Game: Riddle of the Ring

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Herr Niemand — 2008-06-07T23:03:46+00:00

recently rediscovered advertising from early 1985

Thread: Re: Outstanding as two player.

Herr Niemand — 2008-04-12T20:24:10+00:00

I agree with Matt that this is a great game.

On the other hand, I disagree with almost everything else written in this review. Not better as a two-player game, coordination is not crucial, can be played co-op or competitively -- in teams or individually, playing multiple characters is not advocated in the rules (nor by me), and so on. But most importantly, Matt's "errata" needs to be countered:

Matt 'the badger' wrote:
1. Get rid of "friendly exchanges", they are annoying. If you want to get a card from someone; attack them.
Friendly Exchanges are an integral part of the end game. Getting rid of this rules structure breaks the game (or at best renders the end game anti-climactic). Don't do it!

Matt 'the badger' wrote:
2. Remove all ability to fly. Each team then has to 'track' the other. Also it eliminates the possibility of one player starting the game with an eagle/flying beast and the ring, then flying to Mordor and winning too quickly.
Again, totally 100% disagree with this. I can only think you've played but a handful of times to have this attitude. Flying cards keep the game unpredictable and are a source of great excitement in our many games. Without flying cards, whoever is the best die roller becomes paramount -- not my idea of a great game at all. Besides, if a player starts with the Ring and a Flying card (as I've seen before), just start a new game!

Matt 'the badger' wrote:
3. On a few copies of this game one of the Flying Beasts is a 'retain-able' battle point. This is a typo. Each side should have equal 'retainable' battle points, this beast would be an unfair advantage. It is clearly a typo.
Clearly not a typo. This one card represents the overwhelming might of Sauron which could be brought to bear if circumstances are right (i.e., you've got the card). The cards available to play for both sides are not meant to be identical or balanced -- they represent the forces available to both sides. Retain the Retain!

So Matt, no offense, and to each his own, but I wouldn't suggest painting a mustache and goatee on the Mona Lisa as you have done here.

YMMV.

Thread: Re: Outstanding as two player.

SmartQuin — 2008-01-27T22:19:55+00:00

In your humble opinion? Since when have you ever been humble, Badger?
For the benefit of BGG, it is worth agreeing with your recommendation to disable the eagles' & flying beasts' flying ability though - they are far too powerful. It is otherwise possible to win the game on your first go if you are dealt the Ring and a flying card! Ridiculous.

Yes, it is a great game but is out of print so almost impossible to get hold of.

Thread: Re: Some other Riddle of the Ring variant card ideas

Herr Niemand — 2007-09-17T19:25:30+00:00

I've received some feedback on these ideas. The consensus is that Kraken and Storms are too similar and must be combined, or one ditched in preference for the other. I'm leaning more to the ditch one idea. Storms, to me is more neutral, more interesting and unusual, as well as being a narrative aspect in the books (the Fellowship tried to cross the Misty Mountains via the Caradhras pass, but were blocked by a terrible winter storm).

So, Storms it is.

One down.

Thread: Re: New Wizard card expansion set has been posted!

Herr Niemand — 2007-09-07T21:55:37+00:00

Just a quick clarification of the new wizard powers.

The two blue wizards each have an ability which may be used at any time. That is, you may play these cards during an opponent's turn when using these powers:

Alatar: may prevent a Friendly Exchange even during an opponent's turn.

Pallando: may pick up the top card from the discard stack even during an opponent's turn.

I felt this was sufficiently implied in the cards' text, but some have had a question about these wizard cards' usage.

Enjoy!

TT

Thread: Some other Riddle of the Ring variant card ideas

Herr Niemand — 2007-08-10T18:08:59+00:00

Some other Riddle of the Ring variant card ideas

Lately I've been playing and enjoying Riddle of the Ring so much that I've made some expansion cards for the game.

Riddle of the Ring contains six blank cards. My Wizard expansion set (found in the Files section) uses up to three of these cards. I've been thinking about other variant cards for use with the remaining three blanks. Below are some ideas that we've been playtesting. So far they all seem to work and do not seem unbalancing, but I'm having problems narrowing down the field.

I'd like input from all you RotR fans. Which of these variant cards seem most interesting? Questions and comments are most welcome.

You might even try them out using a blank card to represent the variant card tested...

Fate -- This card makes the game more chaotic and fun in my opinion, but it's purely a game mechanic and not tied to any events in Professor Tolkien's works. Playing the Fate card causes the deck and discard pile to be reshuffled into a new deck. This has some nice effects, like allowing a discarded card to re-enter play more quickly and increasing uncertainty. On the other hand, if the Ring hasn't turned up when the deck is reshuffled the game can lengthen to about 90 minutes. A Fate card also allows a player to discard any number of cards from his hand and draw replacements from the deck. The Fate card used in either fashion is immediately discarded.

