How to Play the Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game - Part 1 - Turn Sequence and Basic Gameplay

It's Orcs Across the Anduin! Games Workshop was kind enough to send me the new collection of models from the Battle of Osgiliath Starter Set and I'm working my way through the four mission Campaign from the box!
Stay posted to my socials for the next few weeks as I do some step by steps on the painting and the terrain. Let's dive in!
#MESBG #BattleOfOsgiliath #WarhammerCommunity
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[@FlourEater]

finally...A chance for Faramir, Captain of Gondor, to show his quality!

[@bengamingames5002]

This is no rabble of mindless Orcs. These are the Uruk-hai, their armor thick and their shields broad. Gimli was right lol

[@Supertoast92]

I am tempted to buy Osgiliath, simply so every time I roll a dice for Faramir I say this before rolling. See how long before my opponent quits out of frustration

[@bengamingames5002]

@@Supertoast92 genius my friend

[@thislostendevour]

MESBG is absolutely underrated and GW should show it some more love.

[@pickledblowfish6178]

It seems to be in a happy place where it still gets some love now and again, but doesn't require new rulebooks every 3 months, and every new release is FAQ'd into the ground after they sell the first print run.

[@bilbobagend8155]

They probably feel limited by their contracts and the fact they can't just invent Stormaris Marternals to be the posterchild of the MESBG branch.

[@TexasFriedCriminal]

It's only good game GM is currently making.

[@SpoonyBard88]

​@@TexasFriedCriminal bullshit

[@clarkcommando1983]

@@pickledblowfish6178 agree

[@caffeinebob4458]

I’m joining a friend’s game in a few weeks and this was really helpful! Thanks to your slurred words, cutting yourself off mid-sentence in edits and generally just rambling about numbers too fast I’m now an expert!

[@honourfull]

Can´t express how excited I am to see you dive into Middle Earth SBG again!

[@thundergoat421_6]

Gondor done dirty with not using shieldwall at all!

[@XarfaiEngel]

Middle-earth has to be my favourite game system by GW. Great fun and an amazing community!

[@chalkdemon8019]

Yeah, the Hobbit League is so tight not.I think even if GW would stop doing the LOTR SBG, they would still support it and find a way to keep it around.

[@kaibe5241]

@@chalkdemon8019 the community was kept alive for twenty years with zero support from GW.

[@retretlol]

Easily my favorite GW game. I love the fact that it's changed so little over the years, kind of like Battletech in that regard. By the way you don't need to reroll for priority if it's a tie, it'll automatically go to the side that didn't have it last turn.

[@sirbobulous]

A few years ago you posted your first videos about MESBG and I started playing due to them. And last weekend I finished top third of a GBHL100 tournament for MESBG so you definitely succeeded in recruiting a new player!

[@irishtom30]

Definitely the best rule set GW has, and my favourite models. I really like the more toned down, "realistic" LOTR models, as compared to the increasingly complex minis of AoS and 40k. I'm just too lazy a painter for all those capes and flowing robes and bits and bobs

[@sonofhorus82]

Thanks for spotlighting MESBG Ash! Really my favorite game that GW makes with easily their most balanced ruleset.

[@purerel]

MESBG is my favorite system, so fun! Started with Gondor in 2011 now I have over 10 fully painted armies. The addiction is very real

[@worlds-in-conflict]

Still Games Workshop's BEST game!

[@marccaron6008]

Finally glued my models and terrain. Read the rules but your video did point out a few things I missed. Getting ready to play. Tx

[@Robert.Marazita]

I collected a Moria army back in my younger days, would like to go back sometime

[@seanreilly8717]

Haven't played this in years! Great to see it being shown some love

[@sitrucsimian5450]

Really love this game and very glad it’s getting attention from you again!

[@christianl1799]

Right as I hop into this game, you guys hop back into it too. Y'all should definitely do more of this game.

[@schooner2000]

Nice! Great to see you getting into this, especially with some basic play videos.

