Last weekend saw 66 teams descend upon the hallowed halls of Warhammer World in Nottingham, UK, for six action-packed games of the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game. Attendees journeyed from across the world to participate, all hoping to clinch the top spot – or at least have a great time trying!
However, before we dive into what happened at the Doubles Tournament, we must cast our minds back to the Friday morning, as 28 players arrived at Warhammer World to take part in the Weekday Warhammer: Battles in Middle-earth event. After three action-packed rounds of gaming, Ixmil Lalilulelo (who had travelled all the way from Mexico!) emerged triumphant at the head of a Goblin Town army.
Over the lunch break on Friday, the Legends Painting competition also saw a host of fantastic entries, but it was Dan Entwisle’s Treebeard, along with his Hobbit passengers, who took the top spot!
The Doubles
Doubles events are always a favourite amongst hobbyists – what’s not to like about spending a weekend playing your favourite tabletop game with one of your best friends by your side? In addition to doing their best impression of Frodo and Sam (or Legolas and Gimli, for those who like to compete against each other), teams need to bear in mind that the scoring for the Doubles is not solely based on your ability as generals, but also on your army’s overall look and your team’s sportsmanship. It is important to win as many games as you can, but vital you do so with an army that looks awesome, and in a manner befitting that of the most noble and gentle of Hobbits
The Legends Painting Competition
The Battles in Middle-earth Doubles event also hosted its own painting competition, run over lunchtime on the first day of the event. Players were encouraged to submit miniatures into each of the three categories: Single Hero, Icon of Legend and Warband.
Winning the Single Hero category was Alex Makucewicz with his masterfully painted Gandalf the White. The smooth transitions on the fabric resulted in an incredibly realistic finish, and the details captured on the face made for a striking resemblance to the actor!
The Icon of Legend category was won by Jacob Mundin with his Witch-king of Angmar on Fell Beast. Jacob had converted the Lord of the Nazgul and his mount to be banking with its wing low to the ground, displaying the wonderful texture on the wings as well as hiding the flying stand from view.
The top spot in the Warband category was claimed by Joshua Crosby and his Khandish Horsemen. Joshua had painted a unique freehand design onto the banners of each of his horsemen and ensured that every one of the horses was painted differently, giving each of them an individual appearance whilst still tying the army together with a unifying colour scheme.
Best Painted Army
Across the weekend, the Events Team had the difficult challenge of nominating a selection of armies for the Best Painted Army award. In the end, nine were chosen and presented to the rest of the attendees to vote for their favourite, with the team receiving the most votes declared the winner. Third place was awarded to ‘What’s Sixes, Precious?’, with their Gondor and Fiefdoms alliance. Second place was claimed by ‘Rhûnning with Scissors’ and their force of Dragon Cult Acolytes whilst the Judge’s Choice award went to ‘The Thundering Hooves of the East’.
It was ‘A Shadow in the East’ who claimed the top spot however, with Dan Entwisle and Matthew Davies producing a wonderfully painted Easterling/Khand alliance along with a full Rhûnish stronghold to display their army within. When building the board, Matt took advantage of the Rohan House and Palisade kits, which he used as the base for all of the structures. However, after applying plenty of plasticard, coffee stirrers and insulation foam, the kits were completely transformed into something you might expect to find whilst journeying across the wild lands far to the east – excellent work, gentlemen!
Gaming Awards
The Middle-earth Doubles event celebrates all aspects of the hobby and this, of course, includes the ability to command your forces to victory on the tabletop. Taking the top spot with six Major Wins across the weekend with their Pelennor Fields themed Mordor force were Dan Thorpe and Jasmine Tetley. The pair utilised Gothmog’s strategic mastery in combination with a horde of Morannon Orcs and the dread magic of the Witch-king to achieve their string of dominant victories.
Final Standings
At the end of all things, only a few awards remained – the final standings of the event and the Most Sporting team. ‘A Shadow in the East’ finished up the competition in third place with a slew of Favourite Army votes to go alongside their five major wins, with ‘Out of the Frying Pan and into the Other Frying Pan’ taking second place, also with five major wins and an impressive collection of both Favourite Army and Favourite Game votes.
However, the mighty team of ‘TrokenByrne’ battled their way to five wins – four of which were major victories – and an overwhelming number of Favourite Game and Favourite Army votes.
Thanks to their proficient generalship, wonderfully painted armies and delightful demeanour, Damian O'Byrne and Adam Troke netted themselves both the Most Sporting Team award and the overall win! Congratulations to everyone who took part.
