AJM Nerdcore

Welcome back to Tolkien Tours - the series where I explore the UK looking for places that feel suspiciously like they’ve wandered out of Middle-earth.

In this episode, we’re in the Cotswolds at St Edward’s Church in Stow-on-the-Wold - home to what might be the most unintentionally fantasy-looking doorway in England.

Yes… the one framed by two enormous yew trees that looks like it should absolutely require you to speak friend and enter.

In this video, I break down the real-world location, the history of St Edward’s Church, Tolkien’s connections to the Cotswolds, and then go properly into the lore of the Doors of Durin, Khazad-dûm, and that moment where Gandalf overcomplicates what is essentially the fantasy equivalent of a very obvious password.

If you enjoy Tolkien lore, Middle-earth locations, or just want to see a very normal English church door that looks like it might open into a dwarven kingdom… this one’s for you.

Timestamps
0:00 – Welcome to Tolkien Tours and a completely normal church door

3:29 – The Cotswolds, Tolkien and how this all feels suspiciously Shire-like

8:27 – The Doors of Durin explained without requiring 47 books

18:56 – Khazad-dûm, dwarves, elves and the most extra door ever built

22:53 – The design of the Doors of Durin and why this church looks familiar

25:56 – St Edward’s Church history and why it’s older than everything you own

33:21 – Final thoughts: did Tolkien see this or are we all reaching

#lotr #lordoftherings #tolkien #cotswolds #visitengland

AJM Nerdcore is represented by Digital Fox Talent. Brand partnerships: digitalfoxtalent.com/brands/creators/ajm-nerdcore

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This isn’t your usual ultra-polished breakdown. This is me, freestyling it with no notes and far too many opinions, talking through everything from Jump Pack Chaplains and Vanguard Veterans to 11th edition changes, narrative play, and whether Games Workshop have absolutely lost the plot… or nailed it.

We’re covering the new Warhammer 40K preview, the return to Armageddon, gameplay changes in 11th edition, modular detachments, combat updates, and why Orks continue to behave exactly as expected.

If you’re into Warhammer 40K lore, tabletop gameplay, Blood Angels, Astra Militarum, or just enjoy someone trying to make sense of it all in real time, this one’s for you.

Let me know what you think in the comments. Properly.

Timestamps

0:00 – Freestyling a Warhammer reaction with zero preparation
2:44 – Trailer breakdown: Jump Pack Chaplain, Vanguard Veterans and absolute chaos
5:29 – Narrative vs competitive play and the return to Armageddon
7:57 – Orks, Steel Legion and why Armageddon never gets a day off
10:05 – 11th edition changes: detachments, terrain, combat and rules updates
15:42 – Mephiston, Blood Angels bias and things I definitely don’t need but want anyway
16:23 – Final thoughts: excitement, concern and cautious optimism

Overall, I genuinely think this could be one of the most interesting shifts we’ve seen in Warhammer 40K for a while. The move towards narrative gameplay, fighting over terrain instead of circles, and giving players more freedom with army building all sound great… in theory.

But at the same time, 70 detachments on day one feels slightly unhinged.

So the question is… is this the best direction Warhammer has taken in years, or are we about to witness absolute chaos unfold on tabletops everywhere?

Let me know your thoughts. I want proper opinions, not just “looks good”.

#warhammer #warhammerpreview #warhammer40k #bloodangels

AJM Nerdcore is represented by Digital Fox Talent. Brand partnerships: digitalfoxtalent.com/brands/creators/ajm-nerdcore

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Got some ideas for content you would like me to cover? Let me know here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...

I’ve been playing Thousand Year Old Vampire for a few weeks now, and it has completely ruined the standard for solo RPGs. In this video, I break down exactly why this quietly devastating journaling game has such a grip on me, from its deceptively simple dice system to the genuinely uncomfortable choices it forces you to make.

This is a deep dive into how the game works, what makes it so compelling, and why it manages to turn something as simple as crossing out a memory into a minor existential crisis. We look at character creation, memories, skills, resources, and the slow, inevitable decline of an immortal life that cannot possibly hold onto everything.

If you enjoy gothic horror, narrative RPGs, or anything that sits somewhere between Dark Souls and Interview With The Vampire, there is a good chance this will be right up your street.

What you will find in this video:

A breakdown of the core mechanics of Thousand Year Old Vampire
How the memory system quietly becomes the most brutal part of the game
Why losing things in this game hits harder than you expect
Character creation and the immediate emotional damage it causes
Different ways to play, from quick sessions to full journaling
My own playthrough experiences and questionable decisions

Timestamps

0:00 – Right, I have made a terrible emotional decision
2:59 – The game politely starts ruining your life
12:06 – Skills, resources and other things you will inevitably lose
17:20 – Character creation but with immediate consequences
21:28 – You are now visibly a problem to society
24:51 – Two ways to play, both end in regret
35:13 – Rosa did not survive this playthrough
39:03 – So what have we learned other than emotional damage

If you enjoy solo RPGs, tabletop games, or narrative-driven experiences that lean heavily into atmosphere, loss, and questionable life choices, this is one you should absolutely check out.