Kraken -- Playing this card forces another player to lose his boat card; if he's on an island or at sea his marker is moved to the closest mainland space (owner's choice if more than one space is equidistant), if he's on a river rock, he gets placed in one of the three adjacent spaces (owner's choice). Also may be used as 1 Battle Point. Both uses cause the Kraken to be discarded.

Storms -- One space on the board is rendered impassable until your next turn (Barad Dur and Mount Doom spaces may not be made impassable in this fashion). Discard Storms afterwards.

Vampires -- (EVIL) Sauron was Lord of Vampires during the First Age, and some of those suckers are still around! This card could contribute 1 Battle Point. Playing this card could also allow you to take a card from another player. Finally, playing a Vampire card would allow a Black Rider player to subsequently play a GOOD card as if he were a Hobbit player (i.e., allows EVIL to use a GOOD card). All of these powers would result in the Vampire card being discarded afterwards.

Andúril -- (GOOD) Narsil reforged as Aragorn's weapon. Can be used as 1 Battle Point or 2 Battle Points if used in conjunction with Strider (Discard). May also be discarded in lieu of discarding Strider.

If either GOOD or EVIL card is introduced into the mix, the other should be as well to provide balance. All other variant cards listed here are NEUTRAL and may be played by any player.

So, RotR fans please take a look at these ideas and let me know which you'd prefer to see. Or you might try playing with one or more of these cards and see how you like them.

Thanks!

Tim Taylor
8/10/2007

Thread: Re: New Wizard card expansion set has been posted!

dkuznick — 2007-08-03T21:12:36+00:00

Thanks! I recently finally got a (cheap!) copy of this myself.

Thread: New Wizard card expansion set posted! (plus clarification)

Herr Niemand — 2007-08-03T20:43:56+00:00

After literally decades of searching, I recently picked up Riddle of the Ring! I enjoy Riddle of the Ring so much that I've crafted new Wizard cards to add to the base set!

Five wizards came to Middle Earth, but only two are represented in the game (Gandalf and Saruman). The new Wizard expansion set adds Radagast the Brown, Alatar the Greater Blue Wizard, and Pallando the Lesser Blue Wizard. With this expansion set, you print out the new wizards on label paper and affix them to three of the blank cards included in each game.

These new Wizards have been pretty well playtested, and do not in any way seem unbalancing (or rather do not seem more unbalancing than many cards already in the deck).

Just check out the Files section of the Riddle of the Ring page for the file (downloadable in either Word or PDF formats).

This is just my way of sharing my excitement about this game! Enjoy!

Best Wishes,

TT

8/3/2007

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Herr Niemand — 2007-07-16T22:01:52+00:00

my finished character stands are much nicer than poker chips!

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Herr Niemand — 2007-07-14T19:12:31+00:00

characters to replace the poker chip tokens (mount & place in stands)

Thread: Re: Outstanding as two player.

thebadgerboy — 2006-10-04T17:30:51+00:00

Well with 2+ players friendly exchanges are probably a good idea, as it allows a flow of cards between the players. Depends what you are looking for in a game I suppose.

My expeirences with 4+ players free-for-all is that it takes just a little bit too long to get round to your go and thus someone will always be frustrated waiting for their go. That said, if people don't fuss about and get on with their powerplays then this may not be a big problem.

Still love the game in 2-4 players, but better for a 2 player, in my humble opinion

Thread: Re: Outstanding as two player.

SouthernMan — 2006-10-01T18:55:52+00:00

Acquired this (for the first time) off eBay and have not got it out yet (lack of keen opponents), but your review and advice will have me trying a bit harder to round up some mugs.

Thread: Re: Outstanding as two player.

woodjh — 2006-10-01T00:50:00+00:00

I agree, this is an outstanding game. However, I enjoy 2+ much more than two. We've never played "teams", however It's always all-for-one. We do usually make sure to pick the same number of black riders and hobbits. This ensures that no one has an advantage as far as the battle points go.

And getting rid of friendly exchanges??? Blasphemous!!

Thread: Outstanding as two player.

thebadgerboy — 2006-09-30T20:52:10+00:00

Like most people I re-acquired a copy of Riddle of the Ring from ebay. Shipped from a guy in the US for $50, he hadn't even punched out the cards ... this guy didn't know what he was letting go.

The gameplay is fairly straightforward, simply move from city to city gathering supplies (cards from the deck) and/or armies, attack the enemy if you feel strong, or if there is need to do so, but get the ring to Mordor. Either to take the ring to Sauron or to destroy it.

