The Scouring of the Shire

Today, I am taking a look at the classic version of this supplement for the Lord of the Rings game, released back in 2004.

Now, the current one that was released last year is on the "to do" list as well, so you can expect it here as well, but let's first dabble in history with this 64 page volume.

The Scouring of the Shire back then was the 4th supplement released for the game, and is based completely on the books.  The trilogy movies ended after the crowning of Aragorn, but the book went on as Saruman (who hadn't fallen of Ortanc) had invaded the Hobbit lands and brought industrialisation and slavery with him.  So our four brave Hobbits returned home and went on to free the land of this evil, with Merry and Pippin having their shining moments here as generals of the resistance.

The tome is well presented, starting out with some background and a map for the conflict, followed by the profiles for our intrepid heroes, as well as a whole slew of characters and warriors from the Shire.

We also get a painting guide for the little folk next, on how to go to work on your very colourful force of what are basically militia and peasants.

The evil side is far more limited, with Sharkey and Worm (aka a depowered Saruman and his servant Grima), as well as the ruffians he orders around.

The Scouring of course features a heap of new scenarios, tailored for small forces and small tables.  For example, the very first, Maggot's Farm is taking place on a 2x4 table, and you need Maggot and his three hounds on one side, and 5 ruffians on the other.  Ideal for a relaxed kitchen table game!

One of the mighty weapons in the Hobbits arsenal are traps and pitfalls, and the next section takes a look at how they work and how you can make some for yourself, because you will need those for future scenarios in the book.

There is also a guide on making hobbit holes, though that can be done easier these days since the Forge World "frontage" kit was released.

The final section is the Appendix of The History of The Shire, in which Bandobras Took and his allies take on Golfimbul, and invents the game of golf in the same go!

A fine little book, and the scenarios are still inviting to have a go even with the current rules and stats, as the MESBG core engine remained the same over all it's incarnations, compared to GW's other systems.

Licenses have their benefits!