Mordor Uruks. Heavy Infantry Spearmen. Morale Class C.
Larger, stronger and tougher than normal Orcs the Uruk Hai are unafraid of sunlight and are arguably Sauron's best foot troops. To reflect this Uruks get a number of advantages over their lesser brethren.
Of the 30 figures you see here only 16 will be deployed as an Uruk unit, the rest will be used to "stiffen" other Orc units. When a normal Orc unit is stiffened it does not need to test morale when being charged by cavalry. In order to do this the Uruks must be on the front rank of the unit and must make up at least one eighth of total unit numbers.
Now, I am unashamedly a fan of Ralph Bakshi's 1978 animated version of the LotR, so when it came to painting this unit I have tried to replicate Bakshi's style. I include my reference photos here so you can judge for yourselves how well I did. But, let me say that this is the first time I have tried such a thing.
I have been deliberately crude when painting these figures, taking far less care than I normally would. You see, I don't see the average Orc as being some kind of artisan craftsman carefully painting a beautiful eye of Sauron on his shield while he grooms himself in front of a mirror. I see foul, rank, debased creatures that love torment and war, accordingly I have done my best to try and capture that notion on the model.
The figures are from Magister Militum and are the Greater Orcs with Pikes. Though in truth calling their long spear a pike is a bit of stretch. I did not go with Copplestone because although their Uruks are fine (being based on Sauraman's Uruks from the PJ films) their normal Orcs are too much in the comical Gee Dub style that has, IMO, blighted Orc figure ranges for far too long.
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