Game: War of the Ring - Battles of the Third Age

Thread: Re: Gandalf, The Free Warmonger

Dam the Man — 2008-12-01T08:28:33+00:00

Gronak wrote:
>
Tried a war strategy but didn't get the dice for G the Wm exactly. Had to switch to going for the ring, and made it to Moria but had too many Corruption to succeed, even though the SP had burned a lot of his corruption cards.

Gave up at Moria, what the hell man??? Can you give some details? Was Corruption in the double-digits? Who was left in the party? Shit, while I rarely even take the Moria path (seems I'm always revealed on moves 3 and/or 4), I'd NEVER, EVER give up on the ring dunk after 3 or 4 moves.

Thread: Re: Gandalf, The Free Warmonger

Gronak — 2008-12-01T06:14:37+00:00

>
Something that does not happen very often is the Shadow attacking a Free Stronghold, Free army fights a field battle to allow a retreat, and then the Shadow army does not pres the attack, so the Free army survivors do not get to retreat!
>

Sounds more like an accidental omission than a deliberate design feature. Its strategically unrealistic that a non-persued army is unable to retreat.

***
Tried a war strategy but didn't get the dice for G the Wm exactly. Had to switch to going for the ring, and made it to Moria but had too many Corruption to succeed, even though the SP had burned a lot of his corruption cards.

So now try to think up a strategy that would sucker the SP into warring long enough to burn enough Corruption cards to allow a ring victory.

Thread: Re: Gandalf, The Free Warmonger

magic gecko — 2008-12-01T04:51:04+00:00

Sevenspirits says "I see your point but I don't consider that a good excuse to write strategies that assume your opponents are inflexible."

If you have never done something before you are not inflexible.
If you have never done something before you are inexperienced.
Maybe even ignorant, but not inflexible.

Writing up strategies that assume your opponent is inexperienced or ignorant is entirely reasonable when you know they will be.

Assuming ignorance is entirely reasonable when dealing with new things.

But, more importantly, Sevenspirits agrees with me that Gandalf the FreeMonger is fun to play.

So, would anyone out there like to try it?

It really is LOTS of fun to play, even if you lose.
And you get to attack with the Free!

Thread: Re: Gandalf, The Free Warmonger

magic gecko — 2008-11-24T01:51:48+00:00

">You attack me, I scouts and conquer Dol Guldur.

But that's card dependant -- until now your strategy is not."

Actually, no.
No, it is technically not card dependant.

I have some cards.
You know the type of card they are.
You know I could have Scouts.

The other solution, if card free truely is critical to you for some reason is that Free can just fight and retreat.

Something that does not happen very often is the Shadow attacking a Free Stronghold, Free army fights a field battle to allow a retreat, and then the Shadow army does not pres the attack, so the Free army survivors do not get to retreat!

Thread: Re: Any news on a new expansion?

squash — 2008-11-22T12:47:10+00:00

Peter Tennant wrote:
What about starting the hobbits in The Shire?

This one...

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/111865

...by user Jimzik, adds very few rules but works exceptionally well.

Thread: Re: Any news on a new expansion?

Gronak — 2008-11-22T12:24:57+00:00

>Oh, you want individual figures with real characteristics, but without stats or the ability to fight each other.
>

Your ignorance of _real_ miniatures gaming is showing.

Each stand of figures represents hundreds of troops. Leaders affect command & control plus the fantasy element of limited heroic feats.

Aside from being tactical games, GW stinks, period.

Thread: Re: Gandalf, The Free Warmonger

Gronak — 2008-11-22T09:26:20+00:00

>You attack me, I scouts and conquer Dol Guldur.

But that's card dependant -- until now your strategy is not.

Thread: Re: Any news on a new expansion?

AndreaGreyskull — 2008-11-19T15:01:47+00:00

I would really love to see a 2nd expansion. Some time ago Roberto said that they had something already. I am sure they had time enough to test it!!! The thing is that if another expansion will be out, I do not think it will be out before 2 year from now... too much time after the war of the Ring. Moreover take into account that they take plenty of time to make one boardgame (IMHO their boardgame are fabulous!!!).
Unless they have somthing ready...I really do not think we will see any expansion in the near future!!
Roberto, Francesco ...helpppppppppppp.... please say somthing......

Thread: Re: Any news on a new expansion?

magic gecko — 2008-11-18T00:21:49+00:00

"Boardgame combat stinks; its just rolling dice."

Me . . .Brave Stand
You . . .Deadly Strife

You lose, no dice rolled.
Not everything is Outflank into Defend.

