Is It Worth It? ~ Middle Earth SBG from Games Workshop

In this video we dive into the Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game from Games Workshop to find out if its worth getting into
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[@franciscoguerra5439]

Here's a fun story: I've been playing GW games since the early 90's. When this game first came out 20+ years ago, I went all-in on it on release, and then spent the next year trying to get people to play with me. That failed miserably, so I just sighed, closed the boxlid, and never touched it again. Fast-forward two decades, I'm now living on the other side of the world, and I saw a couple of batreps from your channel just before last Christmas, just for the sake of it. It made me nostalgic, and I uh... went a bit crazy. I bought the Battle of Osgiliath set. I bought the four new Battlehosts. I bought Eagles. I bought Easterlings. I bought a whole second-hand bundle consisting of the entire magazine collection + miniatures. My collection kinda went a bit overboard over the last month, because guess what? Now my best friend, my wife, and a couple of other people are also playing, and things are certainly a lot different than they were when it was just little young me trying to get my other nerd friends to play. So thanks for that! All thanks to your channel making me give this game a second life.

[@simonwilliamnoelmurray9179]

I hope you can find some games man!

[@TechnoThomas]

Bro... I did kind a the same. 😅 The impact of these batreps is insane

[@PretentiousPainters]

dude thats awsome haha, ive gone a bit silly the last few years collecting armies as well, enjoy.

[@docbrookeontwitch]

Short tangent about why I like MESBG so much (read to the end, it gets there I promise!): I'm a woman who plays a lot of competitive games (Magic: The Gathering, Naruto Shippuden CCG, etc.) so I spend a LOT of time hanging out as the only lady in the room. 80% of the time, it's no big deal and people are cool. 20% of the time, people are creepy, unpleasant, gross jerkwads. Of that 20%, almost all of those negative experiences have been any time I have spent trying to get into stuff like Warhammer Fantasty, before Age of Sigmar released, and Warhammer 40K. Then along came Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game. I have had the most pleasant, delightful, positive experiences with this community at local tables and even at the largest LOTR tourney in North America, the NoVA Open. Even at top tables at NoVA last year (My buddy and I came in 2nd at the Doubles Tourney), folks were really fun competitors and respectful. I wish I saw more women at MESBG tables because this is a really great community - so thanks to everyone who makes it great!

[@MaryJoSminkey]

As another woman who 1. is often the only one in an entire room of guys playing games and 2. considering getting into this game, I *really* appreciate hearing your experience!

[@andakin117]

I'm brand new to this game. Originally I bought the four battlehost sets just to use for D&D minis. Afterwards I looked into this game was played and really liked it. I've played games like Warhammer and while it was fun, it was too much for me to invest that kind of money into. My friend spent over $1,000 for two armies in Warhammer, I looked into this and found it much more cost friendly. It's only been about two weeks since I got my Battlehost sets and I've gone and bought a bunch of heroes, with a bunch more saved in bookmarks.

[@damitcam]

I did the same thing, ive managed to collect hundreds of minis for a fraction the cost if warhammer

[@HerbiieIsBest]

It's be interesting if a channel dedicated to MESBG came out with 'Actually, turns out nah it's not worth it'

[@juansanchez-yc3de]

Nice video!!! In Spain the community is really good to, so bring your LOTR armies when you come!!!

[@NoobsandMen]

Name dropping me to get more recognition aye 😉😉😉 Awsome video, and without a doubt this game is working getting in to, as you mentioned I've met some great mates and had alot of fun along the way. Sure it's expensive but the fun and social interaction element makes the money spent on models, equipment, events and such all worth it. The game is growing and I'm super excited for the future. -Sean

[@ragnar9614]

First ever table top game I've ever done. My mates have all played 40k before but I agreed to play a fantasy theme one so lotr was amazing as I'm a huge fan. The game itself is amazing so cinematic when you paint up the armies and you get to put a touch in each model and you learn to love and hate different models. Also it's very balanced. Price well its steep but fair when you compare it to a cost of modern games being £50 £60 each you can buy a decent army with a £100. I went isengard for my first army and there are so many options and different game styles. Also getting the matching dice to your army is a must makes it so much better

[@ajtame]

I picked it up for the first time today so your videos have been really useful.

