LoTR Orc thoughts.

[Lanceflint]

I have been trying to weigh up the various orc and goblin types for the War of the Ring.

Uruk Hai Superior Formed Flexible Protected Devastating Charger  optional Melee Expert
Great Orcs Average Formed Flexible Protected Short Spear Devastating Charger optional Melee expert
Man Orcs Average Formed Flexible Protected Short Spear optional Melee expert
Black Orcs Average Tribal Loose Protected Devastating Charger optional Combat Shy
Goblins Average Tribal Loose Unprotected Devastating Charger optional Combat Shy

The progression is from best to worse! Some if not all could have Integral Shooters and some specialists a Long Spear. Man Orcs are probably the hardest to balance.
Thoughts anyone?
Lance.

[RocketSix]

here is the current list for comparison

[sultanbev]

What's the convincing argument for devastating charger for black orcs and goblins, and can you have combat shy and devastating charger at the same time?

Should we have a category of Reluctant Charger, especially if facing a hero with magic sword, eg Aragorn?


Mark

[Lanceflint]

The forces of Evil were on the offensive in this period and generally their armies were very aggressive. I think that this would flow down to the rank and file, driven on by the will of Sauron etc. to mean that they were confident of success and keen to deliver frenzied attacks.
Devastating Charger allows Forced Charges, which is useful for large armies with Instinctive generals, pretty much allowing Orc infantry to close quickly with enemy foot. Their charge, I see as being highly aggressive,and violent with little regard for life -on either side. So this enables them to have the ability to Shatter the enemy line on impact, which is their main route to winning? However if they fail to break through early they will lose heart and only stay around due their superior numbers. In melee they will usually be outclassed by the forces of good with either better weapons, armour, morale or all three.
The option for Combat Shy simply allows for weaker or less committed orcs, goblins etc. but they still retain the potential for Shatter.
What is implicit in LoTR but not really covered directly by MeG is troop size. Compensating for that has influenced my thoughts on troop types. So Goblins are the smallest and weakest of `line `troops, which might in itself qualify for Combat Shy in its own right, and if they were involved in civil war then the factors will cancel out.
There is a lot of LOTR detail you could add with extra rules and characteristics but I have tried to suggest classifications that keep any additional rules to an absolute minimum.
Lance.