strategic Point that already contains an enemy

army a battle may be fought (see Resolving

Battles) and control goes to the victor.

Splitting Armies

At the start of the Move Armies phase, a larger

force may be split into two groups. Unlike

with merging armies, splitting armies does not

halt movement that turn.

A player may choose to split his armies into no

more than two separate forces providing each

army totals at least 200 points and containswithin it at least one Hero.

Distribute Resources

Once a player has moved his armies, he may

distribute resources from his Treasury.

The points may be used to reinforce or create

new armies or simply be kept safe for a

subsequent Campaign Turn. They may also be

used to build Outposts.

Note: A Strategic Point engaged by an enemy

Army cannot distribute any resources on

creating or reinforcing an army during the

Campaign Turn.

Reinforcing Armies

An army can be reinforced anywhere on the

map providing it is not engaged by an enemy

force. Multiple armies can be reinforced in the

same turn.

You may distribute up to 200 points from

your Treasury to reinforce an Army.

Note a player must advise whether the army is

100% mounted otherwise it will be treated as

normal.

Forced March Chart

Army Movement D6 Roll

First space Automatic

Second space 2+

Third space 3+

Fourth space 4+


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Creating New Armies

An army can be created only while it is at a

Strategic Point and providing it is not engaged

by an enemy force. Multiple armies can be

created in the same turn.

You may distribute up to 600 points from

your Treasury to create a new army.

Note a player must advise whether the army is

100% mounted otherwise it will be treated as

normal.

Building Outposts

A player may elect to build an Outpost using

resources from his Treasury. The tile must

have a friendly army present there and there

must not be an enemy army in an adjacent

space.

An Outpost cannot be built on a Marsh hex nor

a Strategic Point.

Outposts are not strategic points but do have

special Battlefield Effects (see below). These

effects always apply whenever there is a battle

within that hex.

Place a marker on the Campaign Map to

signify its location.

Destroying Strategic Points / Outposts

If the army defending a Strategic Point orOutpost is defeated, it falls into the hands of

the enemy. They may then benefit from the

effects of the Outpost in future Campaign

Turns.

Alternatively they may choose to destroy the

settlement during the Distribute Resources

phase.

Once destroyed a Strategic Point cannot be

rebuilt, the tile reverts to being a plain hexwith no effects. Outposts can be rebuilt.

Building an Outpost

Watchtower:150 points

Watchtowers are tall structures, designed forsmall groups of warriors to keep watch overthe surrounding lands. On a clear day a sentry

will be able to see for miles around, alwaysgiving the defending force the initiative.

Battlefield EffectsThe defenders have seen the approaching army

and prepared themselves. Once both sideshave deployed but before the first turn, thedefending player may fire one volley. Thevolley has a total number of shots equal to thenumber of bowmen in the defending army.

Follow the normal rules for Volley Fire, withthe exception that the bowmen do not need to

be in base contact with one another.

Fort: 400 points

Forces wanting to hold a region of importanceconstruct small fortresses. If held up in a fort

they will benefit from the high walls andbattlements protecting defenders from enemymissile fire and assaults. In addition they willhave prepared for the oncoming siege.

Battlefield Effects

The defenders have seen the approaching armyand prepared themselves within the fort. Onceboth sides have deployed but before the firstturn, the defending player may fire D3 volleys.Each volley has a total number of shots equalto the number of bowmen in the defendingarmy. Follow the normal rules for Volley Fire,with the exception that the bowmen do notneed to be in base contact with one another.

A Fort will always have a Stationed Garrison

of 100 points.


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Resolving Battles

If an army becomes engaged (that is two

opposing forces find themselves in adjacent

tiles), a battle may take place.

The player with Initiative can choose to attack

an opposing force in an adjacent tile to theirs

(even if they have moved four spaces), in

which case they become the attacking player.

If no attack comes, then the opposing army

may choose to attack during their turn.

Should one force attack, the other can always

choose to retreat in which case it moves one

space away from the attacking army. It may

not retreat a second time that Campaign Turn

however should another force declare an

attack.

If multiple armies declare attacks resolve them

separately.

Should players choose to resolve battles, they

are all to be fought in the defending armys tile

and control of the tile goes to the victor.

Table-top battles are fought following the rules

below. Once all the battles have been fought, a

new Campaign Turn begins.

Selecting Forces

Both forces are chosen to their respective

points totals.