"It needs the tabletop miniatures game conversion."
"They could sell the figures in bags of 100 and you glue several to a base. Leaders with real, unique characteristics."

Go play the table top minatures version Games Workshop did of the Lord Of The Rings
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/28805

"Please no GW style stats; that's a man to man scale system."
Oh, you want individual figures with real characteristics, but without stats or the ability to fight each other.

That is War of the Ring.
Leaders Lead and Legolas can kill an Elephant.

War of the Ring is WAY better.

Maybe a new Expansion could be the Original War.
Where he gets his fingers lopped off.

Thread: Re: [STR] Ten points for the Warg Riders

Arneson Stidgeley — 2008-11-15T20:54:53+00:00

Zordren wrote:
Just curious - how far did the fellowship even get?I think they were two steps away from the Crack of Doom with around six corruption - ie, there would have been a successful ring dunk the next turn. But I still had four unused action dice at the end - a substantial number really.

Thread: Re: [STR] Ten points for the Warg Riders

Zordren — 2008-11-15T20:39:05+00:00

Sounds like a great victory for you! "A New Power is Rising" sure could make a big impact in the game, and it sounds like you exploited the advantage expertly!

Just curious - how far did the fellowship even get?

Thread: Re: Gandalf, The Free Warmonger

SevenSpirits — 2008-11-12T01:09:06+00:00

magic gecko wrote:
At what point are you going to abandon DEW North?

"Marching an army north from Mordor after
Step a - "your opponent gives up on the Fellowship"
Step b - " and sends multiple companions to Minas Tirith,"
Step c - " and starts mustering Gondor."

I would put it on hold at a, and then not resume again following b and c.

"- Trying to "besiege" a mustered-up Lorien, while not first blocking the other region so they can't retreat."

OK. You now need 2 Armies capable of stopping Lorien + Companions or Moria / Dol Guldur is going down.

Or, are you going to have a small army on the other side?
You walk up to the Big army to besiege Lorien.
I attack the weak army.
You attack me, I scouts and conquer Dol Guldur.

It's looking like it would take forever for us to go back and forth over every possible move here. I do think from experience that the Shadow has an advantage here and can very likely trap the elves in Lorien.

Part of the point of this thread is that THIS IS A NEW IDEA.
Apparantly I need better hypothetical opponents because when people are playing with ideas they have never come across before, they know what to do.
New ideas get insulted by people that have not tried them, but demand the right to judge them without evidence or consideration.
Or playing them.

I don't consider this to be a new idea. When I briefly mentioned a pure Free military here (http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/159177), it had already been discussed several times. The only new part I noticed is the selection of Mordor as a first-choice target.

Dear Sevenspirits,
Have you played in a game where 7 companions went to Moria?

Maybe you have, but I am willing to bet 99% of the War of the Ring boards in the world have not.

Yes, probably about 10. I see your point but I don't consider that a good excuse to write strategies that assume your opponents are inflexible.

Dear Sevenspirits,
Is Gandalf the FreeMonger fun to play?

Yes!

Thread: Re: Gandalf, The Free Warmonger

magic gecko — 2008-11-12T00:30:03+00:00

At what point are you going to abandon DEW North?

"Marching an army north from Mordor after
Step a - "your opponent gives up on the Fellowship"
Step b - " and sends multiple companions to Minas Tirith,"
Step c - " and starts mustering Gondor."

Step c occurs turn 4ish. Is your plan to turn them around at Dale so they can defend Minas Morgul?

"- Trying to "besiege" a mustered-up Lorien, while not first blocking the other region so they can't retreat."

OK. You now need 2 Armies capable of stopping Lorien + Companions or Moria / Dol Guldur is going down.

Or, are you going to have a small army on the other side?
You walk up to the Big army to besiege Lorien.
I attack the weak army.
You attack me, I scouts and conquer Dol Guldur.

The Elves are at war on turn 2

" you don't have your hypothetical opponent playing nearly as well as they could."
Well, I am taking you as my opponent at the moment. You seem OK.
My last game, Mr Hunty stopped the FSP, my opponent got a FPMV on turn 10 through violence.
My opponent plays just fine too, thanks.

"I find this very irritating given that you are trying to make arguments about strategy."
Yes. My Posts include lots of terms from the game. They often include new ideas, sometimes strong ones.
If you have had an opponent mindlessly use DEW North against you for the last 10 games, here is a way to kill them.
When people encounter new ideas they often get them wrong.

