SBG Magazine - Issue 9

Hot on the heels of issue 8, comes the ninth issue. The release of the new MESBG ruleset has prompted a frenzied uptick in interest in the gaming system. Whereas last issue took us to the Pelennor Fields of Gondor, this issue sees us plunge back into Mirkwood. This issue also marks the 3,000th physical copy of the magazine to be sold.

SBG Magazine - Issue 9

 SBG - Issue 9 - Summer 2019

Battle Report - Attack on Rhosgobel (a short 4 page after action report of a game that was played on the Rhosgobel scenery that was built for this issue. It pits Radagast against a bunch of monstrous spiders)

My Favourite Character - Legolas (in this series, different authors will explore their favourite characters - 5 pages)

Middle-earth's Most Valuable Profile - This article runs through The Hobbit film trilogy and works out who, in SBG terms, was the most cost-effective character from the films (5 pages)

Tactica - Halls of Thranduil (a 4 page deep-dive into the Halls of Thranduil army list)

Battle Report - Mirkwood Ambush (This battle report documents a "What if" encounter in Mirkwood just after Bilbo and the dwarfs have escpaed the clutches of the spiders but have been captured by the elves. On their return to Thranduil's Halls, they are ambushed by orcs and more. This 16 page report sums up the action that took place in the game, as well as featuring a massive two-page centre-spread picture of the battle in progress showing the terrain and models in all their glory)

Building Middle-earth - Rick's River - a 3 page tutorial on how to create the river effect from the board built for this issue

Converting Mirkwood - A 3 page conversion article by Dave Fredericks for several characters; Bolg to be bow armed and mounted on a wild warg, Narzug on fell warg, Thranduil on elk, Radagast on horseback, and, finally, Legolas and Tauriel mounted on the same horse

Painting Masterclass: Bolg. 2 pages explain how to paint Bolg in all his orcish glory

This was a packed issue with a healthy balance of rules and hobby articles. The terrain article and battle reports were a fun read that led to a very rewarding reading experience. When is Issue 10 due for release?