I'm looking to get into the SBG and I'm not sure how to begin.

I'm thinking of putting together an Isengard or Moria or elves force since they are (kind of) cheap on eBay (still looking though).

What would you guys recommend to get started on those?

Welcome MachinaMandala,

the first thing you’ll need is the rules, you can either get a mini version with just the rules or the full size book which includes hobby advice, profiles and a number of scenarios (mainly a campaign covering the first Hobbit film). You can also download the profiles from https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Ru ... bit-errata as Heroes and Villains of Middle-earth.

The Escape from Goblin Town box (https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Th ... dition-ENG) is a great value set containing Thorin’s Company and some Goblin Town Goblins (including the Goblin King).

If you're definitely set on Isengard, Moria or Elves and not too interested in the scenarios it could be worth trying to find the mini version of the rules from eBay. You'll need the book for your force, either The Fallen Realms (https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Th ... -Realms-EN) for Isengard, Moria and Angmar (https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Th ... -Angmar-EN) for Moria or The Free Peoples (https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Th ... Peoples-EN) for Elves. Although if you were thinking of doing the new Thranduil's Halls you'd need There and Back Again (https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Th ... Back-Again) instead.

Hope that helps.

Once you have an idea about which force you'd like to collect come back for some advice about starting models.

Isengard and Moria are both very good starting points for a new player I'd say (Elves a tad less so as only the archers and swordsmen are easily available in plastic, assuming you mean the Last Alliance High Elves). Isengard has quite some plastic troops (the mainstay of which, the basic warriors, are certainly easy to come by) and very forgiving in gameplay with high Fight, Strength and Defence values. Only downside is that the crossbows are more expensive, although you can go for a full melee force.

The basic Moria Goblins are even easier to get cheaply, which is a good thing as you'll be needing about twice the amount of them. Also very forgiving in gameplay as you can afford to lose a pile of Goblins but still have more on their way. If you like the idea of a swarm overrunning your opponent, this is the way to go, and they have some nice monsters too: cave trolls, dwellers and perhaps a dragon or the watcher in the water in larger games.

I managed to find the goblin chunk of the Goblin-Town set on eBay for £18 so I've grabbed that to start off with.

I'm trying to trade for Moria goblins with someone but we'll see how that goes.

It can be good to look on ebay, just don't get carried away.
You should also check on facebook if you have that for GBHL or a hobbit/lotr group in your region.

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

I managed to get the infantry for both a Moria and Isengard force off Lead Adventure in exchange for Descent 2nd Edition so that's good.

So now, I will have (once arrived / collected):

Heroes
Lurtz
Ugluk
Isengard Captain
Durbuz, Goblin King
The Goblin King
Grinnah
The Goblin Scribe
Moria Goblin Captain

Warriors
16 Uruk Hai Pikes
16 Uruk Hai Swords & Shields
16 Uruk Hai Scouts
16 Moria Goblins w/ Bows
16 Moria Goblins w/ Spears
16 Moria Goblins w/ Swords and Shields
36 Goblin Warriors

You've got an awesome list coming together! I'm starting to get more into Isengard as well.

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Backlog Reduction Oath

My WIP: viewtopic.php?f=50&t=21545&start=40

I think Isengard is one of the easier and best lists to play. They have great heroes, great stat line on their troops and great equipment options. The crossbows and fantastic and you probably wanna grab some Berserkers as well.
Vrasku and Saruman/Grima you'll definitely want to get at some point too.

Goblin town would be a solid bet for a really good starter army too. The king is, honestly comically, powerful and all you need to do is horde out and profit they all can support each other so you don't have to worry much about micro managing your battle lines.

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Cheers,

P