The "Armies of The Hobbit" refers to a major expansion for the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game (MESBG)
. It serves as the definitive sourcebook for using models and factions from The Hobbit film trilogy in the tabletop game . Core Content of the Book
The 160-page supplement provides rules and background for over 120 unit profiles and 22 army lists . It is split into two primary sections:
Forces of Good: Includes 15 army lists such as Thorin’s Company, Army of Thrór, Iron Hills, Survivors of Lake-town, and The White Council .
Forces of Evil: Includes 7 army lists like the Army of Gundabad, Pits of Dol Guldur, Azog’s Hunters, and Goblin-town .
Unique Profiles: Features stats for major characters like Smaug, Azog the Defiler, and Thranduil, detailing their Wargear, Heroic Actions, and Special Rules . Official PDF & Digital Access
While fans often seek "PDFs" for quick reference, the official digital version is an ePub format, which functions similarly on tablets and phones.
Official Purchase: You can buy the digital version directly from Warhammer Digital .
Free Official PDFs: Warhammer Community provides free, official FAQ and Errata PDFs that update the book's rules, including point cost changes and rule clarifications . Gaming Requirements To use this book effectively, you also need:
The Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game Rules Manual: This contains the core mechanics (moving, shooting, fighting) .
Miniatures: The book is designed for use with the Citadel and Forge World miniatures ranges . If you'd like, I can:
Detail the specific units in a particular army (e.g., "What's in the Iron Hills list?").
Explain how the Allies Matrix works for combining different factions. Find the latest point changes from the February 2026 FAQ.
Let me know which faction or rule you're most interested in! Armies of The Hobbit™ (English) - Warhammer
The Armies of The Hobbit is a primary expansion for the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game (MESBG). It provides a comprehensive collection of 22 army lists and over 120 unit profiles from The Hobbit™ film trilogy.
You can find the official digital documentation and community-shared versions through several platforms:
Official FAQ & Errata: Access the most recent Armies of The Hobbit FAQ on Warhammer Community to see rules updates and point changes.
Comprehensive Guides: Detailed 165-page community uploads for the MESBG Armies of The Hobbit (2024) and the Armies of Middle-earth Guide 2024 are available on Scribd.
Resource Hubs: Forums like VK often host updated collections of supplementary PDFs including the Matched Play Guide and Legacies of Middle-earth. 🛡️ Key Army Breakdowns
The book separates forces into "Good" and "Evil," each with unique Army Bonuses that only apply if your force is "Pure" (containing only models from that specific list). Forces of Good (13–15 Lists)
The Iron Hills: Known for high Defense and the lethal Ballista. The Iron Hills are considered the toughest infantry in the game.
Halls of Thranduil: These are elite Mirkwood Elves with exceptional archery. Thranduil is a versatile combat hero with multiple wargear options.
Thorin’s Company: A "hero-only" list. Each dwarf is a powerful unit.
Army of Lake-town: This is a "horde" style army that relies on numbers and Bard the Bowman's leadership. Forces of Evil (7 Lists)
Azog’s Legion: This army features heavy-hitting Gundabad Orcs and Trolls. Azog is considered one of the most overpowered hero profiles in the game. middle earth armies of the hobbit pdf
Goblin-town: This army relies on large numbers. The Goblin King can "summon" more goblins.
Dark Powers of Dol Guldur: This army focuses on the Necromancer and the Nazgûl of Dol Guldur, with high magical utility. ⚔️ Essential Gameplay Mechanics
To use these armies effectively, consider these core rules from the Rules Manual:
Heroic Tiers: Every hero has a tier that dictates how many warriors they can lead.
The Allies Matrix: Armies from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings can be mixed. However, they are categorized as Green (Historical), Yellow (Convenient), or Red (Impossible) allies. Only Green allies keep their Army Bonuses.
Warbands: Armies are built in Warbands. Warriors cannot be taken without a hero to lead them.