I will be covering more games like this, along with other deep dives into nerdy corners of tabletop and storytelling, so feel free to stick around if that sounds like your sort of thing.

#RPG #vampire #solorpg #gamereview #tabletoprpg

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Got some ideas for content you would like me to cover? Let me know here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...

Games Workshop has revealed four new Warhammer 40K Combat Patrol boxes, so I sat down with a brew to have a relaxed look through them. Are these genuinely great starter forces for a new army, or is this just Games Workshop rolling a natural 20 on Summon Impulse Purchase again? From the surprisingly cool Kroot to pirate Chaos Marines, Night Lords terror squads, and dangerously stylish Aeldari Corsairs, I’m breaking down what’s in each box and whether they’re worth the hobby commitment.

If you’re curious about Warhammer 40K Combat Patrol, new 40K box sets, and what this might mean for a possible 11th edition, grab a brew and join the chat.

Timestamps:

0:00 A calm introduction before the Chaos Rhino conspiracy begins

3:01 The Kroot glow-up nobody warned us about

6:09 Red Corsairs, goat men and one extremely emo Space Marine

8:59 Night Lords and the classic angry taxi delivery system

11:23 Aeldari Corsairs and the dangerously tempting colour schemes

13:39 Final thoughts and questionable hobby decisions

#warhammer #warhammer40k #warhammercommunity #combatpatrol #warhammercombatpatrol #warhammerbeginners

AJM Nerdcore is represented by Digital Fox Talent. Brand partnerships: digitalfoxtalent.com/brands/creators/ajm-nerdcore

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Got some ideas for content you would like me to cover? Let me know here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...

I finally got my hands on the physical copy of The Maelstrom: Lair of the Tyrant and in this video I go through it properly: the slipcase, the lore, key locations in the Maelstrom, Huron Blackheart and the Red Corsairs, Prince Yriel and the Aeldari Corsairs, and the main narrative section that ends on a very Inquisition-flavoured cliff edge.

If you’ve been waiting for a beginner-friendly breakdown of what Lair of the Tyrant actually says (not just Warhammer Community previews), this is it. I explain the setting, but we still hit the important keywords: Maelstrom, warp storm, Huron Blackheart, Red Corsairs, Astral Claws, Badab War, Blackstone Fortress, Crucible of Champions, Aeldari Corsairs, Prince Yriel, and why the Imperium is inevitably preparing to make everything worse.

This is a Warhammer 40k lore deep dive with plenty of “why is this place like this” context, plus the story beats that feel like they’re setting up the next major Maelstrom campaign.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro: I’ve got the physical copy and I’m emotionally unwell
0:53 Part 1: Where the Maelstrom is and why it’s basically space hell with pirates
3:50 Part 2: The Maelstrom map, key locations, and Huron’s “definitely legitimate” empire
14:10 Part 3: Maelstrom Annals, Badab War context, and Huron’s rise as Blackheart
23:21 Part 4: Red Corsairs breakdown and the Rogues’ Gallery of awful managers
33:46 Part 5: How Huron runs the Red Corsairs like a corporate restructure with chainswords
39:17 Part 6: Raid on the Crimson Eyrie, Prince Yriel’s plan, and Huron’s ship-harpooning
42:25 Part 7: First-hand Maelstrom horror stories and the Inquisition’s “just in case” plan
45:35 Conclusions: What it all means for Huron, Yriel, and the next Maelstrom mess

What’s in this video:
I cover the Maelstrom as a setting (not just “big warp storm”), including how it stays stable enough for pirates and warbands to build bases.
I go through the lore highlights for Huron Blackheart and the Red Corsairs, including the tone of the book’s history and what it implies about their current scale and threat level.
I talk about the Aeldari Corsairs and Prince Yriel, what they’re doing in the Maelstrom, and why this narrative is basically “space elves make expensive decisions” in book form.
I break down the main story section, including the Crimson Eyrie raid and the ending missive that feels like it’s laying tracks for the next escalation.

If you’ve read Lair of the Tyrant, I want to know: is this building Huron up as a proper long-term villain again, or is it Warhammer doing what it always does and teasing catastrophe while everyone suffers politely?

