Lead Games Developer Jay returns to give a closer look at some of the exciting new army lists arriving in the upcoming Armies of Middle-earth supplement.
This book pulls together characters and factions from Tolkien’s lore beyond the films, blending familiar profiles with new alliances and special rules to breathe life into 28 distinct army lists. It also fully absorbs the old Armies of Arnor and Angmar PDF, making it a one-stop resource for many legendary factions.
The Grief of Éomer
This list re-creates the iconic moment on the Pelennor Fields when Prince Imrahil rides to rescue a grief-stricken Éomer. It allows you to combine Rohirrim, Knights of Dol Amroth, and Minas Tirith warriors under Éomer’s command. Special rules give Éomer a huge boost — he becomes Fearless and gains +1 Fight Value when charging, bringing him up to Fight 7. Gondor models in the army can also reroll To Wound rolls of 1 when charging, helping them break through to save their marshal.
Kingdom of Khazad-dûm
The Dwarves shine in this updated army list. Many profiles have received small tweaks, but the real excitement lies in the new special rules. Friendly Khazad-dûm models reroll To Wound rolls of 1 to reflect their superior weapons, while select Dwarves gain the Dominant (2) rule. The Stubbornness of Dwarves lets one model reroll a single die in a duel if your side rolled fewer dice, capturing the dwarven reputation for grim resilience. Players also place two Dwarven Mirror Markers on the battlefield, which provide benefits such as reducing incoming shooting and intimidating nearby Orcs and Goblins.
Umbar
This southern city of pirates and mercenaries allows you to mix Corsairs, Haradrim, and Black Númenóreans into one cutthroat force. Units gain Stalk Unseen and Hatred (Gondor), enhancing their sneak attacks and rivalry with the White City. A key twist is that every Umbar list must include at least one Hâsharin, the deadly assassins pulling the strings. If your General drops to one Wound, a nearby Hâsharin can execute them — removing the General keyword and instantly promoting another friendly Hero to command. It’s a flavorful mechanic that perfectly represents the ruthless politics of Umbar.
More Armies to Explore
Beyond these highlights, the book includes lists like the Army of the Great Eye for a sweeping Mordor force, the Battle of Bywater for a plucky Hobbit militia, and the Dragons of the North for an all-dragon warband.
Legions of Middle-earth
The final section expands how existing profiles can slot into armies from Armies of The Lord of the Rings or Armies of The Hobbit, adding flexibility and fresh ways to play. Each entry clarifies where the profile fits and its Heroic Tier, giving players clear tools to build thematic or competitive lists.
Pre-orders open this Saturday! Stay tuned later this week for a preview of the upcoming Middle-earth Matched Play Guide, packed with scenario updates and tournament support.
And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!