Bow Limit: Most armies are restricted to only 33% of their models equipped with bows. 📖 New Edition Changes (2024-2025)
Recent updates have changed several profiles to maintain balance: Point Adjustments: Heroes like Thorin Oakenshield and have seen slight point increases, while Bilbo Baggins has become cheaper.
Special Rules: Grim Hammer warriors gained a "special strike" with two-handed weapons that allows them to attempt knockdowns.
The One Ring: Bilbo’s version of the Ring now has the "It has not yet awoken" rule, making it less risky to use than Frodo’s version.
💡 Many players on Reddit recommend the Iron Hills for Good or Azog's Hunters for Evil for beginners because they have straightforward strategies and strong individual models.
Are you looking to build a competitive tournament list, or are you more interested in narrative scenarios from the movies?
Armies of The Hobbit is a 160-page expansion for the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game
. It serves as a comprehensive guide for the factions and heroes from The Hobbit
motion picture trilogy. You can find the physical book and potentially its digital equivalents through official retailers like Miniature Market Key Content & Features
The book provides the necessary rules to muster grand armies and recreate iconic scenes on your tabletop: Army Lists & Profiles
: Contains 22 army lists and over 120 unit profiles for both Good and Evil forces. Tactical Depth
: Each profile includes points values, characteristics, special rules, wargear options, and Heroic Tiers Thematic Scenarios : Players can engage in narrative battles such as: Roast Mutton : Bilbo's encounter with the three trolls. Escape from Goblin-town : Fleeing the clutches of the Goblin King. The Battle of the Five Armies : Large-scale warfare between combined forces. Miniature Market Featured Factions
The supplement is divided between the two core sides of the conflict: Forces of Good Forces of Evil Thorin's Company Azog's Legion & Hunters Army of Thrór & Iron Hills Dark Powers of Dol Guldur Army & Survivors of Lake-town Goblin-town Garrison of Dale The Trolls Halls of Thranduil Desolator of the North (Smaug) The White Council Dark Denizens of Mirkwood Essential Resources
To stay updated with the latest rules, several official and community PDFs are available:
The Armies of The Hobbit is a 160-page hardback supplement (also available as an eBook/PDF) for the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game. It serves as the definitive guide for players looking to field forces specifically from The Hobbit motion picture trilogy. ⚔️ Key Features
The supplement is designed to give you everything needed to bring the cinematic battles of the Third Age to your tabletop.
Extensive Army Lists: Contains over 120 unit profiles and 22 distinct army lists.
Thematic Rules: Each faction includes unique army bonuses that reflect their culture and fighting style. The "Armies of The Hobbit" refers to a
Narrative Scenarios: Includes 11 scenarios based on pivotal film moments, such as the Battle of the Five Armies and Escape from Goblin-town.
Allies Matrix: A detailed guide showing which factions can fight alongside each other based on historical lore. 🛡️ Forces of Good (15 Army Lists)
The Good factions focus on the diverse peoples who united against the growing shadow of Smaug and the Pale Orc. Faction Type Key Army Lists Included Dwarf Holds
Thorin's Company, Army of Thrór, The Iron Hills, Erebor Reclaimed Kingdoms of Men Army of Lake-town, Survivors of Lake-town, Garrison of Dale Elven Kingdoms Halls of Thranduil, Rivendell, Rangers of Mirkwood Free Peoples
Radagast's Alliance, The White Council, Misty Mountains (Eagles) Forces of Evil (7 Army Lists) MESBG Armies of The Hobbit (2024) | PDF - Scribd
ISBN: 978-1-83779-217-7 Product Code: 60 63 14 99 025. INTRODUCTION. INTRODUCTION. F rom the stoic and stubborn Dwarves of Erebor, Armies of the Hobbit Book Hardcover 30-88 NIB - eBay
As is standard for Games Workshop publications, the production value is high. The hardcover book features thick, glossy pages and full-color artwork. The layout is intuitive, separating the narrative sections from the statistical tables, making it easy to find rules mid-game. The color schemes suggested for the Lake-town and Iron Hills armies provide excellent basing points for new painters.
