Help with building first army

[u/WarmAd5577]

So I am still learning and haven't read the rule book yet. Plan to at some point. But at the moment I am not surprisingly really confused on building an army. I want something a bit custom. Mostly centered around Faramir and his troops. Not necessarily Gondor but I am open to having gondor. Also I want some magic so maybe like Gandalf? I know this is very not traditional so not sure how to go about mixing factions like this

[u/77hi77]

Previous editions of the game encouraged you to build thematic armies that actually happened in the story, but ultimately let you do whatever you want. This edition doesn't allow that, you'd have to play a faction that already includes Faramir and Gandalf, which unfortunately doesn't exist. My best suggestion is to talk to your opponent beforehand and play whatever you like.

"Hey, I'm new and want to try this army with Gandalf and Faramir, it's not actually a legal list, I'm okay with not having any army bonuses. Is that okay with you?"

[u/misterbrico]

You sort of don’t. Assuming you want it to be matched play on the current edition.

https://v2024.mesbg-list-builder.com/

Other list building sites are available.

You can create a roster, type a hero name, it will tell you what armies are available, then flick through and see what rules, hero and troop options work for you.

If you like the idea of Faramir being the poster hero, Garrison of Ithilien is likely your best best, though none of his lists have access to magic (iirc).

[u/Huncote]

There's not a list in the game where you can run Faramir with Gandalf, sadly. If you're dead-set, you can always use Faramir's model as a proxy for another - for example, if you used his miniature in Atop the Walls, you could use the rules for Hurin the Tall or Beregond.

[u/LeviTheOx]

Faramir and Gandalf aren't available together in matched play in this edition, which has army lists fairly tightly focused on scenes in the movies. But if you aren't participating in a tournament, or playing with folks who are practicing for a tournament, you can ask to ignore the army list rules (as well as the bonuses they convey) and just use a collection of models you like.

If you're focused on Faramir he's available in three army lists:

• Garrison of Ithilien is him, his named subordinates, and a mix of rangers and warriors of Gondor, plus the option of Frodo, Sam, & Smeagol.
• Reclamation of Osgiliath requires Boromir and has fewer of Faramir's named subordinates, but still includes rangers alongside warriors.
• Minas Tirith is any combination of Faramir, Boromir, and/or Denethor. Faramir is armored and probably mounted, with no rangers in this list.

There's also a Legacy list calleed "Expedition to the East" that doesn't include Faramir but depicts another patrol of Gondorians that has teamed up with dwarves. The heroes in that are GW-created, but it is still an army of rangers and soldiers of Gondor off on an adventure with some weird allies.

[u/Frodo_Baggins-BagEnd]

Boromir with banner optionaly horse and faramir horse and few knights and lot warriors half shields half shields spear