Warmaster Revolution Compatible
“Arise, arise, Riders of ThĂ©oden! Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter! Spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises!”
— Théoden, The Return of the King
Right, let’s talk about Rohan—the horse-lords’ martial culture. This isn’t just about speed and shock; it’s about devastating charges that can turn the tide of battle. This army list captures the Rohirrim’s reliance on cavalry while addressing the unique challenges of fielding a mounted force in Warmaster Revolution.
Design Philosophy
Thematic Pillars: Rohan’s army embodies speed and mobility where cavalry dominates the battlefield—like a storm across the plains. Shock tactics deliver devastating charges that break enemy formations, while the horse-lords’ culture shows the deep connection between rider and mount. But there’s vulnerability too—they’re powerful but fragile, struggling in protracted combat.
Mechanical Expression: Rohan’s mechanical expression features heavy emphasis on cavalry units with enhanced movement, limited infantry for defensive purposes, high command values for rapid maneuver, and penalties when dismounted or bogged down.
Army List
Core Units
| Unit Name | Type | Att | Hits | Save | Cmd | Size | Points | Min/Max | Special Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riders | Cavalry | 3 | 3 | 5+ | – | 3 | 80 | 3/- | Cavalry |
| Royal Guard | Cavalry | 3 | 3 | 4+ | – | 3 | 100 | -/2 | Cavalry, Elite |
| Horse Archers | Cavalry | 3/1 | 3 | 6+ | – | 3 | 75 | 1/- | Cavalry, Skirmish |
| Spearmen | Infantry | 2 | 3 | 6+ | – | 3 | 45 | 1/- | Defensive |
| Archers | Infantry | 2/1 | 3 | 6+ | – | 3 | 50 | 1/- | Defensive |
Characters
| Name | Type | Cmd | Att | Points | Min/Max | Special Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | General | 9 | +2 | 120 | 1/1 | Horse-lord |
| Hero | Hero | 8 | +1 | 85 | -/2 | Horse-lord |
| ThĂ©oden | Hero | 9 | +2 | 140 | -/1 | Horse-lord, King’s Presence |
| Éomer | Hero | 8 | +2 | 130 | -/1 | Horse-lord, Marshal |
Special Rules
Cavalry
Cavalry units have enhanced movement and can make devastating charges, but suffer penalties in difficult terrain.
Elite
Royal Guard units gain +1 to hit in combat and ignore the first failed Command test each turn.
Skirmish
Horse Archers can shoot and move in the same turn, but cannot charge.
Defensive
Spearmen and Archers gain +1 to hit when defending against charges.
Horse-lord
Characters with Horse-lord can issue orders to cavalry units at double range and grant them +1 to Command tests.
King’s Presence
Théoden can rally all friendly units within 15cm, allowing them to ignore one failed Command test.
Marshal
Éomer can lead a charge, granting all friendly cavalry units within 10cm +1 to hit on their next charge.
Army Composition Guidelines
Minimum Requirements
- 1 General
- 3+ Riders units
- 1+ Spearmen unit
Recommended Composition
Rohan armies should be composed of 70-80% cavalry core with Riders and Royal Guard for the main striking force, 10-20% support units like Horse Archers for harassment and ranged support, 10-20% defense units such as Spearmen and Archers for camp defense, and a mix of mounted heroes for command and inspiration.
Tactical Considerations
Strengths:
- Superior mobility allows rapid repositioning
- Devastating charges can break enemy formations
- High command values enable complex maneuvers
- Can control large areas of the battlefield
Weaknesses:
- Vulnerable to missile fire and difficult terrain
- Struggles against fortified positions
- Expensive units mean fewer models on the table
- Requires careful positioning to avoid being trapped
Playstyle
Rohan excels at maneuver warfare:
- Hit and Run: Use superior mobility to strike where the enemy is weakest
- Concentrated Charges: Focus multiple cavalry units on single targets
- Flanking: Use speed to attack enemy flanks and rear
- Pursuit: Exploit broken enemies with follow-up charges
The army embodies the Rohirrim’s way of war: swift, decisive, and devastating. Every unit is designed to strike hard and fast, turning the enemy’s strength against them through superior mobility and timing.
Design Challenges and Solutions
The Cavalry Problem
Warmaster Revolution doesn’t inherently favor pure cavalry armies. This list addresses this through:
Rohan’s design features enhanced command with high command values allowing complex maneuvers, special rules where horse-lord abilities give cavalry tactical advantages, mixed arms with limited infantry providing defensive options, and point efficiency through carefully costed units ensuring competitive play.
Balancing Speed and Power
The list balances mobility with combat effectiveness:
The list balances speed and power through Riders as standard cavalry with good stats and reasonable cost, Royal Guard as elite cavalry with enhanced abilities, Horse Archers providing mobile ranged support, and defensive units like infantry to hold objectives and protect flanks.
This list captures the essence of Rohan’s martial culture while remaining competitive in Warmaster Revolution’s tactical environment.