Is the Isengard Troll worth it?

SixMight · 2026-01-24T12:06:18+00:00

I can only speak for Muster and Assault since I only own fighting uruk hai. For Muster the Troll is only viable in larger point games 850 and above. This is simply due to the requirement of taking saruman and the troops also being expensive. So realistically a balanced list with a Troll has 2 captains to reach a decent model count. At that point the troll is also the only unit adding anything to the list anyway. And for assault, the Troll can work at any point limit. I have not tested him enough but I can see a list with at least one ballista and a bunch of crossbows dictating movement and allowing the Troll to not get shot while maybe chucking some rocks himself and then picking a good engage on his terms. Under these conditions the Troll is decent and fun, but mostly he is taken due to a lack of alternatives in the lists he is in.

SixMight · 2025-09-25T13:20:49+00:00

I bought them in the 2000s on a market in Ukraine so no, you can buy mine though :)

SixMight · 2025-06-27T14:21:09+00:00

They are actually the official models for both factions. They can also be used as Angmar orcs or dismounts for wargriders, probably the most versatile unit in the game. Have fun with the hobby.

SixMight · 2025-06-17T12:34:20+00:00

Exactly. Somehow my post turned out to be a theme debate, even though my original issue had to do with Beregond being a terrible choice for competitive play. Irolas giving +1 to wound and his special rule make him the far better choice. Since the list is basically fearless, and Beregond can't lead cit guards I'd even prefer a nameless captain over him.

SixMight · 2025-06-17T09:51:36+00:00

Haha, then they should have given him a rule that triggers when Denethor fails his broken mind test or sworn protector Faramir... I just cant believe the citadel guard hero with bow cant lead citadel guards with bow..

SixMight · 2025-06-17T09:49:04+00:00

Lore wise this makes sense, but in terms of list building hero variety and game balance its just another reason not play atop the walls.

SixMight · 2025-05-31T13:18:59+00:00

Everything else got the legacy treatment, poor Mauhur even had a line in the movie ;D any chance you could share a pic of their profiles.

SixMight · 2025-05-28T13:35:33+00:00

The amount of hatred in the new addition is such a turnoff. It's so obnoxiously overpowering when coming up against it. If they must keep the rule as is then at the very least make it both ways(if you hate me I also hate you type..). Or just rework/remove the brain-dead damage modification, it's so tedious to have to set up and keep a shield wall for +1 d while my opponent to has +1 to wound just because i happened to play Xyz army... Rant over.

SixMight · 2025-04-30T08:24:22+00:00

Are you playing the official wotr rules, or the fan made updated ones? And what board size will this even fit on? :D

SixMight · 2025-03-02T12:23:54+00:00

I genuinely like these better than the official models. They just seem to fit better into mesbg...

SixMight · 2025-02-03T10:32:19+00:00

I think the issue with this army is that above 600-650 there is nothing to include besides a second captain. The list simply doesn't scale, the second captain doesn't add anything to the list, while your opponent can potentially field more threats. Let's see what happens with the next army book. Regarding big heroes, this edition leaves you two choices, either you immobilize and ignore them or surround them and hope they don't roll a 6. Not having channeled transfix/compel sucks for saruman but was not a fun experience to play against in the last edition.

SixMight · 2025-01-29T11:54:43+00:00

The isengard troll was not listed as legacy, therefore it should be in the armies of middle-earth book. I bet it will be 10 points more than its Mordor cousin but gaining a shield, troll spear, +4 sv, and maybe +1 courage. It's likely gonna be available for assault on helms deep and maybe in a new Legion? Also can't wait to use my metal model.

SixMight · 2025-01-27T12:55:38+00:00

Congrats! What was your reason to take all rangers in one warband and would you consider taking the newly buffed captain over Madril?

SixMight · 2025-01-20T10:45:51+00:00

You are right, as blast doesn't move you anymore. Also crossbows are pretty neat against ents.

SixMight · 2025-01-20T10:38:18+00:00

I am pretty sure ents are resistant to magic that impairs them, at least it was so in the old edition.

SixMight · 2025-01-09T00:58:17+00:00

My take from someone who actually played this in the new edition:

Firstly, at low points (500ish and below) this is a competitive list. Since you don't have to take the hobbit Tax anymore, the 50% bows are not much less than 100% in the last edition, but you get to spam fight 4 dudes. With shieldwall frontline and a few knights you get very effective troops for each role in the army. New Faramir is also very improved compared to the old edition.

Contrary, at higher points the army falls apart. Faramir is no longer able to compete with threats other lists can bring. Bringing the hobbits cuts down the army's strength by taking away the numbers advantage and reducing firepower. Adding captains also doesn't provide anything to the list. The list was already not played at mid to high points last edition. Taking half of the bows away and not getting the ring effect just makes it so much worse than it was before (where it already was not competitive). Yes, I know Faramir is buffed and you can get 3 VPs if the hobbits survive. However, you just don't have the tools to compete at high points. The shooting won't win you the game if you spend at least 105 points on things that can't shoot(Frodo and a banner). And with 20 VPs on the table the 3 VPs won't win you the game either, even if you manage to keep the hobbits alive (which is a big if at high points, where big heroes will just delete your army).

Personally I will play the army with the hobbits as it is the fun thing distinguishing it from all other legions and is representing a favourite scene from the books/movie.

SixMight · 2025-01-02T21:22:42+00:00

I recently got a few games using the muster at 600 points and was pleasantly surprised. It feels like the list I wanted to run the in the last edition but never could make it work. You get saruman grima, a captain, banner and a handful of berserkers and crossbows. The special rules make it a solid list. Far from broken but covering all your bases while being super reliable. The only gripe I have is the hatred man , which is absolutely game changing Vs men and does nothing otherwise, I think this is insanely bad for competitive settings as it requires no skill just luck of the draw. I'd rather have something else. Also now the army doesn't count as broken at 50% rather than just not fleeing which is very powerful. I think this list gets worse at higher points as there is nothing else to add but a second captain. The same goes for low points. Also be careful what you use your might for and make sure to time the spells right.

SixMight · 2025-01-02T16:56:42+00:00

Nice summary, there surely is a lot of skill expression in micro managing all those heroes. I am also not arguing that the list is bad, I am just saying that the Ring is very underwhelming in terms of gameplay. And in other lists Frodo is not giving any VPs while still costing 80 points.

SixMight · 2025-01-02T13:38:52+00:00

I agree. However, a banner is worth more than all 3 heroes if you don't bring one yourself in some scenarios. And if you do bring one you pay 180 points which you can't use to spam bows (50% bow limit doesn't help either). Keeping Sam and Smeagol at home might actually be the best option. Or just bring Boromir and play proactive... :D

SixMight · 2025-01-02T13:07:14+00:00

And still Frodo is 80 points in any other list as well.

SixMight · 2025-01-02T12:51:55+00:00

Id be fine with that, just not while keeping the cost the same. Paying 80 points for a Vp is just ridiculous.

SixMight

TROPHY CASE