TOP 8 Beginner Armies - Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game | MESBG

[@intothewestpodcast]

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[@NoobsandMen]

Top video lads. Super insightful for all them newer players coming in the game. My picks definitely Gondor and then Isengard. Both are jack of all trades but master of none and They teach the player all the basic without anything to complex and allow for building in to more complex nuanced lists. -Sean

[@intothewestpodcast]

Thanks Sean! Those are good picks, very cheap to collect too. -Richard

[@charlesa.7550]

I wanted to say thank y'all so much for this episode. I've only been to 2 casual play days in our area but at both of those half the players were new. Content like this is wonderful for helping us navigate all of the minis and books out there. Thank you!

[@intothewestpodcast]

Great to hear this has been helpful, we'll definitely try to come out with more beginner friendly content!

[@charlesa.7550]

@@intothewestpodcast There's just SO much. Piles of books, tons of minis, but not all the minis also. And the hobby is for sure a culture so there's the inbuilt slang as well and community knowledge. More basic content would be great, anything from how to build your first table or how much terrain is really needed, to basic army tactics, or cheap entry points, or why there are so many different orcs :D

[@AF-kj2zl]

I really need to just focus on playing one army as a beginner. This is good advice.

[@brendonsorenson5560]

Love that there is such variety in the choices! Really shows the depth and balance of the game, IMO.

[@ajtame]

Good video, the only thing I feel it was missing was some list examples. Not saying a new player should just netlist your exact example, but as a basis of somewhere to start, seeing how a list might be composed is super useful.

[@intothewestpodcast]

Thanks for the suggestion! We usually do lists when we have an episode focused on a faction so we can do a deeper dive, just didn't want this video to get too long! Hope it still helped! -Richard

[@HodgePodgeHobbies]

Been playing with Army of thror since i started here a couple months ago and this couldn't been more spot on, yes its more of a 1 trick pony, but having access to throwing axes really helps too you get use to shooting and the more "nuanced" thrown weapons, a somewhat spamy dwarf army with good troops really helps teach positioning, and once you move up to M6 armies you start to feel way faster even without drums and such, also March has its place in this army even more so its just so hard when you can take 3 amazing heros with thror, thrain and Thorin

[@intothewestpodcast]

Very good points!

[@donbarnett7137]

Great episode guys. I really like the eight army choices. I think Rivendell might be on the cusp of being a little challenging for a new player and slightly tougher to collect than the others. However, on the plus side I think this army has the most longevity of all eight choices for a beginner. All the best - “Dwarf Lover”

[@intothewestpodcast]

Agreed on Rivendell, we were iffy on that one but Ian insisted on having an elf faction 😵‍💫 -Richard

[@westonmckee8592]

Thanks for this video I’ve also really enjoyed the channel so far and have learned a lot from it. I picked up my first box of minis got the Mordor battlehost box

[@intothewestpodcast]

Great to hear our content is helping! Thanks for tuning in, more content is on the way!

[@lukesenyshyn4886]

Agree with all of those armies started with Isengard now trying to win just one tournament with Dunland LL. Think dunland LL is a pretty good beginner army with the larger banners and acts more like a historical army

[@intothewestpodcast]

I agree, Dunland is a pretty good beginner army as well! -Charles

[@johntowers7813]

The last time I played LotR, it was in 2009 with War of the Ring mass battles. I fully intend to get back into this game with Gondor to start.

[@smoothbrush4722]

Gold video and channel,subscribed. I would like to paint an ice balrog some day. I like that you put armies painted in the video, some armies are beautiful painted. I enjoy my easterlings lovely sculpts.

[@intothewestpodcast]

Thanks and welcome! Glad you’re enjoying the visuals!

[@CaptSELLFISHRaVanLIFE]

Thanks for the tips for beginners like me. I look forward to your next episode guys..

[@intothewestpodcast]

Happy to help! We just released a new battle report today, we commentate over the game to help explain some of the game mechanics there, which may help newer players. So feel free to check that out :) -Richard

[@Eric-jt8yx]

thanks for the great video! Also, thanks for posting this in podcast formt! Very helpful!

[@JohnnyTightIips]

As someone who has always loved easterlings and would play them if I started MESBG, is nice to hear theyre good, i wouldn't want to stomp my buddies though

[@intothewestpodcast]

Absolutely! Theme first! This game is quite balanced so even the most "OP" armies are not enough to overcome a more experienced player. Skill is #1 in this game :) hope you make the jump!

