BGiMe Magazine - Special Editions

Throughout the run of the magazine, the publishers decided to lavish the reader with free gifts and magazine inserts. They also added three movie tie-in special editions, named after the actual films. The first to be released was The Two Towers, then The Return of the King, followed by a return to the beginning of the story-arc with The Fellowship of the Ring.

Unfortunately, I have been unable to find any front-page pictures of these magaizines on the net, so a cover I used earlier will have to do...

These magazines are more battle reports than anything else, but the minatures that come with them make up for the cover price (£5.99 rather than the usual £3.99, except for The Fellowship of the Ring Edition)...

The Two Towers Edition

Guide to Middle-earth - Gandalf the White (1 page)

Battle Game - Battle for Helm's Deep - Gandalf the White, Aragorn, Theoden, Eomer, Gamling, Legolas 6 Royal Guard, 16 Riders of Rohan versus 36 Uruk-hai, 6 Uruk-hai Berserkers, 2 Uruk-hai captains (16 pages)

Painting Workshop - Gandalf the White and Shadowfax (4 pages)

The Two Towers Special Edition was released between issues 15 and 16 of the main magazine.

 

The Return of the King Edition

Guide to Middle-earth - The Return of the King (1 page)

Battle Game - Assault on Minas Tirith - Points Match : 1000 pts (16 pages)

Painting Workshop - Aragorn Elessar (4 pages)

 

The Return of the King Special Edition was released between issues 47 and 48 of the main magazine.

The Fellowship of the Ring Edition

Guide to Middle-earth - Journey to Rivendell (1 page)

Battle Game - The Road to Rivendell - Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Aragorn, Arwen versus Witch-king and 8 Ringwraiths (16 pages)

Painting Workshop - Arwen Evenstar (4 pages)

The Fellowship of the Ring Special Edition was released between issues 73 and 74 of the main magazine.

So, that brings us to the end of this magazine run-through. I hope you found it informative and that it sparked an interest in Lord of the Rings Middle-earth gaming for you.

I am not sure where the muse will take me now, but I will take a look at what gaming I am currently interested in and take it from there. I am hoping that I should be able to get the paints and miniatures out again soon; just as soon as I get the garage sorted out and I can move stuff within the house into their permanent storage places to create the room for me to get other stuff into view - it is a bit like a 3d version of Tetris at home at the moment, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Why are house moves such a complex mix of jobs to do?

BGiMe Magazine - Issues 79-91

And so we come to the final thirteen issues of the main run of the Battle Games in Middle-earth magazine. No longer do we have photographs/stills taken from the trilogy of films on the front covers; these have been replaced by some really nice drawings/paintings of characters from the books. They all fit the same artistic style, so I imagine that they are painted by the same person. I must admit, that I have not looked into this yet, so may do at a later date if the fancy takes me.

Issue 79

Guide to Middle-earth - Wizards of Middle-earth (1 page)

Playing the Game - Master of the Wild (4 pages)

Battle Game - Kill the Wizard - Radagast, Gwaihir, Ent, Treebeard versus 2 Uruk-hai captains, 20 Uruk-hai, 5 Warg Riders (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - The Brown Wizard (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Radagast's Cabin (6 pages)

Issue 80

Guide to Middle-earth - Tom Bombadil (1 page)

Playing the Game - The Barrow-downs (4 pages)

Battle Game - Fog on the Downs - Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin and Tom Bombadil versus 4 Barrow-wights (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - Tom Bombadil (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Ancient Tombs (4 pages)

Issue 81

Guide to Middle-earth - The Long Retreat (1 page)

Playing the Game - Defenders of Rivendell (4 pages)

Battle Game - Surrounded! - Glorfindel, Elladan & Elrohir, Gildor, 24 Elves versus 2 Orc captains, 18 Orcs, 6 Warg Riders, 24 Goblins, Cave Troll, Goblin captain (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Glorfindel (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Rivendell Hall (6 pages)

Issue 82

Guide to Middle-earth - The Eye of Sauron (1 page)

Playing the Game - Shamans of Darkness (4 pages)

Battle Game - Rivendell Campaign - 3 scenarios (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - Orc Shaman (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - The Desecrated Statue (4 pages)

Issue 83

Guide to Middle-earth - The Long Decline (1 page)

Playing the Game - Forces of the Dwarves (6 pages)

Battle Game - Into the Depths - Dwarven Battle Company versus 24 Goblins, Cave Troll (4 pages)

Painting Workshop - Dwarf Captain (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Moria Ruins (6 pages)

Issue 84

Guide to Middle-earth - The Invasion of Moria (1 page)

Playing the Game - Drums in the Deep (2 pages)

Battle Game - Balin's Campaign - 3 scenarios (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - The Goblin King (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Goblin King's Lair (6 pages)

Issue 85

Guide to Middle-earth - Balin, Lord of Moria (1 page)

Playing the Game - Armies of the Dwarves (4 pages)

Battle Game - The Balrog Unleashed - Balin, all of the Dwarf card figures supplied so far versus Balrog and all of the Goblin miniatures released so far (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Balin (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - The Balrog's Lair (6 pages)

Issue 86

Guide to Middle-earth - The Haradrim (1 page)

Playing the Game - Lords of Harad (4 pages)

Battle Game - Battle in the Desert - 24 warriors of Minas Tirith, captain versus Suladan, 24 Haradrim Warriors, Haradrim Chieftain (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - Suladan (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Desert Boards (4 pages)

Issue 87

Guide to Middle-earth - Assassination and Murder (1 page)

Playing the Game - Force Strategies (4 pages)

Battle Game - Desert Siege - Points match : 500 Attack, 350 Defence (4 pages)

Painting Workshop - Hasharin (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Haradrim City (8 pages)