#warhammer #lairofthetyrant #warhammer40k #huronblackheart #warhammerlore #warhammerforbeginners #begginers

AJM Nerdcore is represented by Digital Fox Talent. Brand partnerships: digitalfoxtalent.com/brands/creators/ajm-nerdcore

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Got some ideas for content you would like me to cover? Let me know here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...

If you’ve been wondering how to start Warhammer without rinsing your bank account, this is where I begin. In this series, I’m planning a proper Warhammer on a budget journey ahead of 11th Edition, saving £20 a month to build a playable force for just £100.

This isn’t theory. I’m starting from absolute zero, no models, no paints, no dice, and building a realistic beginner plan using second-hand miniatures, smart hobby spending, and a bit of patience. If you’re new to Warhammer 40k, returning after years away, or just trying to avoid financial regret, this is for you.

We cover budgeting, buying second-hand Warhammer safely, choosing the right army, hello Red Corsairs, what hobby supplies you actually need, and how to build towards 500–1000 points without panic-buying a Combat Patrol you’ll regret when 11th Edition drops.

This is Warhammer 40k for normal people. No gatekeeping. No £500 starter lists. Just a clear, step-by-step plan to get you playing and painting without blowing the grocery budget.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Intro
4:31 – Part 1, The “I Swear I’ll Only Spend £100” Support Group
7:33 – Part 2, Hunting Plastic Pirates on eBay Like a Responsible Adult
10:59 – Part 3, You Don’t Need 47 Paint Pots, I Promise
15:43 – Part 4, The Plan So Sensible It’s Almost Suspicious
18:05 – Part 5, Why Pirates Won and Everyone Else Lost
21:23 – Part 6, Second-Hand Shenanigans and Questionable Glue Decisions
24:57 – Conclusions, Financial Stability, Mostly, Intact

If you’re looking for:
Warhammer 40k on a budget
How to start Warhammer cheaply
Best beginner Warhammer army 2025
Buying second-hand Warhammer tips
Starting Chaos Space Marines on a budget
Red Corsairs army project

You’re in exactly the right place.

#warhammer #lairofthetyrant #warhammer40k #warhammerlore

AJM Nerdcore is represented by Digital Fox Talent. Brand partnerships: digitalfoxtalent.com/brands/creators/ajm-nerdcore

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you have an idea of a topic you would like me to cover next? Let me know via this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...

In this video I play ARC Raiders for the very first time - no practice run, no warm-up, just raw gameplay, mild overconfidence, and a pickaxe where a gun should have been. After spending ten days doing a full lore deep dive into ARC Raiders, I decided it was finally time to test whether knowledge actually translates into survival.

It does not.

For clarity, I am a complete BEGINNER at this. Extraction shooters are not my natural habitat. I normally live in enormous open-world RPGs where I can wander into a forest for three hours because a rock looks narratively significant. I like controlling the pace. I like over-preparing. I like saving frequently and pretending my mistakes never happened.

ARC Raiders does not allow that.

So yes, this is ARC Raiders BEGINNER GAMEPLAY in the truest sense. I am learning in real time. Often the hard way. Occasionally via explosion. If you’re looking for elite tactical mastery, you may wish to manage expectations. If you’re looking for honest first impressions, permadeath panic, chaotic looting, accidental explosions, questionable squadmates, and one deeply unnecessary attempt to beat a Bastion to death...you’re in the right place.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Intro: I Read the Lore. I Am Not Prepared.
2:58 – Part 1: Open-World Gremlin Meets Extraction Shooter
5:42 – Part 2: Character Creation and Scientifically Choosing Red
7:04 – Part 3: Welcome to Speranza, Please Panic Quietly
9:07 – Part 4: Permadeath Is a Lifestyle Choice
12:50 – Part 5: The Pickaxe Era and Financially Funding a Gun
18:42 – Part 6: Teammates, Betrayal, and Getting Lost in Dystopian Ikea
22:40 – Conclusions: Confidence Is Temporary, The Pickaxe Is Forever

If you enjoy ARC Raiders gameplay, extraction shooters, sci-fi dystopian worlds, or watching someone with strong lore knowledge and deeply average reflexes attempt to survive mechanical bin-shaped death machines, subscribe for round two.

Therapy pending. Round two pending. ARC Raiders definitely pending.

‪@ARCRaidersGame‬

#arcraiders #arcraidersgameplay #arcraidersclips #arcraidersfunnymoments #gaming #gamergirl

AJM Nerdcore is represented by Digital Fox Talent. Brand partnerships: digitalfoxtalent.com/brands/creators/ajm-nerdcore

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I haven’t played ARC Raiders yet. Not because I’m frightened. But because I decided to read absolutely all of the lore first and become emotionally prepared rather than mechanically competent.

