SBG Magazine - Issue 4

The issue of SBG magazine under the spotlight today is Number 4. I will try to get a write-up done every day until all 9 are completed (and maybe the two PDFs?). As per the previous posts, this one will also take on the format of a brief summary of each article, followed by an overview/thoughts on this particular issue.

SBG Magazine - Issue 4

 SBG - Issue 4 - Autumn 2016

The first three pages are the usual suspects; Editorial, Contents and the SBG Towers behind the scenes pages. There is mention that they have sold 1,000 physical copies of the magazine in just 4 issues - not bad for a fanzine! The Hobby Blog page is again at the back of this issue.

Scenario - The Hunt for Thrain (a 5 page mini-scenario - in which Gandalf hunts for Thrain in the dungeons of Dol Guldur

The Dr's Corner - An opinion piece on why he thinks people view the world of wargaming with scorn and derision (4 pages)

Tactica - The Istari (4 pages about playing to Gandalf's, Saruman's and Radagast's strengths. No mention of Alatar and Pallando - the two Blue Wizards or the Ithryn Luin as they were known collectively - most likely because there are no official stats due to them not being a part of the Lord of the rings films, although they are mentioned briefly in one of them)

Ruling Dol Goldur - An article about some new rules inspired by the Hill of Sorcery gaming board created specifically for the magazine this issue (2 pages)

Battle Report - a follow-on battle from last issue, where Gandalf sets out to rescure those members of the White Council captured in the previous game (an 11 page, turn-by-turn battle report, based upon the new rules detailed above)

The Garrison of Dol Guldur - A list of units allowable for the scenario above and for later Dol Guldur based games (a single page army list)

Building Middle-earth - Dol Guldur (a 7 page article on how to build the terrain featured in the battle report)

Hobby Corner: This seems to be a new way of presenting the previously separate articles for converting and painting miniatures...

The Spawn of Ungoliant - a 3 page tutorial on how to convert spiders, make the cages showcased in the battle report and how to make Dol Guldur themed bases

Painting the Nazgul - How to paint the Nazgul conversions created in Issue 3 of the magazine (2 pages)

Wounding Gandalf - A couple of Gandalf conversions to be used as objective markers and centre-pieces for scenarios (2 pages)

 

This issue got back on track with far more informative/useful material and a lot less chatty filler.  Again, the focus was on The Hobbit era, but the content was presented by way of articles that can help improve one's hobby with hints and tips on how to convert miniatures and build scenery - always a skill that I find dauntingly difficult.