[@bshean72]

I've always been curious about this game and seeing the lets play really sold it

[@shaunscott4773]

MESBG is such a good system easy to learn and difficult to master. Plus there genuinely isn't a single "bad" model in the range. Thanks Ash!

[@Kevin.Mitchell]

That was fun (if a bit one sided thanks to the archers firing rubber suction cup arrows) - these rules seem pretty decent for larger skirmish sized games, and the setting gets top nostalgia points too. Speaking of which, I love the old strength v toughness chart, brings back many fond memories - thanks, this may be a late entrant onto my Christmas list!

[@MiniatureGameMontage]

Very well done. Thank you for posting! I'm almost done painting pelennor fields and looking forward to adding some content for this game!

[@Syzl103]

Right as I start getting back into this game, you post this video!

[@grodd1016]

Fantastic! This has my hyped for the new starter set

[@wonderboy2402]

Can’t wait to watch all of these!

[@thomaswilliams5005]

I never got a chance to play this game, so I’m excited for this series.

[@justgettothegame6331]

You keep saying "bad guys".. as a fellow orc, I would say that term is relative LOL... Love the videos.. keep it up!

[@warlord9759]

Glad to see more Middle Earth SBG. Looking forward to the upcoming videos.

[@slappy81]

My favorite miniature game by far! Any plans of doing a Battle Companies campaign?

[@bathlizard5400]

15:50 Small correction (apologies if it seems too pedantic) but a force is broken once you have suffered half of your starting force as casualty, not just having half models on the table. This is relevant for narrative missions that add additional models as well as armies like goblin town that can spawn MANY additional models during the game. Even if a goblin town force can boost up to 100 goblins if they started with 40 they are always considered broken if they have suffered 20 casualties.

[@thedisgruntledorc]

Graphic Novel of The Hobit was also my introduction to Tolkien. Sadly, nobody at the time told me there was more to the universe so I didn't even know about LotR until the movies came out years later.

[@leeroy8528]

Yes ash! Will be all over mesbg content 👌

[@mattiasgamin9640]

It’s truly a great game mechanic!

[@Hundmathr]

Thanks Ash. As a nerd of a certain age I too found Tolkien as a gateway drug to fantasy at a formative age. Kinda neat that GW came full circle from launching their flagship game that was in part derived from Tolkien's work to producing the official game for that property.

[@CarbonTaxLOL]

Got my first ever tournament this Saturday and have no ducking idea what I’m doing lol. This helped a bit. I might make a blog of the whole thing, showcase a 600 point Moria army that I have no idea how to play

[@JohnSmith-nr3sr]

Love the content. Getting into ME SBG lately

[@Will_Parker]

Been playing since 09 so I don't need the intro but it's awesome to see the game getting so much love recently.

[@jjmurph876]

New to game and glad I've found this really helpful

[@Tigerheart01]

Takeaway: Was planning on taking as many bowmen as possible since the game makes it a point to limit them. However, bows apparently suck and I'll be hard pressed to take ANY.

[@marcbowling6451]

Thank you for doing this!

[@TrippyTheShroom]

In my opinion, this is GWs best game. While I haven't been playing for 20 years, I have for about 5 and over the years I've found myself drifting away from 40k and AoS and into MESBG. I feel like GW focuses on minis for 40k and AoS, but the rules are a mess. MESBG, the minis (more often than not) are a mess but the rules are fantastic.

[@edwindrood2816]

This was fun and helpful

[@BB-pn2qv]

Great tutorial for wargaming overall!

[@lowlandswargaming1302]

Awesome! More mesbg please😅

[@ronaldramirez5601]

OMG LOTR! Nice one Ash!

[@UnderCoverTrance]

Enjoyed watching this as I'm considering getting into middle earth, then I had a video idea: making a how to play video on games such as this for already experienced table top gamers. Where you don't need to explain a D3, what a priority roll is, etc. Etc. Where you can talk the lingo and well versed gamers can make a decision if they want to get into this game and rule set. 🙃

[@seileen1234]

Amazing game, I hope it will get more support even if I am a little scared about the eventual spike in price of new sprues

[@KrullMaestaren]

Just started looking into MESBG rules for fun and they seem to really have a good balance between fun, complexity and cinematic events... why doesn't AoS and 40K take a page or two from these rules? Love the idea of the shooting through cover system!

