Warmaster Playthrough: The Battle of Pelennor Fields

“The road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the road has gone, and I must follow, if I can.”
— Bilbo Baggins, The Fellowship of the Ring

Right, let me tell you about this playthrough—it recreates the epic Battle of Pelennor Fields using Warmaster Revolution and custom Middle-earth army lists. We’ll explore how mass battle mechanics can capture the chaos, heroism, and tactical complexity of Tolkien’s greatest battle.

Battle Setup

The Battle of Pelennor Fields

The battle takes place on March 15, TA 3019, at the Pelennor Fields outside Minas Tirith, with Gondor and Rohan facing Mordor and Harad. The stakes are nothing less than the fate of Middle-earth—no pressure.

Army Lists

Gondor (Defending)

Gondor is led by Prince Imrahil (Command 9) with heroes Faramir (Command 8) and Beregond (Command 7). The core units include 3x Warriors of Gondor, 2x Citadel Guard, 2x Bowmen, and 1x Rangers, supported by 1x Knights of Dol Amroth and 1x Trebuchet, totaling 2000 points.

Mordor (Attacking)

Mordor is led by Gothmog (Command 8) with heroes the Witch-king (Command 9) and an Orc Captain (Command 7). The core units include 4x Orc Warriors, 2x Orc Archers, 1x Easterling Warriors, and 1x Easterling Archers, supported by monsters including 1x Mountain Trolls and 1x Olog-hai, totaling 2000 points.

Turn 1: The Opening Moves

Gondor’s Turn

Command Phase: Imrahil issues orders to his forces, preparing for the Mordor assault.

Movement:

The Gondorian line forms up in front of the city walls
The Trebuchet takes position on the walls
The Rangers move to a forward position to harass the enemy
The Knights of Dol Amroth position themselves for a potential counter-charge

Shooting:

The Trebuchet fires at the approaching Orc hordes, causing significant casualties
The Bowmen and Rangers add their fire, thinning the enemy ranks

Mordor’s Turn

Command Phase: Gothmog struggles to coordinate his forces, with several units failing their command tests.

Movement:

The Orc hordes advance across the field
The Easterlings maintain formation
The Mountain Trolls lumber forward
The Olog-hai advance on the right flank

Shooting:

The Orc Archers return fire, but their shots are largely ineffective
The Easterling Archers have better luck, wounding several Gondorian warriors

Reflections

Tolkienian Feel: The command failures create the chaos and confusion that Tolkien describes. The Gondorian defensive position feels authentic.
Mechanics: The command system works well, creating realistic battlefield friction. The shooting phase provides good tactical options.
Emergent Narrative: The Orc command failures create unexpected tactical situations.
House Rules/Adaptations: None yet, but the command system seems well-balanced.

Turn 2: The Assault Begins

Gondor’s Turn

Command Phase: Imrahil maintains good command over his forces, issuing clear orders.

Movement:

The Gondorian line holds firm
The Rangers continue to harass the enemy
The Knights prepare for a charge

Shooting:

The Trebuchet continues to pound the Orc formations
The Bowmen and Rangers add their fire, causing more casualties

Mordor’s Turn

Command Phase: Gothmog’s command improves, and most units follow orders.

Movement:

The Orc hordes charge forward
The Easterlings advance in formation
The Mountain Trolls reach the Gondorian line
The Olog-hai advance on the right flank

Combat:

The Mountain Trolls engage the Gondorian Warriors, causing heavy casualties
The Orc hordes crash into the Gondorian line
The Easterlings engage the Citadel Guard

Reflections

Tolkienian Feel: The Orc assault feels authentic to the source material. The Mountain Trolls’ impact on the Gondorian line creates the sense of overwhelming force.
Mechanics: The combat system works well, with the Mountain Trolls’ superior stats telling against the Gondorian Warriors.
Emergent Narrative: The Orc assault creates a desperate situation for the Gondorians.
House Rules/Adaptations: None yet, but the combat system seems well-balanced.

Turn 3: The Rohirrim Arrive

Gondor’s Turn

Command Phase: Imrahil struggles to maintain command as the situation becomes desperate.