Part of the point of this thread is that THIS IS A NEW IDEA.
Apparantly I need better hypothetical opponents because when people are playing with ideas they have never come across before, they know what to do.
New ideas get insulted by people that have not tried them, but demand the right to judge them without evidence or consideration.
Or playing them.

"The problem in just about all your posts, MG,"
Wow.

" What's the point of strategizing to beat a bad opponent?"
I dont have anyone else typing on this thread that has even the faintest idea what I am on about.
This type of game is completely outside of the vast majority of the people that come here.

Dear Sevenspirits,
Have you played in a game where 7 companions went to Moria?

Maybe you have, but I am willing to bet 99% of the War of the Ring boards in the world have not.

FreeMonger wont always work. Sorry about that.
But it is really fun to play.

Dear Sevenspirits,
Is Gandalf the FreeMonger fun to play?

Thread: Re: Question on Ents during siege

Krieghund — 2008-11-11T14:14:56+00:00

No, it simply means that the Ents are allowed to attack that Army even though it's in the same Region, rather than an adjacent one. They aren't required to attack it.

Thread: Re: Question on Ents during siege

Helurian — 2008-11-11T13:12:42+00:00

I see, that is a huge advantage to the (already strong) Ents..

Kevin, what exactly do you mean by 'unless they start off an activation in a Region with an enemy Army'. Does it mean that if there are is an enemy army in the same region as the 'end' of the Ent-chain, the Ents cannot make the chain longer at that end until the army is removed?

For example, say there is an Ent (end of the chain) in Isen (the region below Ortanc, can't recall the complete name) end there is also an enemy army in that region. The Ents cannot attack Ortanc until there is no longer an enemy army in Isen?

Thread: Re: Gandalf, The Free Warmonger

SevenSpirits — 2008-11-11T10:05:37+00:00

The problem in just about all your posts, MG, is that you don't have your hypothetical opponent playing nearly as well as they could.

For example:
- Marching an army north from Mordor after your opponent gives up on the Fellowship and sends multiple companions to Minas Tirith, and starts mustering Gondor.
- Trying to "besiege" a mustered-up Lorien, while not first blocking the other region so they can't retreat.

I find this very irritating given that you are trying to make arguments about strategy. What's the point of strategizing to beat a bad opponent?

Thread: Re: War of the Ring Expansion Recommend it to me

magic gecko — 2008-11-11T02:55:39+00:00

I am with Arneson.

The game is great.
The expansion makes it better.
This is your favourite game.

Get the expansion.

Next.

Thread: Re: Gandalf, The Free Warmonger

magic gecko — 2008-11-11T01:28:45+00:00

It is embarrassing, but sometimes we play the game just to enjoy it. Not just to win. Even so, sending guys north really is the default tactic.

And this is a way to stop that.

Sure, it is way more important in the basic game.
But it is the basic game where this tactic should shine.

The expansion is much MUCH harder.
But it is still entirely doable.

"you have all these points that support attacking Dol Guldur"
Yes. We agree.

"but you still suggest attacking Mordor as the primary tactic!"
Yes. We agree.

"There's not much more I can say to that. I think you came to the wrong conclusion."
No. We agree.
I understand and agree with your points.
I made those points first.

"I often send Mordor guys north but almost never when the FP are going pure military."

Cool. So this outright stops DEW NORTH !

"In that case it's better to attack/contain the strongest FP armies first, IMO."

OK. But you are on shakey ground here.

"If you send companions to Lorien and MT, I'm going to rush to besiege one or both of those strongholds"

! All Right ! YAY !
Field battle in Lorien.
Scouts.
Move
Attack Empty
Conquer Dol Guldur!

Oh, sorry.

"and not send my troops off to some uncontested area."

Excellent.
All my reinforcements are useful.
None of my weak flanks need reinforcement.
You are going to have to kill ALL my units.
Sounds like a fun game.

Thread: Re: Question on Ents during siege

Krieghund — 2008-11-10T23:10:15+00:00

The correct answer is "B". The Ents always attack an adjacent Region (unless they start off an activation in a Region with an enemy Army). Strongholds make no difference to them.

Thread: Question on Ents during siege

Helurian — 2008-11-10T20:16:09+00:00

Heya,

Me and my brother just encountered just encountered a rather interesting issue in the base game + expansion.

The FP was besieging Dol Guldur. An Ent was standing in one of the regions next to Dol Guldur (can't recall the name). If the FP now plays an Ent card, can he use the Ents to attack the besieged army in Dol Gulder? Which of the following scenarios is correct?:

A)
- First the FP moves an Ent to Dol Guldur, joining the besieging FP army
- Next, he uses another Ent to attack the besieged Shadow army in Dol Guldur

or,

B)
- The FP can immedately use an Ent to attack the besieged Shadow army in Dol Guldur

or,
C)
- The Ents CANNOT attack a besieged Shadow army

We could no find anything in the forum or FAQ?

