The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Wrath and Ruin

Fantasy Flight Games · Board game · 2019
1–2 Solo 30–60 min Weight 3.0/5
rating Ludopedia
8.0 rating BGG
Buy
rating Ludopedia
8.0 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you love epic team battles, Wrath and Ruin will blow your mind.

Highlights
  • Intense cooperation
  • Strategic hand management
  • Dynamic powers
  • Tolkien art
Keep in mind
  • Requires card purchase
  • Moderate playtime
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Wrath and Ruin invites players back to defend the city of Dorwinion from a fresh wave of dark forces. The setting follows the epic journey through the Hills of Rhûn, where ancient cursed temples hold secrets that can turn the tide in your favor. As part of the ‘Vengeance of Mordor’ adventure cycle, this pack expands the established narrative, letting heroes face new challenges and uncover fresh allies.

Cooperation remains the core mechanic, requiring all players to align their strategies to defeat Mordor’s agents. Each character receives unique powers that evolve as the story progresses, delivering a dynamic and personalized experience. Hand management stays vital: the cards you hold can control combat flow, recover resources, or trigger high‑impact combos. The risk‑reward balance makes every choice meaningful, keeping the game’s pace intense.

Components match the LCG line’s standard: 40‑card decks per character, resource tokens, damage markers, and a scenario board depicting Dorwinion. The artwork retains Tolkien’s classic aesthetic, with detailed illustrations that capture the dark and heroic atmosphere of Middle‑Earth. The expansion also introduces new event cards that bring “path” and “life‑cost” mechanics, encouraging players to choose short‑term versus long‑term strategies.

For fans of the series, Wrath and Ruin is a must‑add that deepens the story and offers fresh challenges. If you love cooperative games, hand management, and want to dive into a rich universe, this pack will meet your expectations. The only caveat is that the expansion requires an additional card investment, so it’s best suited for players who already own the base game and want to expand their arsenal.

Expansion for

Published additional content

1 items

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–2 players
1 OK
2 OK

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Authors: J.R.R. Tolkien Collectible: Living Card Game (Fantasy Flight Games) Game: The Lord of the Rings – The Card Game (LCG)
Publisher Fantasy Flight Games
Designer Caleb Grace
Artist Antonio José Manzanedo, Borja Pindado Arribas, Chris Grun, David Keen, Davis Engel, Emilio Rodriguez, Grzegorz Bobrowski, Justin Gerard, Kevin Zamir Goeke, Martin de Diego Sádaba, Monztre, Nino Vecia, Rafał Hrynkiewicz, Sam White, Sara Biddle, Stanislav Dikolenko, Vilius Petrauskas

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
How many players can play?
1 to 2 players, cooperative.
How long does a game last?
Between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the campaign.
Do I need the base game?
Yes, the expansion only works with the base LCG game.
Is the game suitable for beginners?
Yes, but it requires some familiarity with LCG mechanics.
What new components does the expansion include?
Event cards, resource tokens, and additional damage markers.
How does the variable player powers mechanic work?
Each character receives unique abilities that change throughout the campaign, influencing their choices.