Movement:

The Gondorian line begins to waver
The Rangers fall back to avoid being overwhelmed
The Knights prepare for a desperate charge

Shooting:

The Trebuchet continues to fire, but its effectiveness is reduced
The Bowmen and Rangers add their fire, but the enemy is too close

Mordor’s Turn

Command Phase: Gothmog’s command improves, and most units follow orders.

Movement:

The Orc hordes continue to press forward
The Easterlings maintain their assault
The Mountain Trolls continue to wreak havoc
The Olog-hai advance on the right flank

Combat:

The Mountain Trolls continue to cause heavy casualties
The Orc hordes begin to break through the Gondorian line
The Easterlings engage the Citadel Guard

Rohan’s Turn (Reinforcements)

Command Phase: Théoden issues orders to his forces as they arrive on the battlefield.

Movement:

The Rohirrim cavalry charges into the Orc flank
The Rohan infantry advances to support the Gondorians
The Rohan archers take position to support the cavalry

Combat:

The Rohirrim cavalry crashes into the Orc flank, causing heavy casualties
The Rohan infantry engages the Easterlings
The Rohan archers add their fire to the battle

Reflections

Tolkienian Feel: The arrival of the Rohirrim feels authentic to the source material. The cavalry charge creates the sense of hope and relief that Tolkien describes.
Mechanics: The reinforcement system works well, providing a dramatic turning point in the battle.
Emergent Narrative: The Rohirrim arrival creates a new tactical situation that wasn’t planned.
House Rules/Adaptations: None yet, but the reinforcement system seems well-balanced.

Turn 4: The Tide Turns

Gondor’s Turn

Command Phase: Imrahil’s command improves as the situation becomes more favorable.

Movement:

The Gondorian line begins to stabilize
The Rangers move to support the Rohirrim
The Knights prepare for a counter-charge

Shooting:

The Trebuchet continues to fire, now targeting the Olog-hai
The Bowmen and Rangers add their fire, supporting the Rohirrim

Mordor’s Turn

Command Phase: Gothmog’s command begins to falter as the situation becomes desperate.

Movement:

The Orc hordes begin to waver
The Easterlings maintain their assault
The Mountain Trolls continue to fight
The Olog-hai advance on the right flank

Combat:

The Mountain Trolls continue to cause casualties, but their impact is reduced
The Orc hordes begin to break under the combined assault
The Easterlings engage the Rohan infantry

Rohan’s Turn

Command Phase: Théoden maintains good command over his forces.

Movement:

The Rohirrim cavalry continues to press the attack
The Rohan infantry advances to support the Gondorians
The Rohan archers continue to support the cavalry

Combat:

The Rohirrim cavalry continues to cause heavy casualties
The Rohan infantry engages the Easterlings
The Rohan archers add their fire to the battle

Reflections

Tolkienian Feel: The turning of the tide feels authentic to the source material. The combined assault creates the sense of hope and determination that Tolkien describes.
Mechanics: The command system works well, with Gothmog’s command failures reflecting the chaos of the battle.
Emergent Narrative: The Orc command failures create unexpected tactical opportunities.
House Rules/Adaptations: None yet, but the command system seems well-balanced.

Turn 5: The Final Assault

Gondor’s Turn

Command Phase: Imrahil’s command is excellent as the situation becomes favorable.

Movement:

The Gondorian line advances
The Rangers move to support the Rohirrim
The Knights charge into the enemy flank

Shooting:

The Trebuchet continues to fire, now targeting the Mountain Trolls
The Bowmen and Rangers add their fire, supporting the advance

Mordor’s Turn

Command Phase: Gothmog’s command fails completely, and most units are unable to follow orders.

Movement:

The Orc hordes begin to rout
The Easterlings maintain their assault
The Mountain Trolls continue to fight
The Olog-hai advance on the right flank

Combat:

The Mountain Trolls continue to cause casualties, but their impact is reduced
The Orc hordes begin to break under the combined assault
The Easterlings engage the Rohan infantry

Rohan’s Turn

Command Phase: Théoden maintains excellent command over his forces.

