Ranked Tournament

Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game

So It Begins

The Winchester Club, Winchester, Uk

Saturday 1 August, 2026|

4 Rounds | Varied

Event Details

This section contains additional information about the event, e.g. custom rules, scheduling and other useful information.

A new GBHL80 event in the Hampshire Hammerers Middle-Earth event series. A slightly competitive event that counts towards GBHL rankings with a unique twist in army building and play.

Unlike standard tournaments, where you play the same list all day, this is a de-escalation event. You will start the day with a grand host of 800 points and, as the day progresses and the attrition of war takes hold, your force will be whittled down until only the core remains at 350 points.

This event is organised through the Hampshire Hammerers and counts towards GBHL rankings

Essential Details #

Tickets #

Tickets are priced at £15.00 per person
They will be available at the Hampshire Hammerers Events page and go live on May 15th.
We have 24 tickets available, with a waiting list once capacity is reached.

Please Note: due to venue licensing, this event is strictly for ages 18 and over!

Date & Location #

The event takes place on Saturday, 1st August 2026, at The Winchester Club, Worthy Lane (SO23 7AB). The venue is a short 5-minute walk from Winchester Train Station, and parking is available on-site or in the adjacent public car park.

Food #

Food is not provided, but the venue is a short walk from Winchester City Centre, which offers various eateries. External food is permitted on the premises. While tea and coffee will be provided throughout the day, a licensed bar will also open at midday.

Event Schedule #

Registration and Introductions

09:00 - 09:15 - Registration and Introductions
09:15 - 11:45 - Round 1 - 800pts
11:45 - 12:45 - Lunch
12:45 - 14:45 - Round 2 - 650pts
14:45 - 15:00 - Break
15:00 - 16:30 - Round 3 - 500pts
16:30 - 16:45 - Break
16:45 - 17:45 - Round 4 - 350pts
17:45 - 18:15 - Pack-up, Prizes and Wrap up

Gameplay and Scoring #

Games will be played on 4' x 4' boards using unmodified scenarios from the Matched Play Guide, which will be revealed on the day.
Matchups will be determined via Swiss Pairings.
Scoring is awarded as 5 Tournament Points (TPs) for a Win, 3 for a Draw, and 1 for a Loss.
Tie-breakers are calculated using total Victory Points scored, followed by VP Difference.

Awards #

1st place
2nd place
3rd place
Most sporting player - (in case of a tie, most TPs will win)
Best painted* - DOES NOT NEED TO BE PART OF YOUR ARMY (player voted, TOs decide draws)
Best theme force* - (player voted, TOs decide draws) - will be used for GBHL rankings
Wooden spoon

*must be painted/modelled by the player submitting them

Army Building #

Players must bring four versions of the same army list. The spirit of the event is that your 350pt list should be a direct subset of your 800pt list. Start by building a legal 800pt list and then from there, you must create 650pt, 500pt, and 350pt versions.

Your Leader must remain consistent across all tiers. Ensure all lists remain legal regarding Bow Limits and Warband capacities at every stage, and please note that there is a strict four-model minimum for every list in this event.

We accept models and army lists from the Armies of LotR, Armies of the Hobbit, Armies of Middle-earth, Legacy Profiles, and any official supplements released up to two weeks before the event.

All models must be painted and based to a Battle Ready standard. While 3D prints are permitted, they must be approved via email at hampshiregrimhammerers@gmail.com.

Final lists must be submitted via Siege Ladder by 20:00 on Saturday, 18th July; late submissions will carry a 1-Draw penalty.

Special Rules #

The Tides of Fate #

As with all Hammerers events we have included a unique twist for this event too, the winds of fortune shift with every encounter.

At the beginning of each game you must roll 2D6, and then consult the table below to determine the bonus aids your army has for that round.