Names Heroes once chosen must remain with

the army unless it splits (see Splitting

Armies) or the Hero dies. If there are multiple

Named Heroes the same applies.

The rest of the forces can then be chosen.

If a force falls below the number of points

required to field the Named Hero, it is

assumed they are no longer part of the army.

Reinforcements

If an allied army is located next to the hex

where the battle is to take place and there is no

river crossing between them they may arrive

as reinforcements D3 + 3 turns into the game.

If a river divides the two allied forces they will

arrive D6 + 6 turns into the game.

Reinforcements move onto the board as one

unit from a direction that corresponds to the

movements on the campaign map.

Once the battle is over, the reinforcements are

assumed to merge with the initial force into

one army (see Merging Armies)

Battlefield Setup

The Battlefield Setup should be loosely based

upon the area represented on the Campaign

Map where the two sides meet.

The type and amount of terrain is up to players

to agree on. Take it in turn to place terrain

pieces around the map.

Battlefield Objectives

The attacking player may roll on the

Battlefield Objectives chart. This is the

objective to be fought over in the ensuing

battle.


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Determining Losses

Any models that are killed during a battle are

removed permanently. However put aside any

routed models and roll a D6 after the game.

Note: you may select which of the routed

returns (including heroes).

Total all of your models who survived and any

of the routed that returned.

D6 Fate of the routed

1 All that routed during the battle remainpermanently lost, no recoveries are

made.

2-3 1 in 3 routed return to the army. Theremainder are permanently lost. Roundfractions up.

4-5 2 in 3 routed return to the army. Theremainder are permanently lost. Roundfractions up.

6 All of the routed return to the army.

Battlefield Objectives

Objective D6 Details

Drive them out! 1

The game lasts until one side is reduced to 50% casualties in which

case the player with Priority rolls a D6. On a 1-2 the game endsotherwise the game continues. If a 1-2 is rolled, the side with themost models within 6 of the defending players board edge wins.Note for siege games all the land on or behind the walls is includedinstead of the 6.

Secure the Objectives 2

Place 3 objectives around the map (For siege games they must be onor behind the walls). To secure an objective, one side must have

more models within 3 of it.The Game lasts until one side isreduced to 50% casualties in which case the player with Priorityrolls a D6. On a 1-2 the game ends. The side with the mostobjectives secured wins.

Leaderless Attackers 3

The attacking force is held together by the strength of their leadersand is hopeless without them. The game continues until all of theHeroes on the attacking side are slain or routed. As normal bothsides take courage tests once casualties amount to 50% or more oftheir starting force.

Leaderless Defenders 4

The defending force has prospered under the leadership of itsexperienced commanders. The game continues until all of the

Heroes on the defending side are slain or routed. As normal bothsides take courage tests once casualties amount to 50% or more oftheir starting force.

War of Attrition 5The game lasts until one side is reduced to below 75% casualties inwhich case the remnants flee for their lives (treat as routed). If both

armies fall below 75% in the same turn treat both forces as defeatedhowever the defending army remains within the tile.

No Quarter 6Both forces value the surrounding land dearly and will sacrificemany lives in order to hold it. The game lasts until one side iscompletely destroyed or routed.


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Battle Aftermath

The victorious army remains in the contested

space. In addition they are assumed to

scavenge weapons, armour and other

battlefield trophies. Add D6 x 50 points to thevictors Treasury.

The defeated army takes a D6 x 10 points

deduction from the remaining points total to

represent those too injured and weak to go on,

those that have fallen, claimed by their battle

wounds and those too slow to keep up.

Defeated Armies

If an Army loses a battle, it immediately

retreats 2 spaces towards its closest Strategic

Point, ending its movement if it reaches it.

They may not enter the hex if it is engaged,

instead ending their movement next to the

Strategic Point.

They may not do anything further that turn, as

the soldiers are too busy treating the injured.

Defending Armies fighting in a Mountain hex

cannot retreat and are destroyed if they lose a

battle. This also applies to armies which are

trapped on all sides on the campaign map.

Defeated Armies must deduct 1 from all their

Forced March rolls in the next Campaign

Turn. In addition they may not engage

opposing forces but can participate in any

battles if attacked. Additionally they may beinvolved as reinforcements as normal if they

are adjacent to an army or Strategic Point that

is attacked.

