The 2023 IHL Season kicks off this weekend at the Battles on the Coast tournament in Exploding Dice Games, Bangor and organised by Connor Glover. This is an 800 point, 6 game event with a total of 25 players signed up (which would be an Irish record attendance).
Looking at the overall breakdown of the armies we can see that Good has a slight edge over Evil (14-11) and that single faction armies are by far the most popular.
Gareth Mansfield (Sunday only)
Barad-Dur
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Warband 1
Leader Sauron
5x Black numenoreans
1x Mordor Troll w/ Hand and a half hammer
4x Morgul knights w/Lance
1x Morgul; Knight w/Banner and lance
8x Orc Warrior w/ spear and shield
1x Orc Warrior w/ Banner, spear and shield
4x Warg rider w/ Shield and throwing spear
25 models
Up 1st we have the Dark Lord himself (the 1st of a few appearances in his various guises). He's supported here by a Troll, some hard hitting Morgul Knights and a gang of Orcs with a couple of banners to ensure plenty of rerolls.
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Bill Taylor
ROTK LL
Warband 1
Leader - Aragorn w/anduril
4x Dead with shield
4x Dead w/shield and spear
Warband 2
King of the dead
7x Dead w/shield
6x Dead w/shield and spear
1x Dead w/ shield and banner
Warband 3
Hearld of the dead w/shield
4x riders of the dead
29 models
Up next is the Return of the King Legion. A long time favourite since it came out in Gondor at War and proving to be tough and resilient with the D8 Warriors of the Dead.
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Nicky Forsythe
Dunland LL
Warband 1
Leader - Thrydan Wolfsbane on horse
7 Dunlending horsemen
Warband 2
Gorulf Ironskin
5 Dunlending warriors with shield
4 Huscarls
1 Dunlending warrior with Banner
1 Dunlending warrior with 2 handed axe
Warband 3
Frida Tallspear
4 Dunlending warriors with shield
2 Huscarls
1 Dunlending warrior with Banner
1 Crebain
1 Dunlending warrior with 2 handed axe
Warband 4
Oathmaker
6 Wildmen
6 Wildmen with double handed weapons
Warband 5
Chieftain w Axe and Shield
3 Dunlending warriors with bow
2 Dunlending warrior with shield
1 Huscarl
1 Crebain
51 models
Another popular Legendary Legion, this time from Dunland. A 51 model horde with high strength Warriors with access to bonuses to wound and 2 large banners that promises to hit hard in the right circumstances.
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Stephen Surgenor
Halls of Thranduil
Warband 1
Leader - Thranduil on horse w/circlet, extra sword and Heavy armour
2x Mirkwood Cav w/shields
Mirkwood elf w/banner and glaive
Mirkwood elf w/glaive
4x Palace gurad w/ shield
4x Palace guard w/shield and spear
Warband 2
Legolas on Horse w/elven cloak
6x Mirkwood rangers
Warband 3
Tauriel w/bow
4x Mirkwood elf w/glaive
4x Mirkwood rangers
4x Palace guard w/shield
33 Models
The 1st of many Elf based armies at this event. This Thranduil's Halls army brings all the named heroes to provide some punch.
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David Coleman
Lothlorien/Fellowship
Warband 1
Leader - Galadriel
8x Galadhrim Warriors w/shields
1x Galadhrim Warrior w/shield, spear and banner
5x Galadhrim Warriors w/bows, spears
3x Guard of the Galadhrim court
1x Sentinel
Warband 2
Celeborn w/ Armour, shield sword
1x Galadhrim knight w/shield
6x Galadhrim Warriors w/shields
3x Galadhrim Warriors w/bows and spears
4x Guard of the Galadhrim court
1x Wood elf w/bow
Warband 3
Boromir of Gondor on horse w/shield
36 models
More Elves, this time of the Galadhrim variety. Guards of the Galadrim Court are excellent for providing F6 pike support, which troubles many heroes, while Galadriel provides magical support and Boromir of Gondor is a combat monster and brings 6 Might to the army.
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Ivan Sheehan
Halls of Thranduil and Survivors of Laketown.
Warband 1
Leader - Thranduil, extra sword, circlet of kings, heavy armour, bow, horse.
2 mirkwood cavalry, shield.
6 mirkwood elves, shield.
5 palace guard, spear, shield.
2 sentinels.
1 elf, banner, glaive, bow.
Warband 2
Tauriel, bow.
5 elves, shield.
6 elves, glaive, bow.
Warband 3
Legolas, horse
Warband 4
Laketown survivors captain. Shield
31 models
Another Elf based army, again bringing the 3 named heroes from Thranduil's Halls. Here though a Laketown Militia Captain brings a cheap source of Might and access to Heroic March.
