Post Christmas MESBG Tournament

Lord of the Rings Battle Day

Finally got round to writing this one up. 

Just after Christmas, we managed to organise a 4-way mini LotR tournament. Unfortunately one of the team couldn't make it due to illness. So, we were down to a 3-way tournament. The plan was get it all finished in one day, so each player only had a small warband. As we were using my minis, I drew up four warbands and let the others pick first. 

We each managed to play a game against the other two players. And then as we were all drawn with one win each. We decided to finish it with one final three way battle. All three players were close to breaking in the final game but in the end I just managed to hold  out to take the overall victory. 

The Four Warbands

The first pick by Stevie. The troll was crucial in all of the games and was often the deciding factor. 

The second pick by Jason as he wanted to make the grand gesture with those dramatic cavalry charges. 

The  Uruk-Hai had to sit this one out, as our fourth player couldn't make it. 

Given all the time I spent before Christmas painting up the Osgiliath  veterans, I was lucky enough to get them in the tournament. 

Game 1 - Moria Goblins (Stevie) vs. Rohan (Jason)

The first game started with the forces of Rohan taking the early lead. With the goblins suffering from both missiles and melee. However once the troll waded in things started to balance out. However, it was not enough and the goblins were broken  before the  troll could tip the balance. 

Victory: Rohan

Game 2 - Osgiliath Veterans (Me) vs. Moria Goblins (Stevie)

Victory : Moria

I had a cunning plan (but it didn't work) which was to break through on the left flank and hold off the troll on the right flank. But it didn't work because the goblins on the left flank (unreasonably)  refused to die. And  by the time the troll got to grips on the right flank it was  all over. 

Game 3 : Osgiliath Veterans (Me) vs. Rohan (Jason)

Victory : Osgiliath

I sensibly managed to hold up the Rohan charge in the ruins of the old temple and was then able to bring my advantage in numbers in order to grind the Rohan riders to a halt. 

Game 4 : Everyone

Victory  : Osgiliath

The real deciding factor was which way the troll went, as the Goblins were sort of between both the Rohan and Osgiliath.  The Riders of Rohan pushed themselves forward and didn't make a decisive charge against the troll  and in the end were pummelled for it. I advanced more cautiously and was able to  take on the remaining goblins and Rohan foot soldiers separately. 

All three sides were nearing break point but in the end, I was able to hold out. 

The troll getting into his role as chief stomper. 

Great fun was had by all but it sort of pointed out to me that the goblins needed a few more choices. As the troll was a bit too much of overwhelming force and if the goblins could get  him to  combat early then none of the others could stop him. Although he was wounded both in combat and by missiles but they felt like lucky shots. 

So its not surprising the amount of Moria goblins I have been painting this month. 

Rob