“Praise from the praise-worthy is beyond all rewards.” Faramir
So last Sunday we got to see the much anticipated Games Workshop ME:SBG Preview Event and it has been generating a lot of discussion across social media. And so I thought why shouldn't I throw my opinions into the mix?
Firstly, most of my predictions from my last article were wrong, although the usual Sunday Preview on Warhammer Community somewhat saved my blushes by announcing the preorders for Orophin and Rumil this weekend. What we did get announced instead was a new Battle of Osgiliath starter box (including 5 new plastic hero models and new terrain), 4 Battlehost boxes, a new Forgeworld Glorfindel and Guards of the Galadrim Court and a new plastic Elrond model.
Onto my thoughts and firstly, most of the new models look fantastic. In my opinion Glorfindel was definitely the pick of the bunch, he looks stunning (and I'm not normally an Elf fan*). Elrond and his banner bearer also looked good, as well as the new Faramir and his Ranger pals. I was already a big fan of Faramir, so he will definitely be on the to get list in short order. However, the Galadrim Guard I found just a little bit uninspiring and question why they should have been on the list for new sculpts when other models are crying out for them. Gothmog I'm still undecided on, the foot model looks alright but the proportions on the warg just seemed a little off (too much shoulder and too short in the neck, but that might be a camera angle problem, so I'll reserve judgement on that for now).
One of the more exciting things in my opinion is the new, modular Osgiliath ruins that come in the new starter box. New terrain is always great and these ruins look great. I'm looking forward to seeing what people achieve with these both in Osgiliath themed boards and more generic ruins ranging from Fornost to Umbar. Terrain is such a crucial part in the game that including it in the starter box is a great step by GW to help new players jumping straight into playing.
One of the big points that's been made on social media is that this announcement is that it'll be great for encouraging new players into the game thanks to the new starter box and the Battlehost boxes making it easier to start an army. If it does help to grow the fanbase then that's fantastic; more players = more sales = more investment from Games Workshop. However, I have a couple of niggles with this as well. Number 1, none of the boxes allow you to field a Matched Play legal army straight out of the box, so you couldn't just buy a box and be ready to play any pick-up games. And number 2, one of the critisisms I've heard from people who might be interested in trying the game is that the models are so old and that is putting them off. Unfortunately, this release won't solve that issue, but here's hoping it will entice some new players into the game.
The only aspect of this Preview I saw as a big negative was the complete lack of anything really new. Everything was either resculpts of existing characters or repackaging of existing sprues. This has been the main criticism I've heard from existing fans, who probably already have extensive collections. Personally I already have a large Minas Tirith army and I really don't need anymore Warriors of Minas Tirith, Rangers or Knights and I have all the existing models for the Heroes getting new sculpts, so I probably don't need any of those releases. I would have preferred to see at least something new that will advance the game, be it a model with a new profile or a confirmation of the next supplement. Instead, the best we got was an updated rulebook including the FAQs and Erratas, which will be useful for all players by eliminating the need the flip back and forth between the rulebook and the FAQ (at least until the next round of FAQs is released a few months later). One can only hope that the sight of Gil-galad's sigal upon the elven banner is a hint of things to come.
So overall, in my opinion, although I don't think this Preview quite lived up to the hype it promised beforehand I'm generally fairly happy with the announcements and the general direction of the ME:SBG team.
*Faithless woodland sprites
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