Middle-earth In Mercia Middle-earth In Mercia

Episode 16 - A Burned Hand Teaches Best


Season 3 moves forward as we kick off our 2024 tournament season with our first event. Sonny & Ash both attend a GBHL80 escalation event at Board In Brum, in Walsall.

We also find the time to catch up with our correspondence from listeners and lay out our plans for Season 3 and the year to come.

Join the conversation by contacting us at middleearthinmercia@gmail.com

Links to all out content can be found here.



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Some extra content outside of the regular episode schedule as we discuss some information that's come to us relating to this years releases. As well as how it possibly relates to the rumour image Games Workshop themselves released in April.



All our content can be found here


Join the conversation by contacting us at middleearthinmercia@gmail.com



Supporting the podcast

We appreciate your support and feedback. Please help us grow by telling your friends about us, following and reviewing us on your podcast provider of choice, and following us on our ⁠⁠⁠Facebook page⁠⁠⁠ where we post photos and extras related to our episodes.

If you’d like to support us further, please use our ⁠⁠⁠Element Games referral link ⁠

Or, if you’d like to buy us a coffee, please visit our ⁠⁠⁠tip jar⁠.⁠⁠

Thank you for listening and stay tuned for more episodes of Middle-earth in Mercia.

A Burned Hand Teaches Best - Tournament Preview - GBHL80

Episode is Audio only on non-Spotify platforms, but can be found in full on Youtube.


We are aware that the video has failed for about 95% of the episode, apologies, new set up for us. Slides can be found at this link to accompany the audio that is not properly displaying video.

Sonny & Ash are joined by tournament organiser Thomas Smith and Great Bear Gaming's James Patterson to do a Tournament preview of this Sundays GBHL80 Tournament held at Board In Brum


Join the conversation by contacting us at middleearthinmercia@gmail.com

We take you through general stats of the list, our own lists in detail as well have review a few (more or less randomly) selected lists from other attendees to discuss.

Check out James' content here.

Supporting the podcast

We appreciate your support and feedback. Please help us grow by telling your friends about us, following and reviewing us on your podcast provider of choice, and following us on our ⁠⁠Facebook page⁠⁠ where we post photos and extras related to our episodes.

If you’d like to support us further, please use our ⁠⁠Element Games referral link

Or, if you’d like to buy us a coffee, please visit our ⁠⁠tip jar.⁠⁠

Thank you for listening and stay tuned for more episodes of Middle-earth in Mercia.

Episode 15 - Unveiling The Journey: A Hobby Interview With James Patterson

Welcome back, dear listeners! and today marks the exciting kick-off of Season 3. We're diving into a format that harks back to Season 1—hobby interviews—but with a fresh twist.

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Special Guest: Joining us today is none other than James Patterson—a GBHL player, tournament organizer, and a key member of Goldilocks and the Great bears GBHL team. James wears many hats, including hosting his own YouTube channel under Great Bear Gaming. 
Hobby History: James takes us on a journey through his hobby timeline—from early days to adulthood. But why does he dedicate a substantial chunk of his hobby time to the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game (MESBG)
Tournament Organizer Insights: James spills the beans on his tournament organizing. How many events has he orchestrated, and what wisdom can he share with aspiring TOs? 
Approach to the Game: As a player and TO, James wears dual hats. What motivates him? Is it the joy of the hobby, a day of friendly competition, or to challenge himself? We will also delve into the social contract—the unwritten rules of goodwill at the tabletop.
Great Bear Gaming Channel: What’s the story behind Great Bear Gaming? Where can you find James’s content?
Content Creation Insights: James, as a hobby “content creator,” spills the beans on his YouTube journey. What motivated him to start a channel? And for those considering their own channels, advice.

And there you have it, folks! An episode brimming with conversation, MESBG insights and advice. Remember to follow James’s adventures on his channel.

Great Bear Gaming Facebook.

Supporting the podcast 
We appreciate your support and feedback. Please help us grow by telling your friends about us, following and reviewing us on your podcast provider of choice, and following us on our ⁠Facebook page⁠ where we post photos and extras related to our episodes.

If you’d like to support us further, please use our ⁠Element Games referral link ⁠

Or, if you’d like to buy us a coffee, please visit our ⁠tip jar⁠.

Thank you for listening and stay tuned for more episodes of Middle-earth in Mercia.

Episode 14 - Ash: From Brush To Battlefields



In this episode, we welcome back our co-host, Ash, who returns after a brief hiatus. The conversational duo format is back, and we dive deep into Ash’s journey through the world of Games Workshop’s Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game.



Contact us at middleearthinmercia@gmail.com



The Rookie Year: Ash recounts his first year in the hobby—from assembling his unpainted army to stepping onto the tournament battlefield. How has he evolved as a player? Tune in for strategic and tactical insights, especially valuable for new players.

Learning the Ropes: We explore Ash’s experiences with different army lists, scenarios, and the intricacies of the game. What pitfalls should new players avoid? We’ve got tips!

Tournament Debut: Ash shares advice for fellow newcomers venturing into their first tournaments. Learn from his typical mistakes and discover how to sidestep them.

Sportsmanship and Social Contracts: We reflect on fair play, goodwill, and the unwritten rules that shape our gaming experiences. Even in tough luck games, the right opponent can turn it into a memorable match.

GBHL 80, 90, and 100s: Ash’s take on these tournaments and how they fit into the journey of a new player. Plus, a peek into the social side of the hobby.

Meta Shifts: Should MESBG introduce themed secondary objectives? We discuss cost-effective ways to keep the meta fresh without new models.

2024 Goals: Ash’s competitive aspirations, local gaming club plans, and the armies he’s eyeing for 2023.

Casual vs. Competitive: Can you learn from relaxed, theme games as a competitive player? We explore the fun side of the hobby.

GBHL Insights: Ash shares his impressions as a new player, including thoughts on rules enforcement and the Stephen Box interview. Extreme sportsmanship, anyone?



Join us for an engaging chat that combines passion, strategy, and camaraderie. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a fresh-faced hobbyist, there’s something here for everyone. 



Supporting the podcast 

We appreciate your support and feedback. Please help us grow by telling your friends about us, following and reviewing us on your podcast provider of choice, and following us on our Facebook page where we post photos and extras related to our episodes.

If you’d like to support us further, please use our Element Games referral link

Or, if you’d like to buy us a coffee, please visit our tip jar.

Thank you for listening and stay tuned for more episodes of Middle-earth in Mercia.

Episode 13 - Unlucky For Some (2023 Review)

In this episode, we look back at the year 2023 and how it affected our podcast, the MESBG community, and the tournaments we attended. We also share our thoughts on the GBHL and the support (or lack thereof) from the game developers. Plus, we revisit some of the topics we covered in previous episodes, such as 3D printed miniatures and Chaos in Arda-con. Tune in to hear our honest opinions, experiences, and predictions for the future of Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game.

Contact us at middleearthinmercia@gmail.com

Watch the Dice Breaker - Stephen Box discussion


Check out the Half Trolls

Supporting the podcast

We appreciate your support and feedback. Please help us grow by telling your friends about us, following and reviewing us on your podcast provider of choice, and following us on our Facebook page where we post photos and extras related to our episodes.

If you’d like to support us further, please use our Element Games referral link

Or, if you’d like to buy us a coffee, please visit our tip jar.

Thank you for listening and stay tuned for more episodes of Middle-earth in Mercia.