Correspondence From Limbo

Hello, and welcome back to the Year of the Horse. In this semi-regular feature I share my journey learning how to play the Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game.

Last time, I finished my 350 point list for the slow grow tournament I’m in. Since then, I’ve played my first game and started doing some prep on what comes next.

Vs. Ben’s Muster of Isengard

This week, I managed to play my first game of the slow grow league, against Ben’s Muster of Isengard force. Ben is a very nice guy, and invited me to play against him at his house on a Monday morning we both had off work. While I was a little worried to go into someone else’s space, Ben was incredibly chilled and I was able to relax very quickly (the cup of tea he offered did help).

I brought my 350 point list which includes Theoden, Aragorn and a load of Warriors of Rohan. The list is below.

Meanwhile, Ben’s list featured a load of Uruk-hai led by Saruman. This gave him a solid wall of tough troops that could also hit like a truck, backed up by some potent magic.

The scenario we were playing was Domination, with a central objective as well as four further objectives spread across the table. I gained priority to decide who went first, deciding it would be best if Ben took the lead as it was my first time playing MESBG. It didn’t take long for a large scrum to break out in the centre of the board, one that eventually claimed the lives of Theoden and a bunch of Warriors of Rohan. Aragorn managed to do quite well and kill some Uruk-hai, but, due to me failing some key will rolls, he spent the majority of the game transfixed by Saruman and unable to do anything. Meanwhile, I ended up underutilising my archers, leaving them to guard a back field objective, so they ended up not doing a lot. Coming from a background of playing Warhammer 40,000 and The Horus Heresy, I had thought that shooting was going to be a bit more lethal than it actually was, so it was surprising to see arrows just bounce off the Uruk-Hai.

Regardless, I made a few errors, and the game went to Ben, with the final score being 13-4.

I’m not too upset about the loss. Ben was a great opponent and an all around solid dude, and we had a great time shooting the shit before, during and after the game. I would definitely play him again if I got the chance.

Hobby Progress

I’ve slowed down a little bit with my hobbying since I finished my list. I only have a few models that I need to paint for next month, and then things pick up a bit more in months three and four, so I can afford to take a bit of a break now.

The only hobbying I have done is assembling Legolas, some Galhadrim Warriors, and Aldor and Haleth. Legolas and the Defenders of Helm’s Deep (as well as a Gamling proxy and another Warrior of Rohan), have all been primed ready for painting, and I will probably get to them next month.

Until then, here’s a Black Templar Emperor’s Champion I have been working on.

Stats

Models assembled (total): 29

Models painted: 15

Horses painted: 0

Games played: 1

Total points assembled: 775

There we go, things are looking pretty good. Now to take a break and hopefully get back into painting soon.