BGiMe Magazine - Issues 53-65

In this fifth part of the series, I get to summarise another thirteen issues of the Battle Games in Middle-earth magazine. Issue 65 was going to be the last of the magazine's original run, but its popularity meant it was continued for another 26 issues. Once the films had been mined for as much gaming information as possible, it was the turn of the books. These two additional runs will be covered in the next two articles, followed by a short article on the Special Edition versions of the magazine.

In the image above (taken from the internet), the way the miniatures were packaged can be seen - a snazzy little red thin-cardboard-backed blister pack. The plastic miniatures sprues were just presented within the polythene bags that the magazine was posted out in.

Issue 53

Guide to Middle-earth - Loyal to Rohan (1 page)

Playing the Game - The Army of Rohan (4 pages)

Battle Game - Assault on Edoras part 2 (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - Hama (2 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Rohan Towers and Gates (6 pages)

Issue 54

Guide to Middle-earth - Gwaihir (1 page)

Playing the Game - Flying Creatures (2 pages)

Battle Game - Escape from Orthanc - Gandalf, Gwaihir versus Saruman, 3 Orc captains, 24 Orcs (4 pages)

Painting Workshop - Painting Techniques (6 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Modelling Techniques (8 pages)

Issue 55

Guide to Middle-earth - The White Tree of Gondor (1 page)

Playing the Game - Competitive Armies (6 pages)

Battle Game - Competitive Scenario - points match (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Minas Tirith Banner Bearer (2 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Walls of Minas Tirith (6 pages)

Issue 56

Guide to Middle-earth - Lieutenant of Mordor (1 page)

Playing the Game - The Siege of Minas Tirith (6 pages)

Battle Game - Break the Gates - Gandalf the White, Pippin, 24 Warriors of minas Tirith versus Gothmog, Mordor Troll captain, 2 Mordor Trolls, 36 Orcs, Orc Banner Bearer, 2 Orc Captains (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Gothmog (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Minas Tirith City Gates (4 pages)

Issue 57

Guide to Middle-earth - Kingdom of Men (3 pages)

Playing the Game - Gaming Clubs (6 pages)

Battle Game - Assassinate the Steward - Denethor, 10 Warriors of Minas Tirith (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Denethor (2 pages)

Modelling Workshop - The Fountain Court (4 pages)

Issue 58

Guide to Middle-earth - The Shadow of Mordor (1 page)

Playing the Game - Battlefields (6 pages)

Battle Game - Rescue the Prisoners - Faramir, 12 Rangers, 8 Warriors of Minas Tirith versus Orc captain, 36 Orcs, Orc Banner Bearer (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Orc Captain (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Orc Encampment (4 pages)

Issue 59

Guide to Middle-earth - The Fate of Faramir (1 page)

Playing the Game - The Lord of the Rings (6 pages)

Battle Game - The Doomed Charge - Mounted Faramir, Mounted Minas Tirith Banner Bearer, 5 Knights of Minas Tirith versus Orc captain and all previously provided Orc miniatures (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Captain Faramir (2 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Gondorian Buildings (6 pages)

Issue 60

Guide to Middle-earth - Lords of Gondor (1 page)

Playing the Game - The Council of Elrond (4 pages)

Battle Game - War in Osgiliath - (Disable the Trebuchets: Faramir in Armour, 20 Warriors of Minas Tirith versus Gothmog, 2 Orc captains, 12 Orcs) and (Stem the Tide: Boromir, Standard Bearer, 3 Minas Tirith captains, 21 Warriors of Minas Tirith versus Gothmog, 4 Orc captains, Banner Bearer, 2 Mordor Trolls, all of the Orc miniatures supplied so far) (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Captain Boromir (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Siege Engines (6 pages)

Issue 61

Guide to Middle-earth - Aragorn (1 page)

Playing the Game - The Long Dark of Moria (4 pages)

Battle Game - Escape from Bree - Aragorn, Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin versus 4 Mounted Ringwraiths (4 pages)

Painting Workshop - Strider (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - The Village of Bree (8 pages)

Issue 62

Guide to Middle-earth - Bilbo Baggins (1 page)

Playing the Game - The Fellowship Breaks (6 pages)

Battle Game - Ambush in Hobbiton - Gandalf the Grey, Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin versus 5 Ringwraiths on Horseback (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Bilbo Baggins (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Hobbit Holes (4 pages)

Issue 63

Guide to Middle-earth - Gollum and the Ring (1 page)

Playing the Game - Gollum (2 pages)

Battle Game - The Path to Mordor - (The Forbidden Pool: Faramir, 12 Rangers, Frodo, Sam versus 3 Orc captains, 24 Orcs and Gollum) and (Shelob's Lair: Frodo, Sam versus Shelob and Gollum (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - Gollum (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - The Forbidden Pool (6 pages)

Issue 64

Guide to Middle-earth - Eomer and Eowyn (1 page)

Playing the Game - Tournaments (6 pages)

Battle Game - Escape from Edoras - Eomer, 6 Riders and 6 Warriors of Rohan versus Grima, 16 Warriors of Rohan, Rohan Leader (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Eomer of Rohan (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Rohan Royal Stable (4 pages)

Issue 65

Guide to Middle-earth - Theodred (1 page)

Playing the Game - Battlefield Effects (6 pages)

Battle Game - The Fords of Isen - Theodred, Royal Banner Bearer, 6 Riders and 8 Warriors of Rohan versus Uruk-hai captain, Orc captain, 4 Uruk-hai Warriors, 4 Warg Riders, 12 Orcs (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Theodred (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Winter Terrain (6 pages)

Well, that is the main run of magazines covered, the first extension will be featured in the next post. Until then...