The bonus you roll is only useable for one round once per game. You will need to declare you are using it based on the table below

Roll (2D6)	Title of the Boon	Effect
2	Heroic Legend	All friendly Heroes may call a free Heroic Strike this turn (no Might cost). This must be called at the beginning of the Combat Phase used even if the Hero doesn’t normally have access to Strike
3	Inspired Host	A single friendly Hero counts as carrying a 12" banner this turn. This must be called at the beginning of the Turn
4	Relentless Charge	Your Heroes gain the Knockdown ability on the charge even if they don’t have a horse. This must be called at the beginning of the Move Phase
5	March to Glory	All friendly Heroes may call a free Heroic March This must be called at the beginning of the Move Phase
6	Swift Advance	All friendly models gain +3" Move this turn. This must be called at the beginning of the Turn
7	Shieldwall Discipline	All friendly models gain +1 Defence this turn. This must be called at the beginning of the Turn
8	Deadly Accuracy	All friendly shooting attacks gain +1 To Wound this turn. This must be called at the beginning of the Shooting Phase
9	Unyielding Courage	All friendly models automatically pass Courage tests this turn. This must be called at the beginning of the Turn
10	Crushing Strength	All friendly models gain +1 To Wound in combat this turn. This must be called at the beginning of the Combat Phase
11	Heroic Bulwark	All friendly Heroes may call a free Heroic Defence. This must be called at the beginning of the Combat Phase.
12	Surge of Might	All friendly Heroes gain Mighty Hero this turn This must be called at the beginning of the Turn

Example Submission Format #

Below are some example army lists, so that players have an idea of how we would like to see army lists presented. Doing it this way makes it much easier for us to find potential issues with lists during the checking lists stage in the week running up to the event.

Example List - Host of the Witch King #

800 Points #

Host of the Witch-King

The Witch-King of Angmar C: Horse, Morgul Blade (180)
1x Angmar Orc Warrior: Banner (30)
5x Angmar Orc Warrior: Shield (30)
5x Angmar Orc Warrior: Spear (30)
1x Spectre (15) 1x Werewolf (25)
2x Angmar Warg Rider: Shield and throwing spears (26)

Aldrac, Warlord of Carn Dum: (120)
1x Werewolf (25)
4x Angmar Orc Warrior: Shield (24)
4x Angmar Orc Warrior: Spear (24)
1x Angmar Warg Rider: Orc bow (12)
3x Warrior of Carn Dum: Spear (30)

Barrow-wight: (50)
1x Werewolf (25)
4x Warrior of Carn Dum: Spear (40)

Angmar Orc Captain: (45)
4x Angmar Orc Warrior: Shield (24)
3x Angmar Orc Warrior: Spear (18)
1x Werewolf (25)

650 Points #

Host of the Witch-King

The Witch-King of Angmar C: Horse, Morgul Blade (180)
1x Angmar Orc Warrior: Banner (30)
5x Angmar Orc Warrior: Shield (30)
5x Angmar Orc Warrior: Spear (30)
1x Spectre (15)
1x Werewolf (25)

Aldrac, Warlord of Carn Dum: (120)
1x Werewolf (25)
4x Angmar Orc Warrior: Shield (24)
4x Angmar Orc Warrior: Spear (24)
1x Angmar Warg Rider: Orc bow (12)
2x Warrior of Carn Dum: Spear (20)

Barrow-wight: (50)
1x Werewolf (25)
4x Warrior of Carn Dum: Spear (40)

500 Points #

Host of the Witch-King

The Witch-King of Angmar C: Horse, Morgul Blade (180)
1x Angmar Orc Warrior: Banner (30)
5x Angmar Orc Warrior: Shield (30)
5x Angmar Orc Warrior: Spear (30)
1x Spectre (15)
1x Werewolf (25)

Angmar Orc Captain: (45)
3x Angmar Orc Warrior: Shield (18)
2x Angmar Orc Warrior: Spear (12)

Barrow-wight: (50)
1x Werewolf (25)
4x Warrior of Carn Dum: Spear (40)

350 Points #

Host of the Witch-King

The Witch-King of Angmar C: Horse (170)
1x Angmar Orc Warrior: Banner (30)
5x Angmar Orc Warrior: Shield (30)
5x Angmar Orc Warrior: Spear (30)
1x Spectre (15)

Angmar Orc Captain: (45)
3x Angmar Orc Warrior: Shield (18)
2x Angmar Orc Warrior: Spear (12)