[@imrmortis2596]

I started with Dunland lol get destroyed by high defense armies, also elves are like crazy.

[@nehrigen]

I'm so glad return of the king showed up. It's the army that new people can make a dozen mistakes with that don't matter.

[@RabtasticPaints]

As a total noob, this was a great watch/listen. I bought the Osgiliath box, so I'm probably going with Minas Tirith/Mordor as my first army.

[@intothewestpodcast]

Happy it was helpful. The Osgiliath box is a great starting point for sure!

[@joshoulton4501]

My top picks are Goblin-Town for evil and Army of Thror for good. Army of Thror you talked about but Goblin Town for similar reasons you chose Azog's Hunters.

[@intothewestpodcast]

I'd only push back on Goblin Town a bit. I think there's some nuance to controlling a horde, squishy one at that, against a more experienced player. You'll have to work to get traps, combo off with the Goblin King/Gollum, and also manage the clock if you are in a tournament setting. -Richard

[@lesbianmorgoth652]

I'm still reletively new (been playing about six months-ish) but I think one of the more interesting armies to consider for a beginner is Far Harad. They're very expensive to collect so I don't know if I would necessarily recommend them, but the way they play with such extreme killing potential feels very fun and having to keep hero positioning in mind is a very important skill to learn in general. Plus the general skills of managing an army with low defence and courage will improve a new player's game with all armies in general. Though again, the cost and age of the minis is probably what keeps them out of the like, top 10, but you've pretty much mentioned everyone else anyway, so I thought I'd mention something a bit different :p.

[@intothewestpodcast]

Definitely always go with an army that you are interested in first! Our suggestions are more for new players that are having a tough time choosing. I like Far Harad, Charles has played them competitively but for me the reason they don't make this list is because of their glass cannon nature. The camels hit HARD but they are PRICEY, and there are a few advanced tricks you can do with impact hits that aren't intuitive. Overall, I agree with you they really help train up a new player's skills in certain areas because of their weaknesses but to me that means that aren't on the list for "easiest" armies to pick up! -Richard

[@lesbianmorgoth652]

@@intothewestpodcast oh absolutely! The best first army is the one someone is most interested in. Tbh I am one of those who has/had a hard time choosing, and really I still haven't decided lol. Played games, made a lot of lists, read a bunch of stuff, but still haven't decided hah. And yeah, they're certainly fragile and weird, which is why I'd more consider them an honourable mention more then anything else. Just a less intuitive choice but something that some people might gravitate towards ig. Certainly not easy in the traditional sense, but easy to kill a bunch of models, both your own and your opponent's!

[@DarkPretender205]

25:23 I wonder how people are able to get the rivendell swordsmen in that pose?

[@intothewestpodcast]

I used the metal High Elf banner bearer model and swapped the banner for a sword! -Charles

[@Bryan-v6s]

amazing podcast intro music 😊 is there a whole song to it or a longer version?

[@intothewestpodcast]

Yes there is! See the video description, under credits. The song is called Tavern Loop.

[@6O8gamer07]

This was extremely informative! As a new player this was very good to listen to. In the end I went with what I wanted and that was the giant murder elephant. Although I’m having trouble finding the basic troops for Serpent Horde, but no problem getting cavalry. I did want to ask something. How does the community feel about the model war gear appearance? Does the model absolutely have to have a bow in order to be an archer? I saw an FAQ that said this is not the case but always try. Cause it’s easier for the opponent to know. Just wanted community thought on this though! Just seems tough to have to spend so much money to get just a few archer models for the Raider cavalry for example.

[@intothewestpodcast]

Glad to hear it was helpful! Casual play from my experience, everyone is really accepting as long as you state the wargear before the game, also make it not confusing (ex. Don't have 2 exact same looking models armed with different wargear) the opponent should be able to tell some sort of difference. Some tournaments states it needs the wargear to be modelled on but many tournaments will just be okay if you did the above. -Richard

[@andrewpalmieri2902]

More of the handsome guest on this podcast please!

[@intothewestpodcast]

Lucky for you, there's more of him on the way 😂

[@joemountains1539]

Great insights, Andrew, and overall.

