Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation is a two-player board game set in J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved setting of Middle-earth, in which one player controls of the Fellowship of the Ring, and the other player control of the forces of Sauron. Each side has nine units at its disposal, with varying strengths and abilities, and each player has cards that augment his or her units’ strength values. Additionally, the identity of a player’s units is hidden from his opponent through the use of plastic character stands.
At its heart, Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation is a game of out-bluffing and outmaneuvering your opponent. On each turn, a player simply moves a piece. If he moves into a space containing an enemy, then combat ensues as follows: the units are revealed, along with their strength value- a number in the upper-left corner of each character’s portrait. Some units have devastating powers that allow them to automatically dispatch certain other units... this complex rock-paper-scissors system delivers several satisfying options.
Next, each player chooses a card from his hand and lays it face down on the table. Most of these cards are simply numbered, and they add to the strength of the fighting unit. Some of these cards, however, contain other powers, which when used at the correct times can deliver an unwelcome surprise to your opponent. When both cards are revealed simultaneously, combat is resolved and the dead are removed from the board. You must choose your cards wisely, however, since no combat card can be used again until all the rest have been used!
Since Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation is designed by the celebrated and prolific Reiner Knizia, players can expect the level of elegant simplicity and strategic depth that he’s known for. And between its stunning artwork and its faithful recreation of the race between the Fellowship and Sauron, you’ll find Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation to be uniquely immersive... meaning you can enjoy the perilous adventure of Middle-earth in less than twenty minutes!
Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation Deluxe Edition Includes:
- Gorgeous artwork
- A beautiful game board with art by John Howe
- Large tarot-size playing cards
- 18 finely-crafted plastic "wall" pieces to hold the game character
Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation Board Game Deluxe Edition Story Introduction:
In the wastes of Mordor, the dark lord Sauron plots to cast the lands of Middle-earth into eternal darkness. He only lacks the One Ring, an artifact of ultimate power... and it hangs around the neck of a humble and unassuming hobbit, Frodo Baggins. From the Shire, Frodo and his companions plan their perilous route. He must bring the One Ring to Mount Doom, deep in the lands of Mordor.
To be sure, Sauron’s forces, including nefarious orcs, sinister black riders, and formidable flying nazguls, will be hunting Frodo all the while. But he isn’t alone. The powerful Gandalf, valiant Aragorn, loyal Sam, and many others will help him on his journey, and are prepared to pay the ultimate price to ensure that Frodo destroys the One Ring and brings peace back to Middle-earth!
