9.6
rating
Ludopedia
7.9
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
If you love epic adventure with plenty of strategy, you'll love the new Harad setting.
Highlights
- Deep exploration
- Cooperative mechanic
- Engaging card management
- Maze challenges
- Versatile Scout hero
Keep in mind
- Long playtime
- Attention required
- Complex mechanic
- Rule memorization needed
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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Beneath the Sands is the third adventure in the Haradrim cycle for The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game, and it brings a setting that looks straight out of an action movie set in the desert. The heroes you control continue their journey through the perilous lands of Harad, where, in addition to orcs and wargs sent by the Dark Lord, there are dense jungles, giant creatures, and, the most sinister, massive spiders that drag people into the depths of the dunes. The expansion introduces the Scout hero, which brings new exploration possibilities, and 27 player cards (three copies of nine different cards) that help keep the focus on the right path or create alternative routes. Each scenario comes with specific rules that make you feel like you’re lost in a maze of webs, blockages, and traps. If you’re comfortable with a slightly steeper learning curve, the expansion offers a deep cooperative experience, challenging hand management, and variable powers that keep each game unique. The playtime remains around 60 minutes, but the attention to detail and strategy can extend the session. In short, Beneath the Sands is an invitation for those who love exploring dangerous worlds, dealing with complex mechanics, and working together to overcome epic challenges.
GALLERY
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Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Fantasy Flight Games, Edge Entertainment, Galakta
Designer
Caleb Grace, Nate French
Artist
Aleksander Karcz, Álvaro Calvo Escudero, Andreia Ugrai, Dimitri Bielak, Jake Murray, Javier Charro Martinez, Jennifer Hrabota Lesser, Jokubas Uogintas, Leanna Crossan, Lucas Durham, Marius Bota, Rafał Hrynkiewicz, Sandara Tang, Sergey Glushakov, Stanislav Dikolenko, Uriah Voth
How many players is Beneath the Sands recommended for?
The expansion is designed for 1 to 2 players, but it works well in cooperative games with up to 4 players if everyone is familiar with LCG.
What is the average playtime?
Each session typically lasts between 50 and 70 minutes, depending on player pace and the number of scenarios played.
What is the difficulty level?
Difficulty is medium to high; hand management and scenario-specific rules require focus and planning.
What components are included in the expansion?
The pack includes 27 player cards (three copies of nine different cards), the Scout hero, scenario rules, and additional cards to increase variety.
Who is this game recommended for?
Ideal for Tolkien fans who enjoy cooperative narratives, exploration challenges, and LCG mechanics.
Is the learning curve steep?
Yes, but the LCG structure helps: cards are well explained and most rules are already learned from the base game.