The newest iteration of an old classic campaign book, this is a truly great looking volume if you ask me.
Coming between Gondor at War and War in Rohan, this second expansion turns the focus from mass battles to fun little fluffy skirmishes.
And comes supported by a truly awesome set of characters from Forge World.
Now, those that haven't read the books, the Scouring was the final battle of the Third Age of Middle-earth, as a powerbroken Saruman invaded the Shire while the rest of the world was fighting Sauron. Bringing his industrialisation to the rural lands, he enslaved the agricultural Hobbits with the help of his strongmen, until Frodo, Samwise and especially Merry and Pippin returned and led their folk in rebellion.
The book starts as such with some history on the Shire, before it moves on to the mass of fun scenarios this contains. Compared to other campaigns, this is a series of battles, often on a board as small as 2x2, with "armies" generally consisting of a dozen Hobbits or Ruffians a side, led by low power heroes. Now, these heroes aren't that low powered if taken in these games, but in the big world out there with all the Aragorn's, Gothmog's and other Eomer's, they would probably be squatted aside like a fly.
Heck, even the grand finale, The Battle of Bywater (basically, the Pelennor Fields of this book), has only around 30 models a side...
After the scenarios comes of course the campaign setting itself, in which scenario's are linked and your results influence the other games.
Next up, we have "the armies" if you can call them that, with a ton of new or updated Hero profiles for both the plucky little warriors, as well as the Ruffians. Following them are the Legendary Legions you can form from the forces featured in this book, and they honestly look great if you want to take a fun, yet more brave then smart, force to an event. I'm actually seriously considering building a 400 or the likes force of Rufians just for that...
A full section is then devoted to building your own Hobbit houses, because gaming in the Shire wouldn't be complete without that of course.
The Appendix of the book brings three more scenarios, based on historical events. Of course, the Battle of the Greenfields is included, the moment in time where Bandobaras Took came to invent the game of golf as he pushed back an invasion force of orcs...
So a really great campaign book, and one me and Noshi will certainly game out (or even solo if fitting), because the tiny forces and not so mighty heroes make that there isn't that much of special rules and heroic abilities to remember during your battles.
And it makes for great introduction games in my opinion for new players as well, something I'll be actively doing once clublife can pick up in all normality... someday soon hopefully.
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