[@FriendandAlly]

Excellent video! I’m going to use this to get some friends on board with MESBG. Thank you Jacob!

[@HaevyGlow]

Never played any wargames before, however, I played a lot of miniature board games in the last few years - Gloomhaven, Star Wars Imperial Assault, Mansions of Madness, Heroquest to name a few. Never really connected with any of them (except for HeroQuest). Started looking into wargames and found your video teaching how to play MESBG. I was hooked! It turns out there's an active MESBG community right where a live, I was sold! Got my Osgiliath box this Chirtmas and slowly painting it.

[@szymonce5157]

Helm's Deep was built by the Gondorians, not by Helm ;) thx 4 Your Work

[@kylemckiernan1445]

Yep. Out of stock/production is the biggest problem. And if you find things too expensive or OOP, you can always proxy. I have just bought an (almost) all proxy Arnor army. Only models that aren't are rangers, which I just share with Gondor

[@SocalDunedain]

Where are the best places to find proxies?

[@TiagoRamosVideos]

Awesome tips! 👌 I don't know about the 3d printed figures! Gonna check them out 😀

[@PretentiousPainters]

nice video mate, your doing a great job of encouraging new hobbiest and players to our community, not just in aus/nz but im sure global. its a fantastic game and the community is great. we need more players and people buying gw lotr products to increase the releases from gw so videos like this will help. of course 3d printing is a great tool as well, and the sculpts are more or less very nice from most creators of lotr alternatives.

[@brianricks4941]

For 3d printing, you might also want to check out "The Printing Goes Ever On"

[@chrislowe0001]

Tpgeo is great but it's definitely a distinct flavour that from the people I know are more rpg Raquel than battle game.

[@warbanda]

Thank you for the nice video. I recently bought Mordor Battlehost to try

[@TechnoThomas]

I have just started to collect a couple of figures after a lot of years of resistance. Well... Now i have eight armies while i have never played with them or painted them. I am addicted 😅 But dont worry. I am going to paint a lot when i have the colours i want. God damn... Why is that so tempting?! Greetings to Australia :)

[@TechnoThomas]

@@user-qz2os6xb2z yeah. I do paint a bit from time to time. Not as much, as i would like to do, but i guess thats life. But when i find a couple of hours when i dont need to do stuff for work, i start a Podcast and start painting a bit. Reading the rules is another thing. This is fucking a lot...

[@seanwilliams7073]

What I love about this game is that both narrative and matched play are viable. While some armies are stronger than others, I've never played a game where I felt like I lost in the list-building phase. And let's be honest, narrative play is an awkward add-on to Warhammer and most people treat it as such.

[@dodgeshadow099]

I’m about to start not only for the game but because I love the miniatures and scenery creation

[@Nephilim225]

I am still new to the ME SBG i have both starter sets, a few heroes and picked up the Mordor Battlehost box. I love the miniatures and will be getting the other host boxes, plus more heroes as well. Not played it yet, just happily painting away at the moment.

[@smoothbrush4722]

Azog legion is pretty expensive, but op heroes worth it for some. Nice review. Congrats for 15k.

[@Holger87]

As always nice video Jacob! Whos Display Board is the one with Pits of Dol Guldur force and the barreled company? That army looks absolutley stunning 😱🥰

[@xSLOBODAx]

Started play in game, in last August. No regrets.

[@jmaccsarmiesofmiddleearth]

I might be wrong but wernt the Plastic Uruks the only set to ever out sell the space marine tactical squad? I dont want to know how much Ive spent.

[@NoobsandMen]

I believe MESBG out sold AoS for a few years in a row -Sean

[@willstapleton3061]

You are correct

[@ScorchMat]

Yes... Thanks for watching

[@hazzagnarly96]

Hi Jacob. To answer your question. Yes. Yes it is.

[@NoobsandMen]

Hi Harry -Sean

[@ConquestCreations]

Couldn't agree more!

[@bobquinn4939]

What’s the name of the big tournament you said at the end of the video? Can’t quite catch what you say.

[@rockybolick9646]

Well I love everything about it. Unfortunately it is very addictive and sometimes it is very hard to get specific minis (Black Numenorians for example). I spend hours on ebay jut trying to find two or three models. All in all it's awesome.

[@shlamallama6433]

Do the 3d print shops have any named miniatures? Like the Fellowship or Thorin's company?