Games Workshop is slowly migrating all Middle-earth content to a new edition. Rumor has it that Armies of The Hobbit will be absorbed into a larger Armies of Middle-earth compendium by late 2025. If that happens, a legitimate, purchasable eBook might finally arrive via the Warhammer Digital store.
Until then, the "Middle Earth Armies of the Hobbit PDF" remains a hybrid resource: part myth, part necessity. For the casual gamer, the official physical book is the gold standard. For the budget-conscious player, Battlescribe and Tabletop Admiral are lifesavers. And for the dedicated tournament player—buy the book, scan the pages you need, and keep a printout in your bag.
"Middle-earth: Armies of the Hobbit" is a must-have for MESBG enthusiasts. While the core rules are required to play, this sourcebook provides the necessary depth to explore the Third Age's earlier conflicts. Whether you are a Dwarf player looking to reclaim the Lonely Mountain or an Evil player wanting to crush the Free Peoples under the heel of the Pale Orc, this book delivers the lore, aesthetics, and rules to do so effectively.
Rating: 9/10 – Essential for faction completeness; a high-quality hobby companion.
The Armies of The Hobbit is a 160-page gaming supplement for the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game (MESBG) that provides profiles and rules for characters and armies from The Hobbit™ Motion Picture Trilogy. It is available as a hardback book from retailers like Warhammer or as an ePub3 digital file through Warhammer Digital. Report: Armies of The Hobbit Supplement Overview Core Contents
The supplement includes over 120 unit profiles and 22 army lists, broken down as follows:
Forces of Good (13–15 Army Lists): Features profiles for the Dwarven Holds (41 profiles), Elven Kingdoms (17 profiles), Kingdoms of Men (16 profiles), and Free Peoples (8 profiles).
Forces of Evil (7 Army Lists): Covers factions like Gundabad and Dol Guldur (24 profiles), Misty Mountains (9 profiles), and the dragon Smaug.
Narrative Scenarios: 11 scenarios based on pivotal battles, including the Battle of the Five Armies, Escape from Goblin-town, and the Fall of the Necromancer. Factions Included Forces of Good Forces of Evil Thorin's Company Azog’s Legion Army of Thrór / Erebor Reclaimed Azog’s Hunters Iron Hills Dwarves Dark Powers of Dol Guldur Army / Survivors of Lake-town Dark Denizens of Mirkwood Garrison of Dale Goblin-town Rivendell & Halls of Thranduil The Trolls Radagast’s Alliance & The White Council Desolator of the North (Smaug) The Misty Mountains & Wanderers in the Wild Sources: Armies of The Hobbit™ (English) - Warhammer
The Armies of The Hobbit is a primary expansion for the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game (MESBG). It provides a comprehensive collection of unit profiles, army lists, and rules specifically for models and factions featured in The Hobbit motion picture trilogy. Book Overview
The supplement is a 160-page guide that enables players to recreate iconic battles from the films, such as the defense of Lake-town or the Battle of Five Armies. It includes:
Over 120 Unit Profiles: Detailed stats and special rules for heroes (like Thorin Oakenshield and Azog the Defiler), warriors, and monsters (like Smaug).
Forces of Good & Evil: Structured army lists that detail points values, wargear options, and heroic tiers.
Thematic Rules: Guidance on army composition and an "Allies Matrix" to ensure games remain lore-accurate. Army Lists Included
The book covers several key factions organized by their allegiance: Forces of Good (13–15 Army Lists):
Thorin's Company: The iconic group of 13 Dwarves, Bilbo, and Gandalf.
Army of Thrór & Iron Hills: Elite Dwarven forces from the ancestral and military holds. Visual Presentation As is standard for Games Workshop
Kingdoms of Men: Including the Army of Lake-town, Survivors of Lake-town, and the Garrison of Dale.
Elven Kingdoms: Lists for Rivendell and the Halls of Thranduil (Mirkwood).
