How to Play War of the Ring: Second Edition

Game Objective

In this game, the Free Peoples (FP) and the Shadow Player (SP) engage in a strategic struggle for Middle-earth. The FP aims to guide the Fellowship of the Ring (FSP) to the final space of the Mordor Track to destroy the Ring. Conversely, the SP seeks to stop the FSP by increasing their Corruption or by conquering key settlements across the map.

Setup

Consulte o manual para detalhes sobre esta seção.

Game Flow

The game progresses through a sequence of phases in each turn:

• Event: Both players draw one card from each event deck (maximum hand size of 6). Used cards are discarded face-down and not recycled.
• Recover AD: Players add or subtract Action Dice (AD) based on the Characters or Servants currently in the game.
• Fellowship (FSP): The FP player may:
  • "Declare" the FSP position (moving the figure to regions less than or equal to the current FSP Progress Counter).
  • Reset the FSP Progress Counter to 0 to remain hidden.
  • Activate a nation if the FSP is in an FP city/stronghold.
  • Heal -1 Corruption per turn in an FP city/stronghold not under enemy control.
  • Ignore the reveal icon of a Hunt Tile if declared in an FP city or Stronghold controlled by the FP.
  • Change the Guide (must be a companion with the highest level).

  Entering Mordor: If the FSP reaches Morannon or Minas Morgul, they may enter Mordor. They are placed on the first step of the Mordor Track, and "eye" tiles are returned to the Hunt Pool. Special Hunt Tiles from previously played Event Cards are also added.

• Hunt Allocation: The SP allocates AD to the Hunt Box (maximum equal to the number of Companions in the FSP). At least one die must be allocated if the FP recovered at least one die from the Hunt Box.
• FP Action Roll: The FP rolls AD (minimum 4, plus one extra if Aragorn: Heir of Isildur or Gandalf the White are in play).
• SP Action Roll: The SP rolls AD (minimum 7, plus one extra for each Servant—Witch King, Mouth of Sauron, and Saruman—in play). "Eye" results are added to the Hunt Box.
• Action Resolution: Players take turns spending AD to perform actions, with the FP going first. A player may pass if they have fewer unused AD than their opponent. If the FSP Progress Counter moves (or the FSP piece moves in Mordor), the SP may Hunt. AD used by the FP to move the FSP are added to the Hunt Box and count as +1 for future Hunt rolls.
• Victory Check: Check if any victory conditions have been met.

Actions and How to Play

Players spend Action Dice (AD) to perform specific actions based on the die result:

Action Die Options

• Character:
  • SP: Move into or attack an adjacent region with an Army Group containing a Leader or Minion; play a CHARACTER Event Card; or move all Nazgul and Minions.
  • FP: Move into or attack an adjacent region with an Army Group containing a Leader or Companion; play a CHARACTER Event Card; move Companions not in the FSP; move the FSP (only if "hidden"); hide the FSP; or separate Companions from the FSP.
• Army: Move up to two different Army Groups into adjacent regions (no unit may move twice); attack an adjacent region with one Army Group; or play an ARMY Event Card.
• Muster: Move a nation's counter one box closer to "At War" on the Political Track; play a MUSTER Event Card; recruit reinforcements (if "At War"); or recruit a Minion (SP) or Character (FP) if prerequisites are met.
• Event: Draw an event card from either deck or play any Event Card from hand.
• Eye (SP only): Add all dice showing the "eye" to the Hunt Box.
• Will of the West (FP only): Use as any other AD result, or recruit Gandalf the White / promote Aragorn to Heir to Isildur.

The Hunt

When the SP hunts, they roll a number of dice equal to the SP AD in the Hunt Box (max 5), adding +1 for each FP AD in the box. The SP may re-roll up to 3 dice based on the FSP's last known location (if it contained an SP Stronghold, Shadow Army Units, or Nazgul/Witch King). A modified "6" triggers the drawing of a Hunt Tile.

Hunt Tile Results:

• Number: Inflict Hunt Damage (or reduce Corruption if negative).
• Eye Symbol: Inflict Hunt Damage based on the number of "6"s rolled (or based on the Hunt Box total if in Mordor).
• Reveal Symbol: Flip the FSP Progress Counter to "revealed" and place the FSP on the board in a region without an FP Settlement.
• Stop Symbol: The FSP does not advance.

Combat and Battles

Only nations "At War" may start a battle. Battles occur in rounds where players play Combat Cards, roll dice for Regular or Elite Army Units (max 5 dice), and apply re-rolls from Leaders or Characters. Hits normally occur on a 5 or 6, though defenders in Strongholds, Cities, or Fortifications may require a 6. Elite Units can absorb a hit by becoming Regular Units.

Elven Rings

The FP starts with three rings. Once per turn, before an action, the FP can use a ring to change one AD result (not to Will of the West) and then pass the ring to the SP. The SP can use it once per turn to change an AD result (never from an "Eye") and then remove the ring from the game.

End of Game and Scoring

The game ends immediately when one of the following conditions is met (lower numbered conditions take precedence):

1. Corruption: The Corruption Counter reaches 12 on the FSP Track (measured after the current AD is resolved).
2. Mordor: The FSP enters the last space of the Mordor Track (immediate victory for FP).
3. SP Conquest: The SP controls FP Settlements worth 10 Victory Points (PV) at the end of any turn.
4. FP Conquest: The FP controls SP Settlements worth 4 Victory Points (PV) at the end of any turn.

Tips for Winning

• Manage Corruption: The FP should utilize FP Cities or Strongholds to recover 1 Corruption per turn of rest.
• Strategic Separation: FP players can separate Companions from the FSP to activate their special abilities, which are otherwise unavailable while they are part of the FSP.
• Control the Political Track: Use Muster actions or trigger battles to move nations toward the "At War" status, as this is required to recruit reinforcements.