The new edition of the Middle-earth™ Strategy Battle Game is well underway, and with the recent release of Armies of Middle-earth™, fans now have a robust rules framework to support cinematic and expanded battles alike.
But what about all those beloved characters who never made it to the big screen—or to the new books?
Good news: legacy content has arrived. For longtime players and collectors, this means your classic miniatures and lesser-known heroes can step back onto the battlefield with updated rules and thematic new army lists.
Legacy Rules: What You Need to Know
Two new legacy documents—split between Good and Evil—have been released to support models and characters no longer covered in official publications. These PDFs include updated profiles, special rules, and army lists for use with models from previous editions.
Everything in the documents is fully compatible with the current ruleset, though these profiles aren’t legal for matched play or official Games Workshop events. That said, if your local event is open to legacy rules and players are made aware ahead of time, they’re fair game for casual or narrative play.
These rules are complete and carefully balanced, even if they’re not part of the tournament circuit. A lot of attention has gone into capturing the flavour and intent of these older models, making them viable—and fun—in modern games.
Noteworthy Additions: Expedition to the East
One of the most charming new lists is the Expedition to the East, a Good-aligned force that unites Múrin & Drár and Cirion, Lieutenant of Amon Barad, in a unique alliance of Dwarves and Gondorians. This ragtag army isn’t just about battle synergy—it’s about treasure.
Their special rule, Spoils of War, brings a narrative twist:
- At the start of the game, your opponent secretly marks a terrain piece.
- Friendly models can search terrain. If they find the right piece, they “return to Minas Tirith” and are removed from the game—without counting as casualties.
- If your army finds the treasure before the game ends, you score 2 bonus Victory Points, capped at 20.
This is a brilliant mechanic for narrative scenarios, and it turns the game into a treasure hunt as much as a battle. It’s thematic, fun, and tactically rewarding.
Evil Strikes Back: Variags of Khand Return
On the Evil side, the Variags of Khand are back in action, complete with the high-speed brutality they’re known for. Their standout rule, Khandish Fury, provides a temporary boost that fits their fast-and-furious playstyle:
- Once per game, during any Fight phase, you can activate Khandish Fury if a friendly Hero is still alive.
- All nearby Warrior models within 3″ of a Hero gain +1 Fight Value until the end of the turn.
This is perfect for a game-changing chariot charge, or a final push to overwhelm the enemy when the battle hangs in the balance. Timing it well can tip a close game in your favour.
Important Considerations and Limitations
There are a few things to keep in mind:
- These legacy rules are not supported in matched play, so check with your opponent or event organizer before using them.
- Games Workshop has no plans to re-release miniatures for these profiles. The rules are for people who already own these models.
- Each profile includes clear guidance on which army lists the model can join, so you can incorporate them into legal forces for narrative or open play.
And if you’ve got rules questions? You can email the Middle-earth team at middle-earthfaq@gwplc.com. They won’t answer directly, but they’ll use the feedback to inform future FAQs and errata.
Final Thoughts – A Gift for Longtime Collectors
The Legacies of Middle-earth documents are a thoughtful gesture to players who’ve stuck with the game through its many eras. They breathe new life into older models, letting collectors bring fan-favourite characters back onto the tabletop without needing to house-rule everything themselves.
If you’ve got a shelf full of unfielded miniatures or just a soft spot for the deep lore of Middle-earth, these legacy lists are well worth checking out. From Khandish cavalry charges to treasure-hunting dwarf-human expeditions, there’s plenty here to inspire a return to battle.
Download the legacy rules, gather your classic warbands, and keep an eye on the road ahead — because Middle-earth still has many stories left to tell.
And remember, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart!
