War of the Ring (Collecter’s Edition: Second Edition Rules; Lords of Middle Earth Expansion).

Using the CE with the 2nd edition cards and rules Mike and Phil played as Rohan and Gondor against Andy and Darryl playing as Sauron and Saruman.

We completed the game we had previously started. The Good players had a plan. Unfortunately the dice had other plans. They had planned to defend Minas Tirith with Gandalf the White and destroy Orthanc with the Ents (Saruman being conspiciously undefended and the Ents Attack card being ready in hand). However they just simply could not roll a Will of the West. So they had to watch in horror as Minas Tirith was beset by Nazgul led armies and Saruman eventually remembered to re-inforce Orthanc. Minas Tirith was tough to defend without adequate leadership (Faramir having been removed through a nasty card earlier) and was soon under siege again. The Southrons advanced towards Pelargir and smashed through an Elite Army of Elves and Gondor on their way towards Dol Amroth. Mumakil proved deadly every single time. Even in the subsequent siege!

Meanwhile, what of the Fellowship? Well led by Strider Smeagol having fled as they reached Lothlorien the corruption was soon back to zero (Athelas, other cards and resting in Lorien). Refreshed they headed out towards Mordor but they were well suplied now with gifts from the Elves (blue chits). However likewise Sauron had placed lots of traps (red chits) ready for their arrival.

The War was soon going badly for the Good players. Eventually, though it did take a long time all of Gondor was in flames and Helm’s Deep had fallen very quickly due to the Devilry of Orthanc (twice). The Evil players had acquired 8 VPs!

However it was not all going Evil’s way as fairly early on the Dwarves and the Elves led by Gimli had conquered Moria. So this forced the Evil players to defend Dol Guldur from this force with two large armies (one of Orcs and one of Easterlings). This led to a stalemate in the North and with a Power Too Great in play it would take time for Evil to grab that final stronghold. The Woodland Realm and Erebor were safe, being well defended by a screening force of the Men of the North who although they never became active or even moved on the Political track were quite a strong force by game end through card play. Elrond defended Rivendell against the small force from Gundabad whilst the Dunedain looked on. Evil forces were soon heading rapidly towards Lorien preparing for a final battle. The Witch King and Mouth of Sauron were held back for fear of rousing the Men of the North from their slumber.

This gave the Fellowship the time they needed. They were discovered at Morannon where the mighty Legolas and Strider (never to be Aragorn) fell. With Pippin as the guide and with Boromir in support they head out towards Mount Doom. Boromir and Pippin soon fell. The Evil players were soon rolling only eyes but the Good players risked a potential 7 corruption damage and thanks to Elven rope they pushed on. Then Pippin and Boromir were lost and Gollum took the lead (the players having earlier forced the discard of We Shall Get It) with card play. Again more fortunate draws and now with fewer eye dice the Fellowship were able to push on. Despite Shelob’s Lair and all the other Red Tiles being in the bag somehow they survived and reached Mount Doom. An eye tile did just two damage and they survived on 6 corruption and thus claimed Victory! Well done Mike and Phil.

Thoughts…
This proved to be a long game. Mainly this was due to the Felowship faring very badly at the start and the Orcs led by Gothmog failing to take Minas Tirith in one attack, requiring re-inforcements to come. Also Dol Amroth held out against the Southrons despite all those Mumakil cards and weak Leadership. Because the Good players were trying to find blue chit cards for the Mordor journey they lacked battle cards except those requiring Leaders or Companions which were in short supply.

Using the new rules and the Lords of Middle Earth rules was interesting…and challenging. Lots to remember and forget. Still I think I missed the Corsairs and the Siege Engines so not sure how often I would play it. It certainly makes the sieges quicker without them if the Good player is unprepared because those Trebuchets buy time. The new Elven ring and Minion dice are different: easier to muster but less reliable than the usual dice and they certainly gave the Good players more options.

Co-operative games evening.

Phil, Izzy, Mike and Darryl.

First up was Forbidden Island. Our first game. Seemed fun but everyone drowned before we could get the last treasure.

Next was Lord of the Rings: Battlefields. (We started with Sauron at space 14). Seemed to be going pretty well until we reached Shelob’s Lair at which point we only drew Event tiles so went straight to Shelob’s attack before we could do a thing. Darryl raced forwards 5 spaces and Sauron advanced another 3. Then everyone was destroyed except Izzy so that was that! Nasty. We used up all our axes and star cards on the Battlefields it seemed so we really struggled on the Scenario boards. Nasty. Maybe it would actually be easier with Friends and Foes.

War of the Ring (Collecter’s Edition: Second Edition Rules; Lords of Middle Earth Expansion).

Using the CE with the 2nd edition cards and rules Mike and Phil played as Rohan and Gondor against Andy and Darryl playing as Sauron and Saruman.

The Fellowship barely made it out of Rivendell before they were driven east across the High Pass and Frodo was wounded with a Morgul Blade.  The corruption counter rapidly reached 7 and flocks of Crebain, a Nazgul and high numbers Eye dice gave the fellowship a very hard time.  Gandalf (Keeper of the Elven Ring) therefore set out (I shall go alone heals 1 corruption)  towards Rohan with Merry to rouse Theoden (Elven Ring) before Wormtongue could delay him further.  Strider was the guide but the Fellowship could hardly move and then Smeagol became the guide just as Strider found some Athelas.  The Fellowship has now safely reached Rivendell but will need some time to recover before moving on.  Smeagol has fled rather than face the Elves.

The Elves and the Dwarves (led by Gimli who never left for Rivendell) have steadily mobilized in the North and a Power too Great protects the elven Strongholds.  The Dwarves are marching towards Dol Guldur and the Elves wait outside Moria.  Yet something stirs in the Deep that may prove too strong for the Galadhrim.

To the South The Southrons are mustering on the borders of Gondor in great numbers now ready for War.  To the East armies begin to gather, but the Men of North are gathering at Dale to defend against them if needed.   Minas Tirith was besieged by Gothmog before Denethor could be stirred to action.  Indeed Madness befell him and all seemed lost.  Somehow Gothmog’s forces failed to take the Citadel and as re-inforcements began to gather from Mordor the Rohirrim arrived led by Theoden from Edoras with Gandalf the Grey at his side.  However Denethor’s Madness infected Theoden’s deployments too so a Will of the West was required before the Relief Attack could begin which lost the opportunity to bring Gandalf the White into play.  In the ensuing battle Gothmog was cut down and Minas Tirith was saved.  However new forces gather at it’s borders in ever greater numbers from Mordor and The Southrons are now poised ready to assist.  Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth has advanced cautiously towards Pelargir but his forces are too few to face the Southrons alone.

In Rohan, with Theoden having ridden to Minas Tirith Saruman has besieged Helm’s Deep and prepares to muster his own forces for the final blow.

All lies in the balance and all Hope Turns to the Fellowship of the Ring at Lothlorien.  Can Frodo’s injuries be healed enough before the final part of the journey?

Christmas Games Night

Andy, Phil, Izzy, Mike and Bruce played some games.

We started with the Hobbit Card Game (a trick taking game).  Evil Mike and Phil won the first game.  Good Mike, Andy and Bruce the second.

Then we played a game of the French Revolution; Guillotine where Noble Cards were beheaded in bloody revenge.  Andy won that.

Next up were two games of horse racing Giro Galoppo.  Izzy and Andy won a race each and Phil came last twice.

Then we played Bruce’s Nightmare Course in Snow Tails.  Phil started last after his poor showing in racing and had a dreadful start finding his way blocked, suffering damage then careering out of control, veering to the left of the track on a right hand bend.  Izzy raced off first leaving everyone behind and led the race for most of the game with  Bruce and Andy closely following.  Mike was doing well until he ran into a spot of bother (a cliff). This allowed Phil who had actually brought his sled to a full stop earlier to sneak by him. So Izzy won, then Bruce followed by Andy.  Phil was slightly catching up at the end and Mike decided to walk and carry the remains of his sled home.

Finally a quick game of Bluff in which Phil was somehow victorious, probably thanks to a dram of Auchentoshan Whisky.

So all in all a fun set of games played for Christmas.

Super Dungeon Explore

This new game is much more tactical and challenging than the Manga style character models would suggest.  Needless to say the Evil Overlord won with the Dragon making short work of the adventurers.

War of the Ring

Darryl played as the Free Peoples, Phil as Shadow.

This time the Fellowship made rapid progress towards Lorien and rested there until full strength.  Meanwhile Sauron explored a strategy of conquest in the North East:  Dale, Erebor and the Woodland Realm.   He mustered rapidly and sent forces from the Easterlings and Mordor whilst keeping a holding force at Minas Morgul and one at Dol Guldur to keep Lorien and the Lady Galadril under threat.  It was a difficult war but with the influence of the Witch King and the support of the two armies from Mordor it was just possible for Sauron to eventually take the 5 Victory Points.  Activating the North meant that he had to Muster Monsters in the North West and keep Isengard forces in the area too.

Sauron chose not to do much with Saruman, keeping Rohan at peace and instead chose to muster forces at Umbar and then march north towards Pelargir.

The Witch King marched his forces towards the Misty Mountains, threatening the Elves at Rivendell and Lorien.  The Free Peoples strenthened both as well as sending Cirdan’s ships to Dol Amroth.  Soon every single elven warrior was mustered.  Gandalf the White moved to aid Lorien, leaving a Hobbit with the Ents in Fangorn if necessary.