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Peter Fenton
Return of the King LL
Warband 1
[Leader] Aragorn - Anduril, Elven Cloak
3 Riders of the Dead
4 Warriors of the Dead - Spear, Shield
3 Warriors of the Dead - Shield
Warband 2
The King of the Dead
5 Warriors of the Dead - Spear, Shield
4 Warriors of the Dead - Shield
Warband 3
Legolas - Armour - 105
4 Warriors of the Dead - Spear, Shield
3 Warriors of the Dead - Shield
29 Models
Another Return of the King (I said it was popular). This time trading a Herald for Legolas to bring a little bit of ranged firepower to an otherwise all melee army.
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Patrick Mccormick
Angmar
Warband 1 (Leader):
The Witch-King of Angmar with Crown of Morgul on Horse (3M/16W/3F)
5x Angmar Orcs with Picks and Shields
5x Angmar Orcs with Picks and Spears
2x Angmar Orcs with Two-Handed Picks and Picks
1x Angmar Warg Rider with Shield
1x Dead Marsh Spectre
Warband 2:
The Tainted on Horse
4x Angmar Orcs with Picks and Shields
4x Angmar Orcs with Picks and Spears
1x Angmar Orc with Two-Handed Pick and Pick
1x Angmar Warg Rider with Shield
1x Dead Marsh Spectre
Warband 3:
Buhrdur, Troll Chieftain
4x Angmar Orcs with Picks and Shields
4x Angmar Orcs with Picks and Spears
1x Angmar Orc with Banner and Pick
1x Angmar Orc with Two-Handed Pick and Pick
Warband 4:
Angmar Orc Captain with Pick and Shield
3x Angmar Orcs with Picks and Shields
3x Angmar Orcs with Picks and Spears
Warband 5
Barrow-Wight
Total Units: 46
Two Wraiths and a Barrow-Wight give this Angmar army a lot of offensive magic to shutdown enemy heroes. It also means that all those Orcs will be causing Terror, making to more difficult for the opponents to engage them, especially with 2 Harbinger of Evils around.
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Andrew Buckley
The Iron Hills
Warband 1
Dain ironfoot (leader) on foot
1 dwarf with banner, spear & shield
6 dwarf with sword & shield
6 dwarf with spear & shield
5 dwarf with crossbow
Warband 2
1 Dwarf captain on chariot with mattock
3 Dwarf crew with swords
1 dwarf with banner, spear & shield
3 dwarf with mattock
2 dwarf with spear & shield
4 goat riders with warspears
33 Models
Next up are the Dwarves of the Iron Hills led by Dain. Here an Iron Hills Chariot provides a big centre piece model and focus for the army.
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Nick
Rivendell
Warband 1
Elrond w/horse, hadhafang, heavy armour, Vilya
10 knights of rivendell w/ elf bow, elven made hand and a half sword, lance and shield.
1 knight of rivendell with banner, lance.
Warband 2
LEADER- Gil Galad w/horse, aiglos, heavy armour and shield.
10 high elf warrior (Kings guard) elven hand and a half sword, shield, spear, heavy armour.
5 high elf warrior w/bow, heavy armour.
28 Models
More Elves, this time of the Rivendell variety. A large contingent of Rivendell Knights provide excellent mobility and hitting power, while F6 Elf Warriors means that the small infantry force shouldn't be overwhelmed easily.
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Christopher Cornhill
Isengard
Warband 1
Leader - Saruman Mounted
Uruk- Hai w/shield x8
Uruk- Hai w/pike x8
Uruk- Hai w/banner
Isengard Troll w/shield & spear
Warband 2
Uruk-Hai Captain w/shield&two handed sword
Uruk-Hai w/crossbow x6
Uruk-Hai Berserker x4
Uruk-Hai Drummer
Uruk-Hai W/banner
Model Count - 32 Models
A classic Isengard Uruk-Hai based army is next on the list. Saruman is an excellent spell caster to get some board control against enemy heroes and Uruk-Hai Warriors are dependable troops here.
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Connor Whitla
Serpent Horde
(Leader) The Betrayer on Horse
4 Haradrim Warriors with Bow and Spear
3 Serpent Guard
2 Serpent Riders
1 Watcher of Karna with Bow
The Golden King of Abrakhan
3 Abrakhan Merchant Guard
2 Haradrim Warriors with Bow and Spear
3 Serpent Guard
1 Serpent Rider
2 Watchers of Karna with Twin Blades
War Mumak of Harad (Haradrim Commander) with Gnarled Hide
6 Haradrim Warriors with Bow
30 models
This Harad army is really focused upon the War Mumak and Connor will be hoping to get plenty of Tramples off with it.