Death of Named Heroes

If Named Heroes are killed in battle they are

removed from the army as normal. They are

not permanently lost however! You may

choose to send a search party after them.

At any point in a Campaign Turn you may

distribute 50 resource points from your

Treasury to seek out the hero. Roll a D6. On a

4+ the search is a success, the Named Hero is

taken to a nearby Strategic Point.

You may choose to add the Named Hero to an

existing army located at a Strategic Point or

create a new army entirely by deducting the

appropriate resources from your Treasury. All

players should be made aware of these events.

Special Rules

These optional rules are examples of what you

can include in your campaign. Why not create

your own too!

Faction Bonuses

You may want to give each faction some kind

of bonus to represent the character and

background of the armies in play. As players

may choose to use multiple factions, the

special rules can be used in any arrangement.

Here are a few suggestions:

Dwarven Armies may add +1 to the Gathering

Resource roll for one of their Strategic Points.

The Armies of the Forgotten Kingdoms may

re-roll their Initiative Roll.

Elven Armies add +1 to all their Scouting

Rolls.

Gondor may re-roll on the Event Chart.

Isengard receives an additional 100 resource

points each turn.

Mordor receives D6 x 100 resource points to

their treasury for one of their Strategic Points.

The Rohirrim add +1 to all their Forced March

rolls (this is accumulative with the all

mountedrule).


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Wild Creatures

You may wish to add the Wild Creatures

special rule to your campaign, it works as

follows.

Middle Earth has become a dangerous place

in r ecent years. Reports of savage attacks are

common place now, tales of whole warbands

disappearing in the dead of night. Wil d

animals dri ven by hunger or something more

sinister have emboldened these creatures to

become more cunning than ever, preying

nearer now to the outlying settlements. There

are even stories of beasts hunt ing dur ing the

course of battle, prowl ing the edges of the

battlefi eld for their next meal.

If an army has declared they are attacking an

opposing force, a special event may occur, roll

on the chart opposite.

If the game is played as a Siege, then any Wild

Creatures must set up outside the walls.

During the battle the Wild Creatures arecontrolled by the player with Priority.

Wild Creatures do not pick sides so will

charge a model if they are in range. If there is

no one in range they will always move towards

the nearest model at full movement. Should

there be multiple targets in range, then the

player with Priority may decide which models

they will engage.

Wild Creatures wont back away if they lose afight. Treat them as trapped when rolling to

Wound.

All Wild Creatures have the Survival Instinct

special rule

The Wild Creatures are not considered to be

part of a force; they are part of the wild!

Therefore they never count as Broken.

If the Wild Creatures are all destroyed the

battle continues as normal.

If the game objectives are achieved, the game

ends immediately. The Wild Creatures run off

into the wilderness.

D6

Roll

Special Event

1-4 The creatures of this region have all but

fled from the land. No effect.

5

Whether it is hunger or something moresinister, the animals of this wood are

drawn to the sound of battle. Select up to

150 points of Spiders, Wargs and/or Bat

Swarms. They will arrive D6 turns into

the battle from multiple directions. Take

it in turns to place newly arrived

creatures along any of the board edges

no closer than 6 to any other models.

6

The din of battle has awoken a group of

Hill Trolls (use 3 Cave Trolls). Theywill arrive D6 turns into the battle from

one board edge (chosen by the player

with Priority) no closer than 6 to any

other models.


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Turn Sheet

Starti ng Treasury: GOOD __________________ EVIL ________________

I niti ative Roll: GOOD / EVIL Event Phase: GOOD / EVIL

Effects: GOOD ___________________________ EVIL _______________________________

Gather Resour ces:

Strategic Point / Outpost Good / Evi l D3 roll Resources Notes

Treasury Balance: GOOD ___________________ EVIL_________________

Armies:

Army name/ marker Good / Evil Total Notes

Move Armies: ______________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Di str ibute Resources: _______________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

Treasury Remaining: GOOD ___________________ EVIL __________________

Resolve Batt les

Objective Forces Victor Remain ing Forces


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Campaign Map

This is an example campaign map covering the lands around Anorien and Lebennin. If you want to

play a smaller campaign you could use a portion of the map. This could serve as a reference if you are

building a map from the Mighty Empire tiles. Alternatively you could play over a much smaller area

but increase the number of hexes within it.

Flatlands Forest /

Marshlands

Mountain River

Crossing

Strategic

Point

the battle for middle earth campaign rules (v2)

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