The trouble I had with the game is that co-ordination is required between the members of the same team, indeed this is crucial. This same trait exists in other games, like Scotland Yard or Warcraft. Such co-op play means that two things are likely to happen; a feud between family/friends because "you didn't attack so-and-so when I said you should!" Or that one person becomes a leader of the group and just tells the other team members what to do, which is a tad uninteresting.

Fear not.

Play this game with only two people and you are on to a winner. Decide how many characters each player will have (more characters = longer game, no surprise there) and then dive in. You'll be able to move your characters in what ever way you see fit, thus winning the game is solely your responsibility. Endless times I have played it this way, never have I been bored. This is an excellent game.

If the guy in the US had more copies I'd let you all have his number so you can get one. Either way, get a copy, you'll be happy you did.

Gameplay rating:
2+ Players:
2 Players:

============

As an aside there are some key points I need to tell you about the game.

1. Get rid of "friendly exchanges", they are annoying. If you want to get a card from someone; attack them.
2. Remove all ability to fly. Each team then has to 'track' the other. Also it eliminates the possibility of one player starting the game with an eagle/flying beast and the ring, then flying to Mordor and winning too quickly.
3. On a few copies of this game one of the Flying Beasts is a 'retain-able' battle point. This is a typo. Each side should have equal 'retainable' battle points, this beast would be an unfair advantage. It is clearly a typo.

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woodjh — 2006-03-09T13:53:10+00:00

The Hobbit Cards

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woodjh — 2006-03-09T13:44:35+00:00

Card Size Comparison

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woodjh — 2006-03-09T13:44:18+00:00

The Black Rider Cards

Thread: Great hidden gem

woodjh — 2006-03-05T01:20:43+00:00

I suppose I was 13 or so when I first played this game with a group of friends. A friend of a friend of mine had purchased an early version from the designer himself. The board was made of thin poster board and the oversized cards with questionable artwork were a little worn and torn…but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Looking back, I had some of my most enjoyable and memorable gaming experiences with this game. Part of it, I’m sure, is sentimental. But a large part was the game itself. Many more years than I’d like admit later….I found and purchased the ICE version of the game on Ebay. That’s the only version that I’ve ever seen available, so that’s the version I’ll review.

1) The Game Components. If you’re lucky enough to get the entire set, you’ll find one full colored, mounted, puzzle-cut board (6 pieces), one set of rules, one set of advanced rules, eight plastic playing pieces, 96 playing cards, and one six-sided die. The board is very hearty and well-made. The cards are undersized (about two by three inches). I usually play with them sleeved with magic-card backings so that they’re easier to handle.

2) Mechanics. I won’t go over the rules too much because they’re online on this site. But I did want to touch on the mechanics and what makes the game enjoyable. To begin the game each player chooses one of eight characters. There are four Hobbits (Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin) and four Black Riders (cleverly named Black Rider 1-4). Depending on the number of players, my group will either select characters, or draw them randomly. I’ll explain that in a bit. The idea of the game is simple. Acquire the Ring card, make it to a designated space on the board, and sit for a turn. Since my group never had the official rules, we’d always sit for three turns…which could make for a pretty long game. You can only have 10 cards in your hand at any time, so you must choose them carefully. Your hand hits the limit pretty quickly. There are various cards that give you insight into other players’ hands, allow you to travel to various places on the map, draw more cards (or take your opponents’ cards), and/or give you “Battle” points to use during altercations. Interesting dynamics start to play out between the Hobbit and Black Rider characters during gameplay. You can attack any character that is adjacent to you or on your space. If you are a Black Rider and are attacking a Hobbit, you always attack with Evil army cards and the Hobbit defends with Good army cards and vice versa. However, if you are attacking a character of like-kind, you always use the opposite type of battle card to attack. The other player still uses his native cards to defend. So throughout the game, you may find yourself assisting your like-minded “friends”, but when there can truly be only one winner, there comes a time to turncoat. It makes it very difficult to play with all Hobbits or all Black Riders because each player would need to collect evil and good battle points…which would use up valuable space in your hand. And it’s much easier in a 3+ player game to be the only hobbit or the only Black Rider. It isn’t necessarily easier to win, just easier to play. So, for 3 player games, the group will randomly select from two like-kinds and one opposite. For 4-player games, we’ll agree to use 2 from each side. Nearly every round involves some type of interesting player interaction. Whether it’s trying to get a peek at someone’s hand or using the Gollum card to steal the Ring, this game is chockfull of entertaining interactions among the players. I think that’s the real draw for me…which leads me to…

3) Fun Factor. I think my opinion of this game is 1 part nostalgia, 1 part actual. There are truly very few games that I’ve enjoyed over the years as much as this one. What makes the game so fun? The premise is simple. The cards are simple. There’s very little strategy involved. But there is a ton of player interaction. And I think if you can accept the game as being light in the strategy and depth department, and focus on the player interaction, you’ll understand what this game is all about at its heart and can enjoy it for what it is.

