# Middle-earth

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 1995
- **BGG Rating**: 7.4
- **BGG Rank**: #1919
- **Players**: 1-5 (Best with: 2)
- **Duration**: 90 min
- **Weight**: 3.74 / 5
- **Designers**: Coleman Charlton
- **Artists**: Angelo Montanini, Angus McBride, April Lee, Audrey Corman, Brad Williams, Brian Snoddy, Christina Wald, Dameon Willich, Darryl Elliott, David G. Martin, David R. Deitrick, Derek Carbonneau, Donald G. Dennis, Donato Giancola, Doug Beekman, Doug Chaffee, Eric David Anderson, Gail McIntosh, Heather Hudson, Jason Hawkins, Jeff Reitz, Jessica Ney, Jo Hartwig, Jon Foster, Ken Meyer, Jr., Kevin Ward, Liz Danforth, Lori Dietrick, Malcolm David Monette, Margaret Organ-Kean, Mark Poole, Melissa Benson, Nick Morawitz, Olivier Frot, Omar Rayyan, Pascal Yung, Pat Morrissey, Pete Fenlon, Quinton Hoover, Randy Asplund-Faith, Randy Gallegos, Rebecca Guay-Mitchell, Rob Alexander, Ron Chironna, Ron Spencer, Ronald Shuey, Stefano Baldo, Steve Otis, Steven Cavallo, Storn Cook, Susan Van Camp, Tom Dow, Tom Simonton, Vincent Lujan, Zina Saunders
- **Publishers**: 999 Games, ACE Pelit Oy, Hexagonal, Iron Crown Enterprises, Joc Internacional, Queen Games, Stratelibri
- **Categories**: Adventure, Card Game, Collectible Components, Exploration, Fantasy, Fighting, Novel-based, Wargame
- **Mechanics**: Area Movement, Deck Construction, Dice Rolling, Hand Management, Variable Player Powers

## Verdict
If you love Tolkien and deep deck‑building, Middle‑earth offers an epic wizard‑duel experience.rich Tolkien themeunique wizard powerswide range of questscomplex rules and partial translationout of printRECOMMENDED

## Description
Middle‑earth is a collectible card game that puts you in the role of the Istari – the wizards of Middle‑Earth, such as Gandalf, Saruman, Radagast, Pallando and Alatar. Each player builds a personal deck, splitting it evenly between resource cards and hazard cards, and tries to amass the greatest strength against Sauron's Shadow. The cards depict factions (Riders of Rohan, Great Eagles), allies (Gwaihir, Shadowfax), legendary items (lost Palantír, Glamdring, Narsil) and epic quests ranging from simple rescues to grand tasks like reforging the broken sword or destroying the One Ring. The board is divided into areas representing regions of Middle‑Earth; movement follows the Area Movement mechanic, while dice rolls resolve combats and events. Each wizard has Variable Player Powers, giving unique abilities that shape play style. Hand Management and Deck Construction are vital: deciding which resources to keep and which hazards to unleash on opponents can swing the game. Among the villains are powerful cards like the 9 Nazgûl, dragons (including the iconic Smaug), Shelob and the Balrog, capable of turning the tide instantly. The game supports 1‑5 players, lasts about 90 minutes, and carries a moderate weight (3.7/5), making it approachable for fans of fantasy, exploration and card strategy. Although out of print since 1999, it remains cherished by Tolkien enthusiasts for its immersive theme and strategic depth.

## FAQ
### How many players can join?
1 to 5 players, including a solo mode.

### What is the typical playing time?
Around 90 minutes, depending on player count and quest complexity.

### Is the game hard to learn?
It has moderate complexity; deck building and hand management require practice, but the core rules are straightforward.

### Do I need any expansions?
No, the base game is complete, though the Portuguese translation is partial, so the English rules may be needed for some details.

### What components are included?
Resource cards, hazard cards, an area‑based board, resource markers, dice, and character tokens.

### Can I play solo?
Yes, there are solo rules that let you battle the Shadow alone.

### Is the game still in print?
No, it went out of print in 1999, but copies can still be found on the secondary market.