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Writer's pictureAlex Payne

This week in wardollies: For ruin! And the world's ending!


Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game

Miniature news from the W/E 09/08/2024


It's a Friday, the sun is (briefly) shining in the UK and it's time for another This week in wardollies!


Here we go - four quickfire highlights from the last week in the worlds of warhammer and tabletop gaming. Enjoy!


At dawn, look to the east

MESBG - the war of the rohirrim

There I was, enjoying a tasty pint in my local pub, minding my own business when GW decided to announce a brand new edition of one of their flagship games - we're getting a new edition of the Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game.


The immediate reaction to this I've seen online is bittersweet. MESBG features a ruleset that is near universally well-regarded and there is understandable trepidation should the new edition stray to far from the mechanics that have kept MESBG so beloved for so long. For a more expert take than mine, the below reaction (in their pyjamas) from The Last Alliance of Noobs and Men is a good watch.*



"The reaction (in their pyjamas) from The Last Alliance of Noobs and Men is a good watch."

Although not confirmed, it's safe to assume a new version of the game will feature a new starter box, itself an interesting decision given that a new starter box with a fixed-up version of the core rule book debuted last year. Nevertheless, if this new set does focus on the War of the Rohirrim (to tie in presumably to upcoming Lord of the RIngs animated project) it could be fantastic. Helm Hammerhand should be a brute.


We can expect more news sooner rather than later, given that Warcom has promised more updates in the near future...


They have a hill troll!


But wait! There's more! You wait nearly a year for Lord of the Rings Miniatures news and then two come along, completely unheralded, in the same afternoon? Yesterday also saw an equally sudden reveal of a range of new miniatures including what looks like some in actual. Real. Plastic - near unprecedented in recent times - centered on the nefarious forces Angmar after the fall of Arnor.



These all look absolutely great - especially the wonderfully weird werewolves. Maybe it's finally time for me to dip my toe in the wars of Middle Earth...**


The WTC is a go


If competitive 40k is more your jam, then all weekend there is hot, intense tabletop action courtesy of the World Team Championships under way in Belgium.


This year there's quite a variety of livestreams covering the event - itself great to see - but my go-to coverage remains Wargames Live. For me, the chemistry between running commentary team Joe and Adam, is what sets this apart. Live 40k rides or dies on the way it is presented and their enthusiasm, understanding and banter with the live chat elevates the games they cover from merely super competitive wardollies to super entertaining gaming content.



Speak the words!


I have spent the last few weeks devouring everything Cosmere and Roshar-related in anticipation of the (eventual) release of Book 5 of the Stormlight Archive. But Alex, I hear you cry, this series isn't about genre-defining fantasy series, it's about miniature fighting men!


Well...


There are Stormlight Archive miniatures! And they're wonderful.


As part of the upcoming Cosmere Tabletop RPG, Brotherwise Games has created a range of gorgeous Stormlight miniatures and I love then. They're so dynamic, characterful, and a brilliant representation of characters from one of my all-time favourite fantasy universes.