Thanks for your input.

Thread: Re: Any news on a new expansion?

Gronak — 2008-11-10T05:45:40+00:00

It needs the tabletop miniatures game conversion. Boardgame combat stinks; its just rolling dice.

They could sell the figures in bags of 100 and you glue several to a base. Leaders with real, unique characteristics.

Please no GW style stats; that's a man to man scale system.

Thread: Re: Terrain Superiority?

Cecrow — 2008-11-10T02:27:00+00:00

Good - somebody's asked this one already. I had the same problem, despite having read the line quoted above in the rulebook. It seems odd to me that if you lost everyone who was contributing to your original superiority assessment as casualties, you would still retain it in subsequent rounds; to me that suggested it should be checked each round. But I guess once the battle is engaged, it's all chaos after that anyway.

Thread: Re: Gandalf, The Free Warmonger

SevenSpirits — 2008-11-09T20:50:03+00:00

magic gecko wrote:
More people should point out "one of the dumbest ways of trying for it that I've heard of. " while completely agreeing, and restating everything I say.

Well, it's funny, but you have all these points that support attacking Dol Guldur, and you mention it, but you still suggest attacking Mordor as the primary tactic! There's not much more I can say to that. I think you came to the wrong conclusion.

As for DEW north - I often send Mordor guys north but almost never when the FP are going pure military. In that case it's better to attack/contain the strongest FP armies first, IMO. If you send companions to Lorien and MT, I'm going to rush to besiege one or both of those strongholds, and not send my troops off to some uncontested area.

Thread: Re: Gandalf, The Free Warmonger

Arneson Stidgeley — 2008-11-09T13:47:48+00:00

magic gecko wrote:

"Attacking Mordor only works if they've moved guys out already."

Yes, it is easier that way. But not critical.
Have you noticed DEW North is kinda dominant?Brights of Beckton have noted it less dominant in the Expansion. The addition of Galadriel seems to give the Fellowship enough time against a standard DEW North.

We still haven't worked out standard starts for the Shadow - Gon. West (see strategy) is the closest I have come up with. Perhaps it really does vary according to the dice you get - unlike the Base Game, where DEW North really did seem to be the obvious choice in most, if not all, situations.

Thread: Re: Any news on a new expansion?

Zordren — 2008-11-09T04:55:17+00:00

yep...

Thread: Re: Gandalf, The Free Warmonger

magic gecko — 2008-11-08T23:46:40+00:00

"planning on attacking Mordor on turn 4 has to be one of the dumbest ways of trying for it that I've heard of."

Why?

"Attacking Mordor only works if they've moved guys out already."

Yes, it is easier that way. But not critical.
Have you noticed DEW North is kinda dominant?

"How about going for Dol Guldur instead?"
Yes. How about it?

"It's only one space farther away"
Yes.
From the Opening post. . .
"Dol Guldur is only 4 away from Minas Tirith, the same distance as Morranon."

"is in range of ents"
Yes.
From the Opening post. . . "Two Ent cards is enough for 10 dice at 5 on the Balrog, or Dol Guldur."

"doesn't have 20 guys guarding it"
Just 7 HP at start, not 5 guys like Minas Morgul or Morranon

"and has FP settlements near it instead of Shadow ones."
Sorry, Did you seriously mean Dale?

So, in short. Yes. I completely agree with you.
Ah, . . . but you wish to disagree with me.
Well, I agree with that too.

More people should point out "one of the dumbest ways of trying for it that I've heard of. " while completely agreeing, and restating everything I say.

Thread: Re: Gandalf, The Free Warmonger

SevenSpirits — 2008-11-08T21:57:48+00:00

Nothing against the concept of a free military victory, but planning on attacking Mordor on turn 4 has to be one of the dumbest ways of trying for it that I've heard of. Attacking Mordor only works if they've moved guys out already. How about going for Dol Guldur instead? It's only one space farther away, is in range of ents, doesn't have 20 guys guarding it, and has FP settlements near it instead of Shadow ones.

Thread: Re: Any news on a new expansion?

SlyFrog — 2008-11-08T21:21:24+00:00

Some of you people would pretty much buy anything shiny, wouldn't you.

Thread: Re: Any news on a new expansion?