The Witch King turned his Army South, supported by a large force from Dol Guldur and the Siege began.  This Siege turned out to be a turning point in the game.  Gandalf negated the Witch King and his Nazgul but casualties began to mount on either side.  Many combat cards were played and reinforcements were necessary for the besiegers.  However with the gradual attrition of the Elves and no forces left to Muster, Lorien began to weaken.  Finally the Balrog arrived from Moria (combat card) and Durin’s Bane slew Galadriel and Gandalf as the final elven defenders were overrun by the Orcs.   This all took time and amidst the chaos the Fellowship escaped and headed South towards Minas Tirith with Boromir and Strider in the group.  At the falls the Fellowship was broken.  Boromir went on to raise a mighty Army at Minas Tirith with the aid of Faramir and his Rangers.

The Witch King then ordered his forces South towards either Helm’s Deep or Minas Tirith whilst he and his Nazgul flew towards Dol Amroth in order to complete the Siege.  However that battle did not go as planned.  Possibly as many useful combat cards had already been used up at Lorien.  The siege almost failed and it was only by raising another force at Umbar and employing the ships of the Corsairs that Sauron was eventually able to capture the Citadel.  Boromir briefly threatened a move against Minas Morgul and did recapture Pelargir as well as destroying a small force of Orcs.  Overwhelming forces coming from Mordor however forced him again into a defensive position.

Finally Helm’s Deep and Edoras fell before the Rohirrim could be mustered to war in adequate numbers.  Without Gandalf the White the power of the Nazgul was proving too great.  The Fellowship led by Strider did make it to Minas Morgul but was unable to make much progress as the Free People’s were consitently distracted by war and they were now down to just 4 dice.

Sauron was thus able to achieve a military victory before they could reach Mount Doom!

War of the Ring

Darryl played as the Free Peoples and Phil as Shadow.

Phil focused on Saruman early on and managed to take hold of Helm’s Deep.  He also set aside 3 or more dice each turn for the Hunt but consistently failed to reveal the fellowship.  Whenever he did successfully Hunt he seemed to find Smeagol or deal corruption.  This left him very few dice left and so it took a long time for the Easterlings and Sauron to join the fight.  Meanwhile the Fellowship travelled a very long way and did not stop at Lorien to rest and heal.  Legolas raised the North and the Elves posing a credible threat to Angmar which forced Saruman to send some troops North.

Strider led a fight back in Rohan and briefly threatened to recapture Helms Deep.  Eventually the Witch King arrived and took command of the Siege of Minas Tirith.  He lost a siege tower and was nearly destroyed himself.  He could only manage to reduce the defenders to their last man, a trebuchet and two leaders.  This meant Phil had to move the Southrons to War and bring them up to support the Witch King, using up more precious dice.

At this time the Fellowship led by Merry finally was revealed to be in Morannon!  However they were heavily corrupted by their lengthy journey, especially because of a harrowing trip through Moria which led to the loss of several companions including Smeagol.  Too late now to heal they pressed on regardless despite being heavily corrupted.  Sauron sneakily put back in all the beige tiles rather than just the eye tiles, a fateful error perhaps.   Minas Tirith fell and the Witch King moved rapidly towards Dol Amroth.  Saruman’s forces headed towards the Shire and the Easterlings towards Dale, though not in great numbers.  Under pressure the Free Peoples pushed on towards Mount Doom and a round of draw, reject, draw, reject and repeat took place with Lady Galadriel using Elven Rings to Discard eye tiles and multiple Play on the Table Event Cards coming into play.  Eventually however the Corruption points were just too high with so many dice rolled as Eyes ending up in the Hunt.

So a Victory for Shadow due to Fellowship Corruption (but with an asterix due to adding too many tiles back into the draw pool).

High Noon and Castle Ravenloft

Andy, Phil, Bruce, Mike, Jack and James played.  First High Noon in which 1 player got thrown out of the window and the barmaid was the last person standing.  Then Castle Ravenloft in which the party were successful in curing young Kevan of his Vampirism.

Various Sports themed games courtesy of Mike.

Demarrage (Andy)
800 metres (Bruce)
Raise the Bar (Mike – the famous roll of 18 required on 3d6 to clear the bar)
Aiming for Gold (Bruce)

Phil won the wooden spoon!

Lords of Waterdeep

Andy, Mike, Phil, Bruce and Darryl played this for the first time.  Was fun.  Andy took control of the Docks, Bruce was intriguing, Phil acted the Paladin, Darryl lost a wizard to free drinks and  Mike took an early lead and just held on to claim victory at the final count.