3 Reasons Why You're Losing At MESBG (And It's Not The Dice)
Thumbnail Credit: Games Workshop
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I'm a narrative player at heart. I like odd lists like Sharkey's Rogues, Realms of Men and Balin's Expedition, things that aren't considered optimal.
That being said, I still play to win.
And something I've noticed (especially after the response to my last article) is this:
MESBG rewards player skill far more than list strength.
I've seen people call a list underpowered, while someone else takes it to a podium finish.
That's not the list. That's the player.
So here are three reasons people lose in MESBG.
Credit: Games Workshop
1 - Too Much Killing
It's no secret that MESBG is a war game. Two opposing armies get together to scrap it out, and yes, some of the combatants die in the action. It's arguably the most exciting part of the whole game.
Many scenarios aren't won by killing, they're won by being in the right place at the right time.
If you quarter your opponent on turn five but haven't positioned for objectives, you haven't won, you've actually just run out of time to do so.
Remember, the goal is to win the game, not the battle.
Credit: New Line Cinema - The Hobbit
2 - Too Much Turtling
If like me you come from a Warhammer Fantasy background, deploying an army in MESBG can feel weird. You're dealing with an army of individuals, rather than blocks of units.
Unable to break the programming, some players resolve to 'turtling', bunching your main infantry together into a rough block. This happens all the time with armies like Gondor, who benefit from the Shieldwall Special Rule.
So you turtle your boys together, ready to cowabunga all over whatever enemy is dumb enough to get near you.
It feels safe. It feels controlled. It loses you the game.
The thing is, your enemies are smart enough to skirt around you, shoot you, or (like above) play the objective; and when they do engage, it will most likely be on their terms.
MESBG rewards board control, and turtling surrenders it.
Be a net, not a brick.
3. Forcing The 'Big Fight'
We all love to see when two heroes clash. Whether that's Thorin and Azog, Aragorn and Lurtz, or even Legolas vs Durin (MESBG can be wild!)
It's cinematic, fun, and memorable.
It's also one of the fastest ways to lose.
Too many players throw their General into the enemy General, hoping to decide the game in one fight. But MESBG doesn't reward gambles like that; it punishes them.
Losing your Leader is way worse than just dropping a Unit, you lose:
- Might / Will / Fate
- Stopping Power
- Access to Heroic Actions
And it's not just heroes. The same mistake happens across the board, with players charging into fights without advantage, hoping the dice will carry them.
They won't. Not reliably.
Winning in MESBG is about stacking fights in your favour. Outnumber your enemy, force a Trap, debilitate their big hitters while making sure your own are in the right position.
Fight to win.
If everything comes down to a single role of the dice, mistakes have been made (or you've been perfectly matched - MESBG is all about skill).
Credit: Games Workshop
Conclusion
I've based this article on my own worst impulses, and have seen many other players do the same.
I think we all make these mistakes for the right reasons. After all, who doesn't want those cinematic moments?
But what do you think, what mistakes cost players the most on the table?
Hobby Highlight
Ambush! The other day I played a game of Halgrad with a couple of friends…it did not go well for my Marocians!
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