Zordren — 2008-11-08T20:56:14+00:00

There are a couple of variants you can find here on BGG that make up some modified rules to start the Hobbits in the Shire, and the companions are in a couple different locations. Never tried any of the variants, but they sound neat.

Thread: Re: Any news on a new expansion?

Peter Tennant — 2008-11-08T20:06:34+00:00

On the back of Battles of the Third Age, it does say '...the first expansion for the best-selling War of the Ring board game....'. One can hope!

What about starting the hobbits in The Shire?

Image

Cecrow — 2008-11-08T16:40:05+00:00

Setup for Rohan Scenario

Thread: Re: Any news on a new expansion?

Zordren — 2008-11-08T01:01:15+00:00

MrWeasely wrote:
During the dev of Botta, there was talk of another expansion with perhaps Eagles and Army of the Dead promoted to factions, though that was a couple years ago, and as Skeletor says, there's not really a need for this, the existing cards work ok.

MISTER WEASELY AND MISTER SKELETOR! HOW DARE YOU!!!

Whaddya' mean "no expansions necessary"?!?!?!? Who care's if its necessary!!! I want eagles and Armies of Dead and Radaghast and Elrond and Rangers! I want some rules that allow for "Sharkey" to scourge the Shire (I've actually been toying around with this variant - not that Saruman gets killed much, but it DOES happen...) And how about Gothmog???

I want expanded ways to alter/execute the Hunt and maybe shake up the political aspect of the game (S&E slip back a step if they suffer a big defeat? Shadow exerts itself to push the FP back using fear tactics/mouth of sauron as evil emmissaries)

And of course, battle scenarios for Lorien and Dale/Erebor would be awesome!

Sure, these things aren't necessary, and sure some of them could be house rules variants, and sure I've been getting my butt kicked by Belasarius the last few times I've played and need to get better before I start worrying about more expansions, and sure the designers might mess it up, but who cares? If the new expansion is no good, we'll just play without them/not buy them...

Thread: Re: Gandalf, The Free Warmonger

magic gecko — 2008-11-07T23:30:29+00:00

Mr W
You may never try this and I know it wont work.
And you don’t have to justify why.
I know that I cannot convince you with mere evidence.
And I am a troll.
Yup, Checkmated.

And you wrote that before the basic game thread was made.
Garzini hope you like the basic game thread you asked for.

“And have you tried this against anyone, Magic?”

Well, yes.
Going military after the FSP is in Mordor is different to when Frodo stays in Rivendell. Armies don’t abandon strongholds to jump down the next hole.

I document every game I play. I should be able to see how many I have won. Working out how many I have tried for is much harder.
I may have attempted more Free People Military Victories than anyone else on the planet. I may well even have earnt the most.
But even so I would guess (and this is guess) at about 7ish?

Arneson, I reckon maybe in 2-3 years I may come. Maybe never. Last week I got an Invite to the Magic World Championships. It is in Memphis, Tennesse.

More MrMcW territory, I think.

Thread: Re: Discarding A Balrog Has Come

Arneson Stidgeley — 2008-11-07T19:49:27+00:00

Cecrow wrote:
And I suppose he [the Balrog] helps defend Moria. But it seems to me he does less meaningful work for the Shadow than Galadriel does for the FP; kinda unfair.Indeed. But then the 'unfairness' was that the base game was weighted in favour of the Shadow - if two experienced players were playing.

After 200 games with the expansion I reckon the game is now very evenly balanced.

Thread: Re: War of the Ring Expansion Recommend it to me

Arneson Stidgeley — 2008-11-07T19:38:01+00:00

shieldwolf wrote:
Does it add to the original or make it too unbalanced or too much longer in game time? I feel the original is pretty amazing and well balanced. No matter how bad things look for either side it usually comes down to the last few turns. I love that about the game and I don't want to lose that with the expansion.
Those were my concerns exactly, Shieldwolf. After well over one hundred games - and an Intercontinental Championship (see Sessions on base game) the DEW North strategy seemed to make it favour the Shadow. The expansion fixes it and it's an even better game. My set must have had over 300 plays by now. Really.

Re the separate tactical games in the expansion: I have played only once and they didn't grab me (but that might be just me). The Strategy game is just so good the tactical ones never get a look in.

Thread: [STR] Ten points for the Warg Riders

Arneson Stidgeley — 2008-11-07T16:52:04+00:00

What was remarkable about this game was that Isengard units were involved in the capture of every victory point.

Two Eyes and five musters were a good start. Revealing the Fellowship early and picking up 'A New Power...' made it even better.