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David Wade
The Last Alliance
Faction:Númenor
Warband 1
Elendil, High king of Gondor and Arnor (leader) Shield&horse
18 warriors of númenor; 6 bows, 6 shields, 6 Spear&shield, 1 banner
Warband 2: Rivendell
Gil-Galad, High king of the elves; Shield&horse
5 kings guard, Spear &shield
13 high elf warriors; 6 shields 1 spear , shield &banner, 6 elf bows
Models :38
Bringing both High Kings in a Last Alliance army is certainly a bold move. The use of these 2 powerhouses will be crucial to the success of this army.
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Ned Merrick
Minas Tirith and Fiefdoms
Warband 1
Boromir, Captain of the White Tower with Horse; The Banner of Minas Tirith; Shield;
4 Knight of Minas Tirith with Shield
11 Guard of the Fountain Court with Shield
Warband 2
Leader - Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth with armoured horse; Lance
9 Men at Arms
5 Clansman of Lamedon
Warband 3
Duinhir
5 Blackroot Vale Archer
3 Blackroot Vale Archer with Spear
40 models
Boromir with Banner and Imrahil are a potent combination here, both for their own combat ability and the ability to buff the Fight Value of the Warriors around them. F6 pikes supporting a D7 front line is tasty.
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Luke Wilksonson
Arnor
Warband 1
Arvedui, Last King of Arnor (Leader)
14 x Warriors of Arnor
1 x Warrior of Arnor with Banner
Warband 2
Captain of Arnor with Bow
11 x Hobbit Archers With Bow
1 X Hobbit Archers with Warhorn and Bow
Warband 3
Captain of Arnor
12 x Warriors of Arnor
Warband 4
Captain of Arnor with Bow
2 x Rangers of Arnor with Spear and Bow Warband
5 x Rangers of Arnor with Bow
Warband 5
Malbeth the Seer
12 x Warriors of Arnor
63 models
Sticking with the Kingdoms of Men, here we have a faction that doesn't get a lot of use, Arnor. 63 models makes this one of the biggest armies attending the event and a large number of them being F4, D6 will make this army difficult to breakdown, especially when combined with Malbeth's Foresight.
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Michael Bradford
Assault on Lothlorien
Warband 1:
(Leader) Druzhag
1 x Bat Swarm
2 x Giant Spider
6 x Goblin Prowler
6 x Goblin Warrior with Spear and Bow
Warband 2:
Ashrak
1 x Bat Swarm
4 x Giant Spider
5 x Goblin Prowler
5 x Goblin Warrior with Spear and Bow
Warband 3:
Muzgur
1 x Bat Swarm
1 x Orc Warrior with Banner
3 x Orc Warrior with Spear
Warband 4:
Goblin Shaman
5 x Goblin Prowler
5 x Goblin Warrior with Spear and Bow
1 x Wild Warg
Warband 5:
Goblin Shaman
1 x Wild Warg
52 models
Assault on Lothlorien is the current new hotness assaulting the top tables and last season's League runner-up will be hoping to show why again here. This Legion has a lot of tricks up its sleeves to help it win games.
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Matthew Butler
Azogs Legion
Warband 1
(Leader): Azog with Signal Tower Heavy Armour and Stone Flail
*Signal tower contains 7 lieutenants
2 Gundabad Ogres
Troll Brute
10 Gundabad Orc Warriors with Shields
10 Gundabad Orc Warriors with Spears (90)
31 Models
There's really only one thing to say about this list, and that's Signal Tower.
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Calvin Phillips
Rivendell
Warband 1
Elrond Leader /w Heavy Armour and Horse
4 High Elves with Shield
4 High Elves with Spear and Shield
2 High Elves with Elf Bow
1 Rivendell knight with Shield
Warband 2
Glorfindel /w Armour of Gondolin and Asfaloth
4 High Elves with Shield
4 High Elves with Spear and Shield
1 High Elf with Banner and Shield
2 High Elves with Elf Bow
1 Rivendell knight with Shield
Warband 3
Erestor
2 High Elves with Shield
2 High Elves with Spear and Shield
2 High Elves with Elf Bow
32 Models
More Elves. Including 2 of the big Rivendell heroes opens up more options and makes it harder for an opponent to deal with them.
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Chris Baird
Minas Tirith
Warband 1:
Denethor (Leader)
11x Fountain Court w/ Shield
Warband 2:
Boromir w/ Banner of MT and Shield
5x Rangers w/ Spear
5x Warrior w/ Shield
3x Warrior w/ Spear and Shield
Warband 3:
Hurin w/ Horse
5x Knights w/ Shield
Warband 4:
Irolas
6x Warrior w/ Shield
6x Warrior w/ Spear and Shield
45 models
Next is this large Minas Tirith army led by Denethor. Having Denethor as Leader makes it easier to protect any Leader VPs in scenarios by keeping him hidden (especially when Hurin is alive) and means that the big hitters in Boromir and Hurin can play more aggressively without risking those VPs.
