MESBG Battle Report – Fangorn Ents vs Black Gate Orcs (600 Points)

The mists hung low over the battlefield at dawn as two very different forces prepared for war. On one side stood the ancient guardians of the forest—Treebeard, with Merry and Pippin perched safely on his branches, and four other mighty Ents. Opposing them was a grim force from the Black Gate: a Troll Chieftain, another Troll, the Mouth of Sauron, and a disciplined line of Morannon Orcs.

The game opened with a thunderous barrage—boulders flung with devastating precision from Ent hands. A few Orcs fell before the lines even met. Recognizing the open ground was death, the opposing force smartly moved toward a wooded area, using the dense forest as cover. Meanwhile, Treebeard had Merry dismount, and he was carefully deployed to secure a terrain feature on the far side of the battlefield—one safely away from the enemy's reach.

The Ents advanced cautiously toward the Orcs, slowed by a stream that bisected the battlefield and threatened to delay their assault. As they approached the woods, they kept up a steady barrage, continuing to chip away at the Orc numbers with rocks, when possible. The battle remained tense and cagey—each side wary of revealing too much in a scenario built on secrecy and surprise.

Finally, the Black Gate army seized their moment and launched an attack from the forest. But their courage faltered—many of the Orcs failed their nerve checks and refused to charge. The few that did make it into combat were crushed by the sheer might of the Ents.

The Trolls, however, were a different matter. One Ent fell under their brutal assault, and the Troll Chieftain waded into a fierce one-on-one with Treebeard. The duel was brutal—both ancient monsters inflicted serious wounds, leaving each other barely standing by the end.

While Treebeard and the Chieftain fought, more Morannon Orcs broke and scattered.  Finally, the Mouth of Sauron himself also fled the battlefield, abandoning the remnants of his force. With both armies battered but only one broken, the game came to a close.

Final Score: 11–7 to Fangorn. Both sides achieved objectives through clever positioning and hidden choices, but the Ents held firm while the Black Gate broke apart. Treebeard survived and the three other remaining Ents dominated the battlefield through resilience, patience, and... well-thrown stones.

A fantastic match—tight, thematic, and full of the psychological tension that makes Fog of War such a compelling scenario. Hidden objectives kept both sides guessing, and while the Ents led the game early on, momentum swung back and forth near the end. My opponent had some unfortunate dice rolls at key moments, which certainly helped tip the scales in my favor!

Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game Miniatures: Treebeard and Hobbits

A recent project was Treebeard from the Middle-Earth Strategy Battle Game (MESBG). I used a few quick and effective techniques to get him tabletop-ready with minimal effort—perfect for hobbyists looking to balance quality with efficiency.

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Step 1: Priming

I started by priming Treebeard with Army Painter Leather Brown Primer. This warm, mid-tone base works especially well for organic textures like bark and helps paint adhere more smoothly.

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Step 2: Basecoating

With the primer dry, I blocked in the main colors—earthy browns for the bark, muted greens for mossy areas, and other natural tones. At this stage, speed and solid coverage were the priorities, laying a foundation without stressing over precision.

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Step 3: Highlighting

Using lighter versions of the base colors, I added highlights to raised surfaces and textured areas. A quick drybrush over the bark and details brought out depth and helped accentuate the natural sculpt of the model.

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Step 4: Shading with Quickshade

Instead of dipping, I brushed on Quickshade, letting it flow into the recesses to create natural shadows and enhance contrast. It’s a reliable technique for fast shading that also provides a protective coat for handling during games.

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Step 5: Flocking

To finish Treebeard, I applied model tree flocking for a realistic, forest-grown look. I was initially hesitant to use flock instead of painting the foliage by hand, but this method saved a lot of time and still delivered a convincing effect at tabletop distance. A thin layer of PVA glue in targeted areas, a sprinkle of flock, and a bit of drying time was all it took to complete the look.

To enhance the base, I also added tufts of grass and small model flowers, bringing extra color and texture that tied Treebeard even more closely to his woodland environment. These small touches go a long way in elevating the final look.

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Conclusion

This five-step process—priming, basecoating, highlighting, shading, and flocking—made it easy to bring Treebeard to life quickly and effectively. The combination of painted-on Quickshade and foliage flocking offered great results with minimal time investment, proving that efficient techniques can still deliver strong visual impact on the tabletop.

Although they ride atop Treebeard, I painted Merry and Pippin using a completely different method. They were primed in white and painted almost entirely with Contrast paints. This allowed for quick application of vibrant colors and natural shading in a single step—perfect for getting small characters done efficiently while still maintaining visual punch.

New Edition of Games Workshop's Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game (MESBG) Announced

A new edition of the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game (MESBG) is coming. For those seeking more information, the official announcement provides detailed insights into what we can expect from the new edition.

For some, this news brings a mix of emotions, from excitement about potential updates to concerns over the implications for existing collections and investments.

Apprehension and Fear

Enthusiasts who recently invested in the current edition, especially those who purchased the latest "Eye of Sauron" rulebook, are understandably apprehensive. The prospect of navigating a profile-by-profile rework of the game, while intriguing, also raises questions about whether this overhaul might introduce more issues than it resolves. As with any major update, there's always the fear of unexpected complications or breaking of what is working well, rule-wise.

The Silver Lining

Of course, some see the new edition as an opportunity for the game to evolve, with hopes that it might lead to the release of new models and the revitalization of certain factions. There is some cautious optimism that a new edition might improve under-performing profiles and address some of the balance issues that have been a topic of discussion for years. The potential for new starter boxes and updated profiles for beloved characters adds a layer of excitement for long-time players and newcomers alike.

Looking Ahead

In the coming months, we'll undoubtedly see more discussions, debates, and perhaps even a few more surprises as we collectively navigate this new chapter of the game's progression. Whether you're a veteran player or a newcomer, there's no denying that these are exciting times for the world of Middle-earth strategy gaming. Let's embrace the change together and look forward to what lies ahead!

Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game Miniatures: The One Ring Priority Marker

One of my latest projects has been crafting unique and thematic priority markers, inspired by the most iconic artifact in Middle-earth – The One Ring.

I wanted priority markers not only to serve their purpose in the game but also to add a touch of Middle-earth's rich lore to the battlefield. What better way to do this than by using Size 10 replicas of The One Ring itself? Made from tungsten, these rings have an authentic feel to them, making them ideal centerpieces for priority markers.

I started with 40mm Citadel round bases and glued pieces of cork to serve as the bases for the markers. The cork provides a natural, uneven terrain look which is perfect for the rugged landscapes of Middle-earth. Using PVA glue, I applied layers of sand to the cork bases. This not only adds texture but also gives a realistic ground effect. Once the sand was dry, I primed the entire bases. After the primer dried, I painted them to mimic the earthy tones of Middle-earth and used an Army Painter tone to shade the bases, adding depth and emphasizing the textures. After that, a few dry-brush strokes were made to bring out the details of the textured sand. Then I sprayed them with sealer. The tungsten One Rings were then carefully placed at the center of the bases, gluing them with Gorilla Glue for a good bond. Lastly, I added patches of flock around the rings. This gives the appearance of the rings being lost or hidden in the wilderness, waiting to be found.

I made slight variations for the different markers, and one of the markers features a lava motif, inspired by the fiery depths of Mount Doom, adding a dramatic and unique variation to the collection.

The rings' metallic gleam contrasts beautifully with the earthy bases, making them the focal points of the markers and helping them stand out on the battlefield. The One Rings at their centers not only look great but also add a narrative element to the game. Each time the priority shifts, players are reminded of the rings' influence and the epic tales of Middle-earth. 

I look forward to seeing these priority markers in action during my next game session!

Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game Miniatures: Crebain

As I get more into Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game (MESBG), I recently embarked on a project to paint up a flock of crebain -- the sinister spies of Saruman who play a significant role in the journey of the Fellowship while they camped in Hollin. 

The models, sculpted by Medbury Miniatures are aptly named "Bad Birds" and I think they capture the menacing essence of these dark spies. 

I started by priming the models with a grey-black. I then dry-brushed the models with a dark blue-grey. To enhance the shadows and add depth, I used Army Painter Dark Tone to emphasize the details and create a more dynamic appearance. The final result was a flock of Crebain that I think look both menacing and ready to swoop down on unwary hobbits!