Perhaps I was too doctrinaire in plonking the Chief of the Ring Wraiths down on the Fellowship. That is my usual play against a pre-Moria revelation, but at that point it was obvious that a military blitz was on so perhaps the Black Captain should have appeared.

And it was then fairly straightforward: Rohan fell swiftly and with little resistance. Saruman's forces then turned their attention North, marching through Fangorn to Lorien, where the Fellowship had stopped for healing. Strider was already dead, having taken the Balrog with him as the Fellowship passed through Moria (first Eye had been killed by Galdriel with a ring - I then drew a second Eye).

Reinforcements from Mordor, Moria and Dol Goldur captured Lorien despite an heroic defence inclduing Boromir, Legolas, Gimli and a Hobbit fighting alongside Galadriel - and her many musters.

The Fellowship had meanwhile struggled to Minas Tirith, which lay quiet in stark contrast to the chaos in the North...

...which grew as an alliance of Saruman, Mordor and Moria Orcs, Southrons and Easterlings headed for the DEW line. Defeat was inevitable as Elvish reinforcement had all died with Galadriel and the North and the Dwarves could not muster quickly enough.

Dale (and the tenth point) fell with the Fellowship wandering through Mordor.

------------------

So, Saruman's forces proved irresistable. Perhaps I should have won even more quickly - but I was hedging my bets by applying one or two cards to the hunt, whereas I should perhaps have just gone with the flow militarily.

Thread: Re: Any news on a new expansion?

MrWeasely — 2008-11-07T05:48:45+00:00

During the dev of Botta, there was talk of another expansion with perhaps Eagles and Army of the Dead promoted to factions, though that was a couple years ago, and as Skeletor says, there's not really a need for this, the existing cards work ok.

Thread: Re: Any news on a new expansion?

pauldelahunt — 2008-11-07T03:18:18+00:00

I guess I meant in the Battles series. Something like the siege of Lorien or something.

Thread: Re: Any news on a new expansion?

MrSkeletor — 2008-11-06T22:42:00+00:00

I don't think the game needs one.

Thread: Any news on a new expansion?

pauldelahunt — 2008-11-06T20:51:04+00:00

just wondering if anyone has heard anything.

Thread: Re: Gandalf, The Free Warmonger

Arneson Stidgeley — 2008-11-06T18:51:27+00:00

magic gecko wrote:
This is the funnest way to win Warring.
Being a Warmonger completely reverses the game.
There are so many new tricks!

...Warmonger seems much easier in the base game than with the expansion.Indeed it is (ho, ho)

Thread: Re: Gandalf, The Free Warmonger

Arneson Stidgeley — 2008-11-06T18:46:28+00:00

And have you tried this against anyone, Magic?

When are you next in London (and I'm looking at you as well, MrMcW)?

Thread: Re: Gandalf, The Free Warmonger

Garzini — 2008-11-03T14:35:08+00:00

What about if you only have the base game...

Thread: Re: Gandalf, The Free Warmonger

MrWeasely — 2008-11-03T14:19:50+00:00

Let me be the first to post that

1) I will never try this in any circumstances and
2) This plan will not work based on a priori reasoning

No amount of evidence to the contrary will convince me! Furthermore, if you point any of this out, I will complain you're a troll and get you banned for the 40,000th time. Hah! Checkmate!

Thread: Gandalf, The Free Warmonger

magic gecko — 2008-11-03T03:35:47+00:00

This is the funnest way to win Warring.
Being a Warmonger completely reverses the game.
There are so many new tricks!

There are only a few, specific ways that FPMV can start.
Veterans can fight the horde into the ground and charge the pit it came from.
Happens with Rohan taking Orthanc, Gondor charging a broken Mordor, Lorien rushing Moria, or DEW slapping Dol Guldur

An Opportunist can retreat and enter an empty Shadow stronghold.
Having the last Action of a turn, and first of the next works too when they place or roll Eyes.
Scouts is often used as the first movement, Through a Day and a Night can have the same effect.

But, these two tactics are mostly not enough, and fair enough too.
Free are not meant to win this way.
But, there is enough troops and enough dice to wage war.
A Warmonger can win this way.
The Fellowship must be broken, and early, it may not even leave Rivendell.
First action of the game, ' 7 Companions to Moria ', now there is a statement.
I recomend it.

The Warmonger must get all 6 dice quickly.
Aragorn must go to Gondor to be crowned.
A Hobbit musters the Ents, quickly.
Legolas can go to Lorien to use his prince ability.
Boromir can go to M-T to use his prince ability.
Gimli can go to Rohan, DEW, Carrock, Gondor, Nth Downs, or Lorien.
The spare hobbit gets lots of choice too.

