Scanning Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game listings…
Related game systems
Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game overview
Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game (MESBG) is Games Workshop's Lord of the Rings and Hobbit skirmish/battle system. Armies range from 200 to 2,000+ points across Good (Gondor, Rohan, Rivendell, Lothlorien, Dwarves) and Evil (Mordor, Isengard, Moria, Angmar, Harad, Easterlings) factions.
Buying advice for second-hand collectors
MESBG's range is mostly metal and resin with steady availability — but vintage 2001–2003 LotR film-trilogy metals are highly collectible. Confirm Profile compatibility with the current Armies of the Lord of the Rings / Hobbit books; some named heroes have been rebooted in new plastic.
Collecting & army-building advice
MESBG rewards small, characterful warbands led by named heroes. Most players collect a 700-point force, then expand to 1,000 with allies. Mounted heroes, monsters (Mumak, Cave Troll, Balrog) and command stands are common centrepiece purchases.
Popular units & kits
- Battle of Pelennor Fields boxed set
- Warriors of Minas Tirith and Rohan Riders
- Mordor Orcs and Morannon Orcs
- Uruk-hai Warriors and Scouts
- Moria Goblins and Cave Trolls
- Named heroes (Aragorn, Boromir, Witch-king, Lurtz)
Frequently asked questions
- Is MESBG still actively supported?
- Yes — Games Workshop ships regular new releases, errata and the Armies of LotR / Hobbit profile updates. Tournament play is small but global.
- Are old 2001–2003 LotR film metals still legal?
- Most have current profiles in Armies of the Lord of the Rings. Some named characters now have replacement plastic kits but the metals remain playable.
- What's the best MESBG starter purchase?
- Battle of Pelennor Fields boxed set or a Battlehost — both bundle a complete 500–700-point force with rules cards and a starter scenario book.