In this series I will be focusing on Games Workshop’s Middle-Earth Strategy Battle Game. (Previously The Hobbit SBG, and even further back, The Lord of the Ring SBG).
The game has been through a few iterations now, but the core mechanics have remained largely the same since it’s launch accompanied the earth-shattering first movie in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy in 2001. It’s distinctive leaf-green packaging and Nazgul iconography stamped across everything are now long gone but we are left with pretty much the same game as we had way back when, but with some welcome refinements.
And yes, this game has been going since 2001. While not as old as some of Games Workshop’s other ranges it does not feel quite like seventeen years. And now I feel old. Moving on.
If you are reading this I suspect you probably already know how the game works and how to play. But maybe you’re wondering how to play. Specifically how to play a particular faction.
Since the newest edition dropped we have seen the addition of army bonuses: perks you can use if your army adheres to a certain faction such as Rivendell, or in some cases a very narrow set of alliances such as the mighty Minas Tirith and the noble Fiefdoms.
Contrary to the previous meta in the Hobbit era of the game, we have seen a swift return to armies consisting of one or two factions. This is in part I feel due to the faction bonuses, some of which are incredibly potent. Furthermore, there are penalties for using models from factions that generally can’t ally with each other. It limits the effect that a player’s heroes can have on their warriors and stops different factions benefiting from the abilities of the other. Having played the Middle Earth SBG since the first box set was released in 2001 I personally feel (and I know not everyone will agree with me) that this is a welcome addition. I love the fact that the rules now encourage themed, lore-driven lists and discourage the use of random heroes turning up in armies that quite frankly they have no business being in (looking at you, Floi Stonehand).
As such we are suddenly seeing players, both veteran and newbie alike, picking up themed, single faction armies where they might not have done so otherwise. With this in mind we can begin to analyse the tactics, units and strategies within each army that can make them effective, and how best to counter them if that’s your jam.
I will be aiming to offer detailed, in depth analyses of each given faction that I visit, however I am not an expert by any means. A lot of what I’m going to be writing here will be based off feedback and reports from you, the community. Got a foolproof list? Found a winning synergy? Found a way to counter the Balrog or a reliable way to kill a Cave Drake? Get in touch, let me know.
The first faction I look at will be the mighty kingdom of Khazhad-Dum, a faction I have played for years. Also a faction I lost with repeatedly until I found a strategy that kind of works.
Until that time, you have my sword. And my bow. And my axe. Give them back when you’re done.
Woj
AllThingsNerd 