Strategy: 6/10
Gameplay/Mechanics: 7/10
Fun Factor: 9/10

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woodjh — 2006-03-04T02:24:46+00:00

Back of the Box-Riddle of the Ring

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woodjh — 2006-03-04T02:21:22+00:00

Front page of instructions-Riddle of the Ring

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woodjh — 2006-03-04T02:20:15+00:00

Unpunched Cards from Riddle of the Ring-Back view

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woodjh — 2006-03-04T02:15:32+00:00

Unpunched Cards from Riddle of the Ring-Front view

Thread: Session Report

Norbert Chan — 2005-01-10T14:22:26+00:00

Don brought out Riddle of the Ring, a 1983 game produced by Fellowship Games in South Carolina. It was sold at Origins in 1983. This game appears to be a "prototype" edition, since there is a more professional 1985 edition published by Iron Crown Enterprises in 1985, and it appears the 1985 game is a co-operative game.

Quick Synopsis. The game supports up to eight players, four hobbits and four black riders. The map is a hex representation of Middle Earth, with cities, rivers and oceans. On a player's turn they roll a six sided die, which is their movement allowance and can move a number of spaces depending on the terrain. For instance, on a road, two hexes can be moved for a cost of one, on mountain hexes only 1 space can be covered at a cost of two, oceans and rivers can only be crossed if a player has a boat card, and forest hexes cost 1 per hex to move. Each player starts with two cards, and when they land in a city (there are numerous cities on the board), they can draw three cards, then discard one card from their hand. On a player's turn, if they are adjacent to another player, they can initiate a "friendly exchange", randomly exchanging cards with that opponent. A player has two "power plays" or actions on their turn. They can initiate a battle, with the winner decided by battle points from their cards, and the attacker, if they win can send the loser to "limbo" (sort of like jail in monopoly, where you need to roll a 6 to get out, but after three turns you can leave), or they can "riddle" the loser. Riddles can also happen as a power play action (I think). The player draws a card randomly, then states it's name, and if it is the right card, that player gets it! A player can keep riddling if they are correct. If they are wrong, the other player draws a card from the riddling person's hand. Cards in the game are characters (giving battle points), eagles or dragon birds allowing one to fly anywhere on the board, horses to get extra movement, rope to help movement in mountains, palantirs to look at people's hands, etc. In the deck is the One Ring card. To win the game, a hobbit/black rider must stand one turn unopposed at the Cracks of Doom/Baradur.

This prototype looking game looked like a home made production: cut out large cards, color map, rules typed out on an old typewriter, and the rules were sort of almost written out tongue in cheek. The reason I call this a prototype looking is that the cards look like they have been cut out of cardboard by hand. The illustrations are unique. Frodo looks like an eight year old school boy, Don remarked that Strider looked like Jesus, Saruman looked like he needed a good shave, Sam was colored brown, etc. On the rules and map, it is clearly typewritten that the game is not authorized or endorsed by the Tolkein estate.

Players: Greg Nicholas, Don Smith, Jean Jodoin, Gary Baziuk, Trevor Brooks, JP and Norbert (7 player game)

In our game, I was Frodo and went first. Clockwise around the table, JP was Merry, Greg was black rider #3, Don was black rider #2, Gary was Pippin and Jean was black rider #1. On the first turn, I went to Bree, drew the one ring(!) and went to the Lake Men, on the east side of the board. JP used a palantir to look at Greg and my hands. To prevent this, one is allowed to show that person their own character card or the one ring. Greg showed JP his character card and I showed JP the one ring. Since Greg was holding the Frodo card, he knew that I couldn't have the Frodo card, so he went adjacent to me, used the Frodo card to take the one ring card from me. (In retrospect, I probably should have showed my whole hand to JP, so he would be the only one who knew I had the ring). On the next turn, I battled Greg, won, and took the one ring back. JP then did a friendly exchange with me, taking the Frodo card, then taking the ring card from me. JP then played an eagles card (there are 4 total flying cards in the deck, 2 eagles and 2 dragon birds) to go straight to the Crack of Doom. Jean then played the dragon birds card to go to the Crack of Doom and took the one ring from JP! Gary used eagles to go to Baradur and did a friendly exchange with both Jean and JP. It was unsuccessful, for Jean held the one ring in Baradur and won.

Well, as you can see, the game is quite random. Sure, you can argue you have some strategy like filling up your hand if you have the one ring, so people have less chances to take it from you. Ratings: Norbert 5, P 6, Greg, 6, Don 6, Gary 5, Jean 6. You know, it's actually not a bad attempt at a quick, light hex game of middle earth and I admire the designers (who are not mentioned in the rules) for trying such a project.