Attack on Dol Guldur is the boldest expansion in the Lord of the Rings: The Card Game series, released in 2017. It brings a campaign scenario that places players in the center of a direct assault on Dol Guldur, a dark fortress that appears in the Appendix of The Return of the King. In the heart of the Dark Forest, heroes must unite to stop Sauron from regaining control, facing monsters, betrayals, and choices that shape the story’s flow.

The game keeps the cooperative core that the series already offers, but adds new hand‑management challenges and variable player powers. Each player receives a set of cards representing characters, gear, and unique abilities, and must decide when to use each to maximize team effectiveness. The variable‑powers mechanic lets each character have a special ability that can completely shift the strategy, demanding constant adaptation.

Attack on Dol Guldur can be played in two modes: Standard, supporting 1‑4 players, and Epic, expanding the experience to 3‑12 participants. For Standard you only need one copy of the expansion, while Epic requires three copies, as each player needs their own deck. The scenario also comes with two double‑sided setup cards, making it easy to switch between modes.

With a playtime of about 60 minutes, the expansion strikes a balance between complexity and accessibility. The deep narrative, combined with strategic gameplay, makes Attack on Dol Guldur an excellent choice for Tolkien fans seeking a challenging, engaging cooperative experience.