This is a full ARC Raiders lore breakdown covering the timeline, the First Wave, the Exodus, Speranza, Celeste, the Rust Belt, Raider survival mechanics, the Safe Pocket system, and all 16 ARC machines from low-tier annoyances to full boss threats like the Matriarch and the Queen. If you’re looking for ARC Raiders lore explained, ARC Raiders story summary, ARC Raiders enemies breakdown, or ARC Raiders boss guide context - this is the lot.

Timestamps:

0:00 – I Have Not Played This Game But I Have Thoughts
1:07 – The World Ends. Then It Ends Again.
9:22 – Going Topside Is a Terrible Career Choice
13:27 – The Safe Pocket: Emotional Support Inventory
16:33 – Meet the ARC Machines (All 16, Ranked by How Much They Ruin Your Day)
35:56 – Conclusions and Why I’m Still Going to Get Flattened

We cover ARC Raiders lore, ARC timeline 2180, the Rust Belt, Speranza underground city, Celeste character lore, Raider gameplay philosophy, ARC machine types, extraction mechanics, boss events, Harvester Events, and why humanity keeps volunteering to fight murder robots for scrap.

If you enjoy sci-fi worldbuilding, extraction shooters, Warhammer energy, Star Wars rebel chaos, D&D party dysfunction, and learning everything before immediately dying anyway...welcome.

I am now ready to play ARC Raiders.
This will not save me.

#arcraiders #arcraiderslore #arcraidersgame #gaming #lore #gamer #gamergirl

AJM Nerdcore is represented by Digital Fox Talent. Brand partnerships: digitalfoxtalent.com/brands/creators/ajm-nerdcore

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Baldur’s Gate 3 is getting an HBO TV series… apparently. In this video I talk about everything we know so far about the BG3 adaptation, why Larian Studios not being involved is setting off alarm bells, and why “set after the events of the game” is about as reassuring as a DM saying “trust me” while rolling behind a screen.

I dig into the multiple Baldur’s Gate 3 endings, the looming canon problem, Craig Mazin’s track record post-Chernobyl and The Last of Us, and whether this should have followed the Fallout route instead: same universe, new story, no tampering with our save files.

If you care about Baldur’s Gate 3, Dungeons & Dragons, the Forgotten Realms, or the idea of Raphael potentially surviving in someone else’s “official” timeline, this one’s for you.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro: I Asked “Why?” and the Universe Whispered “Synergy”

1:13 Part 1: HBO Rolls Initiative (Without the Original DM)

9:08 Part 2: The Ending Multiverse and the Canon Headache

23:53 Part 3: D&D Canon, or How to Start a Tavern Brawl Online

30:52 Part 4: Why BG3 Is Lightning in a Bottle (And Why That’s the Problem)

34:47 Part 5: Franchise Elementals Have Entered the Chat

37:42 Conclusion: Stormtroopers, Natural Ones, and the Smell of Brand Strategy

#bg3 #baldursgate #baldursgate3 #hbo #larianstudios #dnd #dungeonsanddragons #gamingnews

AJM Nerdcore is represented by Digital Fox Talent. Brand partnerships: digitalfoxtalent.com/brands/creators/ajm-nerdcore

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This video is doing two things at once, because focusing on a single quest objective has never been my strength.

First, we explore a strange corner of Tolkien lore, looking at Tevildo, Prince of Cats - an early villain who eventually evolved into Sauron. If you like Lord of the Rings, Middle-earth history, Warhammer vibes, D&D side quests, or obscure fantasy lore, you’re in the right place.

Second, I take you along on my visit to Cats Protection to learn about their Lifeline service, which helps cats and their families escape domestic abuse by providing safe, temporary foster care.

Trigger warning: Part 1 briefly discusses domestic abuse. No further difficult topics are mentioned after that.

@catsprotection
Lifeline:
https://www.cats.org.uk/what-we-do/cp-lifeline

After the serious bit, it’s cats, Tolkien, and side-quest energy.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Intro: Tolkien, cats, and questionable life choices
1:20 – Part 1: The serious bit (Lifeline explained, emotional damage kept minimal)
3:15 – Part 2: Meet Tevildo, the worst cat in Middle-earth
4:43 – Part 3: Cursed jewellery, cliff castles, and peak evil cat behaviour
9:44 – Part 4: Dogs, elves, kitchen trauma, and Tevildo’s downfall
15:18 – Part 5: How an evil cat slowly turns into Sauron
19:21 – Conclusion: Lore, cats, kindness, and final thoughts

#cat #cats #tevildo #lordoftherings #lordoftheringslore #lore #lotr #tolkien #sauron #middleearth #catsprotection

AJM Nerdcore is represented by Digital Fox Talent. Brand partnerships: digitalfoxtalent.com/brands/creators/ajm-nerdcore

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices