Inside the Supplement

Section 1 – Concerning Hobbits

This section is a good beginning for the book and was nice reading too.

Section 2 – The Scouring of the Shire

This section explains the happenings of Lotho Sackville-Baggins and Saruman, known by the Hobbits as Sharkey that started the whole problem with Sharkey and his Ruffians in the Shire. It tells us of how the Took's shot ruffians that came on their land. Also outlined are the events that unfold as the Hobbit heroes from the Fellowship returned home from their journey, finding the Shire under the control of the ruffians and Sharkey.

This section is quite good, especially for those who have not read the book, as it explains exactly what happens in the Shire.

Frodo of the Nine Fingers

Apart from his Special Rules, Frodo’s profile hasn’t changed much from the Return of the King. But Frodo could really have stood to have had more Fate as he is regarded as a very important hero. Frodo can also ride a pony.

The special rules for Frodo are "It will never really heal" and "Home is a Hero". They add more character to the hero. The rules for ponies are listed here and are tame but effective.

Samwise Gamgee

Nearly exactly the same as his normal profile but he can ride a Pony and carries Sting.

Peregrin Took, Guard of the Citadel

Pippin has a special rule called "Guard of the Citadel", which is a bit underpowered (it just doesn't do much), but he can also ride a pony and has a higher defence.

Meriadoc Brandybuck, Knight of the Mark

Merry has a higher defence and has the "Defender of the Mark" rule, which is similar to Pippin’s "Guard of the Citadel" rule, but for Rohan. He also has the Horn of the Riddermark.

Paladin Took (Pippin’s Father)

Paladin’s profile is quite good and he has a high courage, showcasing his leadership of the Hobbits before the others return from their journey.

Farmer Maggot

Surprisingly, Maggot’s hounds Grip, Wolf and Fang are covered by a special rule, and not a unit themselves. Although they do have stats which are relatively good. Maggot is quite a strong Hobbit, shown in his profile, but this is also because he has quite a nice weapon. He is a definite hero for any Hobbit force.

Lobelia Sackville-Baggins

Lobelia’s special rules are written very well. "Furious Tirade" and "The Umbrella is not Mightier than a Sword" add a lot of nice depth to the character. She also has a very high courage.

Fredegar Bolger

Has the same stats of a Hobbit archer with some fate and is armed with "Kitchen Implements"

Hobbit Militia

These are very cheap in points and wear "Everyday Clothing".

Hobbit Archers

These are more expensive than Militia. They are stronger and may also can have a horn (the musical one, not the evil ones).

Shirriffs

These are stronger than Militia and Archers, but have no additional wargear.

Section 4 - Hobbit Colours

This is a nice guide for painting many, many types of Hobbit clothing including:
A white Apron
Light Brown Undershirts
Orange Hats
Beige Hats
Light Green Jacket
Blue Smock
Brown Jacket
Dark Green Coat

Section 5 – Sharkey’s Rogues (Stats)

Sharkey and Worm

Surprisingly, this is one profile, unlike the rules from the RotK rulebook where Saruman and Grima are separate models. There is a special rule for Worm that lets him attack Sharkey in certain circumstances (ala the book). Sharkey is a weaker version of Saruman as his staff has been broken and he has fewer magical powers to draw upon.

Ruffians

The Ruffians are surprisingly weak and have a very low courage. Still, they have a higher strength than Hobbit warriors.

Section 6 – Maggot’s Farm (Scenario)

This scenario is very well written and since it only has Farmer Maggot and 5 Ruffians, it is very, very cheap to play. The scenario is based around Farmer Maggot spying Ruffians on his land, resulting in his attempts to clear the Ruffians out. Farmer Maggot must kill enough Ruffians to win. You also need to make a scarecrow for this scenario.

Section 7 – Snares and Pitfalls

This section introduces Traps used to catch out Ruffians that are wandering through the Shire. They are simply bases with no slot, normal on one side, with a trap on the other. This section explains the complete rules for Traps and details how to make them. The different Traps include Snares, Pits and Tripwire.

Section 8 – Beating the Bounds (Scenario)

This is a slightly larger scenario than Maggot’s Farm but still quite small. There are 2 Hobbit Archers, 3 Militia and 10 Ruffians. The scenario also includes Traps.

Section 9 – Personalities of the Shire

This Section tells about Gandalf and his involvement with the Shire. It also covers some background of Bilbo Baggins and The Sackville-Bagginses.

Section 10 – Brockenborings (Scenario)

In this Scenario Sharkey has emerged and is causing havoc amongst the Shirelings. Fatty Bolger has been stirring up dissent amongst the Hobbits and is having a secret meeting which Sharkey is about to interrupt. The Hobbits must flee the evil wizard's forces and wrath! Sharkey and Worm, Lobelia and Fredegar Bolger are included in the Scenario as well as Hobbit militia and Ruffians.

