Always appreciate an effort with Sauron, and at such low points too. Usually say 650 and 750 are the sweet spot for him where he is guaranteed to be the best magic and the best duellist on the table before the enemy starts having multiple ways to defend from the magic and swing fights in their favour. As is so often the case, there is really not much in favour of Barad-dur in this matchup even beyond the numbers. Dwarves are just rock solid, winning ties and shrugging off S3 hits time and time again. Master of Battle makes evil tricks played using heroics actions likely to be disrupted. Still want Sauron on the side of a fight so you can hurl through the spears to remove their dice and maybe spring into a hero later. Being in the centre just gets him tied up and limits who he can threaten. Ideally you want to set up the knockdown on Dain and crash into him while he is down to force his hand - maybe burn some of his Might trying not to die without a chance to actually strike back.
I love seeing Sauron in action but I’ve never seen an army win with him in it. He’s a huge points drain and can easily be tied up. Plus any decent hero can take him on with strike etc. He is strong once he wins the duel but often struggles to win with only 4 attacks and very little might. Odd that he doesn’t get a free might each turn or any other decent buffs. Also a mediocre spell caster. Should get to cast twice per turn or something and even when in combat.
Barad-Dur is so comically underpowered considering Sauron is supposed to be the ultimate evil of the world. Good game either way but they really need to buff Sauron.
Yeah underpowered or overly expensive in points at 400. Feel he should get to cast spells in combat and get a free might each turn. Maybe some cool brutal power attacks too. He’s good once he wins the duel but too easily tied up or beaten in the duel.