"Does Gandalf leave the Fellowship?", the Warmongers shouts YES!
Gandalf the Grey is just itching for an Heroic death.

Warmonger really isn't rocket science, all I have done is make a script.
Send 3 Companions to Lorien, 3 to Minas Tirith and a Hobbit to the Ents.
Send Elves to war.
Send Gondor to war.
Move the largest 2 Free armies to conquer the closest 2 strongholds.

Legolas, Gimli and a Hobbit take and hold Moria with 4 Elites, a Regular and a Leader
Aragorn, Gandalf and Boromir charging into Mordor with an Elite, 5 Regulars and a Leader.
Seems like a plan

The Plan
Turn 1&2 (Elves to War & Galadriel), and (Get The King) and Get Ents
Turn 3 Muster Elites in Lorien, Characters and Palantirs send Gondor to war
Turn 4 March next to Moria and into Os-G, Attack Moria, Conquer Moria, March to Morranon
Turn 5 Attack Morranon, Attack Gorgoroth, Attack Barad Dur, Conquer Barad Dur

Written out like that it looks easy! And No Special Events mentioned!

In Turn 1 and Turn 2 (3 Char + 1 WoW) + (3xAny+Muster) + (Muster) = 9 dice

(Get The King)
Crown Aragorn, Gandalf and Boromir to Minas Tirith.
Legolas, Gimli and a Hobbit to Lorien
Hobbit to Fangorn

(Elves to War & Galadriel) - 3xDice using Legolas
Muster Galadriel (or Gandalf the white)
Musters the Ents.

Turn 3 (3xmusters + 1xSword + 2xAny)
Muster 2xElites in Lorien
Characters and Palantirs send Gondor to war
Muster elite at M-T
M-T to Os-Giliath

Turn 4 (4xSword + Army + spare)
Lorien to Dimril Dale and Os-Giliath to Nth Ithilian
Attack Moria
Conquer Moria
Attack Minas Morgul
Conquer Minas Morgul

Spending turn 4 building more forces does seem reasonable, especially if Shadow sent an army due north from Mordor.
Turn1and turn 2 are largely interchangeable, but must occur quickly.

4 musters on turn one to get Galadriel is still a good move.
Galadriel is normally so strong that she scares the angry Witch King off the map.
Her extra die is good, but Galadriel sucks in this.
Her leadership is immobile, she can't use cards and her powers are bad.
Using rings to kill Eyes, and mustering under seige are useless.

Mr Angry normally stays off map because he allows Galadriel.
By rushing the Elves to war, a Warmonger lets Mr Angry on table as soon as possible .
When Mr Angry is on the map the Balrog cannot be mustered, and his Troll.

Gandalf the White summons Mr Angry too! Why waste a dice on Galadriel?
Promoting Gandalf seems a reasonable improvement over Galadriel.
Makes the dice look easier too.
Gandalf wants to promote on the First turn because Saruman entered play too early.
Gandalf going White is very good at reducing casualties with Aragorn.

Dont use Elven Rings.
Shadow have a harder time keeping the right dice.
Give them a Ring and they never "just get it wrong" and lose.
If Free get it wrong, the board will quickly disintegrate.
Try to regroup the Companions in any available Free nation and try agian for the last 2 points.
You will not be able to dunk the ring.

I like getting the Ents to immediately to stop the Voice cold.
Lots of Shadow troops in the middle of the board is not what you want.
Getting Two Ent cards is huge for a FPMV, especially if Gandalf is going to be running around in public anyway.
Two Ent cards is enough for 10 dice at 5 on the Balrog, or Dol Guldur.
Ents clobbering a besieged stronghold for the win is classy.

Rivendell, Lorien and Woodland Realm are all small armies close to the spine of the Misty Mountains.
Moria is the Elves closest target, and the Balrog is bad news.
Linking Rivendell and Lorien on Moria makes the Elves MUCH tougher.
Taking Nth Dunland and even Sth Dunland can be a great idea, because that is where the counterattack will come from.

The Balrog defends Moria with two combat dice, safe leadership and a Troll.
Moria being weak is so helpful, the Balrog is just so harsh on defence.
Sending Sauron to war by attacking Moria with Elves is Funny.
Moving the Fellowship on Moria to use "it is a gift" is expensive but works, a bit.
Revealing the Fellowship on Mt Gundabad to use "it is a gift", now there is true class.

