Light the beacons, sound the horns, take up your swords – the new edition of the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game is on the way, and leading the charge is a huge starter box packed with new plastic miniatures. On top of that, we’ve got some extra kits and some long-awaited Hill Trolls as additional releases next week.
The Lord of The Rings: The War of the Rohirrim™ – Battle of Edoras™
The new edition of the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game is available for pre-order next week. The game has been redesigned with loads of smart changes for a new era of epic battling, so what better way to get stuck in than with this massive starter set?
The Lord of The Rings: The War of the Rohirrim™ – Battle of Edoras contains 56 plastic miniatures and two Rohan Houses, alongside a full 176-page rules manual, a 48-page scenario and profiles booklet, double-sided 3’x3’ playmat, two reference guides, a range ruler, and 12 dice.
The forces of Good are led by Haleth and Hama, Princes of Rohan, both mounted and on foot, alongside 24 noble Rohan Warriors. Evil is led by Wulf, High Lord of the Hill Tribes, and General Targg, both on foot and mounted, alongside 24 barbaric Hill Tribesmen.
With the full rules in hand and a booklet with four linked introductory scenarios, you’ll be able to learn how to play the game with just the contents of the box, before taking a step into the full experience.
Middle-earth™ Strategy Battle Game Rules Manual
This is a totally new edition of the game with a weighty 176-page, hardcover rules manual to match. This tome features an introduction to the game, and all the rules that underpin it.
On top of the core rules, you’ll find detailed information on unit types, such as Cavalry, Heroes, Monsters and War Beasts, alongside weapons, wargear, and magic. There are 44 special rules for individual units, and a section on advanced rules to add extra depth to your games.
Rules for sieges allow for breathtaking assaults supported by siege engines, so you can recreate some of the most cinematic moments in the movies. A section on Matched Play provides information on how to build competitive armies and six scenarios to play out, while the Narrative Play primer gives you even more options to explore Middle-earth. This manual will be available to pre-order in both hardback and eBook formats.
Armies of The Lord of The Rings™ and Armies of The Hobbit™
To play full games of the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game, you’ll need profiles for your heroes and units, and you’ll find them in the 240-page Armies of The Lord of The Rings™ and 160-page Armies of The Hobbit™ gaming supplements.
Armies of The Lord of The Rings™ contains over 150 profiles for heroes, villains, monsters and warriors. There are 27 Good army lists for the realms of Rohan, Gondor, Rivendell and beyond, and 19 Evil army lists for the fell lands of Mordor, Isengard, Moria and more.
Armies of The Hobbit™ features over 120 profiles, 15 Good army lists representing the likes of Erebor, Mirkwood, Lake-town, and more, and seven Evil army lists for Gundabad, Goblin-town, Dol Guldur, and other dark places. You’ll need a copy of the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game Rules Manual to use these books, which will be available to pre-order in hardback and eBook formats.
Helm Hammerhand™, Wraith of the Hornburg™
Helm Hammerhand is the ninth King of Rohan, a mighty warrior and great leader whose rule has been plagued by Dunlending raids. A Legendary Hero, he can be selected for the Defenders of the Hornburg. He is made from Forge World Resin.
Freca™, Lord of the West-march™
Freca, Lord of the West-march is unrelenting in his ambition and overwhelming desire to secure the throne of Rohan for his son Wulf. He stoops to underhanded means in an attempt to force the matter. He is a Hero of Valour who uses his Dunlending heritage to boost allied Dunlending warriors. He is made from Forge World Resin, and available for Usurpers of Edoras armies.
Lord Thorne™ of the Wold™
Many lords served Rohan under Helm’s rule, and Lord Thorne of the Wold became one of his most trusted advisors. Beneath his noble exterior, however, lies a lust for power. Lord Thorne is a Hero of Fortitude made from Forge World Resin who can be included in Usurpers of Edoras armies, giving other traitor Rohirrim an edge in combat.
Rohan™ Warriors
It is the hardy Rohan Warriors who take up arms and armour to defend Edoras from Wulf’s onslaught. They are armed with an assortment of bows, hand weapons, and the spears that they famously hurl at their foes. These warriors are the backbone of many an army from the Forces of Good, and this plastic kit contains 24 warriors.
Hill Tribesmen
The hills to the west of Rohan are filled with numerous fractured tribes. Over the years they have developed a hatred of the Rohirrim, leading raids against the villages with little success. United behind Wulf, these Hill Tribesemen become a threatening army capable of threatening even Edoras itself. This kit builds 24 plastic Hill Tribesmen, armed with a variety of weapons including spears, two handed weapons, bows, and hand weapons.
Buhrdûr™, Hill Troll Chieftain
Especially cunning for a Troll, Buhrdûr has gathered a great horde of creatures from the Misty Mountains, and with the rise of the Witch-king of Angmar, he now has a new purpose. This Forge World Resin miniature is an Angmar Hero of Valor for use in Buhrdûr’s Horde armies. He does not have rules in either of the army supplements above, and will receive a free downloadable PDF.
Hill Trolls of Angmar™
The Hill Trolls of Angmar are bulky creatures with inhuman strength. They are often brought to sieges, where they can smash up doors and walls with brute force. This Forge World Resin Kit builds two Hill Trolls who can be used in Buhrdûr’s horde and Army of Carn Dûm armies. They do not have rules in either of the army supplements above, and will receive a free downloadable PDF.
Great Eagles of the Misty Mountains™
The Great Eagles of Middle-earth hold themselves apart from the world below, soaring high in the sky, observing all that goes on beneath. In times of need, they will not hesitate to help the free peoples, soaring down to attack their enemies with beaks and claws alike. These plastic miniatures are being re-released with new bases for the new edition, and can be fielded as both Great Eagles and the new Fledgling Great Eagles.
Osgiliath™ – Ruined City of Gondor™
Build a battlefield worth fighting over, Osgiliath – Ruined City of Gondor, is a massive box of modular terrain. You get a Gondor Tower, three Gondor Mansions, and six Gondor Ruins, which can be arranged in an almost limitless number of permutations.
Over on Warhammer+ this week we’ve got two shows for you to view while you’re doing any painting, building or list writing. Loremasters is tackling the Fifth Sphere of Expansion, the current push by the T’au Empire to spread their domain further, which is being spearheaded by the much revered Commander Shadowsun.
On Battle Report, our three presenters are teaming up together to control Scout Squad Decimus of the Ultramarines as they battle the Black Legion in a unique game of Kill Team. The twist? The Legionaries are being controlled by the NPO rules found in the Core Rules for the new edition of Kill Team, and one of the game designers is acting as a Games Master – will our hosts be able to outwit one of the brains behind the game?
Last week there was an absolutely packed reveal straight from the World Championships of Warhammer, but we can’t stop there. Next week we have more new miniatures to show off, as well as a series of articles on the new edition of the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game.
