# War of the Ring: Lords of Middle-earth

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2012
- **BGG Rating**: 8.7
- **BGG Rank**: —
- **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 2)
- **Duration**: 180 min
- **Weight**: 3.85 / 5
- **Designers**: Francesco Nepitello, Marco Maggi, Roberto Di Meglio
- **Artists**: Francesco Nepitello, John Howe, Jon Hodgson, Matteo Macchi
- **Publishers**: Ares Games, Devir, GaGa Games, Galakta, Geekach LLC, Heidelberger Spieleverlag, Nuts! Publishing, Planplay, Red Glove, Rexhry, Schwerkraft-Verlag, Sophisticated Games, Zhiyanjia
- **Categories**: Adventure, Dice, Expansion for Base-game, Fantasy, Miniatures, Novel-based, Territory Building, Wargame
- **Mechanics**: Area Majority / Influence, Area Movement, Campaign / Battle Card Driven, Dice Rolling, Hand Management, Variable Phase Order

## Verdict
A must-have for those who already love the base game and crave more narrative and tactical depth. The visual and strategic upgrade is incredible!Stunning and detailed miniaturesNew strategies with iconic charactersOptional rules that refresh the experienceAdds depth to the epic conflictRequires the base game to playIncreases the game's complexityHIGHLY RECOMMENDED

## Description
Ever wondered what would happen if Tolkien's story had taken a different turn? What if the Keepers of the Elven Rings had decided to use their power to directly challenge Sauron? Or what if the Balrog hadn't stayed trapped in Moria and instead unleashed fire and fury across Middle-earth? Lords of Middle-earth is the definitive expansion for those who want to explore these 'what ifs' and breathe new life into War of the Ring (Second Edition).

This expansion transforms the game by introducing iconic characters who were previously only mentioned in event cards. Now, figures like Galadriel, Elrond, Sméagol, and the terrifying Balrog of Moria get their own miniatures and specific rules, completely shifting the strategic dynamics. Additionally, you get alternate versions of characters like Gandalf and the Witch-king, allowing you to customize the match according to the desired challenge level.

For those who love customization, the expansion introduces the optional 'Council of Rivendell' rules, featuring new versions for all members of the Fellowship of the Ring. To top off the immersion, the box includes miniatures of Aragorn and Gandalf the White, which fans have been eagerly awaiting. New special action dice also enter the fray: Elven Ring Keeper dice for the Free Peoples and Lesser Minion dice for the Shadow, adding layers of tactics and new maneuver possibilities on the board. It's the perfect chance to shape the destiny of the Third Age with much more depth and detail.

## How to Play
Objective of the Game
The goal of War of the Ring (Second Edition): Lords of Middle-earth is to control the fate of Middle-earth as either the Free Peoples (FP) or the Shadow Player (SP). The FP must guide the Fellowship to Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring, while the SP seeks to conquer Middle-earth and prevent the Fellowship from succeeding. Victory is achieved by fulfilling specific conditions based on your faction's objectives.

Preparation (Setup)
Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre esta seção.

Game Flow
The game progresses through a structured sequence of phases and actions. Each turn consists of the following phases:

  Event Phase: Adjust Action Dice (AD), Keeper Dice (KD), and Lesser Minion Dice (LMD) based on current game conditions. Remove specific dice if certain characters are in play.
  FP Action Phase: The FP rolls AD and KD. Gandalf’s die is rolled only if an FSP AD was recovered from the Hunt Box. Only one KD is used per turn, with “eyes” taking precedence.
  SP Action Phase: The SP rolls AD and all LMD. Only one LMD is used per turn, with “eyes” taking precedence. The player who rolls more dice chooses first which LMD/KD to use.


Actions and How to Play
Players can perform various actions using their dice. Here are some key actions:

  Muster: Add characters like the Witch King, Elrond, Galadriel, Gothmog, or Balrog to the game under specific conditions. These characters provide additional dice and abilities.
  Elven Rings: Once per game turn, players can use the Elven Rings to change an AD result (not KD or LMD). Each ring has unique effects, such as canceling a Hunt Tile or activating a Nation to “At War” status.


End of Game and Scoring
Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre esta seção.

Tips for Winning

  Use the Elven Rings strategically to alter dice results and gain advantages in critical moments.
  Carefully manage your Keepers and Lesser Minions to maximize their abilities and influence on the game.
  Pay attention to the conditions required to add powerful characters like the Balrog or Witch King to the game, as they can significantly impact the outcome.

## FAQ
### Do I need the base game to play?
Yes! This is an expansion, so you must own War of the Ring (Second Edition) to use it.

### Does the game become much harder with the expansion?
Complexity increases slightly due to new rules and characters, but nothing a seasoned base game player can't master quickly.

### What are the coolest items in the box?
The Balrog, Galadriel, and Elrond miniatures are amazing, along with the new action dice that shift the game dynamics.

### How much longer does a game take?
The base playtime remains similar, but the strategic depth might make decision-making take a bit longer.

### Who do you recommend this expansion for?
Die-hard Lord of the Rings fans and wargamers who feel they've already 'solved' the base game.

## Price Comparison
### Best International Offers
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 19.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4887770&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 25.82 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=489783&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 28.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4802449&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 29.97 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=4825651&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 31.41 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=6725111&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 31.92 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=935540&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 31.99 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=166400&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 36.00 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=680127&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 36.13 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=7048131&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 38.96 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3440641&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
  - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/1288/war-of-the-ring-lords-of-middle-earth?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com