War of the Ring: The Complete Board and Card Game Buying Guide

Legions of orcs have come forth from Mordor to sweep away the remnants of the Free Peoples. The strongest dwarves, elves, and men must band together to confront the forces of evil in a final effort to save Middle Earth. Meanwhile, a secret hope moves closer to the cracks of Mount Doom, unseen by the eye of Sauron. The story of The Lord of the Rings is as legendary as it is epic. It’s also perfectly captured in its premier strategy board game adaption, War of the Ring. In this guide, we’re reviewing all of the exciting editions, expansions, and spin-offs for this tabletop classic to aid you in your journeys through Middle Earth.

Where to Start: War of the Ring 2nd Edition

Fans who are new to the War of the Ring tabletop games should begin their adventures with the second edition of the original War of the Ring board game. In the box, you’ll find an expansive map of Middle Earth, neatly crafted dice, and a ton of miniatures. The game’s complex strategy mechanics are completely different depending on which side you’re playing. If you’re the Sauron player, your goal is to move your forces from region to region, conquering your enemy’s strongholds and claiming ten victory points. If you’re playing as the Free Peoples, you’ll instead need to outlast the war until Frodo and any remaining members of the fellowship reach Mordor.

War of the Ring Board Game Expansions

War of the Ring’s expansion content adds new characters to the board and more decisions for the players to make each round, transforming what was once a war into an epic fantasy campaign. These boxes bring bigger battles, longer game times, and more immersive mechanics to the table. Below, you’ll find all the expansions listed in our suggested purchasing order.

Lords of Middle Earth Expansion

The Lords of Middle Earth expansion puts some of the most powerful characters from The Lord of the Rings in play, including Elrond, Galadriel, and Durin’s Bane. Gandalf and the Witch King come in a new form, and there are a couple of added dice to roll on each side of the table. This expansion doesn’t add too much game time but simply optimizes the tabletop experience.

Kings of Middle Earth Expansion

The corruption of Sauron and the evil doings of his envoys are the focus of the Kings of Middle Earth expansion. The King Under the Mountain and the King of the Woodland Realm join the fight to the north, while Denethor and Theoden work to keep the darkness at bay in Gondor and Rohan. To oppose them, the player siding with the shadow will gain access to the Dark Chieftains, a new figure type that includes characters like Ugluk and the Black Serpent.

Warriors of Middle Earth Expansion

The Warriors of Middle Earth expansion adds exciting new miniature armies for both the Free Peoples and Sauron. Ents, eagles, and the ghostly traitors of Dunharrow take to the field, while Dunlendings, corsairs, and the spiders of Mirkwood rise to meet them. This box also includes more faction cards and action dice that help make the conflict less predictable.

The Fate of Erebor Expansion

The Fate of Erebor scenario kit focuses on an alternate version of the War of the Ring in which the Free Peoples have lost the Battle of the Five Armies at the end of The Hobbit. The Lonely Mountain becomes a stronghold of evil, and only a few holdouts remain in its vicinity. This expansion is smaller than the other boxes and contains only a few overlay tiles and alternate editions of characters. However, it’s perfect if you’re looking to add more gameplay variety without spending too much.

Play This Next: War of the Ring: The Card Game

War of the Ring: The Card Game is also a viable starting point if you’re new to this tabletop series. Though it focuses on the same conflict as the board game, it’s a completely different experience with its own line of expansions. This time, you’ll have to capture battleground cards with characters and events to shape the fate of Middle Earth. Though it might not have the same strategic depth as the original War of the Ring, the card game is easier to learn, has a more accessible game length, and supports up to four players. It’s a blast for any Lord of the Rings fan and worth getting alongside the board game.

Fire and Swords Expansion

The new Fire and Swords expansion for the card game adds more battlegrounds, characters, and factions to both sides of the conflict and brings the war to the northern and western reaches of Middle Earth. There’s also a new set of scenario rules and support for up to six players, which ensures that the War of the Ring is a more exciting battle than ever before.

Against the Shadow Expansion

If you enjoy cooperative or single-player board games, then the Against the Shadow expansion for the War of the Ring card game will be the perfect fit for you. A new set of automation cards dictates what the forces of Sauron will do during their turn, and you’ll have to think carefully about what your next move is in opposing them. There are two difficulty levels for every scenario, which adds further replay value.

More Collectables for War of the Ring Fans

If you love the War of the Ring and you’ve already purchased all the main expansions for the board and card game, there are still a handful of awesome ways you can continue upgrading your collection and journeying through Middle Earth. 

The Battle of the Five Armies Board Game

From the makers of the War of the Ring board game comes The Battle of the Five Armies, an epic two-player duel that captures the conflict at the end of The Hobbit. This spin-off title features many of the same mechanics as its predecessor, including the huge collection of miniatures on the board and the action dice. If you love Middle Earth and enjoy tactical board games, this one’s absolutely worth adding to your shelf.

War of the Ring Deluxe Game Mat

If you have all the War of the Ring expansions, you might have noticed that the game board can get a bit cramped when all the miniatures are in play. The deluxe game mat fixes this issue with a significant increase in map size, so you can more easily see where you’re moving your troops.

War of the Ring Card Boxes and Sleeves

If you want to keep your War of the Ring cards in perfect shape for years to come, you might want to consider picking up a few of the game’s dedicated card box and sleeve sets. There are several variants to choose from, with different character artwork and designs for each of them.