War of the Ring

[vladsee]

There seems to be a growing interest in this game lately and there is no thread for this game yet.  So, here it is...

The Ride of the Rohirrim
Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden!
Fell deeds awake, fire and slaughter!
spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered,
a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises!
Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!

In War of the Ring, one player takes control of the Free Peoples (FP), the other player controls Shadow Armies (SA).

Initially, the Free People Nations are reluctant to take arms against Sauron, so they must be attacked by Sauron or persuaded by Gandalf or other Companions, before they start to fight properly: this is represented by the Political Track, which shows if a Nation is ready to fight in the War of the Ring or not.

The game can be won by a military victory, if Sauron conquers a certain number of Free People cities and strongholds or viceversa. But the true hope of the Free Peoples lies with the quest of the Ringbearer: while the armies clash across Middle Earth, the Fellowship of the Ring is trying to get secretly to Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring. Sauron is not aware of the real intention of his enemies but is looking across Middle Earth for the precious Ring, so that the Fellowship is going to face numerous dangers, represented by the rules of The Hunt for the Ring. But the Companions can spur the Free Peoples to the fight against Sauron, so the Free People player must balance the need to protect the Ringbearer from harm, against the attempt to raise a proper defense against the armies of the Shadow, so that they do not overrun Middle Earth before the Ringbearer completes his quest.

Each game turn revolves around the roll of Action Dice: each die corresponds to an action that a player can do during a turn. Depending on the face rolled on each die, different actions are possible (moving armies, characters, recruiting troops, advancing a Political Track).

Action dice can also be used to draw or play Event Cards. Event Cards are played to represent specific events from the story (or events which could possibly have happened) which cannot be portrayed through normal gameplay. Each Event Card can also create an unexpected turn in the game, allowing special actions or altering the course of a battle.

Expanded by:
War of the Ring - Battles of the Third Age

source: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/9609

[Earl]

If this game plays too long for you, you can try the Risk: LoTR trilogy edition. Basically, the free peoples can win by destroying the ring or defeating the armies of Sauron and Saruman.

The only thing missing is the Action Dice of WOTR.

[Alger B C Lim]

lol i bought this game from brell early this year... still havent played it but i must say the game components are really nice haha i need to find someone who wants to spend the time to play this because i heard its a pretty long game... not to mention long setup time as well XD

-alger

[vladsee]

Based on the current interest from the posts I've read, I think we can readily find players now.   

I've played this game using quick start rules and it took us the whole afternoon probably 3-4 hours but didn't finish as I had to go somewhere else.  By that time, I was almost beaten anyway playing the Free Peoples. 

On a personal note, I've read the books including the hobbit, and the silmarilion back in the late 80s to early 90s.  Had to wait a couple of years to get the books since it was unavailable back then.  This was my first fantasy literature book, which got me into interested in fantasy RPG, gaming and appreciation for books in general.   

I find that the game captures the military struggle of the story and it simulates well the desperation of the Free Peoples and how they have to buy time for Frodo and Sam to get to Mt Doom.  As Sauron, you get to steamroll over the good guys' army but if you don't watch your back, the ring bearers will suddenly beat you in the game.  The dice mechanic limits what you can do - as the free peoples you decide whether to move the ring bearers or raise an army? As Sauron you decide whether to attack the city or find the ring?   

Just wondering if anyone here has read the books and if they liked it or not and how they feel the game captures the feel of the story?  Opinions anyone?  Obviously I like the books and this game too   

[maskmanjoe]

although iv only read Lord of the Rings trilogy of books and part of the Silmarilion i always found myself a Tolkienite at heart. Thats why when i saw this game, it called to me like The Precious

WoTR emulates to great detail the almost insurmountable challenges the Free Peoples had to face when fighting the combined forces of the Two Towers. I mean, first time we had the board setup we were at awe with how much red pieces (baddies) were already on the table. The blue pieces (good guys) were just small patches in several places. As the Free Peoples player, you automatically feel that dread--the almost hopelessness--of your situation.

Indeed a medium to heavy game, the game packs in a lot of components and requires you to track several things, making it daunting to play. But regardless of that, WoTR is relatively easy to play. With only 3 main phases per turn, it just looks like you need to do alot. You draw some cards, role some dice then you spend time doing the actions you are allowed to. Both the dice and the cards add to the randomness (and thus, the thrill) of every encounter in the game. But the meat of it all is the strategizing, working with wharever options your hand and your dice gives you this turn. As free peoples, you find ways to rouse your limited allies to war and to help further the fellowship to Mordor; as Shadow, you find ways to advance your ever growing horde on those blue pieces hiding behind the last of the free lands (oh, and occasionally trying to hurt the Fellowship ). The movement of the Hidden Fellowship is something I really like taking advantage of and i think its brilliant Its the only thing that can put pressure on the Shadow player.

Main turn offs is the length of time players have to invest to play completely and the fact that its just a two player game (2 vs. 2 is possible, but two sides only nonetheless). Like alot of wargames that have minis in it, what really makes up the 4-5 hour playtime is the strategizing and the setup/cleanup. And in going with the overall theme of the Lord of the Rings (good vs. bad), the game is really designed to pit one side versus the other can't go further than that.

To roundup, this is a beautiful game with beautiful components and well thought out game mechanics. The dice alone are good to look at (see screenie). Its not a game that everyone can enjoy as its a bit on the heavy side. But if you find a willing opponent, I strongly suggest weekend nights and a stable table (and probably a dice tower for added thematic experience)

The dice to rule them all

[Tristan T. Angeles]

Saw this site for War of the Ring guys: http://web.telia.com/~u04101418/wotr/intro.htm

[Tristan T. Angeles]

Just opened my War of the Ring. I was trying not to open it yet since I just got "Pillars of the Earth" this month. Alas, the lure of the precious was too overwhelming, and I found myself thinking about the box and the content inside more and more. So I opened it up, and it did not disappoint.

My precious...

[maskmanjoe]

breath in the smell of new first time i laid it out, i was so happy. hope you get the chance to play with someone soon

[maskmanjoe]

  Oh my gahd! I'm glad this isn't out yet or else I'd bleed...

http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/157695
http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/174311

Collector's Edition of WoTR has fully colored minis, combines with BoTA and ships in a wooden book the size of Lola Basyang's storybook! (http://forum.spieleteufel.de/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=297) I repeat... Oh my gahd!

[vladsee]

Yes, I've heard of the special edition... I think it will include both the base game and expansion game in one box, fully painted minis and bigger map... It has been in the works for the past year or two already and no target dates have been set.  I guess they are taking their sweet time to put out a grand product!

I have a feeling though that it will be on a limited print run and that it will be very... very expensive.   But its very tempting to get especially being a LOTR and WOTR fan.   

[Tristan T. Angeles]

Read the rules already. We'll probably go straight to the full rules, there is a reference sheet naman pala. Can't wait to play Sauron and crush those little Hobbits.

[maskmanjoe]

yea, skip the quickie rules and go all out. The quickie rules simply eliminate the Fellowship phase and I think that is key to the Free People's strategy. and yes, even if you are Sauron and you have that huge red horde under your control, a few key cards played at the right time can bring you to your knees

[Tristan T. Angeles]

Speaking of cards, will the cards fit in Magic: The Gathering card protectors?

[maskmanjoe]

Speaking of cards, will the cards fit in Magic: The Gathering card protectors?

unfortunately no, the card protectors for magic are fatter so you'll have the cards sliding around. i suggest ordering from Brel those 8.8cm x 9cm protectors

[Tristan T. Angeles]

Hello guys. This was on the FFG website. In case your boards get damaged, you can get a replacement here: