Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
If you enjoy a good cooperative adventure and are a fan of Tolkien's universe, this LCG is a treat, with insane replayability and constant challenges.
Highlights
- Immersive cooperative adventure
- Strategic deck building
- Excellent solo mode
- Engaging narrative campaign
- Compatible with expansions
Keep in mind
- Initial learning curve
- Requires deckbuilding dedication
- Can be punishing
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About the game
What you do in a play session
The revised edition of The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game is here, ready to take you on an epic journey through Middle-earth! This is a cooperative card game where you and up to three friends (or just you, if you prefer the solo challenge!) take on the roles of iconic heroes like Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. The goal is simple, but the execution is complex: form a team of adventurers and face the threats of Sauron in perilous missions that unfold across famous locations, from the fields of the Shire to the depths of Mirkwood and the realms of Gondor and Rohan.
The Revised Core Set is fully compatible with all previously released content, but brings some significant improvements. Now, a single core box supports up to four players, unlike the original version which required two boxes for larger groups. Furthermore, you'll find three copies of each of the 61 player cards from the original set, ensuring more deck-building options right from the start. The big news is a narrative campaign that links the three included scenarios, transforming them into a cohesive and immersive story. And to make everyone's life easier, there are quality-of-life improvements, such as new numbered resource, progress, and damage tokens, plus a revised 'Learn to Play' rulebook for new adventurers, with two additional decklists for those who want to go beyond the four starter decks.
The Revised Core Set is fully compatible with all previously released content, but brings some significant improvements. Now, a single core box supports up to four players, unlike the original version which required two boxes for larger groups. Furthermore, you'll find three copies of each of the 61 player cards from the original set, ensuring more deck-building options right from the start. The big news is a narrative campaign that links the three included scenarios, transforming them into a cohesive and immersive story. And to make everyone's life easier, there are quality-of-life improvements, such as new numbered resource, progress, and damage tokens, plus a revised 'Learn to Play' rulebook for new adventurers, with two additional decklists for those who want to go beyond the four starter decks.
Expansions
Published additional content
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Angmar Awakened Campaign Expansion
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Angmar Awakened Hero Expansion
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Ered Mithrin Campaign Expansion
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Revised Core – Elves of Lórien Starter Deck
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Revised Core: Defenders of Gondor Starter Deck
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Revised Core: Dwarves of Durin Starter Deck
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Revised Core: Riders of Rohan Starter Deck
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – The Dark of Mirkwood
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – The Dream-chaser Campaign Expansion
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – The Dream-chaser Hero Expansion
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – The Fellowship of the Ring: Saga Expansion
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – The Hobbit: On the Doorstep
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – The Hobbit: Over Hill and Under Hill
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – The Return of the King: Saga Expansion
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – The Two Towers: Saga Expansion
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
Best player count
BGG community vote
1
BEST
2
BEST
3
REC
4
OK
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Fantasy Flight Games, ADC Blackfire Entertainment, Galápagos Jogos, Geekach LLC, HIT Games
Designer
Nate French
Artist
Alexandr Shaldin, Alexandru Sabo, Amanda Sartor, Andrew Olson, Angela Sung, Anna Christenson, Ben Zweifel, Christopher Hosch, Daarken, Daryl Mandryk, David Auden Nash, David Horne, David Lecossu, Dominik Kasprzycki, Drew Whitmore, Erfian Asafat, Even Mehl Amundsen, Florian Stitz, Frank Walls, Fredrik Tyskerud, Gabrielle Portal, Henning Ludvigsen, Igor Kieryluk, Ijur, Jason Ward, Jeff Himmelman, Jen Zee, John Stanko, John Wigley, Katherine Dinger, Kaya, Kevin Childress, Kristina Gehrmann, Leonardo Borazio, Lius Lasahido, Loren Fetterman, Lucas Graciano, Magali Villeneuve, Marc Scheff, Marco Caradonna, Margaret Hardy, Mark Winters, Mathias Kollros, Matthew Starbuck, Mike Nash, Nicholas Cloister, Nikolay Stoyanov, Noah Bradley, Rio Sabda, Ryan Barger, Sandara Tang, Santiago Villa, Sara Biddle, Soul Core, Tiziano Baracchi, Tom Garden, Tony Foti, West Clendinning, WiL Springer, Winona Nelson, Yoann Boissonnet
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
9,560owners
1,799wishlist
202want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
How many players can play The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Revised Core Set?
This revised set supports 1 to 4 players, which is great! The original version required two core sets to play with 3 or 4 people, but now one box is enough.
What is the average playtime for a game?
A game can last from 30 to 120 minutes, depending on the scenario, the complexity of your deck, and the number of players. Get ready for a good gaming session!
Is it a very complex game for beginners?
It has a medium-high complexity (BGG weight of 3.59/5), but the revised rulebook and starter decks help a lot. There is a learning curve, but the immersion is well worth it!
What's new in this revised edition compared to the original?
The main new features are support for up to 4 players with a single box, three copies of each player card (previously 1 or 2), a narrative campaign that connects the scenarios, and quality-of-life improvements like new tokens and a more user-friendly rulebook.
Do I need the original set to play this one?
No, this is a complete and self-contained Core Set! It is 100% compatible with previous content, so if you already own it, you can mix them. If not, this is the ideal starting point.
Is this game a Living Card Game (LCG)? What does that mean?
Yes, it's an LCG! This means that instead of random booster packs (like in TCGs), expansions come with a fixed set of cards. You know exactly what you're buying to expand your collection and strategies.
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