Found this on TLA:

Quote:

I've just returned from my GW, where they had a preview copy of the March WD in. Let me be the first to say it: Rohan just got competitive again, and it's all thanks to one model. I'll give you the update. The new WD has three and a half new profiles: Thrydan Wolfsbane, Grimbold, a new Eomér and Grimbold's Helmingas. Three and a half you say? Yes, Grimbold's Helmingas aren't exactly a profile, but you'll find out soon what I mean. Let's start with the bad guy: Thrydan Wolfsbane. Simply put: he's a combat monster. 2 strength 5 attacks, a two-handed axe and a hand axe, and 12" Stand Fast. Not that impressive right? Well, not until you read his special rule. Every wound he inflicts on an opponent counts double. That's right, he has S5 and is able to use his two-handed axe to boost this. Make him win combat and face his S5+1 blows. Each hit he inflicts counts for two wounds. Next up: King Eomér. Yes, you Rohan players all got what you've been begging for for years. Eomér is finally brought up to the level of Gondor's big heroes. The big 3 wounds, attacks, might, will and fate. In addition, he's got a healthy defense of 7. His special rule is identical to that of the Elven twins, but it applies to Eowyn and Theodén. However, it is noted specifically that his defense is reduced to 4 when it kicks in, not just lowered by a single point. Oddly, Eomér is blown out of the water by a rather mid-range hero that is sure to become a staple of infantry-heavy Rohan armies: Grimbold (and his Helmingas). Are you sitting down? Good, because his special rule is just mind-boggling. Ready? Including Grimbold in your army allows you to upgrade your Warriors of Rohan to Grimbold's Helmingas. What this means is that you can choose to pay +1 point for each of your Warriors of Rohan (in any number, you can choose to partially upgrade your army). So, your basic Rohan grunt with shield or bow now costs 8 points, and with throwing spear and shield costs 10 points. Why would I do this, you ask? Strength 4 Warriors of Rohan. Yes, you read that right. For a mere points increase of a single point per Warrior, you receive Strength 4. Grimbold himself has average stats, but his points cost is average as well. He's identical to your regular Rohan captain on foot, but costs 5 points extra and carries a two-handed axe. Oh, and the strength 4 stays even if he dies.

Thyrdan sounds broken, but he's still not that bad. People are complaining about each hit causes two wounds, but it's not that bad. Any skilled Good general can make mincemeat out of him by employing their own powerful Heroes (Gandalf: cast Immobilize, have warriors surround him; boom! Dead Dunlend hero; Aragorn, that free Might per turn will win out, even if he doesn't have Anduril; Boromir, yep, the 6 Might will tear him to bits). Seems that because he has 2 Attacks, it's logical to assume he has 2 Wounds as well. Nothing a general who makes use of Heroic Actions well like I do can't handle. I'd like him leading a Dunland army if they release them in plastic. Hell, I'd still get Dunlandings, since I like how they look

Eomer's very nice. Exactly how I imagined a King Eomer from the Pelennor Fields should be actually.

Grimbold's not bad either. A lot of people on TLA have been complaining "Oh, just 1 extra point for Strength 4 warriors?? And they remain Strength 4 when Grimbold dies?? Waah, broken!!" It's actually quite fair. When it comes to Warrior point cost, each increase to a statistic, be it Fight, Defence, Courage, and yes, even Strength usually increases the point cost by, you guessed it, ONE. It's completely balanced.

I'm pleased with this actually.

i am really plased with the rules. Tho i will unlikly get eomer or Grimbold(I have a warrior who is perfect for a conversion for him with new head, axe and everything) but i love Thyrdan's rules. I will have to get a propper look later when my gomes thoguht the door but i might just get him now sinjce i know he's quite awsume. Can you imagine how easy it will be to kill an Ent with him?

Another thing that balances out Grimbold is that in themed games, against orcs, uruk scouts and Dunlendings with shields and Uruk-hai pikemen, the extra point of S is useless, as they'll still need the same to wound as a normal warrior.

Thrydan's a bit nasty but not too bad at all. He pales in comparison to most 'upper-tier' good Heroes and is actually rather vulnerable if he does indeed have only 2W and probably only D5 or 6.

Eomer's profile is pretty nice, I've been hoping for something like this for a looooooooong long time. Don't know if I fancy the monkey twin-rule but thematically it actually suits him pretty well. I'm more concerned about whether the special rule makes it compulsory to take Eowyn or Theoden in the same force...wouldn't be up for that at all....

As for Grimbold and his special rule - I don't like the way they've gone about it but this should certainly give Rohan the extra bit of punch its been lacking for so long. Balance-wise, +1pt for +1C is perfectly fair, particularly considering that when compared to the likes of Mordor Orcs and Haradrim Warriors WoR are clearly overpiced as they are anyway. However, from a thematic point of view this is, IMO, a poor move on GW's part. If they wanted to improve Rohan why do it by giving them cheap, hard hitting infantry? What's that line from the film's again...I can't quite remember it....something like..... "Rohan, home of the........inventor of anabolic steroids...?"

i agree there. Rohan should have had horse power and Grimbols effect only effects normal warriors on foot.
i would like to llok more at Eomer special rule but if i am right then you can avoid it just by not taking Theoden or Eowen. Ya not taking Theoden does limit you a little but the rest are fine. I mean a horse force you can take Erkenbrand and king Eomer with maybe Gamlig and possibly Hama(Tho his rules might need to be changed now...possibly)

Going back to the issue of Thrydan's weapon's size, I managed to get a look at one in the blister yesterday at GW Swansea. It looks to be properly sized, so the smallness in the pic is probably due to the angle it's been taken.