The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Revised Core Set
- Designer Nate French
- Publisher Fantasy Flight Games , ADC Blackfire Entertainment , Galápagos Jogos , Geekach LLC , HIT Games
- Illustration Even Mehl Amundsen , Erfian Asafat , Tiziano Baracchi , Ryan Barger , Sara Biddle , Yoann Boissonnet
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
Players embark on epic adventures in Tolkien’s universe through a linked narrative campaign consisting of three scenarios. The game introduces new Boon and Burden mechanics that carry effects across missions. Up to four players cooperate by managing resources and hands tactically to overcome challenges. This edition improves content and quality-of-life features from the original.
Who Is This Game For?
This game targets experienced players who enjoy cooperative deck-building and campaign-based gameplay. With a duration of around 120 minutes and a minimum age of 14, it suits dedicated gamers rather than casual families. Prior experience with deck construction or campaign games is helpful.
How It Works
Players build decks and manage their hand cards cooperatively while dealing with automatic resource growth and event cards. The campaign mode links multiple scenarios where Boons grant advantages and Burdens impose drawbacks persisting between missions. The goal is to cooperate and complete the story-driven challenges successfully.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Nate French and released in 2022, this revised core set won the UK Games Expo Best Card Game (Strategic) Judges Award and People's Choice Award in 2022. It belongs to The Lord of the Rings Living Card Game series, combining campaign gameplay with cooperative deck-building in a unique way.
Awards
2022
- 2022 Dragon Awards Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Miniatures/Collectible Card/Role Playing Game — Nominated
Pro
- Cooperative gameplay for up to 4 players
- Linked narrative campaign with persistent effects
- Boon and Burden mechanics add depth across missions
- Winner of two UK Games Expo Awards in 2022
Contra
- Relatively long playtime of about 120 minutes
- Minimum age of 14 limits suitability for younger families
- Complex deck-building requires learning effort
Setting & Atmosphäre
Set in the fantasy world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, players experience adventures with magical beings, heroes, and dark forces through a detailed narrative campaign.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Take time to study the revised 'Learn to Play' rules and try the included starter decks before diving into the campaign.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
Yes, the game supports solo play for one player.
How long does a game really take?
A typical session lasts around 120 minutes; additional time for setup and learning should be considered.
What prior experience do I need?
It is an expert-level game requiring familiarity with deck construction and cooperative mechanics.
How does this compare to similar games?
Its unique combination of campaign mode with Boon and Burden mechanics distinguishes it from other Living Card Games.
Is this suitable for families?
Due to complexity and the 14+ age recommendation, it’s better suited for older teens and adults.
What mechanic makes it special?
The blend of deck construction, automatic resource growth, and a campaign with persistent Boon and Burden effects stands out.
Fazit
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Revised Core Set is highly recommended for fans of cooperative deck-building and Tolkien lore who appreciate complex campaigns. Casual players may find the length demanding.
