THE FORCES OF DARKNESS THE FORCES OF DARKNESS
For description of troop types see Classification of Middle Earth Troops.
Dry. Ag 4.,WW,Rv, H(S), H(G),E,RGo,M,D,Rd,BUA.
| CC as Nazgul or Black Numenorean | Nazgul as Reg Kn(S) @35 or Man as Reg Kn(O) @33 |
1 |
| Sub as Uruk or Black Numenorean | Uruk as Reg Bd(F) @27 or Man as Reg Kn(O) @33 |
1-2 |
| Trolls | Irr Bd(S) @7 | 6-10 |
| upgrade Trolls to Olog-hai | Reg Bd(S) @9 | 0-4 |
| Orc Warriors | Irr Hd(S) @2 | 18-36 |
| upgrade warriors to Great Orcs | Irr Bd(F) @5 | up to 1/3 |
| upgrade Great Orcs to Uruks | Reg Bd(F) @6 | All/0 |
| upgrade Great Orcs or Uruks to Warg Riders | Irr Wo(O) @6 | 0-8 |
| Orc Archers | Irr Bw(I) @3 or Irr Ps (O) @2 [supp. Bd(F)] | 12-24 |
| Riderless Wargs | Irr Wo(I) @5 | 0-6 |
| Siege Engines | Irr Art (S)@10 | 0-4 |
| "Grond" Siege ram with attached archers | Irr WWg(S) @ 10 AP | 0-1 |
| Black Numenoreans | Reg Kn(O) @12 | 0-2 |
| Subject Men Cavalry | Irr Cv(O) @7 | 0-3 |
| Subject Men Infantry | Irr Sp(I) @3 | 0-18 |
| Orcs of the Outlands Allies | List: Orcs of the Outlands | 1-3 cmds |
| Haradrim Allies | List: Haradrim | 0-1 |
| Variag Allies | List: Variag | 0-1 |
| Easterling Allies | List: Easterlings | 0-1 |
Kn(S) or Nazgul flying fell-beast LH(S) may dismount as Reg Bd (S).
| Ally General as Great Orc | Irr Bd(F) @12 or Irr Wo(O) @11 | 1 |
| Trolls | Irr Bd(S) @7 | 0-2 |
| Orc Warriors | Irr Hd(F) @1 | 12-20 |
| upgrade armoured Orc Warriors to | Irr Hd(S) @2 | any |
| upgrade Orcs to Warg Riders | Irr Wo(O)@6 | 0-8 |
| riderless Wargs | Irr Wo(I) @5 | 0-6 |
| Orc Archers | Irr Ps(O) @2 | 0-8 |
This list covers the various semi-independent Orc tribes of the misty mountains, the northern plains and Mordor. It is not a complete army of it's own but provides (mutiple) allied contingents for other armies.
Cold, Ag3, Rv, H(S), H(G), Wd, O, RGo, Rd, BUA
| CC Uruk or Man-orc or as Man on Horse |
Reg Bd (F) @ 27 or Irr Cv(O) @ 17 |
1 |
| Sub General | as above | 0-1 |
| Uruks or Man-Orcs | Reg Bd(F) @7 | 8-16 |
| Uruk or Man-Orc Archers | Reg Ps(O)@2 [supp. Bd(F)] | 0-24 |
| upgrade archers | Reg Bw(O)@5 | 0-8 |
| Mercenary Foot | Irr Sp(I)@3 | 0-10 |
| Mercenary Cavalry | Irr Cv(O)@7 | 0-3 |
| Siege engines | Reg Art(S)@10 | 0-2 |
| Trenches to obstruct enemy cavalry | TF @ 2 | 0-8 |
| Dunlending Allies | ||
| Ally General | Irr Cv(O)@12 or Irr LH(O)@5 | 0-1 |
| Nobles | Irr Cv(O)@7 or Irr LH(O)@5 | 0-6 |
| Dunish warriors | Irr Wb(F)@3 | 10-48 |
| upgrade warriors to "pike armed men" | Irr Ax(X)@3 | 0-24 |
| Dunish Scouts | Irr Ps(S)@3 | 0-6 |
| Dunish Archers | Irr Ps(O)@2 | 0-16 |
| Orcs of the Misty Mountains Allies | List: Orcs of the Outlands | 1-2 cmds |
This lists covers the wizard Saruman the White's forces in the years 3018 and 3019 of the third age. Saruman did not take the field in person, delegating his authority to subordinates.
