# Love Letter: The Hobbit – The Battle of the Five Armies

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2015
- **BGG Rating**: 7.1
- **BGG Rank**: #2222
- **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 20-30 min
- **Weight**: 1.26 / 5
- **Designers**: Seiji Kanai
- **Publishers**: Alderac Entertainment Group, Cryptozoic Entertainment, Pegasus Spiele
- **Categories**: Card Game, Deduction, Movies / TV / Radio theme, Novel-based
- **Mechanics**: Hand Management, Player Elimination

## Verdict
If you love fast bluff duels and Tolkien flavor, you’ll enjoy the simplicity and twists of Love Letter: The Hobbit.Ultra‑quick roundsEasy to learnHighly portablePlayer elimination can end games earlyCard draw luck mattersRECOMMENDED

## Description
Love Letter: The Hobbit – The Battle of the Five Armies brings the ultra‑light Love Letter formula into Tolkien's world. The deck contains 17 cards, each depicting an iconic character or item, from the One Ring (value 0) to the prized Arkenstone (value 8). Each round starts with every player holding a single card; one card is removed from the game before play begins. On your turn you draw a card, play one of the two in your hand, and resolve its power – spying on another's card, forcing a swap, or knocking a player out. The goal is to be the last active player in the round or to hold the highest‑valued card when the draw pile is exhausted, earning a point. The game ends when a player reaches 4, 5 or 7 points, depending on player count.

The main twist compared to classic Love Letter is the thematic cards. The Baron is replaced by two elf cards: Tauriel and Legolas. Tauriel eliminates the player with the higher‑valued card, while Legolas eliminates the player with the lower‑valued card, giving two distinct ways to use the compare action. The One Ring does nothing during play but counts as a 7 at round end, potentially causing ties if someone holds Bilbo (value 7).

Rounds last about 20‑30 minutes and blend luck (the card you draw), deduction (guessing opponents' hands) and risk (when to try an elimination). The rules are quick to learn, the game is highly portable, and it comes in a drawstring bag. Perfect for fans of fast, bluff‑heavy games, Tolkien enthusiasts, or anyone looking for a light, fun duel.

## FAQ
### How many players can play?
2 to 4 players.

### How long does a game take?
About 20–30 minutes per round.

### What is the complexity level?
Very light – easy to learn in a few minutes (weight 1.26/5).

### What components are included?
17 laminated cards, a drawstring bag for storage, and the rulebook.

### Who should buy this game?
Anyone who enjoys quick bluff games, loves Tolkien’s world, or wants to try the Love Letter system for the first time.