Issue 88

Guide to Middle-earth - The Citadel of Dol Amroth (1 page)

Playing the Game - Forces of Dol Amroth (6 pages)

Battle Game - Defend the Fortress - Prince Imrahil, 24 Warriors of Minas Tirith, 5 Swan Knights, Minas Tirith captain versus Suladan, Hasharin, 12 Haradrim Warriors, Banner Bearer, Chieftain, 18 Orcs (4 pages)

Painting Workshop - Prince Imrahil (2 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Border Fortress (8 pages)

Issue 89

Guide to Middle-earth - Woses of the Wood (1 page)

Playing the Game - Ghan-buri-Ghan (6 pages)

Battle Game - The Dangerous Journey - Ghan-buri-Ghan, Theoden, Eomer, Hama, 12 Warriors of Rohan versus 36 Orccs, Orc captain (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Ghan-buri-Ghan (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Traps (4 pages)

Issue 90

Guide to Middle-earth - The Scouring of the Shire (1 page)

Playing the Game - Hobbits of the Shire (4 pages)

Battle Game - Battle for the Shire - Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Farmer Maggot, 18 Hobbits versus Sharkey, Worm, 13 Ruffians (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - Farmer Maggot (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Ravaged Shire (4 pages)

Issue 91

Guide to Middle-earth - Journey's End (1 page)

Playing the Game - Sharkey's Rogues (2 pages)

Battle Game - Battle for the Shire part 2 (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - Sharkey (2 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Industrial Mill (8 pages)

 

So, that brings us to the end of the main run of the magazines; 91 issues in total, that gave an insight into the world of Middle-earth and its many denizens. The painting and modelling tips allowed for some great looking miniatures to be prepared to fight over some outstanding terrain. The scenario ideas can be built upon to create many more ideas for future battles using different combinations of miniatures and terrain. The introduction of Battle Companies also meant that small forces can be used to begin with and allow the battles to grow in size and complexity as player confidence and model and scenery collections grow.

The next post will conclude my run-through of these magazines.

BGiMe Magazine - Issues 66-78

The issues featured in this post are the first of a new extension run to the magazine. The extension was seamless, so the people at DeAgostini did their jobs well. The next thirteen issues filled a few gaps and allowed for big expansions in existing armies.

Again, I had to trawl the 'net to get a fitting picture. In this one you can see how the plastic miniatures were packaged with the magazine. On occasion, this led to indents on the magazine from the pastic sprue, but over time many of these flattened themselves out.

Issue 66 - (This issue contained the Middle-earth campaign map)

Guide to Middle-earth - Charge of the Rohirrim (1 page)

Playing the Game - Map Campaigns (6 pages)

Battle Game - Battle for Middle-earth - Campaign report (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - Rohan Conversions (2 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Destroyed Cottages (4 pages)

Issue 67

Guide to Middle-earth - The Wild Men (1 page)

Playing the Game - The Two Towers (6 pages)

Battle Game - Battle for Middle-earth - Campaign report part 2 (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Horses of Middle-earth (2 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Dunland Hovels (6 pages)

Issue 68

Guide to Middle-earth - Creatures of Evil (1 page)

Playing the Game - The War for Rohan (6 pages)

Battle Game - Warg Hunt! - 8 Riders of Rohan, mounted captain versus 16 Wild Men of Dunland, 6 Wargs, 6 Warg Riders, Warg Rider captain (4 pages)

Painting Workshop - Wargs (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Realistic Landscapes (6 pages)

Issue 69

Guide to Middle-earth - The Evil of Saruman (1 page)

Playing the Game - The Fate of Rohan (8 pages)

Battle Game - Baggage Train Raid - 10 Warriors of Rohan, captain, 8 Riders of Rohan versus 17 warg Riders, Warg Rider captain (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Warg Riders (2 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Baggage Train (4 pages)

Issue 70

Guide to Middle-earth - Soldiers of Sauron (1 page)

Playing the Game - Warriors of Evil (6 pages)

Battle Game - Siege of Minas Tirith - points match scenario: 2,400 pts (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - Haradrim (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - The Pelennor Fields (2 pages)

Issue 71

Guide to Middle-earth - Oath-breakers (3 pages)

Playing the Game - Army of the Dead (2 pages)

Battle Game - Siege of Minas Tirith part 2 (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - King of the Dead (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Pelennor Details (4 pages)

Issue 72

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

Playing the Game - Towers of Mordor (2 pages)

Battle Game - Siege of Minas Tirith part 3 (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - The Morgul Horde (6 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Siege Towers (4 pages)

 

Issue 73

Guide to Middle-earth - Heroes of the Shire (1 page)

Playing the Game - Battle Companies (8 pages)

Battle Game - Defend the Walls - Gandalf the White, Pippin, 24 Warriors of Minas Tirith versus 36 Orcs, 2 Orc captains, Witchking on Fell Beast (4 pages)

Painting Workshop - Merry and Pippin (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Modelling Details (4 pages)

Issue 74

Guide to Middle-earth - The Witch-king of Angmar (1 page)

Playing the Game - Battle Companies part 2 (8 pages)

Battle Game - King-slayer - Mounted Theoden, Eowyn, 2 Royal Guard, Merry versus Witch-king of Angmar on Fell Beast (4 pages)

Painting Workshop - The Witch-king (2 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Modelled Boards (6 pages)

Issue 75

Guide to Middle-earth - Heroes of Middle-earth (1 page)

Playing the Game - Battle Companies part 3 (6 pages)

Battle Game - Company Scenarios (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Converting Heroes (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Dioramas (4 pages)

Issue 76

Guide to Middle-earth - Corsairs of Umbar (1 page)

Playing the Game - The Return of the King (6 pages)

Battle Game - Capture the Fleet - Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas versus 16 Corsairs, 10 Haradrim, captain (4 pages)

Painting Workshop - Legolas (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Corsair Galley (6 pages)

Issue 77

Guide to Middle-earth - The Black Gate (1 page)

Playing the Game - The Battle for Gondor (4 pages)

Battle Game - The End of All Things - too many figures to list here (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - Easterling Captain (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - The Black Gate (4 pages)

Issue 78

Guide to Middle-earth - The Final Battle (1 page)

Playing the Game - The Third Age Ends (4 pages)

Battle Game - The End of All Things part 2 (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - King Elessar (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Mount Doom (4 pages)

This brings us to the end of the movie tie-in versions of the magazine. The next batch of 13 in the run focus more on characters from the books. See you tomorrow for a summary of these magazines.

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...

BGiMe Magazine - Issues 40-52

Here's the fourth part of the Battle Games in Middle-earth magazine summaries. It is certainly bringing back some memories for me, flicking through and re-reading these magazines and articles. I have spotted lots of interesting and useful hobby techniques that I may get around to using in my ideas for forthcoming gaming scenarios in both the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game and maybe Frostgrave. The scenery that I am possibly looking to make could be used in a whole range of games.

Issue 40

Guide to Middle-earth - Wolves of Isengard (1 page)

Playing the Game - Mounted Warriors (4 pages)

Battle Game - Retreat from Edoras - Royak Guard Banner, 5 Riders and 8 Warriors of Rohan versus Sharku and 5 Warg Riders (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Rohan Royal Guard (6 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Barrows (4 pages)

Issue 41

Guide to Middle-earth - Creatures of Darkness (1 page)

Playing the Game - Monsters of Mordor (4 pages)

Battle Game - River Assault - Faramir, 24 Warriors of Minas Tirith, 12 Rangers of Gondor versus Orc captain, 36 Orcs (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - Minions of Sauron (2 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Mordor Assault Boat (6 pages)

Issue 42

Guide to Middle-earth - Overrun by Mordor! (1 page)

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

Battle Game - Battle in the Ruins - 23 Warriors of Minas Tirith, captain, Banner Bearer versus 36 Orcs, captain, Banner Bearer and 2 Mordor Trolls (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - Mordor Orc Banner Bearer (2 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Osgiliath Tower (6 pages)

Issue 43

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

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

Battle Game - Retreat from Osgiliath - Mounted Faramir, 18 Warriors of Minas Tirith, 6 Rangers of Gondor versus 36 Orcs, captain, Banner Bearer and Mordor Troll (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Captain Faramir (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Gondorian Roads and Bridge (6 pages)

Issue 44

Guide to Middle-earth - The Last Alliance (1 page)

Playing the Game - Grand Strategies (4 pages)

Battle Game - Battle in Gorgoroth - Elrond, all of the 2nd Age Men and Elf miniatures supplied so far versus Orc capatin, Banner Bearer, 2 Mordor Trolls and all of the Orc miniatures supplied so far (4 pages)

Painting Workshop - High Elves and Men (6 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Plains of Mordor (6 pages)

Issue 45

Guide to Middle-earth - Sauron's Treachery (3 pages)

Playing the Game - Elves of the Last Alliance (4 pages)

Battle Game - Sauron the Deceiver - Gil-galad, Elrond, Elf captain, captain of Men versus 2 Orc captains, Banner Bearer and 20 Orcs - either of which control 8 Elves, 8 Men (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Gil-galad (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Mordor Lava Flow (4 pages)

Issue 46

Guide to Middle-earth - The Fall of Sauron (1 page)

Playing the Game - Forces of Sauron (4 pages)

Battle Game - The Last Alliance - Points Match: 1,000 (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - King Elendil (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Your Own Projects (4 pages)

Issue 47

Guide to Middle-earth - Isildur's Bane (1 page)

Playing the Game - Men of the Last Alliance (4 pages)

Battle Game - The Last Alliance - part 2 (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - Isildur (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Mountains of Mordor (4 pages)

Issue 48

Guide to Middle-earth - Scourge of Middle-earth (1 page)

Playing the Game - Competitive Play (4 pages)

Battle Game - Defend the Garrison - Points match: Good=300, Evil=500 (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Gorbag (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Garrison Outpost (6 pages)

Issue 49

Guide to Middle-earth - Pass of the Spider (1 page)

Playing the Game - Battle Game Tactics (4 pages)

Battle Game - Treachery at Cirith Ungol - Gorbag, captain, 12 Orcs versus Shagrat, Uruk-hai captain, 5 Uruk-hai (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Shagrat (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - The Tower of Cirith Ungol (6 pages)

Issue 50

Guide to Middle-earth - Rohan Enslaved! (1 page)

Playing the Game - Special Scenario Rules (4 pages)

Battle Game - Saruman's War Campaign (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Soldiers of Rohan (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Rohan Cottages (6 pages)

Issue 51

Guide to Middle-earth - Banners of Rohan (1 page)

Playing the Game - Specialised Scenarios (4 pages)

Battle Game - Restore the King - Gandalf the White, Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas versus 3 Warriors of Rohan, Grima and Gamling on a special gaming board layout (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Gamling (2 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Meduseld (8 pages)

Issue 52

Guide to Middle-earth - Shieldmaiden of Rohan (1 page)

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

Battle Game - Assault on Edoras - Theoden, Hama, Eowyn, Gamling, Gandalf the White, Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, Eomer, Warrior of Rohan with Banner, 19 Warriors of Rohan, 6 Riders of Rohan, Royal Guard Banner Bearer versus Saruman, Grima, 3 Uruk-hai captains, 20 Uruk-hai, Uruk-Hai Demolition Team 2 Uruk-Hai Berserkers, 6 warg Riders, 12 Orcs (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - Eowyn (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Rohan Palisades (4 pages)

That's it for today - another 13 issues to come tomorrow.

BGiMe Magazine - Issues 27-39

Here is the third part of the Battle Games in Middle-earth magazine summaries...

Issue 27

Guide to Middle-earth - March on Helm's Deep (1 page)

Playing the Game - Siege Games (8 pages)

Battle Game - Hold the Fort - Eomer, 6 Riders and 12 Warriors of Rohan versus Uruk-hai captain, 20 Uruk-hai, 4 Uruk-hai Siege Engineers and 1 Uruk-hai Berserker (4 pages)

Painting Workshop - Uruk-hai Siege Troops (2 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Palisade Fort (6 pages)

Issue 28

Guide to Middle-earth - Haldir (1 page)

Playing the Game - Fighting in a Fortress (4 pages)

Battle Game - The Helm's Deep Campaign - Rules for linking all of the Helm's Deep related scenarios (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Haldir (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Fortress Walls and Towers (6 pages)

Issue 29

Guide to Middle-earth - Theoden (1 page)

Playing the Game - Assaulting the Battlements (4 pages)

Battle Game - The Deeping Wall - Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, Haldir, 4 Elves and 8 Warriors of Rohan versus 3 Uruk-hai captains, Uruk-hai Berserker, 4 Uruk-hai Siege Troops and 24 Uruk-hai (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Theoden (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - The Gatehouse (6 pages)

Issue 30

Guide to Middle-earth - Uruk-hai Berserker (1 page)

Playing the Game - The Fortress (4 pages)

Battle Game - Retreat to the Hall - Theoden, Gamling, 12 Warriors of Rohan versus 3 Uruk-hai captains, 3 Uruk-hai Berserkers, 8 Uruk-hai Siege Troops, and 24 Uruk-hai (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - Uruk-hai Berserker (2 pages)

Modelling Workshop - The Fortress Keep (6 pages)

Issue 31

Guide to Middle-earth - The Heroes of Helm's Deep (1 page)

Playing the Game - Siege Weapons (4 pages)

Battle Game - Retreat to the Hall Part 2 (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - An Uruk-hai Army (2 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Fortress Tower (6 pages)

Issue 32

Guide to Middle-earth - Brave Little Hobbits (1 page)

Playing the Game - The Last March of the Ents (2 pages)

Battle Game - Breach the Dam - Merry, Pippin, Treebeard, Ent versus 20 Uruk-hai, 12 Orcs, 3 Uruk-hai Berserkers and 3 Uruk-hai captains (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Merry and Pippin (6 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Dam at Isengard  (6 pages)

Issue 33

Guide to Middle-earth - The Battle for Osgiliath (1 page)

Playing the Game - Different Ways to Play (4 pages)

Battle Game - Besieged - a Points Match scenario (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Soldiers of Gondor (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Ruins of Osgiliath (6 pages)

Issue 34

Guide to Middle-earth - Osgiliath has Fallen (1 page)

Playing the Game - Banners (4 pages)

Battle Game - Defend the Bridge - 18 Warriors of Minas Tirith, Banner Bearer versus 24 Orcs (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Gondorian Baner Bearer (2 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Osgiliath Bridge (8 pages)

Issue 35

Guide to Middle-earth - Galadriel (1 page)

Playing the Game - The Forces of Lothlorien (4 pages)

Battle Game - Crossing the Silverlode - The Fellowship (sans Gandalf), Galadriel, Haldir, 6 Wood Elves versus Goblin captain and 24 Goblins (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Galadriel (2 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Elven Tree Platforms (8 pages)

Issue 36

Guide to Middle-earth - Ancient Elves of Middle-earth (1 page)

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

Battle Game - Watchpost Attack - Elrond, 8 Elves, 12 Wood Elves versus 12 Orcs, 24 Goblins, Goblin captain and Orc captain (4 pages)

Painting Workshop - Elrond (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Elven Watchpost (8 pages)

Issue 37

Guide to Middle-earth - The Ringwraiths (1 page)

Playing the Game - The Ringwraiths (4 pages)

Battle Game - Hunting the Ring Bearer - Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin and Aragorn versus the Witch King and 4 Ringwraiths (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - The Witch King of Angmar (2 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Amon Sul (8 pages)

Issue 38

Guide to Middle-earth - Wormtongue (1 page)

Playing the Game - Grima Wormtongue (2 pages)

Battle Game - Assault on Orthanc - Theoden, Eomer, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf the White, 12 Warriors and 6 Riders of Rohan versus Saruman, Grima, Grishnakh, 3 Uruk-hai captains, 3 Uruk-hai Berserkers, 20 Uruk-hai, 12 Orcs and a Cave Troll (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - Grima Wormtongue (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Saruman's Industry (6 pages)

Issue 39

Guide to Middle-earth - Gandalf the White (1 page)

Playing the Game - Wizards of Middle-earth (2 pages)

Battle Game - Assault on Orthanc Part 2 (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - Gandalf the White (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - The Tower of Orthanc (6 pages)

That's it for today - 13 more issues to come tomorrow.

BGiMe Magazine - Issues 14-26

Welcome to the second part of the run through of the articles within the Battle Games in Middle-earth magazine. This will fetaure the same format as the previous post, as well as that for subsequent posts.

There are a lot of these magazines to get through, so bear with me whilst I indulge. With regards the pictures that accompany these posts - they are all taken from the internet. As I have been unable to track down a picture of each cover, I have randomly selected an issue from each of the thirteen issue blocks to represent that bunch of magazines. I find it is always nice to have some kind of pictorial representation on each blog post, just to break up the monotony of a page of just words if nothing else.

Issue 14

Guide to Middle-earth - The Riders of Rohan (1 page)

Playing the Game - Cavalry (6 pages)

Battle Game - Attack at the Ford - 6 Riders and 8 Warriors of Rohan versus 10 Uruk-hai plus a captain  (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - The Riders of  Rohan (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Rivers and Fords (4 pages)

Issue 15

Guide to Middle-earth - Isengard (3 pages)

Playing the Game - Saruman and Gandalf (2 pages)

Battle Game - The Gap of Rohan - The Fellowship versus Saruman, Lurtz, Ugluk, Uruk-hai captain, 24 Uruk-hai, 12 Goblins  (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - Saruman the White (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Making Bridges (4 pages)

Issue 16

Guide to Middle-earth - Ugluk (1 page)

Playing the Game - The Forces of Isengard (4 pages)

Battle Game - The Gap of Rohan part 2 (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - Ugluk (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Outcrops and Ridges (4 pages)

Issue 17

Guide to Middle-earth - Grishnakh (1 page)

Playing the Game - Creating Scenarios (4 pages)

Battle Game - A Thief in the Night - Ugluk and 10 Uruk-hai versus Grishnak, Orc Captain and 12 Orcs (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Grishnakh (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Fangorn Forest (6 pages)

Issue 18

Guide to Middle-earth - Eomer (1 page)

Playing the Game - The Forces of Rohan (6 pages)

Battle Game - The Wrath of Rohan - Eomer, Merry, Pippin, 12 Warriors and 6 Riders of Rohan versus Ugluk, Grishnak, 8 Uruk-hai, 8 Orcs (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Eomer (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Wilderness Campsite (4 pages)

Issue 19

Guide to Middle-earth - The Walls of Moria (1 page)

Playing the Game - Linking Battle Games (4 pages)

Battle Game - The Watcher in the Water - The Fellowship versus 8 Tentacles from the Watcher in the Water (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Colour Palettes (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Lakes and Shores (6 pages)

Issue 20

Guide to Middle-earth - The Mines of Moria (1 page)

Playing the Game - The Forces of Moria (4 pages)

Battle Game - Lost in the Dark - The Fellowship versus Goblin captain and 24 Goblins (4 pages)

Painting Workshop - Moria Goblins (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Dwarven Mines (8 pages)

Issue 21

Guide to Middle-earth - Gimli (1 page)

Playing the Game - Warriors of the Fellowship (2 pages)

Battle Game - Balin's Tomb - The Fellowship versus Goblin captain, 24 Goblins and a Cave Troll (4 pages)

Painting Workshop - Gimli (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Balin's Tomb (10 pages)

Issue 22

Guide to Middle-earth - The Bridge of Khazad-dum (1 page)

Playing the Game - Theming your Forces (4 pages)

Battle Game - The Bridge of Khazad-dum - The Fellowship versus the Balrog and 24 Goblins (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Painting Armies (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Khazad-dum (6 pages)

Issue 23

Guide to Middle-earth - Gondor (1 page)

Playing the Game - Forces of Gondor (4 pages)

Battle Game - Open War! - a points match battle (10 pages)

Painting Workshop - Warriors of Minas Tirith (2 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Tools and Materials (4 pages)

Issue 24

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

Playing the Game - Forces of Mordor (4 pages)

Battle Game - Open War! part 2 (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - Mordor Orcs (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - The Bits Box (4 pages)

Issue 25

Guide to Middle-earth - Concerning Hobbits (3 pages)

Playing the Game - Hobbits of the Shire (4 pages)

Battle Game - Escape from Osgiliath - Frodo, Sam and 6 Warriors of Minas Tirith versus 12 Orcs (4 pages)

Painting Workshop - Samwise Gamgee (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Osgiliath Sewers (6 pages)

Issue 26

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

Playing the Game - Lords of Gondor (6 pages)

Battle Game - Ambush in Ithilien - Faramir and 12 Rangers of Gondor versus Orc Captain and 12 Orcs (4 pages)

Painting Workshop - Faramir (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Pathways and Roads (6 pages)

Next post will see a summary of issues 27-39. Until next time.

BGiMe Magazine - Issues 1-13

For these posts, I have decided to take 13 issues at a time so as not to make the posts too onerous and hopefully get across the information in as small a space as possible. First up, we have Battle Games in Middle-earth Issues 1-13...

These magazines set the agenda early on and each issue builds upon the skills and lessons learned in the previous issues. The layout is very similar in each issue to make things more familiar and easier to find, and each issue follows a theme. If followed week-by-week then all of the reader's hobby skills should develop at a steady pace, until at the end of the whole release it should be second nature to buy a new set of miniatures, prep and paint them, stat them up and ready them for battle on a fully scenic tabletop.

Which brings us nicely onto the contents of the magazines...

Issue 1

Guide to Middle-earth - An overview of the characters and lands of Middle-earth and the quest of the Fellowship, plus the story of Aragorn (5 pages)

Playing the Game - This section introduces the hobby and what you'll need to play (2 pages)

Battle Game - Goblin Ambush - Aragorn versus 12 Goblins plus some rules on how to play (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Prepping and painting the Moria Goblins that came with this pack (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - How to make a basic battlefield (4 pages)

Issue 2

Guide to Middle-earth - An introduction to the 2nd Age Last Alliance (1 page)

Playing the Game - Characteristics (6 pages)

Battle Game - The Last Alliance - 12 Goblins versus 8 Elves and 4 Men of Gondor (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - How to paint Elves and Men of Gondor, including dry-brushing and armour washes (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Tools needed to make terrain (4 pages)

Issue 3

Guide to Middle-earth - Frodo (1 page)

Playing the Game - Priority and Move (6 pages)

Battle Game - Pursuit of the Ringwraiths - Aragorn and Frodo versus five Ringwraiths (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Frodo Baggins (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Making a hedgerow (4 pages)

Issue 4

Guide to Middle-earth - The Fighting Uruk-hai (1 page)

Playing the Game - Fight phase (6 pages)

Battle Game - Elven Attack - 8 Elves versus 10 Uruk-hai (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Uruk-hai warriors (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Making a hill (4 pages)

Issue 5

Guide to Middle-earth - Lurtz (1 page)

Playing the Game - Shoot Phase (6 pages)

Battle Game - Hunt of the Uruk-hai - Aragorn and Frodo versus Lurtz and four Uruk-hai (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Lurtz (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Making a gaming area (4 pages)

Issue 6

Guide to Middle-earth - Aragorn (1 page)

Playing the Game - Movement and Terrain (6 pages)

Battle Game - Defend the Ruins - Aragorn versus five Uruk-hai (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Aragorn (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Making Ruins (4 pages)

Issue 7

Guide to Middle-earth - Defenders of the Riddermark (1 page)

Playing the Game - Defending Barriers (4 pages)

Battle Game - Repel the Marauders - 12 Warriors of Rohan versus 14 Uruk-hai (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Warriors of Rohan (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Walls and Fences (4 pages)

Issue 8

Guide to Middle-earth (This issue featured a gatefold front cover) - Weapons of Middle-earth, Lothlorien and Legolas (5 pages)

Playing the Game - Missile Weapons (2 pages)

Battle Game - Raid on Lothlorien - Frodo and Legolas versus 8 Goblins and a captain (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Legolas (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Trees and Forests (6 pages)

Issue 9

Guide to Middle-earth - The Uruk-hai invasion of Rohan (1 page)

Playing the Game - Melee Weapons (4 pages)

Battle Game - Burn the Village - Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli with 12 Warriors of Rohan versus 20 Uruk-hai with a captain (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - Basic Techniques (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Warning Beacon (4 pages)

Issue 10

Guide to Middle-earth - The Creation of Saruman's Army (1 page)

Playing the Game - Courage (4 pages)

Battle Game - Burn the Village II (8 pages)

Painting Workshop - Batch Painting (2 pages)

Modelling Workshop - A Rohirrim Building (6 pages)

Issue 11

Guide to Middle-earth - Boromir (1 page)

Playing the Game - Heroes, Might and Fate (6 pages)

Battle Game - Ambush at Amon Hen - A two-part scenario; Part 1 - To the Rescue, pits Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli against 16 Uruk-Hai and a captain. Part 2 - Capture the Halflings, has Boromir, Merry and Pippin against Lurtz and 12 Uruk-hai (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Boromir (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Making a Standing Stone (4 pages)

Issue 12

Guide to Middle-earth - Gandalf the Grey (1 page)

Playing the Game - Magic and Will (6 pages)

Battle Game - Clash of Wills - Gandalf versus the Witch King and 4 Ringwraiths (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Gandalf the Grey (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - A Hilltop Ruin (4 pages)

Issue 13

Guide to Middle-earth - The Lands of the Riddermark (1 page)

Playing the Game - Battlefield Tactics (6 pages)

Battle Game - Wizards' Duel - a special board game of Gandalf versus Saruman in the Tower of Orthanc (6 pages)

Painting Workshop - Rohan Horses (4 pages)

Modelling Workshop - Scenic Details (4 pages)

I hope you enjoyed this trip through a summary of the first thirteen issues of the Battle Games in Middle-earth magazine. The next blog post will feature issues 14 to 26.

BGiMe Magazine - The features

Time got the better of me today, so I was not able to publish what I wanted to. However, I can at least give a brief overview of what each section of the magazine is used to portray. I will give a more expanded view of the contents of each issue from the next post onwards. The collating of the data is taking quite a bit of time, so I may not be able to post every day on these magazines; but I will try.

Each magazine is divided into the same five sections (with the exception of the three Specials)...

Guide to Middle-earth - Each issue has a basic theme and these ideas are discussed with the Lord of the Rings films and/or books in mind. This section can be mined for lots of background information on the characters, creatures and cultures that share the world of Middle-earth.

Playing the Game - This section deals with the rules of the game and introduces new items in an easy to follow step-by-step manner each issue to develop the gamer's skills. The rules start off very basic, then a wider range of abilities and equipment are added as the gamer becomes more comfortable and proficient with the existing game play.

Battle Games - Over the weeks, miniatures and card cut-outs have been supplied to enable the reader to game with them. These articles provide scenario ideas and then suggest which figures are required to allow the games to be played.

Painting Workshop - Starting off with very basic techniques, these guides take the reader through all aspects of painting a miniature; from model preparation and basic colour schemes, to advanced shading and highlighting techniques.

Modelling Workshop - From very basic cloth over books scenery to highly detailed full-on battle-boards, these articles show the reader how to create scenery pieces for their tabletop games.

In future posts, I will run through a basic summary for each issue to show what was covered in each section of the magazine, so if you are looking to find a particular issue that matches the forces you wish to muster then hopefully this will help you in your quest.

BGiMe Magazine - The free gifts

Alongside the miniatures that came with the magazine, there were the occasional free gifts to entice readers into either buying more magazines or taking out a subscription. Often there would also be card inserts of miniatures within the magazine to help with playing scenarios that the reader might not have enough figures for at the time.

I will run through the main free gifts in order first and then do a follow up of the inserts and extras.

 

Battle Games in Middle-earth - First issue gaming pack

I managed to purchase two of the boarded issue one sets, and once the collection had completed I contacted the back-issue department to grab some more issues that included miniatures of the forces I wanted to build (hence why I have goodly-sized collections of Rohan, Gondor and Mordor Orc plastic miniatures).