Radagast’s Alliance: Focuses on the Brown Wizard and his animal allies.
The White Council: Powerful heroes like Saruman, Elrond, and Galadriel. Forces of Evil (7 Army Lists):
Army of Gundabad: The primary legion of Orcs led by Azog and Bolg.
Pits of Dol Guldur: The dark forces stationed at the Necromancer's fortress. Goblin-town: The swarming hordes of the Great Goblin.
Azog's Hunters: Specialized raiding parties of Orcs on Wargs. Desolator of the North: Dedicated rules for fielding Smaug. Availability and Official Updates
While various PDF and digital editions (ePub3) are available through retailers like Warhammer Digital and Warhammer.com, players should consult the latest official Designers' Commentary and Errata on the Warhammer Community site for current rule balance and clarifications. MESBG Armies of The Hobbit (2024) | PDF - Scribd
The armies of The Hobbit represent a transitional moment in Middle-earth’s military history – between the ancient wars of Elves and Morgoth and the total war of the War of the Ring. They are smaller, more personal, and deeply tied to specific homelands: the stonecraft of Dwarves, the woodland cunning of Elves, the desperate courage of Men, and the brute swarm of Goblins. The Battle of Five Armies, often overlooked in favor of Helm’s Deep or the Pelennor Fields, is a masterpiece of tactical writing, showing how terrain, timing, and a few extraordinary individuals (Eagles, Beorn, a single archer) can decide a war. For any student of Tolkien’s military world, The Hobbit offers the essential foundation: a world where armies are not faceless numbers but the sons of iron hills, the spears of the Wood-elf king, and the wings of the wind-lords.
To convert this text into a PDF:
The Armies of Middle Earth in The Hobbit
J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novel, The Hobbit, is a tale of adventure, bravery, and the struggle between good and evil. One of the most fascinating aspects of the book is the array of armies that inhabit Middle Earth, each with their own unique culture, strengths, and weaknesses. In this post, we'll explore the various armies of Middle Earth in The Hobbit.
The Kingdom of the Dwarves
The dwarves of Erebor, led by Thorin Oakenshield, are one of the main armies in The Hobbit. They are a proud and sturdy people, skilled in the art of warfare and determined to reclaim their homeland from the dragon Smaug. The dwarves are known for their axe-wielding prowess and their ability to withstand siege warfare.
The Army of the Woodland Realm
The Woodland Realm, ruled by King Thranduil, is home to a powerful army of elves. These elves are skilled archers and warriors, able to move swiftly and silently through the forest. They are also known for their use of magic and their ability to communicate with the natural world.
The Goblin Armies
The goblins, led by Azog and Bolg, are a dark and malevolent force in Middle Earth. They are a numerous and vicious army, often at odds with the other armies of Middle Earth. The goblins are skilled in the use of dark magic and are known for their cruelty and brutality.
The Eagles of Manwë
The eagles, led by Gwaihir, are a powerful and ancient army in Middle Earth. They are skilled in the art of aerial warfare and are often called upon by the free peoples of Middle Earth to provide assistance in times of need.
The Army of the Lonely Mountain
The army of the Lonely Mountain, also known as Erebor, is a combined force of dwarves, elves, and men who band together to defeat the dragon Smaug. This army is led by Thorin Oakenshield, Bard the Bowman, and other leaders.
The Battle of Five Armies
The Battle of Five Armies is a pivotal event in The Hobbit, in which the armies of the dwarves, elves, men, eagles, and goblins clash in a fierce and epic battle. This battle marks the culmination of the story and is a testament to the bravery and determination of the free peoples of Middle Earth.
In conclusion, the armies of Middle Earth in The Hobbit are a diverse and fascinating aspect of the book. Each army has its own unique culture, strengths, and weaknesses, and they all play a crucial role in the story.
If you have secured the Middle Earth Armies of the Hobbit PDF, here are three tournament-viable lists you can build immediately: