North of the Shire

Ep 23 – Aragorn, King Elessar and other Top Tier Heroes

Andrew and Don discuss four kings, and all of them top tier heroes: King Elessar, The Witch- King of Angmar, Thror and The Goblin King.  They also answer a listener question about designing scenarios as well as much of the usual banter about MESBG.

Ep 22 – Isengard, King of the Micro Warband

In this episode Andrew and Don discuss the mysterious micro warband.  Join them as they build a micro warband army using the Isengard faction, the best in the business.

In the All that is Gold Does not Glitter segment, the guys answer a listener question about their favorite un-competitive lists and how to improve the Lothlorien faction.  Last but not least, Andrew steps up to the plate with the longest segment yet for our narrative short story. 

Ep 21 – Silver Medalist’s - Tauriel, Balin & The Shade

In this episode Andrew and Don discuss the Silver Medalist’s, the Mid-Tier heroes of MESBG.  Rather than taking an analytical approach to the topic they discuss six popular heroes in this bracket: Tauriel, Balin the Dwarf, King of Moria, Cirdan, The Shade, The Spider Queen and Gorulf Ironskin

In their other usual segments they give their thoughts on what we may see  in the next edition of the MESGB rule set, how they go about building an army list and Andrew navigates through a little MESBG word association.  Finally they revisit their narrative segment where they follow the adventures of Garthur the Dwarf Ranger and the mysterious nameless woman he’s traveling with.

Episode 20 – The Combined Arms Army Build

The Combined Arms Army Build is up for discussion in this episode.  If you like big heroes, wizards, rank and file troops, archers, cavalry, and siege engines, then this is the army for you. 

In the All that is Gold Does not Glitter segment Don and Andrew answer a question about the popularity of different armies in the different MESBG communities around the world.  Andrew finally gets some revenge on Don in the What Have I got in my Pocket segment with a difficult list of trivia questions on Special Rules.  Last, but not least they roll out the second segment in their new narrative segment tentatively named the TBD Chronicles (until a proper name is found).

Episode 19 – Low Tier Heroes

Andrew and Don discuss Low Tier Heroes of MESBG.  Who are they, why take them and how are they used in armies?  They visit their regular segments All that is Gold Does not Glitter and What Have I got in my Pocket and roll out a new narrative segment where they will take turns writing an original Middle Earth story.

Episode 18 – Building Lurtz’s Scouts

Garrett makes an appearance on the show for the first time to discuss the army he’s building for our North of the Shire Army Challenge – Lurtz’s Scouts.  We discuss the list, his army build, as well as his plans for painting and displaying the army.  Also up for discussion is The Battle of Eight Armies virtual tournament in which Garrett participated, as well as an assortment of usual MESBG ramblings.    

 

Episode 17 - The Mobile Army Type

In this episode Andrew and Don talk about the Mobile army type.  These are fast moving armies that are commonly ‘all mounted’.  Along with this we discuss such important issues as dressing up as a dwarf and our ‘not-too-farfetched pipe dream model and profile’.

Episode 16 – Tolkien Beginnings

In this episode Andrew and Don answer the question, ‘has shooting has become too strong in the game’.  They also discuss their favorite army special rules, Shelob and Andrew asks Don to describe his “Tolkien Beginnings”.  Not to mention the usual amount of MESBG musings.

Episode 15 – The Leaf Blower Army Type

In this episode Andrew and Don talk about the Leaf Blower army type.  Armies designed to shoot their opponent off the table.  Can you say Rangers of ....????  We also discuss our ‘guilty pleasure’ models, favorite LOTR/Hobbit movies and give an update on the OSBGL virtual tournament.

Episode 14 – Legendary Legions

In this episode Andrew and Don discuss the MESBG Legendary Legions.  What’s the concept of the legendary legions? Will they eventually become ‘too much of a good thing’?  What impact will Legendary Legions have on the future of the game?

In addition to that there is the usual amount of lighthearted banter about a variety of Lord of the Rings related topics