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David Murphy
Angmar
Warband One:
The Witch-King on Angmar on horse with Morgul Crown, 3 Might, 3 Fate & 15 Will (Leader).
2x Dead Marsh Spectres.
1x Angmar Orc Warrior with banner and spear.
5x Angmar Orc Warriors with shields.
5x Angmar Orc Warriors with spears.
Warband Two:
Barrow Wight.
4x Angmar Orc Warriors with shields.
4x Angmar Orc Warriors with spears.
1x Angmar Orc Warrior with two-handed weapon.
Warband Three:
Barrow Wight
4x Angmar Orc Warriors with shields.
4x Angmar Orc Warriors with spears.
1x Angmar Orc Warrior with two-handed weapon.
Warband Four:
Angmar Orc Captain with shield.
3x Angmar Orc Warriors with shields.
3x Angmar Orc Warriors with spears.
1x Angmar Orc Warrior with two-handed weapon.
Warband Five
Gulavhar, the Terror of Arnor.
2x Angmar Warg Riders with shields.
45 models
Gulavhar is rightly feared as a combat monster due to it's high Fight, Strength and Attacks, the ability to Fly and the chance to regain lost wounds. Combined with the magical support of the Witch-King and a pair of Barrow Wights to neutralise enemy threats, he'll be difficult to deal with.
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Chris Gill (Sunday only)
Rise of the Necromancer LL
Warband 1:
The Necromancer of Dol Guldur Leader (Legend)
The Witch-king of Angmar
The Abyssal Knight x2
The Lingering Shadow
The Forsaken
The Dark Headsman
Castellan of Dol Goldur w/morgul blades x2
9 models
Although this army only contains 9 models the ability for the Wraiths to resurrect themselves makes it surprising resilient.
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Gary Doyle
Barad-Dur
Warband 1
Sauron - Leader
11 Black Numenoreans
1 Black Numenorean w/banner
3 Mordor Ors w/spears
Warband 2
Ringwraith-2 Might 12 Will 2 Fate & Fell Beast
9 Black Numenoreans
3 Mordor Orcs with Spears
29 Models
Another Barad-Dur army, although this time with a Fellbeast instead of a Troll to back up Sauron. This list also goes heavier on the Black Numenoreans to provide a Terror causing wall, buffed by the negative Courage modifiers of Sauron and the Ring Wraith.
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Connor Kerr
SONS OF ROHAN OF GONDOR
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Warband 1
Leader - Aragorn King elessar mounted
10 Warriors of Minas Tirith w/ Shields and spears
Warband 2
Eomer, Marshall of the riddermark w/shield
Haleth Son of Hama
10 Royal guard w/throwing spears
1 Royal guard
Warband 3
Gimli
Warband 4
Legolas w/armour
26 models
Here we have a Black Gate inspired Alliance with King Elessar and King Eomer each leading a contingent of their followers. A really good thematic list.
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Alex Neaves
Moria featuring Spider Queen
Warband 1
(Leader)durburz
2 Batswarm
7 goblins,shield
6 goblin,bow,spear
Warband 2
Groblog
9 goblin spear
2 goblins bow spear
Warband 3
Goblin shaman
2 goblins,shield
2 goblins spear
Warband 4
Goblin captain,shield
6 goblins shield
5 goblins ,spear,bow
Warband 5
Watcher
Warband 6
Spider queen
Models:47
Our penultimate list is this alliance between Moria and the Dark Denizens of Mirkwood. With 2 threatening monsters, a pair of Batswarms and a horde of Goblins this list has the tools to be competitive.
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Michael Bunting
Rivendel and White Council
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Warband 1:
Erestor ( Leader)
4 High Elf Warriors shield
4 High Elf Warriors shield and spear
4 High Elf Warriors bow and spear
Warband 2:
Elladan And Elrohir with Heavy Armour and Bow
3 High Elf Warriors shield
4 High Elf Warriors shield and spear (One has a banner)
4 High Elf Warriors bow and spear
Warband 3:
High elf storm caller
2 high elf warrior shield
2 high elf warrior shield and spear
2 high elf warrior bow and spear
Warband 4:
Galadriel Lady of Light
34 models
And finally we have yet another Elf army. Galadriel Lady of Light used to be a staple of so many Good armies (before she was FAQed down a Heroic Tier) and here she is again, still as dangerous as ever.
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So, there's all the lists, all that remains now to see who comes out on top.
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