Anyway, onto the free gifts and specials lists...

These are the free gifts if you just bought the magazine normally from the local shop:

Issue 1: Backing Board (which I no longer have as it was very large and easily damaged), a large A2 poster of Gandalf vs. the Balrog in Moria, 4 pots of paint and a paint brush, and a single six-sided die.

Issue 2: 4 pots of paint

Issue 3: 1 pot of paint

Issue 19: 3 pots of paint

These are the subscriber free gifts:

Package 1 (Issues 2 & 3 - 31/03/03): Magnifying Glass

Package 2 (Issues 4 & 5 - 24/04/03): Tool kit

Package 3 (Issues 6 & 7 - 13/05/03): Balin's Tomb

Binders for the magazine were given away free with packages released 29/09/03 (issues 16 & 17), 20/04/04 (issues 30 & 31), 05/08/04 (issues 38 & 39) and 15/02/05 (issues 52 & 53) - further binders could be bought on the web site.

The Two Towers Special Edition magazine was released 15/09/03

The Return of the King Special Edition magazine was released 06/12/04

The Fellowship of the Ring Special Edition was released 09/12/05

And the magazine inserts (a cardboard sheet of stand-up "counters" unless otherwise stated)...

Issue 1:    The Fellowship, Elrond, Gamling, Eowyn

Issue 3:    Saruman, Lurtz, 2 Uruk Hai, 2 Mordor Orcs, Goblin Captain, Witch King, 4 Ringwraiths

Issue 7:    Mordor Orc Captain, 3 Uruk Hai

Issue 17:    12 Mordor Orcs

Issue 19:    8 Watcher's tentacles

Issue 21:    Balrog and Cave Troll

Issue 26:    12 Rangers of Gondor

Issue 32:    Treebeard, Ent

Issue 35:    8 Wood Elves, 8 Elves

Issue 37:    6 Mounted Ringwraiths

Issue 40:    6 Warg Riders and a sheet of self-adhesive Rohan banners

Issue 42:    Mordor Troll Chieftain, 2 Mordor Trolls

Issue 44:    16 2nd Age Men of Gondor

Issue 46:    Sauron, Gwaihir

Issue 55:    3 Knights of Minas Tirith

Issue 56:    The War of the Ring Campaign booklet

Issue 63:    Shelob, Mouth of sauron (on foot and mounted), Gothmog

Issue 66:    The Battle for Middle-earth Campaign Map

Issue 67:    16 Wild Men of Dunland

Issue 70:    Mounted Theoden, Eowyn & Gamling with Royal Standard, 2 Mounted Royal Guard

Issue 71:    16 Warriors of the Dead

Issue 72:    Witch King & Ringwraith on Fell Beast

Issue 77:    Easterling Banner Bearer, 12 Easterling Warriors, Arwen, Dwarf Adventurer

Issue 80:    8 Khazad Guards, 4 Barrow Wights, Elladan, Elrohir, Gildor, Goldberry

Issue 83:    13 Dwarf warriors, 2 Goblin Drummers & Drum

Issue 88:    Prince Imrahil (mounted), 5 Mounted Knights of Dol Amroth

Issue 90:    9 Ruffians, Worm, 6 Hobbit Militia

Issue 91:    8 Hobbit Militia, 4 Hobbit Shirriffs, 4 Ruffians

Looking back at this list shows that there were, in fact, quite a few little extras included in the monthly packs. I had completely forgotten about the Rohan banner stickers and campaign map - these might come in useful for games of Battle Companies in the future.

Next post, I will begin to summarise what was in each issue - I will not go into any great depth, but just a brief one-liner for each section of each magazine. I have found it difficult to track down images for  all of the front pages of the magazine, and do not have the time at the moment to scan them all in, so will just use random issue number pictures to accentuate my posts going forward.

Flicking through these magazines again after so long has really got my creative juices flowing - let's hope it can lead to something gaming orientated in the next few weeks to get ths blog ticking over again with useful painting and modelling articles that display my completed miniatures as I finish them.

BGiMe Magazine - The miniatures

After yesterday's introduction to the Battle Games in Middle-earth magazine, I thought I would start this series of posts with a listing of which miniatures came with which magazine; after all, it is the miniatures that keep us all interested in this game...

I will present each type of miniature as a block and make a note of which issue and which future box set they came from (where known)...

Plastic Miniatures:

Each issue saw either a blistered metal miniature or a sprue of plastic miniatures. The plastic sprues consist of around a dozen warriors on foot or around half-a-dozen mounted warriors. There was a split of the riders and their mounts over two issues of the magazine (see the Riders of Rohan and Warg Riders as examples) to eke out the collection and, occasionally, a single horse for a named hero or a set of Middle-earth ruins to use as scatter terrain in games.

Issue 1        Moria Goblins

Issue 2        Men and Elves (2nd Age)

Issue 4        Uruk Hai

Issue 7        Warriors of Rohan

Issue 10      Uruk Hai

Issue 13      Rohan Horses

Issue 14      Riders of Rohan

Issue 19      Horse for Eomer

Issue 20      Moria Goblins

Issue 22      Ruins

Issue 23      Warriors of Minas Tirith

Issue 24      Mordor Orcs

Issue 27      Uruk Hai Siege Crew

Issue 31      Uruk Hai Siege Crew

Issue 33      Warriors of Minas Tirith

Issue 41      Mordor Orcs

Issue 44      Men and Elves (2nd Age)

Issue 50      Warriors of Rohan

Issue 54      Ruins

Issue 66      Riders of Rohan

Issue 67      Rohan Horses

Issue 68      Wargs

Issue 69      Warg Riders

Issue 70      Haradrim

Issue 72      Mordor Orcs

      

Metal Miniatures:

The metal miniatures came singly in snazzy red blister packs, but on occasion there would be two or three miniatures if the set required it, like the Merry and Pippin sets, or Farmer Maggot and his dogs. The Conversion sprue proved to be a very popular release as it allowed for a lot of conversion work to be carried out to individualise your armies.

