War of the Ring (board game)
International Gamers Award 2005: Best two-person game
The Lord of the Rings - War of the Ring is a strategic board game for two to four players. The game of the Italian authors Marco Maggi, Francesco Nepitello and Roberto Di Meglio was published in 2004 with illustrations by John Howe at Nexus Editrice and in a German translation in 2005 Phalanx Games. The English edition was published by Fantasy Flight Games and the French at Tilsit. In 2005 it received the International Gamers Award for Best two-person game.
The game is counted in the category of complex strategy games and enjoys great popularity in the gaming scene.
Scenario
The game is based on the Lord of the Rings trilogy by JRR Tolkien. In the modeling of the figures also influences the Lord of the Rings movies are seen. In the game, the time from departure from Rivendell to the ( theoretical ) destruction of the ring is re-enacted in Mount Doom.
Here come all known heroes ( Boromir, for example ). In addition, both all " actual " events can (for example, Shelob ) as well as new and in the novel only indicated events occur (for example, same in Dol Amroth ). In this way, the game stays true to the scenario and yet always tells a new story.
Equipment
The features of the game is very extensive. In addition to the large and detailed map of Middle-earth that serves as a Schedule 204 characters (more than 30 different models ) 110 cards, some ( special) cubes and also Pappsteine be used. The figures themselves are monochrome plastic figures, which can also be painted by fans.
Gameplay
Players command the armies of the opposing factions in this epic battle: the combined forces of the Free Peoples and the dark armies of the shadow. The game employs two winning options:
- One is the military, which is achieved if one takes enough fortresses and cities of the other side. This Siegart is usually sought by the Shadow player, because it has larger armies and production opportunities. In addition, the Free Peoples must enable their troops only through politics.
- The hope of the Free Peoples lies mostly in the second victory possible - the ring. Manages the community to destroy the ring, wins the good side. Sauron can prevent this by chasing the ring and delay.
The players have to perform actions on action dice that are thrown at the beginning of each round. These allow actions such as recruiting or moving troops or the precession of the ring group. An action die corresponds to an action. Everyone is alternately a cube until all are used up and the next round begins. Also can be played, the particular actions of the books (or whatever that could happen ) make with the dice event cards. Alternatively, the cards can also be used to enhance the combat power to the off dice battles.
The challenge of the game lies in the many landmark decisions. So Frodo and Sam need one hand the members of the community (for example, Gimli, Legolas ) on the way to Mordor. On the other hand, they are also needed for the defense against the shadow as a mighty warrior. Also need the Shadow player action die to coordinate his attacks, but also must use for which the hunt for the ring. The event cards also have two uses that exclude.
Extensions
2006 saw the expansion of The Lord of the Rings - The Battles of the Third Age. This new characters are introduced and makes it possible to play the battles of Minas Tirith and Helms Deep separately on different game plans. The extension has been nominated for the International Gamers Award 2006.
Criticism
War of the Ring is considered very successful because varied game. It reached an enormous level of detail and thus a depth in the illustrated world. However, this game therefore has a wealth of special rules that can be beginners lose track easily. Through the Action Dice and event cards the gameplay also depends on chance. The strength of this influence is assessed differently by players.