The Uruk-hai who captured Merry and Pippin in the raid on Parth Galen are described as mailed carrying a shield, a short stabbing sword and great yew bows. The Uruks are described to be of human size, strong and of near black skin. All bear the sign of Saruman - a white S in Elven Letters on the helmet and shields. They are much more powerfull than ordinary orcs, they are also reliable and disciplined (which is seen when they fought against their unreliable orcish allies after the capture of Merry and Pippin). It is unlikely they performed in battle primarily as archers. At the Battle of the Fords of Isen uruks were able to overcome the Rohan shieldwall. I incline towards the view of blades with extra missile protection against Kn.
The Dunlendings lived in the foothills of the Hithaeglir, or Misty Mountains, and readily served Saruman due to their long emnity with the Rohirrim. While fierce, they were however not as well equipped as their enemies."Pike armed men" are mentioned at the battle of the Fords of Isen, I interpret this as Dunish Ax(X). Dunlendings may be commanded by the CC. A Dunish Ally General is only needed if more than 12 elements of Dunlendings are used. Dunlending Cv or LH may always dismount as Wb(F).
Dry. Ag 1. Rv, H(G),O,V,E,RGo,D,Rd,BUA.
| C-C | Irr Cv(O) @17 or Reg Cv(O) @28 | 1 |
| Sub General | as above | 1-2 |
| Mumakil | Irr El(S) @20 | 4-9 |
| Cavalry | Irr Cv(O) @7 or Reg Cv(O) @8 | 6-18 |
| Spearmen | Irr Sp(I) @3 or Reg Sp(I) @4 | 12-24 |
| upgrade Spearmen with armour to | Irr Sp(O) @4 or Reg Sp(O) @5 | 0-6 |
| Far Haradrim | Irr Wb (O) @3 | 0-12 |
| Horsemen | Irr LH (O)@5 | 0-6 |
| Khand Allies | List: Easterling | |
| Far Haradrim Allies | List: Pre Islamic Arab (Book 2, may not include camels) | |
| only after TA1448: | ||
| Corsair dromunds | Reg Gal(S) @4 (Corsairs) | 0-6 |
| Corsairs of Umbar | Reg Ax(S) @5 | 1/Gal |
| Upgrade Corsair dromund to ally-generals flagship | Reg Gal(S) @4 | 1* |
This list covers the Southron kingdom south of Umbar. Cavalry fought with scimitars rather than lances or spears. Some infantry are described as wearing red and with body armour comprised of bronze plates. Mumakil were enormous elephants bearing war-towers. At least as many regular spearmen must be fielded as other regular elements.
The Corsairs were a remnant faction from the Gondorian Kin-strife civil-war that retained the great harbour of Umbar, and were the dominant naval power for most of the later third age. Corsair galleys are described as dromunds of great draught with many oars and black sails. Rowers were slaves chained to the benches. The Minimum marked* applies only if more than 2 dromunds are used.
Far Haradrim from the deep south were black skinned. and are described as being like 'half-trolls' with red tongues! It is assumed that they can be equated with historical dessert cultures. Horsemen and Far-Haradrim al count as Bedouin. Allied contingents from this list may contain Horsemen, Far Haradrim and Corsairs.
