Battle Report: Ride out vs Assault on Helms deep

Board Layout

A Rohan Themed board with a tower in the center and fenced fields either side on the center line. Each side had three houses each and hedges and scatter terrain evenly spread out.

Deployment.

Legolas deployed his warband on the mid-point far right. The Uruk Leader deployed directly opposite with a Captain and Shaman all in support. The bomb team was deployed behind the line protected from charge. 

Theoden, Aragorn and Gamling deployed more centrally between the tower and the field. The last Uruk captain with a warband of Crossbows deployed towards the back next to a house hoping to get some shots in.

Turn 1 – Isengard Priority

Isengard seized the initiative early. Legolas immediately called a Heroic Move, to avoid being charged forcing himself to charge due to the army rule. He attempted a Pinpoint Shot at the Flaming Brand Beserker but rolled a 1 and missed—though fate intervened elsewhere as a different Berserker was still slain in combat that phase.

A Royal Guard performed efficiently, cutting down two Uruk-hai. Rohan, however, suffered losses: two Riders were slain, along with one horse, marking an even opening Turn.

Turn 2 – Rohan Priority

Rohan took priority and looked to regain momentum. Legolas fired into a Flame Berserker, successfully wounding it—but the Berserker rolled a 6 to save.

Aragorn charged the captain leading the crossbow warband. Legolas charged a beserker and a Uruk. Riders and Royal Guards charged across the line leaving only Theoden and Gamling unable to charge in.

Isengard crossbows found their mark on Brego, wounding him, though Aragorns Horse Lord Fate saved him.

Aragorn called Heroic Strength, but fluffed his combat badly (only a 4 high on four dice). Forced to spend two Might just to win, he did at least cut down the Uruk Captain.

Legolas also fluffed his combat, using Might to secure the win and killing two Uruks.

By the end of the turn, Rohan were up to six dead.

Turn 3 – Rohan Priority

The Isengard Shaman attempted to Transfix Legolas, rolling a 4 and spending Might to raise it to a 5. Legolas burned both Will points to resist—successfully—but once again failed to finish off the Flame Berserker.

Crossbow fire intensified. Brego took two wounds, spending Aragorns last Fate to survive. A third crossbow shot struck Aragorn, wounding him—he now had no Fate remaining.

Theoden called a Heroic Combat, leaping a hedge on a 6 to charge again. With help from a Royal Guard, he killed a Berserker. Elsewhere, a Rider slew two crossbows, and several Uruks and Berserkers fell across the line.

Aragorn, however, fluffed yet another combat and was wounded again, dropping to one wound with no Fate.

Rohan losses climbed to 10 models, just one casualty short of breaking.

Turn 4 – Isengard Priority

Isengard regained priority. Heroic Moves were called by Legolas and Theoden, but an Isengard Captain countered—and won the roll-off.

The Horn of Helm Hammerhand sounded this turn giving terror to all Ride out models though only the Shaman failed the terror test. Charges went in across the board. In hindsight, Rohan made a critical error by calling Heroic Moves two with heroes, burning crucial might.

Three crossbows fired directly into Aragorn’s combat, all three hit, and killed the Berserker, leaving Aragorn unexpectedly out of combat.

Legolas was successfully Transfixed by the Shaman.

Theoden called a Heroic Combat but lost the fight, suffering a wound and losing Fate. Aragorn made way, allowing both heroes to retreat outside bomb range.

At the end of the turn, Rohan were broken.

Turn 5 – Rohan Priority

Rohan won priority. Uruks Captain called Heroic move. Aragorn (free might) and Gamling both countered. Rohan won the roll-off, allowing Gamling, Theoden, Legolas, and a Royal Guard to charge. Aragorn was still charged regardless—another costly mistake in calling two moves meaning Aragorn was unable to call a heroic combat.

Legolas once again failed to kill the Flame Berserker, continuing his run of bad luck.

Then disaster struck: the bomb detonated, killing Aragorn, Theoden, and six Isengard models in one devastating blast.

A Royal Guard wounded the Leader Captain but he rolled a successful fate.

Gamling spent his last Might to tie a fight but lost the roll-off against two Berserkers. His horse was killed after a failed Fate roll, leaving him on one wound.

Turn 6 – Isengard Priority

Isengard took priority again.

Legolas was slain.

Gamling managed to kill one Berserker, but the end was inevitable. Only Gamling and a single Royal Guard remained alive for Rohan.

The game ended on a roll of 1.

Result

Isengard Victory: 17–0

Aragorn was Tom’s Target and was killed by the bomb

Uruk Captain (Matt’s Target) survived

The only Victory Points Tom failed to score were from killing the Target with the Assassin, as the bomb claimed him instead.

A brutal, decisive win for Isengard, defined by relentless crossbow fire, critical Heroic roll-offs, and a perfectly timed bomb that sealed Rohan’s fate.