This Lord of the Rings news update gives the forces of Mordor a substantial refresh.
The humble Orc Warrior finally gets modern multipart plastics. Meanwhile, a new Battlehost provides a ready-made Evil army. Better still, Battle Companies is returning with updated campaign rules.
Mordor Orcs Get a Flexible New Plastic Kit
The new Mordor Orc Warriors kit contains 24 multipart plastic miniatures, giving Evil armies a much-needed modern infantry core. Sixteen Orcs can carry hand weapons and shields, with eight different weapon designs and eight shield styles available.
Meanwhile, the remaining eight can take spears or two-handed weapons. Four models can swap their equipment for bows, adding some ranged support to the mob. Several head options add even more variety, which matters when you are fielding big Orc hordes and desperately trying to avoid clone-regiment syndrome.
These new Orcs also form the heart of a Mordor Battlehost. The box combines all 24 infantry with six Warg Riders and the Witch-King of Angmar in mounted and foot versions. On the table, the concept is wonderfully direct. Orcs pin down the enemy through weight of bodies, while Warg Riders race around the flanks. Meanwhile, the Witch-King handles whatever particularly dangerous hero your opponent thought would save the day. It looks like a straightforward starting force, but there is enough mobility and magical threat to keep it from becoming a simple infantry shove.
Battle Companies Returns for Narrative Campaign Play
Perhaps the biggest surprise is the return of Battle Companies with an updated rules manual. This campaign mode lets small forces gain experience across linked games while collecting Gold and Influence for equipment and upgrades. Individual warriors record victories, injuries, and defeats, with successful fighters potentially becoming Heroes themselves. Also, a new narrative campaign provides an easy entry point for groups starting their first company. That remains one of Middle-earth’s best formats for generating stories because every anonymous Orc can eventually become somebody important.
Summary and Final Thoughts
Overall, this is excellent Lord of the Rings news for Mordor players and narrative gamers alike. Fresh Orc plastics solve an aging-model problem, while the Battlehost creates an approachable army core. However, Battle Companies returning may have the biggest long-term impact for gaming groups.