Variags: Warm. Others: Cold. Ag 3. Rv, H(G), Wd, O, V, RGo, Rd, BUA. Only 'other nations': WW.
| C-in-C equipped as nobles | Irr Kn (O) @ 19 or Irr Cv (O) @ 17 or Irr Bd (O) @ 15 |
1 |
| Sub-general | as above | 0-1 |
| Ally-generals equipped as nobles | Irr Kn (O) @ 14 or Irr Cv (O) @ 12 or Irr Bd (O) @ 15 |
0-2 |
| Nobles | Irr Bd (O) @ 5 | 6-10 |
| Cavalry | Irr Cv (O) @ 7 | 8-15 |
| Skirmishers | Irr LH (F) @ 4 | 0-16 |
| Foot archers | Irr Ps (O) @ 2 or Irr Bw (I) @ 3 | 6-20 |
| Foot with axes and/or swords | Irr Bd (I) @ 4, or spears - Irr Sp (I) @ 3 | 24-48 |
| Only 'other nations': | ||
| Dwarven allies | List: Dwarven | |
| Only in the first age: | ||
| Replace all Cavalry with Axemen | Irr Bd (I) @ 4 | All |
| Regrade Skirmishers on foot | Irr Ps (S) @ 3 | All |
| Orc allies | List: Angband | |
| Only after the first age: | ||
| Set-up wagon laager to defend camp | TF @ 1 | 0-12 |
| Upgrade Nobles to | Irr Cv (O) @ 7 | Any |
| Only Khand after the first age: | ||
| Haradrim allies | List: Haradrim | |
| Only from 2A1800 to 2A3434, 3A2063 to 3A2460, and 3A2951 to 3A3019: |
||
| Mordor allies | List: Mordor | |
| Only Wainriders in the third age: | ||
| Upgrade Nobles in war-chariots | Irr Kn (O) @ 9 | All |
| Wainriders | Irr Hd (O) @ 1 | 0-20 |
| Only Wainriders in the third age or Balchoth from 3A2489 to 3A2545: |
||
| Set-up wagon laager to defend camp (in addition to those above) | TF @ 1 | 6 |
| Only 'other nations' from 3A1240 to 3A1248: | ||
| Northmen allies | List: Northmen | |
| Only Wainriders in 3A1851 to 3A1899: | ||
| Rhovanion allies | List: Northmen | |
| Only Wainriders in 3A1944: | ||
| Khand allies | List: Easterlings | |
| Near-Haradrim allies | List: Harad | |
| Only Balchoth from 3A2489 to 3A2545: | ||
| Replace Cavalry and Skirmishers with poorly-equipped foot | Irr Hd (O) @ 1 | All |
| Only Balchoth in 3A2510: | ||
| Boats and rafts | Irr Bts (I) @ 1 [Bd, Sp, Ps] | 0-4 |
| Orc allies | List: Outland Orcs | |
| Only 'other nations' after 3A2545: | ||
| Upgrade Axemen | Irr Bd (I) to Irr Bd (O) @ 5 | Any |
This list covers all Human armies originating far to the east of Eriador, such as the Wainriders and Balchoth that attacked Gondor, the Easterlings that attacked the kingdom of Dale at Sauron's behest, and also the nebulous Variags of Khand. First age armies may not have mounted troops, as men had yet to master the techniques of horse-rearing. Angband allies must have an Orc general. The may not be used with Dwarven allies. Wainrider chariots are descibed as charging headlong into walls of defenders rather than skirmishing and are thus graded as Kn. They conquered Rhovanion after the great plague in 3A1635 decimated the local population. Rhovanians may not be used with Dwarven or Haradrim allies. They successfully rebelled during the war with Gondor, and some later migrated to the Vale of the Anduin, to set up the Eotheod in 3A1977. A Rhovanian vassal contingent may include non-compulsory foot, and may not be used with any other external allies. Ally contingents from this list may include skirmishers or their replacements. 'Other nations' are those other than the Balchoth, Khand or Wainriders. An army may not include internal allies of a different nation.
The list is adopted from Luke Sarson (original at: http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~fingon/Easterlings.html).