Middle-Earth: Strategy Battle Game – Rohan Watchtower and Palisades

Another new addition to the Games Workshop scenery range are these wooden Rohan fortifications. Like most of the new range, these thematic scenery pieces are beautifully made. And they integrate with as many sets as you can get your hands on. Do the Rohan palisades meet the same standards? Let’s take a little look.

Unboxing – Component Quality

As usual, you’ll need to cut the pieces from the sprue and removing mould lines. Once done, admire the amazing models! This really is a great set. Cast in plastic, the imitated woodwork is very detailed and authentic. You can see old-fashioned dowel joins in the timber and ropework to bind walkways. It looks great and fits the Rohan theme perfectly. The model goes together nicely, but dry-fit the pieces first. It isn’t always clear what goes where and in what order. It does come with instructions to help. It doesn’t take long to put together. Spend a rainy afternoon inside or a sunny morning outside working on this project. You’ll finish assembling and priming.

Customisability

The pieces come unpainted so you can paint them as you like. However, they are wooden palisades. You are probably going to be painting them brown! There really isn’t much customisability in this kit. To be honest there doesn’t need to be. You can of course glue the palisades in a long line or in an L-shape and add doors where you like. For some builds, you may have spare pieces left over which you can use when making other bits of custom terrain. Leave the ladders unglued so you can move them around.

Using The Battlements In Game

This is a great piece of tabletop gaming scenery! The palisades give a nice raised and sheltered walkway for your troops to shoot from. The doorway is fun for your opponent to destroy with their troll or siege weapon. The tower is a great centrepiece and another great place to shoot from and defend. It also makes for a nice challenge for your opponent to capture. Little ladders here and there mean your forces can move up down and around swiftly. It is great fun.

Unfortunately, the palisades can fall over if not glued into an L-shape, sending all the toy soldiers flying! So, make sure you have a good way for keeping these ramparts steady if placed in a straight line.

Why Pick Them Up Today

Easy to assemble, an effective piece of scenery, and it looks great. One of the best terrain pieces available whether you are a MESBG fan or are looking for Saxon style scenery. It suits a multitude of armies too: Rohan, Elves, orcs, even dwarf armies (they can just about see over the ramparts. You won’t have to find them a box!). It has great re-playability value. I guarantee you’ll decorate your tabletop with it on most occasions. It also goes perfectly with the Rohan Houses, available from Zatu.

What do you think, want to treat your army to some fancy defences?

I wish you a good game!