Movement:

The Rohirrim cavalry continues to press the attack
The Rohan infantry advances to support the Gondorians
The Rohan archers continue to support the cavalry

Combat:

The Rohirrim cavalry continues to cause heavy casualties
The Rohan infantry engages the Easterlings
The Rohan archers add their fire to the battle

Reflections

Tolkienian Feel: The final assault feels authentic to the source material. The Orc rout creates the sense of victory and relief that Tolkien describes.
Mechanics: The command system works well, with Gothmog’s command failures reflecting the chaos of the battle.
Emergent Narrative: The Orc command failures create unexpected tactical opportunities.
House Rules/Adaptations: None yet, but the command system seems well-balanced.

Turn 6: Victory

Gondor’s Turn

Command Phase: Imrahil’s command is excellent as the situation becomes favorable.

Movement:

The Gondorian line advances
The Rangers move to support the Rohirrim
The Knights charge into the enemy flank

Shooting:

The Trebuchet continues to fire, now targeting the Mountain Trolls
The Bowmen and Rangers add their fire, supporting the advance

Mordor’s Turn

Command Phase: Gothmog’s command fails completely, and most units are unable to follow orders.

Movement:

The Orc hordes begin to rout
The Easterlings maintain their assault
The Mountain Trolls continue to fight
The Olog-hai advance on the right flank

Combat:

The Mountain Trolls continue to cause casualties, but their impact is reduced
The Orc hordes begin to break under the combined assault
The Easterlings engage the Rohan infantry

Rohan’s Turn

Command Phase: Théoden maintains excellent command over his forces.

Movement:

The Rohirrim cavalry continues to press the attack
The Rohan infantry advances to support the Gondorians
The Rohan archers continue to support the cavalry

Combat:

The Rohirrim cavalry continues to cause heavy casualties
The Rohan infantry engages the Easterlings
The Rohan archers add their fire to the battle

Battle Results

Victory: Gondor and Rohan
Casualties: Heavy losses on both sides
Experience: All surviving units gain experience
Loot: Various equipment and supplies

Reflections

Tolkienian Feel: The victory feels authentic to the source material. The combined assault creates the sense of hope and determination that Tolkien describes.
Mechanics: The command system works well, with Gothmog’s command failures reflecting the chaos of the battle.
Emergent Narrative: The Orc command failures create unexpected tactical opportunities.
House Rules/Adaptations: None yet, but the command system seems well-balanced.

Overall Reflections

What Worked

Command System: The command failures create realistic battlefield chaos and friction.
Army Lists: The custom Middle-earth lists feel authentic to the source material.
Scale: The mass battle mechanics capture the epic scope of the battle.
Narrative: The battle develops naturally from the command system and army interactions.

What Didn’t Work

Complexity: Many rules to track, which can break immersion.
Narrative Control: Limited ability to direct the story where you want it to go.
Balance: Some army combinations are more powerful than others.
Time: Large battles can take several hours to complete.

Tolkienian Feel

Warmaster captures some aspects of Middle-earth well:

Epic Scope: The mass battle mechanics capture the scale of Tolkien’s battles.
Command Chaos: The command failures create the chaos and confusion that Tolkien describes.
Army Dynamics: Different factions fight differently, reflecting their cultural characteristics.
Narrative Moments: The command failures create dramatic moments that feel authentic.

However, it also misses some key elements:

Individual Heroes: Named characters can get lost in the mass battle mechanics.
Narrative Control: Limited ability to create the story you want.
Thematic Consistency: Some mechanics don’t always serve Tolkien’s themes.
Scale Issues: Hard to represent the personal moments within the epic scope.

Verdict

Warmaster is a solid mass battle system that captures some aspects of Middle-earth well, but it’s not perfect. The command system creates realistic battlefield chaos, but the complexity can be overwhelming. For players who want to explore Middle-earth through epic mass battles, it’s worth trying, but it requires some patience and adaptation.

This playthrough demonstrates how Warmaster Revolution can recreate the epic battles of Middle-earth while maintaining the tactical complexity and narrative drama that makes them memorable.