Issue 3        Frodo (Fellowship of the Ring)

Issue 5        Lurtz

Issue 6        Aragorn (Heroes of Helms Deep)

Issue 8        Legolas (Fellowship of the Ring)

Issue 9        Uruk Hai Captain

Issue 11      Boromir (Fellowship of the Ring)

Issue 12      Gandalf (Battle at Khazad Dhum)

Issue 15      Saruman

Issue 16      Ugluk

Issue 17      Grishnak

Issue 18      Eomer (mounted)

Issue 21      Gimli (Fellowship of the Ring)

Issue 25      Sam (Fellowship of the Ring)

Issue 26      Faramir (Captured by Gondor)

Issue 28      Haldir (Heroes of Helms Deep)

Issue 29      Theoden (Heroes of Helms Deep)

Issue 30      Uruk Hai Berserker

Issue 32      Merry and Pippin (Fellowship of the Ring)

Issue 34      Minas Tirith Standard Bearer

Issue 35      Galadriel

Issue 36      Elrond

Issue 37      Witch King

Issue 38      Grima Wormtongue

Issue 39      Gandalf the White

Issue 40      Rohan Royal Standard (mounted)

Issue 42      Orc Standard

Issue 43      Faramir (mounted)

Issue 45      Gil-Galad (2nd Age)

Issue 46      Elendil (2nd Age)

Issue 47      Isildur (2nd Age)

Issue 48      Gorbag

Issue 49      Shagrat

Issue 51      Gamling

Issue 52      Eowyn

Issue 53      Hama

Issue 55      Minas Tirith Standard Bearer (mounted)

Issue 56      Gothmog

Issue 57      Denethor

Issue 58      Orc Captain

Issue 59      Faramir (Armoured)

Issue 60      Boromir (Armoured)

Issue 61      Aragorn (Fellowship of the Ring)

Issue 62      Bilbo

Issue 63      Gollum

Issue 64      Eomer

Issue 65      Theodred

Issue 71      King of the Dead

Issue 73      Merry and Pippin (Return of the King)

Issue 74      Witch King

Issue 75      Conversion Sprue

Issue 76      Legolas (Heroes of the West)

Issue 77      Easterling Captain

Issue 78      Aragorn (Return of the King)

Issue 79      Radagast the Brown

Issue 80      Tom Bombadil

Issue 81      Glorfindel

Issue 82      Orc Shaman

Issue 83      Dwarf Captain

Issue 84      Durburz

Issue 85      Balin

Issue 86      Suladan

Issue 87      Hasharin

Issue 88      Imrahil

Issue 89      Ghan-Buri-Ghan

Issue 90      Farmer Maggot and dogs

Issue 91      Sharkey

 

Issue SE1       Gandalf the White on Shadowfax

Issue SE2       King Elessar (mounted)

Issue SE3       Arwen & Frodo (mounted)

This ended up being quite the list, but I think it was worthwhile getting the whole lot up here as an aide de memoir, or if anyone is looking for a particular back issue for a particular miniature (many are sold second-hand with or without the miniatures on eBay).

 

The magazine was originally set to run for just 65 issues, but proved so popular that they extended the run to 78, and then the final 91 issues plus three specials. The plastic miniatures released early on in the extension periods mainly just boosted a couple of major factions (Rohan and orcs) but I think the Haradrim were released on general sale by Games Workshop as the magazine collection was running, so they were included too. The two additional 13 issue runs also allowed for the books to be explored as well as the films. So, some of the models that came with the tail-end issues of the magazine allowed book aficionados to game some of their favourite characters and scenes from the novels too.

Next post, I will take a look at the free gifts that came with the magazine.

Battle Games in Middle-earth Magazine

Battle Games in Middle-earth was a multi-part magazine produced by DeAgostini in conjunction with Games Workshop and New Line Cinema that began publication in around 2003. It retailed at £3.99 (£5.99 for a couple of the specials) back in the day which seems so cheap nowadays when looking at what you get for your money. Each part consisted of a magazine, some GW miniatures and occasionally a one-off "gift" to help your collection grow. It was released fortnightly, but if it was put on mail order subscription the parts were delivered once per month in bundles of two magazines.

To complete the collection took around three or four years (2003 until 2006-ish) and was comprised of 91 standard issues and three special edition issues. I have to admit that whilst collecting them, my enthusiasm never waned, and I always looked forward to the postman dropping off my bundle once-a-month.

BGiMe Issue 1

Looking back at my collection of these issues (I have not looked at them in over ten years as they have been up in the loft in a comic box for safe keeping and are only just now seeing the light of day as I have recently moved home) has brought the memories flooding back; the anticipation of receiving the issues, reading them with my kids, then re-watching the films, and then imagining the tabletop battles we would have with the miniatures when we eventually got round to painting them (which I never really did except for a few of the Rohan miniatures).

As mentioned in a previous post, I am not sure what to do with these magazine blog articles, so I will just get writing and see where they take me. At the moment I am trying to get my gaming head back on, and hopefully these magazine summaries will inspire me to get the paints and dice out in readiness for a few games later on in the year (hopefully).

So, with this blog entry, I think I will keep it simple and sign off now whilst I ponder what to write tomorrow. I imagine a variety of magazine summaries (but not in the same detail as the SBG magazine articles), which miniatures/gifts came with which magazine, and possibly mention a few articles of note if they tickle my gaming fancy.