[@pawefilipiuk9941]

Nice ❤️

[@mouserbull11]

Economy is horrible here in Colombia, the battle of osgiliath is around the monthly minimum wage + shipping

[@ConquestCreations]

Yikes that is unfortunate for sure. Even in very wealthy countries like Australia it is expensive. There are other options that make it cheaper to get into such as 3D prints

[@timelwess7787]

No idea what the tournament rules are in Aus / NZ but there are very few in the UK where you're obliged to take GW minis. I know you all get a bit if a rough bumming when it comes to the cost of "official" minis but you can create highly effective armies with third party minis, or very easily available models. My sons 800pts Mordor army was £47 with some conversions and eBay goodies. It did fine at a gbhl event.

[@szymonce5157]

If you know any places on fb where you can buy/sell/swap miniatures, please provide a link :)

[@robertjokebr1480]

Just asking, any reason why not to quote the printing goes ever on??

[@ConquestCreations]

Personally I'm not the biggest fan of some of their miniatures. Some of there more recent stuff is a lot more up my alley. Definitely no animosity at all. If you are a fan then definitely use their minis! :)

[@breadfield3]

Hey mate! I am based in Victoria as well and looking to get into this. Can you recommend any communities/places to play? I am based in Melbourne South East. Cheers

[@ConquestCreations]

Hey mate, Melbourne South East is a hot spot! First thing I would recommend doing is jumping in the Australian Middle Earth SBG Facebook page. Send me (Jacob Lucas) a message and I can help you get a game in!

[@oldgaffer7991]

It's definitely the best game I have ever encountered

[@AnzumanaTaal]

Would be interested in some homebrew armies / rules for narrative play

[@ConquestCreations]

This game has the most extensive material for narrative play. There are books filled with scenarios for the books and films

[@damitcam]

My Isengard army has 188 models in it, im actually going to be using the war of the ring rules. Would love to see you do a battle report for that game

[@B1-997]

nice, building an army worthy or Mordor.

[@adamsboringvids]

Thinking of picking up an army for this but I have absolutely no clue. Is the osgiliath set a good starter point?

[@bilbobagses4428]

What kind of army are you looking to play as?

[@adamsboringvids]

@@bilbobagses4428 happy with the ones who come in the box tbh.

[@bilbobagses4428]

@@adamsboringvids then I'd say absolutely!

[@Lunesta_XCIII]

Really want to get into this, slowly making an Army. Does Anyone know of a group on FB where I can meet locals? I don't know anyone who plays this but would love to go in person to check out their games.

[@Northwing2024]

Might be worth checking out The Great British Hobbit League if you're UK based.

[@collin4592]

If you like the rules, buy the books and buy alternate miniatures. Saved 100’s

[@mediocreranger]

Yes, it is worth it! :) Thanks for the great content, Jacob.

[@thorstenrumpf1312]

How long does a game take on average?

[@ConquestCreations]

It depends on the size of the game that you play. My favourite is 500 points which is around 1.5 hours. A small 300 point game can be 45min-1 hour, and a large 1000 point game can be up to 2.5 hours

[@mtuktuk9627]

Yes ofc its the best game ever :)

[@ThatNathan]

A surprisingly long video. The answer is Yes

[@mikey_vengenz]

Short answer, yes. It is.

[@OldTownMESBG]

ME$BG :)

[@viktorr7115]

You should mention however that it is dying the game and the support is disapearing

[@ConquestCreations]

Games Workshop is still actively supporting the game, releasing new models and supplements. The game is growing, each year tournaments are breaking attendance records all around with world. Ardacon in the UK had over 200 people at its last event.

[@MarcRitzMD]

Have you ever seen a girl at a tournament?

[@ConquestCreations]

If you are interested in meeting girls I probably would not recommend tabletop wargaming as a hobby

[@Paddywoodman]

@@ConquestCreations brilliant haha

[@PenumbranWolf]

I enjoy it, but nobody fucking plays.

[@ConquestCreations]

Interesting, where are you located? I might be able to find a group you could use to find other players. There are communities all over the world

[@PenumbranWolf]

@@ConquestCreations I have a couple of game shops in my area and friend who plays but between our schedules and the fact that we are the only guys who play this GW game we don't really get the opportunity to. Thanks for the offer though.