TOP 5 Lists of NOVA 2023 Reviewed! - Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game | MESBG

The podcast invites Bryan, an attendee of the NOVA Open 2023, to join in breaking down the top 5 army lists in the Grand Tournament. Bryan also shares his thoughts and experiences from this event.
00:00 Introduction
03:09 5th Place
10:14 4th Place
14:53 3rd Place
21:03 2nd Place
27:14 1st Place
31:13 Closing Thoughts
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[@andrewpalmieri2902]

Awesome video guys! As an east coaster we definitely favor more model-heavy lists typically. Terror lists were prevalent for a bit, particularly Angmar and Mordor/Spider queen with black numenoreans from some of our top players, but then AOL became the most popular competitive list and people started trying to counter that without worrying as much about terror. Lost top table against Evan's Mordor/Spider Queen list and couldn't get any charges off with Laketown, so it definitely happens to us too!

[@wyliekylie748]

Warband 1 18/18
The Dragon Emperor of Rhûn
9 Black Dragon Warrior with Pike; Shield;
6 Black Dragon Warrior with Shield;
1 Black Dragon Kataphrakt with War drum;
2 Black Dragon Kataphrakt
----
Warband 2 6/15
Rutabi, General of the Dragon Legion
5 Dragon Cult Acolyte with Swap Weapon;
1 Rhûnish War Drake
----
Warband 3 3/12
Brórgîr the Conjurer
3 Easterling Warrior with Bow;
----

[@wyliekylie748]

The reason I added the Wardrake into the list is it's a another tool in my Arsenal. Even a single Wardrake can provide problems and dilemmas for your opponent to solve. The defense 5, 2 Wounds, and Terror are fantastic defensive stats allowing the wardrake to work incredibly well as a rear guard model.
The Drake outright clutched two games for me with the Terror, one in destory the supplies where it held off 6 Lake town guard, and then again in divide and conqure to save Rutabi's life by guarding her back by forcing a Fury pivot on druzhag so the 1 spider in range could charge instead of risking a courage test.
The only thing I would change in this list is more Bowmen, I'd love a couple of extra Bows.
Also I won Ardacon Master with AoL. :)

[@intothewestpodcast]

I can see how the one drake adds another dimension to the list even if it's not the most cost effective!
That Masters win was really impressive, definitely a much harder feat after the nerf!
-Richard

[@AngmarCaptain]

My experience or perhaps style could be the reason behind it but the tourney I came 2nd awhile back I took Bhurdur, 2 Wights and WK instead of the Gully combo and I found it awesome. That was 800pts so it would definitely be different but I don't think you 'need' Gully to win as long as you have at least a BW and WK. I have discussed with a buddy of mine in the league who is a big Angmar player and we were discussing on running the 2 named wraiths(tainted/dwimmer). I don't know if it would work as good as it kinda can look on paper but the combo of the two could be scary with the might/heroic calling issues an opponent could run into.

[@intothewestpodcast]

Angmar is a versatile list with many different builds! You definitely don’t need to include Gulavhar, but being arguably the best monster in the game, it’s not hard to see why he’s everywhere.
-Charles

[@joemountains1539]

Good breakdown, despite being there I only had glimpses of these tables.

[@jmaccsarmiesofmiddleearth]

Great cast guys. Good to see the legion nerfs have helped move the game along.......naaaahhhhttt xD

[@intothewestpodcast]

😅😂

[@user-yn8cy1qk6q]

I've seen the ''Loto 649'' I was like THEY ARE CANADIAN!?? haahah
I'm from Quebec man !
Love from the french part!

[@intothewestpodcast]

Haha yes we are! But all the way on the west coast!
Cheers man, I've been to Montreal and Quebec, I'd love to go back and maybe play some mesbg over there.
-Richard

[@nehrigen]

I've never seen anyone chose a trebuchet over a bolt thrower

[@intothewestpodcast]

The treb is underrated!
-Richard

[@giraffediety2477]

I fought 3 terror causing armies at NOVA 😢😢😢😢 Just unlucky, i guess

[@ArchangelTyrael]

They really need to nerf the dragon emperor LL. It’s too OP, and relatively low skill. Not a good combination.

[@star_wars_miniatures]

I think maybe the black dragons carrying the emperor shouldn’t be able to attack while the palanquin is in play. It’s those 6 extra dice that are ridiculous in my opinion

[@ArchangelTyrael]

@star_wars_miniatures7591 Taking away the Kathaprakt may help too. You get good power but lose mobility.

[@jmaccsarmiesofmiddleearth]

​@star_wars_miniatures7591 it's also completely mental in my option. A banner is -1 but carrying fking panequin is not, Just shows rules are made to sell models

[@star_wars_miniatures]

In some games as an experiment I’ve dismounted him from the Palanquin straight away because I actually really love the foot version of him more!! Feels a lot fairer having him on foot surrounded by Black dragons

[@ArchangelTyrael]

@jmaccsarmiesofmiddleearth Heck the rules are written by someone who plays in tournaments. Not like a conflict of interest or anything...