[@THX-to6gg]

My favourite human troops are the Men of Numenor because they have strength 4. I’ve been told it wasn’t a typo in the rule book just the Numenorians were proper chads!

[@PMMagro]

Lovely, I like the ruins. A nice add on for the old starterset or a Gondor/Mordor starterset army (or to add a warband to). I think they work for Battlecompanies? I mean without even having to buy any more models you can do Battlecompompanies too (I never played the Gondor or Rangers but should work I think). In Battlecompanies you paint maybye 8 big guys -15 goblins and +1 (2 gobbos) per game...

[@kieranpurves1488]

That's an excellent game mat, may I enquire where someone would procure such a mat? Also, I am awaiting the arrival of my big box of goodies and excited to start painting.

[@JPWestmas]

Never seen this game played. Individual unit control but still kinda rank and flank. This looks really interesting actually, like the combat in the movies. Clearly the red dice work better lol.

[@ajtame]

If the archer was on the edge and climbing you have to be outside their zone of control, does that mean it would be impossible to climb up?

[@mennorach]

Can't use shielding with spear support. It is either or, not both. Other than that, I love the game and can't wait to see the rest of the scenarios.

[@RetroDeathReviews666]

Where did you get the board? Wanted one just like that to accompany my game/terrain

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

GameMat!

[@mangoman9290]

Risk in miniatures :) Now before you get cranky, yes there is some nuance to it but the fundamental mechanic is Risk lol

[@toomanyminis.]

I love that mat for MT, do you remember who makes it?

[@euansmith3699]

Indeed, that is a cool mat.

[@michaelgrey1351]

Moar MESBG!

[@clarkcommando1983]

Cool battle mat where did you get that ?

[@ajtame]

Bows are only s2? they seem super underpowered!

[@mathieu4204]

Feels like Nerf bows. While not impossible to wound, but orks don't really need to stay in cover...

[@thedisgruntledorc]

Right flank archer has some explaining to do when he gets home.

[@MetalKingStudio]

neat

[@grahamlloyd7157]

Great video, I have been playing for years and my copy arrived this week. I love the rules but always thought that bows were very weak and any damage from shooting a very very rare occurance.

[@guardianofthevirginrealm7469]

What is the battle mat you’re using?

[@bobquinlan]

Where can you get that gaming mat?

[@sentientbean1]

I wish I worked with you guys.

[@Jatribor]

I have a question about the environment cause the ruins have the wood crossbar and I’m not sure about that. Cause in the rules I understand that you can climb that and it will be seen as a barricade. Like it will be not 2 inches but 4 inches movement to get there cause it’s difficult terrain. Am I right? Cause I only see that he climb on the side of the walls but when i read it right he could climb the ruins wood crossbar but it is harder to do so. I hope you can understand me my Englisch is not the best.

[@brentrobertson1807]

Have the rules changed at all from the previous core rules?

[@star_wars_miniatures]

Nope! The new rule book is just an updated book with the latest FAQ’s

[@ivel3699]

where'd you get those tree's

[@damitcam]

Can someone please explain what the fight value is used for? Like do i roll to strike then roll to wound or do i just roll once and if so am i using fight or strength?

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

You compare fight values in the case of a tie on attack dice :)

[@damitcam]

@@GuerrillaMiniatureGames so than i only really need pay attention to strength?

[@Alduric]

needing a 6 to do damage vs an orc after succeeding the 4+ shoot roll, seems a bit excessive, feel their defense should be at least one lower or so, but that may just be me

[@randygunter299]

Who makes the mat used for you MESB game?

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

www.gamemat.eu/en/battle-mats/4-x4-battle-mats/4-x4-g-mat-medieval-town.html

[@StevenMacLauchlan]

Oh man- I NEED that game mat. Anyone have an idea where to nab it??