[@DarkhorseOldWorlders]

How to construct an army list for MESBG- for beginners: kzbin.infoiQ80ldvXt0g?feature=share

[@massimilianomorato5059]

No Easterling LL? Edit: I really should watch the whole video before commenting. But I still think it's pretty much like Army of Thror, plus it has a degree of magic that can be useful for newer players to start learning that as well.

[@intothewestpodcast]

Haha ya for sure the Easterling LL is great for beginners, we left it as an honourable mention because we already have a full episode going more in depth about it. -Richard

[@Hobbitonhold]

whos is that gondor army. beautiful

[@intothewestpodcast]

Thanks! It’s Charles’ army - you can see more on his Instagram, @heroichighlights

[@xoutlawxgaming1989]

What would be a good army of Boromir as a leader

[@intothewestpodcast]

He makes all Minas Tirith warriors amazing! Common heroes to pair with him are Hurin, Madril, and a personal favourite on this podcast, Irolas.

[@ajtame]

Newb here, I'm confused by 'army of gothmog' is that not just mordor?

[@chrisbaird4204]

There are army lists called "Legendary Legions" which appear in the various source books such as "Gondor at War". They are thematic lists that usually have a bit of a restrictiin on choices to keep it in theme, but make up for it with cool extra army bonuses.

[@MattBoar]

Sharky's ruffians

[@intothewestpodcast]

If you don't mind never winning, absolutely. -Richard

[@metascrub285]

How you beat Ministirith with boromir. That banner is oppressive

[@intothewestpodcast]

Bring F3 horde or F6 battleline to counter the boost to fight value. He is very very good but he is beatable!

[@metascrub285]

@@intothewestpodcast I'm currently using a azogs hunters army at 500 My list is fimbul 10 hunter orcs 1x banner Nazrug 8x hunter orcs with bows 2x fell wargs 1x hunter orc on warg Yezneg 7x hunter orcs with bows 1x fell warg 2x hunter orcs on wag Total 35 models. Is there any improvement you guys would do to this list or strategy to use this list to combat the Gondor with boromir banner.

[@intothewestpodcast]

Swap your cavalry for more numbers. Get up to 36-38. Taking Boromir with banner means high 20s or 30 models maximum at 500 points. Keep your heroes away from Boromir and focus on killing warriors. The idea is to outnumber them in most combats and be able to win the fight everytime they don’t roll a 6.

[@SamuraiMotoko]

One year later, anything changed?

[@intothewestpodcast]

With the new edition just out, we'll have to do a video update on this soon with all the new armies!

[@lutzeichmeyer9338]

I choose angmar with gulavar. Very cheap and simple hero

[@intothewestpodcast]

Hahah very interesting choice... Might have to respectfully disagree, in fact if you're interested on our thoughts check out our Top 8 most advanced armies video 😉 -Richard

[@GrandeOldWorld]

@Lutz clearly trollin

[@intothewestpodcast]

I hope so 😂

[@metascrub285]

Gulavar will only be beginner friendly if your facing other inexperience player that doesn't know how to deal with an uber hero, angmar overall takes overall tons of effort against experience and meta players.

[@robertfisher8359]

I think this started off with a very bad take/framing. "Newer players" shouldn't, in any situation, be in the same sentence as "competitive play." If you're playing competitively, then you're very unlikely to have a "favorite" army, as you're playing to win, not to have fun with a faction you're interested in, or maybe even passionate about. While I agree with sticking with 1 army is a good tip, but there are some horribly unbalanced things in MESBG (the goblin LL from War in the North that basically says "night fighting for thee, but not for me"). My brother plays MESBG constantly, but has learned a strong disdain for tournaments and competitive play. His last one saw him get so bored with his game that he walked away from the table as his army (he was running Mordor) and he was utterly unable to take on a ghost-heavy Angmar army or a bow-heavy goblin army from referenced LL. His experiences have been consistently un-fun. Consequently, the basis of this conversation was terrible for new players. What would have been a better approach would be to outline factions which can be recommended to new players for how forgiving they are in play style, consider model count, or better stats (like the fight value for elves). Outline some possible themes for warbands and/or armies for factions that would be good for new players.

[@inspiredwon2670]

Please stop saying Feel and replace it with Think. Men think, women feel.