Trying to figure out what makes a "good" army in SBG. I see a lot of people talk about goblins being all over the tourney scene. Is this the sort of list they bring?

Goblin King
12 Goblin Warriors

Groblog
3 Moria Goblin Warriors, spear
2 Gundabad Blackshields

Moria Goblin Shaman
6 Moria Goblin Warriors, spear
6 Gundabad Blackshields

Moria Goblin Shaman
6 Moria Goblin Warriors, spear
6 Gundabad Blackshields

Looks solid as a rock to me

Goblins are good because they have high numbers as well as varied and cheap access to monsters. High numbers and monsters mix well in beating elite armies, but still struggle against strong heroes or monsters that they can't beat or charge easily.

That list looks pretty good, im not sure if its 500 pts. I would add cave trolls as the next step. Personally I don't like having many shamans as they don't often make up for what they cost and I can squeeze a bit more utility out of captains, but I know marsbar likes them and he plays more than me so either way is good

_________________
My trade thread
http://www.one-ring.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=25957&p=325932#p325932

Does anyone every use just straight swarm armies at tournes? and how do they do?

Here's one:

Grinnah
12 goblin warriors
Gob Captain
12 goblin warriors
Gob Captain
12 goblin warriors
Gob Captain
12 goblin warriors
Gob Captain
12 goblin warriors
Gob Captain
11 goblin warriors


Might: 13
Warriors: 77

_________________
BLACKHAWK 2010 2013 2015 DYNASTY

As the special effects of his crown die with him, I'd include some more warriors in Grôblog's warband, otherwise he could be neutralised easily in scenarios with very random deployment.
Other than that, I like the looks of it: a very durable front line (D6, 5+ Fury) with good killing potential, decent numbers (bit low for goblins, but these last long), a tough and dangerous hero/monster and piles of Might (especially since the Shamans don't need theirs to cast Fury channelled).
Wouldn't quite say it is the list most people would bring, but that's mostly because goblins (or indeed just Moria) is pretty versatile. Some 4 warbands with a couple of shamans (to last longer and keep morale up) and some monster is pretty standard I suppose. The exact composition of troops varies (although Prowlers are probably a good deal less popular with the reduced effectiveness of shooting), and for example Warg Marauders are excellent too. Many lists may but slightly more emphasis on quantity rather than quality, but that depends on scenarios too.

The horde posted above, for example, is all very fun, until you play Lords of Battle (which is pretty common).

perhaps groblog warband could be made mostly of gundabad blackshields? hes by far the most precious goblin you will have to lose, him and the goblin king.

Are Shamans generally better than Captains? For points worth and utility?

well yes they are usefull for a couple reasons, they are goblins with a bit harder to kill than regular ones and hold an important thing captains dont have, will to cast magic, which although limited can save your warrior´s lives.

Still its a limited time type of magic to the few will store they own, so there just a nice temporary tricky bag to field at, captains still after drained they are still better fighters and can still get kills.
But there goblins so there just as good as an elite soldier type in most armies, on isengard hes not far better than a regular uruk hai with 2 wounds and might/will/fate store

Look at it this way: for every 24 models in your force you should have at least 1 shaman, after shamans i would recommend blackshield shaman's because they can neuter enemy heroes better than captains can kill enemy models, either way you NEED to field Durburz or Groblog at any pts value.