Section 11 – The Old Store House (Scenario)

A group of Hobbits have been sent out by Paladin Took to raid the Old Store House, a building holding food that the Ruffians have stolen. They try to steal back the food without anyone getting killed. The scenario includes Shirriffs, Militia and Ruffians and does not include traps.

Section 12 – How to make Hobbit-Holes

This guide is truly fantastic! It’s the kind of stuff we’ve been looking forward to in the SotS. We learn how to make wonderful looking Hobbit Holes. We also get an extra part not included in the White Dwarf Hobbit hole guide, detailing how to turn a hobbit hole into Bag End including the creation of a Bird House, Trellis, Bench, Garden Gate, and a bricked window!

Section 13 – The Southfarthing (Scenario)

Paladin Took leads a large force down to Longbottom to get rid of the Ruffians once and for all. This is one of the larger battles in the Scouring of the Shire supplement. It requires more troops but still has very few compared to scenarios from earlier supplements.

Section 14 – The Battle of Bywater (Scenario)

This is the big battle of the Scouring of the Shire. It includes Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin and Sharkey & Worm along with Ruffians for Evil and Hobbits for Good. The scenario calls for scoured Hobbit holes. These are Hobbit holes that have been burnt out with no-one living in them. The scenario also includes the famous Bag End.

Section 15 – The History of the Shire

Well, the title pretty much says it, this section covers the history of the Shire.

Section 16 – A Tale of Years

The main happenings of the Shire in order of years.

SSection 17 – The Wilds of Eriador (Stats)

Bandobras Took

The only new good hero in this section, Bandobras Took, is quite a strong Hobbit. He rides a horse, meaning he may charge the enemy. Unfortunately there are no Special Rules for Bandobras, other than his ability to ride a full grown horse.

Golfimbul

Just a normal Orc Captain, no special Rules whatsoever.

White Warg Cheiftain

A very strong and very expensive Warg. He has two special rules; Packlord and Terror.

White Wargs

Quite strong Wargs. Their wargear are ‘Teeth & Claws’.

Section 18 – The Founding of the Shire (Scenario)

A slightly bigger scenario than the Scouring of the Shire scenarios, but still small when compared to prior GW offerings. The scenario pits Hobbits against Goblins who have a Cave Troll along!

Section 19 – Painting Wargs

This guide shows you how to paint Wargs and White Wargs. Also shown is a method to paint one of the White Wargs differently to point out that he’s a Chieftain.

Section 20 – Whatever happened to Halfast? (Scenario)

Around the years around 1900TA most of Eriador was a friendly place inhabited chiefly by Hobbits. Yet there were still a few places that were dangerous, such as the Emyn Uial, the hills of Evendium, which both Wargs and nasty Goblins inhabited. Some time around 1903 a Hobbit named Halfast ventured into this area with a few companions. Against advice from the ever vigiliant Rangers of the, they continued their travels in the area. For the first two days, everything seemed fine, but on the third, something terrible happened! This scenario is played between Hobbits and Barrow-Wights with White Wargs.

Section 21 – The Battle of Greenfields (Scenario)

This scenario covers the very famous battle of the Greenfields where Bandobras Took invents the game of Golf by knocking off Golfimbul’s head, having it roll down a hole in the ground. A good scenario overall but unfortunately there are no special rules for "golf."

Section 22 – The Wolves of Winter (Scenario)

In the Year 2911, a cold winter swept Eriador, even the mighty Brandywine was frozen. While the cold winter was in the Shire many hobbits lost their lives to the cold. As if this were not enough, a pack of hungry White Wargs came down from the North and caused much distress amongst the already weakened Hobbits. Luckily, Gandalf the Grey was there to assist the Shirefolk! The Wolves of Winter scenario resolves a battle between the fierce White Wargs and Gandalf the Grey along with some Hobbit reinforcements.

Section 23 – Odovacar Bolger’s Promenade

On a sunny Spring day, Odovacar Bolger takes some of his Brandybuck friends out for a picnic under the shadowy branches of the Old Forest. The Hobbits make the horrible mistake of not believing in the stories about the Old Forest. When they enter the forest the sun fades out of sight and they quickly find themselves shrouded in darkness when the trees start to move...

This is humorous and creative scenario. The participants for good are Tom Bombadil, Goldberry and some Hobbits while the forces of evil are.. non-existent! Truly!

Section 24 – The Road to Rivendell (Scenario)

A great "what if" scenario, the Road to Rivendell shows what troubles might have happened on Bilbo’s way to Rivendell. Aragorn (Strider) is included as well as Wood Elves! They are engaged in battle against 12 Warg Riders and a force of Goblins.

Section 25 – Summary

This is a summary of all the profiles of the warriors in the book.

Conclusion

There was no Ruffian Painting Guide in the book as had been promised. Overall, the rulebook is a great buy. There are lots of new heroes, a few new warriors, some great modeling guides and lots of amazing pictures. It is sure to bring many hours of enjoyment to the LOTR battle game experience!