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

www.gamemat.eu/en/battle-mats/4-x4-battle-mats/4-x4-g-mat-medieval-town.html

[@itsallfunandgames723]

The new battlehost boxes seem like a great way to entice people into the game, but I just don't understand the pricing on this core set. It's too high for a core set, but more importantly the contents are just not sexy enough to jive with that $210 price tag as you look over the box.

[@JoeBossRedSeven]

🤍🌲✨💞 MIDDLE-EARTH Boss out...

[@timberry4709]

Does it use the original rules or have they been updated?

[@star_wars_miniatures]

It’s an updated rule book with the latest FAQ changes

[@timberry4709]

@@star_wars_miniatures Thanks.

[@rickx5361]

7:00 the video starts

[@thekaird377]

Is there a benefit to charging? In 40k you get to fight first but it seems like in this game you just do it to initiate combat with no real benefit either way? Is that correct?

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

The benefit is being able to select and divide the fights which can weigh dice advantage in a huge way.

[@thekaird377]

@@GuerrillaMiniatureGames thanks for your reply! These videos are great for a newbie like me.

[@GLAMSCUMUK]

Are these still the current rules? As I want to get back into the hobby.

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

They are!

[@Clappincardboard]

This series is gonna force to finally pick this game up. Hopefully Gondor can make a dent next time!

[@thegameskingdom811]

GW rehashing 20 year old models into a new box set

[@sleepyshamanbryan9536]

Been interested in getting a small force of this game to play. I worry that with Embracer group controlling a lot of LotR now that GW licence maybe over soon since Embracer owns Asmodee

[@star_wars_miniatures]

Can 100% reassure you this will not happen, GW will have the license for years and years to come!

[@paulharper7185]

Do I need this?

[@michaelgrey1351]

Yes. Yes you do.

[@Nazgull2k1]

I saw the box in a mall store window.. went in.. they sold it to me. LOL. Apparently GW sent some out WAAAAAY early.. cause they got copies out in the wild! The new Gothmog is an amazing model!

[@NotEnoughTP]

Is this game any good? Tempted to dip my toes in

[@jonathanlim6250]

I think the archers are not accurate at all. It should increase their accuracy when nearer.

[@housecaldwell]

The bows seem awfully weak and underwhelming. I remember that from 20 years ago -- surprised they didn't change that a bit in the new edition. With these bows Gimli would have handily beat Legolas 241 orks to 0...

[@MeGaShaHeS]

I used to love this game but stopped playing when they brought in the different weapon rules( I think it came in the Hobbit edition)

[@star_wars_miniatures]

The new weapon rules improved the game! Love using things like bash or piercing strike. Adds more variety and tactics

[@slappy81]

we either only give heros the option or disregard those rules entirely

[@worlds-in-conflict]

Hey man, just wanted to make sure. If we shoot content for this you are going to shoot inappropriate close-ups of me eating cherry tomatoes, right?

[@GuerrillaMiniatureGames]

Correct. Then you try to burn me on a pyre

[@brandonvancurler6863]

WAY lopsided forces for that mission. Thanks for the demonstration though.

[@jeffhoffman4352]

This makes me sad, because I've always felt that the SBG was one of GW's best systems, but literally no one within 50 miles will even blink if you mention it.

[@BB-pn2qv]

I’m so tempted to ge this set but I have sooo many other sets, mostly KT

[@jeffhoffman4352]

@@BB-pn2qv Same. But I have played more of Kill team ibn the last 18 months than I have of any other wargame since before COVID.

[@gustaafargoan]

So....skip the archers.

[@StephMcAlea]

Seems a bit pricey for a small bunch of models. No fold out mats? No map of the Anduin banks? If this is all you get many collectors might already have enough models. Without unique items like maps or broken bridge or boat models, I don't see the point.

[@V081WLBlue]

Shooting's pretty shit isn't it lol

[@paulthurston2883]

I'm a huge LORT fan. Love the books, but not a fan of films or models. The experience exists in my mind and imagination. Anything else kills it for me.