If your only hope is looking impossible, why not charge another shadow stronghold?
Running can work surprisingly well, Mt Gundabad is only 5 away from Moria.
Running East, North or South to attack Dol Guldur can be an excellent idea.
Dol Guldur is only 4 away from Minas Tirith, the same distance as Morranon.
If Dol Guldur chases Lorien, crushing Dol Guldur with the King sounds good.

Ten Points is a long way to go from two points down.
The Shadow must defend ALL of their holes.
There is a neat trick where Aragorn goes south, threatening Umbar.
Rivendell takes Angmar, and The King takes Far Harad for the win.

Ten points can become less relevent than Shadow Killing Them ALL.
Shadow does not even get to win, just survive, since Free often conceed after losing!
Niether side should care about the Fellowship.
Of course, a Warmonger's opponent may not realise that.

Wait for Shadow to announce Eyes placed at the start of each turn.
Do not talk about giving up on the Fellowship.
Winning with Warmonger the first time is not that hard because most players will not see it coming.
Winning with Warmonger the second time is the tricky bit.

Warmonger seems much easier in the base game than with the expansion.
The Balrog, Siege Engines, Hillmen and even Corsairs are all a bit unpleasant.
Nothing really springs to mind that helps the Free. Odd That.

Thread: Re: [STR] Reinforcements never before seen

Sokadr — 2008-11-01T14:48:33+00:00

That's strange: although I have the Expansion, we've never played the base game using it (have played Rohan though--fun!

Thread: Re: [STR] Reinforcements never before seen

Arneson Stidgeley — 2008-10-31T22:19:59+00:00

Sokadr wrote:
I'm surprised. I've seen it happen a couple of times and have only played around 40 games. Surely you've played many more than that.
Hello, Randall

In our 300+ games it has been the first time. Three sons who play and one or two friends - including some intercontinental championships - have helped bump up that number.

The Fellowship has to take some pretty heavy corruption; then heal a lot; then take a lot more corruption; and Galadriel has to destroy lots of eyes (I think it was four in this game - yes, the Free People got rings back with that 'get rings back' card). The Shadow often wins before that.

Thread: Re: [STR] Reinforcements never before seen

Sokadr — 2008-10-31T04:09:28+00:00

I'm surprised. I've seen it happen a couple of times and have only played around 40 games. Surely you've played many more than that.

Thread: Re: Review, focussing on Battle Games

Angra — 2008-10-29T08:47:07+00:00

That's it. The only one really BAD point in this game is the dice rolling system. If that was not the ONLY way to decide actions, and players would have been free do decide what to do each turn, WotR would have been far more better.

Thread: Re: SP: Taking Lorien in early game

Arneson Stidgeley — 2008-10-28T19:28:49+00:00

jimchris wrote:

Ideas or opinions? What do you reckon is the best bet for taking Lorien early?But what is the advantage to taking Lorien early? It musters the elves (making DEW easier to defend) and it doesn't permanently kill the Fellowship extra die.

Perhaps it's one of those things you do only if certain cards appear. And there is the advantage that it deprives the FSP of a healing place and increases their chance of being found post Moria - having to dodge past armies and Nazgul.

Thread: Re: Ye Olde Fellowship

Arneson Stidgeley — 2008-10-28T19:23:40+00:00

MrWeasely wrote:
So I ask this of you all: When do you keep the fellowship alive by corrupting yourself, and when do you kill the buddies and let Gollum take over?
I tend to try to get down to Gollum, as in pre-expansion. You can never bank on getting Smeagol.

But then, I always separate Strider, Boromir and a hobbit on turn one if there are any eyes in the hunt pool.

Image

fixpix — 2008-10-24T22:14:31+00:00

Rohirims marching out of Forgotten Road to crush the orcs.

Image

fixpix — 2008-10-14T20:17:55+00:00

Rohan leader

Image

MrWeasely — 2008-09-02T03:49:09+00:00

Gimli falls to the Nazgul's Black Breath );

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gittes — 2008-05-23T17:13:03+00:00

Aragorn and Gandalf from the Rohan Game.

Image

gittes — 2008-05-23T17:10:32+00:00

Ringwraith Art

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gittes — 2008-05-23T17:09:36+00:00

The Commanders of Mordor

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gittes — 2008-05-11T16:20:25+00:00

My opponent mulls over Saruman's options

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gittes — 2008-05-11T16:19:37+00:00

Only a few men lay between Saruman and the conquest of the Hornburg.

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gittes — 2008-05-11T16:19:03+00:00

Eomer and his border guards meets the Orcs at West Entwade