The 160-page hardback book includes all the information you need to take control of all the Heroes and armies on the tabletop:

The Armies of The Lord of The Rings™ is an expansion for the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game that enables you to recreate your favourite scenes from The Lord of the Rings™ Motion Picture Trilogy with your collection of Citadel and Forge World models.

Battle Companies is an expansion to the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game that enables you to assemble small groups of Warriors that, over the course of several games, will progress and develop into your own unique warbands.

Sauron never turned his gaze completely away from the northern kingdoms – even during the close of the Third Age, the forces of Evil closed in on Dale, Erebor, Mirkwood, and Lothlorien. Across the lands of Rhovanion, the forces of Good rallied to defend their homes, their acts of heroism tying up armies Sauron so badly needed as the War of the Ring raged to the south.

Easterlings are amongst the most fanatical followers of the Dark Lord and the best equipped of all the warriors at his command. Unlike the rabble of Orcs that spew forth from the Black Gate, the armies of the East are well-trained and disciplined warriors that will fight fiercely for Sauron, who they view as a vengeful deity.

The Elves are among the most skilled warriors in all of Middle-earth, their prowess on the battlefield far exceeding that of Men and Dwarves, and Elven archery is unrivalled in all the known lands. Although their armies are greatly diminished when compared to the vast Elven hosts of ages past, their might remains enough to face any foe upon the battlefield.

Éomer is the nephew of Théoden, and one of Rohan's foremost warriors. Exiled by the command of Grima Wormtongue, Éomer returns to the aid of his king at the Battle of the Hornburg.

Éowyn is a valiant shield maiden of Rohan and niece to King Théoden. Unwilling to be left behind while the menfolk rode to war, she disguised herself as a Rider of Rohan, calling herself Dernhelm. Along with her plucky Hobbit friend, Meriadoc Brandybuck, she travelled with Théoden’s army in secret and fought with incredible valour at the Battle of Pelennor Fields.

Many years after Sauron was cast from Middle-earth at the Battle of the Last Alliance, he returned in the form of the Necromancer to corrupt the realm once more. Building the fortress of Dol Guldur, his influence spread throughout the Greenwood and slowly began to twist it into a dark and cursed place – until the arrival of Gandalf and the White Council shone a light on Sauron's ambition.

It was in Rivendell that Frodo made the decision to carry the Ring to Mordor and cast it into the fires of Mount Doom, thus ending its power forever. With him went eight companions, and collectively they were known as The Fellowship of the Ring.

Following his victory over the Balrog, Gandalf returned to Middle-earth to see his task completed. Stripping Saruman of his power as Lord of the Istari, Gandalf is now a more powerful Wizard than ever. During the battle for Minas Tirith, it is Gandalf who rallies Gondor’s armies, inspiring them to hold back the Orc invaders.

Gondor was the most prominent kingdom of Men in Middle-earth. This battle-hardened realm was bordered by Mordor to the east, and stood as a bulwark against the shadow for thousands of years. While Minas Tirith was Gondor's capital in the Third Age, Osgiliath stood as its original capital, although the city would soon fall into ruin. As the War of the Ring raged throughout Gondor itself, many townships and outposts would follow in its wake.